Orlando theme parks and express tickets

[leemarkadams]

Hello all, looking to go to Orlando in feb with my son and wife and just wondered what peoples opinions of the express passes are, the ones that let you jump to the front of the queue? Are they really worth the extra?

Thanks

Lee

[Captain Cadillac]

Yes.

Disney FastPass? Yes, yes, yes yes.

Waiting on insane lines is for suckers.

[acd80]

I've been to Orlando two years in a row and used the express tickets both times in Islands of Adventure/Universal Studios. There is no way we would've managed to get on all the rides without it. There is no express queue for the Harry Potter ride though but the wait is worth it and I can't stand the four-eyed tw@t.

I haven't been to Disney so can't comment on the queues there.

The first time I went was with the Navy. We went to Seaworld and got free entry with our ID cards but had to pay $20 for an express pass. One of the guys from our ship didn't bother with the express pass for some bizarre reason (despite saving $80 on the entry fee with his ID card) and queued up in the non-express queue for the Mantaray ride. By the time he got to the front of the queue, we were just going on our 5th go on it!

Express passes are worth their weight in gold.

I'm not sure what the queues will be like in February though. I've been in late July/early August (which was insane)and the start of September (which was dead in comparison but still ticking over).

[Trustmeimadoctor]

Where as if we had them it would have been a waste. Longest wait was about an hour for hogwarts. Disney since its free just pick the ticket and yo when its your time simples but it all depends on time of year this was march

Universal is better on a night very quiet just walk onto rides we did hulk 3 times in a row about 15 minutes the mummy ride 5 times one after another didnt have to wait at all that was at opening time too next to no one in at that time.

Edited by Trustmeimadoctor on Sunday 16th December 23:55

[telecat]

At Disney the Fastpass system only allows you to hold one from one ride at a time and you have to get it at the ride. Universal's system is a true Express ticket but will you need one in February? Unless you arrive while the US has a National Holiday the queues are not that bad. You can also get early entry to Islands of Adventure for Hogwarts and the queue for the rides is really short.

[ChrisBMW]

leemarkadams said:

Hello all, looking to go to Orlando in feb with my son and wife and just wondered what peoples opinions of the express passes are, the ones that let you jump to the front of the queue? Are they really worth the extra?

Thanks

Lee

We have been several times and my advice would be go to the parks only on mid-week days (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays) and on all but the busiest times of year you won't really need to purchase the fast pass tickets. Be at the park for opening and head straight to Harry Potter and do the rides here first as this part of the park is by far the most busy part of the park, Spiderman ride seems to be the next busiest in IOA with the Mummy and Simpsons ride being the worst for queues in Universal Studios.

We where last there in October 2011 and the fast pass tickets were around $80 each on top of the entrance tickets so it is worth checking to see if you really need them before making the purchase.

Edited by ChrisBMW on Monday 17th December 12:05

[grumpyscot]

We take my 88 year old Dad with us. Because he is a blue badge holder, we apply to Orlando for a disabled badge. At the theme parks, we hire a wheelchair for him (he tires quite quickly) but find this gets us to the head of the queue all the time - even in front of Fastpass holders!

Years ago, he got into Cypress Gardens free of charge as he mentioned he fought in WW2 - they allowed WW2 veterans in free!

[surveyor]

If they still do it you can get free entry if its your birthday. If you've got tickets you can get a fast pass or similar...