Universal Orlando Express Pass: Do more, Without the Hassle

Simple, fast, and (sometimes) free: Universal Orlando Express Pass

On today’s episode you’ll learn how Express Pass works at Universal Orlando, and why an Express Pass can completely change your experience in the parks. I discuss ways to save money when you get an Express Pass, how to use the pass, and how to get it. Because who doesn’t want to skip the line and the hassle at Universal Orlando?

This post was updated in July 2024.

Go Informed Podcast episode 33

These are the show notes for Go Informed Podcast episode 33. Click the Play button to listen to the episode for lots more detail about this topic.

Universal Express Pass vs Disney’s Lightning Lanes

Want a quick look at how Express Pass compares to Disney’s Lightning Lane system, including cost/benefit analysis? Be sure to check out this issue of the Go Informed newsletter.

How Universal Orlando Express Pass works

Express Pass is an extra ticket that allows you to skip the regular line on almost every attraction at Universal Orlando. That’s it. No reservations, no “return times”, no need to open an app or plan your day around a ride.

If you hate waiting in line, or don’t want to race in the morning, an Express Pass can be totally worth it.

At Universal Orlando, almost every attraction has a designated Express Pass entrance. The notable exceptions are Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure and Jurassic Park Velocicoaster.

Even under peak circumstances, guests with Express Pass will get on an attraction 3-4x faster than those in the standby line, which means you can do 3-4x more in a day.

The Express Pass entrances are open even during early park admission, so you can skip the line all day long.

No Ride Reservation Needed to Use Universal Express Pass

You can use your Express Pass to get on a ride at any time during the day. No need to come back at a certain time or make reservations in advance like with Disney’s Lightning Lane system.

This flexibility means you can tour the parks at your own pace. Just hop in the Express line whenever you wish.

Limited Express Pass vs. Unlimited Express Pass

There are two kinds of Express Pass at Universal Orlando. Limited Express Pass allows you to use the Express Pass entrance once per day on every participating ride. Unlimited Express Pass allows you to use the Express Pass Entrance as many times as you want on every participating ride during the same day.

An Unlimited Express Pass at Universal Orlando is basically a golden ticket that gives you express-lane entry as many times as you want at all the Express Pass rides. There are really no restrictions, so you can repeat any of the Express rides as often as you wish, whenever you want.

How much does a Universal Orlando Express Pass cost?

You can purchase an Express Pass on the Universal Orlando website or app, at the gate, or even in the parks. Or you can get a free Express Pass included with your hotel stay at the on-site premium Universal Orlando hotels.

Express Pass pricing is date-based, and varies depending on projected park crowds.

As of July 2024, the price for a limited Express Pass covering both parks ranges from $105/day to $280/day, and the price for an unlimited Express Pass ranges from $135/day to $310/day. (Note that these rates can and will change over time, be sure to consult the Universal Orlando website for current pricing).

Express Passes are sometimes discounted on Universal’s website. You can keep an eye on the pricing and buy your Express Pass at any time before, or even during, your trip.

💲Money-saving tip: You don’t have to buy a pass outright. It often makes way more sense to get your Express Pass for free by staying at one of the onsite Express Pass hotels.

Get free Unlimited Express Pass when you stay in these Universal Orlando hotels

At Universal Orlando, the hotels that include Unlimited Express Pass with every stay are the Hard Rock Hotel, Portofino Bay Resort, and Royal Pacific Resort.

When you stay in one of these hotels, every person in your room gets an Unlimited Express Pass, for every day of your stay.

This includes the day you check-in and the day you check-out. So if you stay one night you’ll get two days of Unlimited Express Passes for every person in your room.

Your hotel room will probably cost less than you would pay for those Express Passes

If you are planning to buy Universal Orlando Express Passes, definitely consider spending at least one night in one of the Express Pass hotels instead. In most cases, your hotel room rate will be cheaper than the value of the Express Passes!

Here’s a real-life example of the value of the Express Passes you receive compared to the cost of your hotel room. These are for a one-night stay in summer 2024.

In this example, a one-night stay at the least-expensive Express Pass hotel costs LESS than the price of 2 two-day two-park unlimited Express passes. So if you’ve got two people in your room, and you were going to pay for those Express passes, you’re basically getting your room for free.

These are really nice hotels, with big rooms, and sometimes even theme park views. Plus they are all within walking distance to the parks. Add in the complimentary Unlimited Express Passes, and this is the best way to visit Universal Orlando.

Learn more about all the Universal Orlando hotels in my complete guide, here.

Universal’s Express Pass hotels can be a fantastic deal for families

If you’ve got a family of 4 staying together in one room, do not overlook this deal. Even at the peak rate, a $694 hotel stay gets your group $2040 worth of Express Passes!

So, you could pay $2040 for all those Express Passes, and then pay for somewhere to stay. OR you could pay $694 and get a lovely hotel room and all those same Express Passes.

Seriously, even if you’ve got a VRBO booked for a week, it could make sense to spend one of those nights in one of these hotels. Just to get the free Express Passes.

This really does work! Check out Ric’s family Universal Orlando trip report here.

Did I just blow your mind? Think about this…

Are you traveling with teenagers? Unlimited Express means they can sleep in and still do almost everything, even during peak season. Let them skip rope drop and just use the passes to save time in line later.

Check room rates for your dates

Curious about room prices for your trip dates? Here are Orbitz links for the Express Pass hotels:

• Universal Orlando Hard Rock Hotel
• Royal Pacific Resort
• Portofino Bay Resort

These are affiliate links, which means if you book and stay after clicking, you support my website. At no extra cost to you. Thank you!

How to save money on those Orlando Express Pass hotels

Here’s another tip: You don’t have to pay full price at those Universal Orlando Express Pass hotels.

One of the most reliable hotel discounts is for annual passholders. If you get an annual pass, you can save a lot on that hotel room. You don’t have to live in Florida, and you don’t even have to use your pass for more than one trip to make this work.

Here’s my post with all the details about how to use an annual pass to save big on your Universal Orlando hotel. (It’s from my newsletter, be sure to subscribe for more great tips).

Halloween Horror Nights Express Pass

Halloween Horror Nights is a special event held every fall at Universal Orlando, and you can get Express Pass for this too. Here’s an epic post all about Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights.

Hear more

Need more explanation about Express Pass? Hit the play button to hear my podcast episode all about it.

Join the mailing list

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Related tips for your trip

Here are a few more posts to help you have a better theme park vacation:

• 7 no-drama tactics to get your family to the park on time
• How to combine Disney World and Universal Orlando in one vacation
• How to choose your Universal Orlando park tickets
• Universal Orlando vs Universal Hollywood
• Universal Orlando complete hotel guide

This post contains affiliate links.