Universal Express Now option now available

[Bobharlem]

I'm curious to see if this gets opened of for HHN houses, especially if the price varies.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

I'm curious to see if this gets opened of for HHN houses, especially if the price varies.

Unlikely.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

Not saying this will happen, but the intrigue to open/expand this program beyond making up for days that express has lower sales is hard to pass on. Easy way to increase incremental revenue over the years.


One concern, and something we know Disney deals with, is people choosing lightning lanes over more premium dining options. The general point behind this type of product is to increase per capita spending, not substitute an existing revenue stream. Will be interesting to monitor.

 

[EAS]

Given that there is already Unlimited Express for the original two parks for certain hotel guests, and Epic Universe offers neither automatic Express for Grand Helios or an Unlimited option, this seems like it would easily be most valuable in Epic Universe. Do we know what rides this will be offered for? I saw in one article Hiccup's Wing Gliders, Stardust Racers, and Yoshi's Adventure, which seemed like an odd group.

 

[Mad Dog]

Universal Orlando has a long history of an Express Pass 'Menu', to speak. There were actually even more differentiated Express products in the past, some confusing. This individual ride Express will probably be very determinant of that day's crowd size. Busy days will probably have very limited, if any, opportunity for the headliner attractions, especially the low capacity ones. Slow days, like yesterday at all three Universal parks, will have opportunities....but, do you really need an expensive (especially for a family) individual pass if the lines are short. I don't really think this will be a 'big' moneymaker, especially if it siphons of the purchase of the very expensive regular Express Pass. It seems to be more of an 'extra' offering and not a vehicle that will bring in tons of money like the single lightening lane passes at WDW. Bottom line....no big deal, just another individual choice.

 

[LPCaptainDeath]

Given that there is already Unlimited Express for the original two parks for certain hotel guests, and Epic Universe offers neither automatic Express for Grand Helios or an Unlimited option, this seems like it would easily be most valuable in Epic Universe. Do we know what rides this will be offered for? I saw in one article Hiccup's Wing Gliders, Stardust Racers, and Yoshi's Adventure, which seemed like an odd group.

I've seen Mario Kart screen-shotted and shared (found the image) but i've heard about Monsters Unchained and Curse of the Werewolf also being offered, but haven't seen sources of cost for either.

 

[Mad Dog]

I've seen Mario Kart screen-shotted and shared (found the image) but i've heard about Monsters Unchained and Curse of the Werewolf also being offered, but haven't seen sources of cost for either.
View attachment 29588

Monsters Unchained is generally almost a walk on attraction. I pity the tourist that pays a high fee for an attraction, though great, that doesn't need an Express Pass ever.

 

[Jerroddragon]

With AI, this seems to be the future of theme parks

For some guests this is amazing people and others will just make them have to stand in line even longer

I just wish some of these rides had better capacities if your near 2,000 people an hour...then not much can be done but....rides like MK, DK and Yoshi. Like this is on the makers of the rides for making them load so slowly and as much as I love Nintendo the next Nintendo rides need to have more guests be able to go on them an hour....feels like your making rides with lower capacity so you can sell people passes to get on rides. I know its not what they are doing but like Six Flags and Knotts as well, the loading is sooo slow feels more like a way to cash in on your bad loading

 

[maxairmike]

Given that there is already Unlimited Express for the original two parks for certain hotel guests, and Epic Universe offers neither automatic Express for Grand Helios or an Unlimited option, this seems like it would easily be most valuable in Epic Universe. Do we know what rides this will be offered for? I saw in one article Hiccup's Wing Gliders, Stardust Racers, and Yoshi's Adventure, which seemed like an odd group.

As of now there isn’t a fixed “menu” of attractions it is good for, they alter availability (and presumably price) based on current Express usage throughout the day, or at least that’s the stated process. I’m sure after a few weeks there will be a broader pattern of availability that emerges, and if it sticks for a while you might be able to reasonably predict availability more precisely.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

With AI, this seems to be the future of theme parks

This has nothing to do with AI.

 

[belloq87]

I again register my philosophical objection to any "pay to skip the line" offerings in theme parks.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

I'll add, that theme parks need "minimum requirements" for hourly capacity throughput based on the demand expected. There will always be someone willing to pay to skip the line, but at the very least don't penalize the average guest because your attraction is either inefficient or features low capacity.

 

[mommabee]

At first I hated this so much...my experience at Disney, head in my phone, strategically planning out our whole day was NOT FUN. But now I'm thinking that this is something different, since it seems this won't be offered all the time, for every ride. I think families who want GUARANTEED no-waiting will still shell out for Express Pass. Families who are tired of waiting in line by the end of the day, but still want a final ride on DK or MK or whatever, can opt for this. I just hope it doesn't mess up the standby line too much adding to the EP line...

 

[Mad Dog]

At first I hated this so much...my experience at Disney, head in my phone, strategically planning out our whole day was NOT FUN. But now I'm thinking that this is something different, since it seems this won't be offered all the time, for every ride. I think families who want GUARANTEED no-waiting will still shell out for Express Pass. Families who are tired of waiting in line by the end of the day, but still want a final ride on DK or MK or whatever, can opt for this. I just hope it doesn't mess up the standby line too much adding to the EP line...

It's going to have minimal use and will only be offered if/when, and at a specific time, when the express line hasn't met its projections. So it shouldn't have much effect on standby. The big negative is that it's expensive for how it can be used, and the chances it will be offered for an attraction you want to ride at the end of the day, especially headliners, might be fairly remote. Not something you'll be able to count on, unless it's a Yoshii level attraction, or something that has short lines anyway. ...When they tested it last year it was for Reign of Kong and Yoshii, which says a lot.

Plus, Premier AP includes Express lines after 4:00 PM. That alone, will suck up most of the extra express space at IOA and USF late afternoons and evenings on moderate/busy days.