Is the Universal Express Pass Worth It?

What is the Universal Express Pass?

The Universal Express Pass is a paid add-on for attractions at Universal Orlando Resort’s theme parks, requiring a valid park ticket for use.

The standard Universal Express Pass allows guests to skip the regular standby line once per participating attraction at Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, or Universal Epic Universe. At Volcano Bay, it enables one-time skips of virtual queues at select attractions.

What is the Universal Express Unlimited Pass?

The Universal Express Unlimited Pass allows guests to skip the regular standby lines an unlimited number of times at participating attractions in Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure.

Guests can upgrade to a two-park Express Unlimited Pass for use at both Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. Note that Express Unlimited Passes are not available for Universal Epic Universe, and no Unlimited option exists for Volcano Bay.

How much does the Universal Express Pass Cost?

The Universal Express Pass allows you to skip regular standby lines at participating rides and attractions across Universal Orlando Resort’s parks, but it requires separate theme park admission. Prices vary by park and date, with higher costs during peak seasons (e.g., summer, holidays, Halloween Horror Nights).

Below is an overview of options and updated 2025 starting prices:

Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure

• Universal Express: Skip the regular line once per participating ride.
• Universal Express Unlimited: Skip the regular lines an unlimited number of times at participating rides.
• Two-park options are available for both Express and Express Unlimited, covering Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure.

Epic Universe

• Universal Express: Skip the regular line once per participating ride (e.g., Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, Hiccup’s Wing Gliders).
• Universal Express Unlimited is not offered.

Volcano Bay Water Park

• Universal Express: Skip virtual queues at select attractions, once per attraction.
• Universal Express Plus: Skip virtual queues at all rides at Volcano Bay, once per attraction.

Express Pass Type | Cost Per Person (2025)

• Express Pass (USF or IoA) | $89.99–$350
• Express Pass (EU) | $129.99–$250
• Express Pass Unlimited (USF or IoA) | $119.99–$400
• Express Pass (VB) | $19.99–$59.99
• Express Plus Pass (VB) | $49.99–$99.99

Note

Prices fluctuate based on crowd levels, with peaks during summer, holidays (e.g., Christmas, Halloween Horror Nights), and weekends, sometimes exceeding $400 for Express Unlimited. Multi-day Express Passes (2–5 days) offer savings; check universalorlando.com for availability, as passes can sell out.

How Do the Express Passes Work?

The Universal Express Pass is valid per day, per person.  In other words, each member of your party must have a Universal Express pass AND a valid park ticket. Once you have the pass, no reservations are required to skip the lines (unlike some of the Disney Lightning Lane pass). You just walk through the Express queue and get on the ride.

Disney Lightning Lane vs. Universal Express Pass

Both the Universal Express Pass and Disney’s Lightning Lane system allow you to skip regular lines at participating rides and attractions, but their structures differ significantly.

Disney Lightning Lane

Disney’s Lightning Lane includes Single Pass and Multi Pass, which require booking specific times for rides at Walt Disney World, with costs varying by park, ride, and season ($10–$25 per ride for Single Pass, $15–$40 per person for Multi Pass). Reservations can be made in advance (up to 7 days for Disney resort guests, 3 days for others). The Premier Pass, priced at $129–$449 per person, allows one-time access to each Lightning Lane ride without pre-scheduling, most similar to Universal’s Express Pass.

Universal Express Pass

The Universal Express Pass allows one-time skips of standby lines at participating rides in Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, or Universal Epic Universe, with two-park options available for Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. Volcano Bay’s Express Pass skips virtual queues once per select ride (or all rides with Express Plus). No reservations are needed.

Universal Express Unlimited

The Express Unlimited Pass, available only for Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure, allows unlimited skips of standby lines at participating rides, with two-park options. No reservations are required, offering greater flexibility than Disney’s Single/Multi Passes.

Which is Better – Disney’s Lightning Lane or Universal’s Express Pass?

Choosing between Disney’s Lightning Lane and Universal’s Express Pass depends on your priorities.

Disney’s Single Pass ($10–$25 per ride) and Multi Pass ($15–$40 per person) are cheaper for selective ride access but require app-based reservations, which can be less convenient. Universal’s Express Pass ($89.99–$350 for Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure, $129.99–$250 for Epic Universe) and Express Unlimited Pass ($119.99–$400 for Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure) are pricier but offer no-reservation flexibility, ideal for spontaneous plans. Disney’s Premier Pass ($129–$449) is comparable to Universal’s Express Pass but often more expensive than Universal’s Express Unlimited for two parks.

If you only have one day at Universal or hate waiting in lines (e.g., 90–180 minutes for Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge or Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey), Express Passes can save hours—up to 6.5 hours daily, per Forbes. They’re especially valuable during peak seasons (summer, holidays, Halloween Horror Nights).

Universal’s no-reservation system makes Express Passes more convenient than Disney’s Single/Multi Passes, particularly for guests staying at Signature Collection hotels with free Express Unlimited Passes (see below).

Read: How to Get the Universal Express Pass for Free

Do you really need the Universal Express Pass to have fun?

Absolutely not! The Universal Express Pass and Express Unlimited Pass are luxury add-ons. Still, you can enjoy the best rides at Universal Studios, top rides at Islands of Adventure, and Universal Epic Universe’s best rides without them.

Using Early Park Admission (available at all Universal hotels), single-rider lines, or visiting during off-peak seasons (e.g., September, early May) can keep waits manageable (25–45 minutes for most rides). For example, arriving at rope drop for Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure or Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge can yield 10–30-minute waits. However, Express Passes reduce wait times to 5–15 minutes, saving hours during peak seasons (e.g., summer, holidays) and offering more time on rides, less time on your feet, and a more relaxed experience.

With good touring plans and patience, you’ll have a fantastic time at Universal Orlando Resort, Express Pass or not!

Is the Express Pass the Same as the Attraction Access Pass?

No. Universal’s Attraction Access Pass is a complimentary service offered to guests with disabilities or other conditions that make it challenging for them to wait in a traditional standby queue. It generally requires guests to wait the same amount of time as those in the standby line, but offers an alternative waiting experience. The Express Pass, on the other hand, is a service offered to anyone willing to pay for it, which minimizes or eliminates wait time at attractions. Guests may use both services on the same day if eligible for both.

Ready to Book your Trip to Universal Orlando?

If you’re looking to plan a vacation at Universal Orlando, consider reaching out to the travel agents at The Vacationeer. They have extensive knowledge of both Universal and Disney, ensuring that you’ll be well taken care of. With the opening of Universal’s newest theme park, Epic Universe, there’s even more excitement to visit!