Why You Should SKIP Buying Express Pass at Universal Orlando in 2025

If you are heading to Universal Orlando this year, you may consider splurging on Express Pass.

Express Pass is Universal’s pay-to-skip-the-line service, and it is comparable to Disney’s newest Lightning Lane offering, Lightning Lane Premier Pass, but with a smaller price tag. While Universal does say that “when you add Universal Express access to your theme park admission, you get to skip the regular lines at most of your favorite rides and attractions. So you can fit way more fun into your day,” you may want to skip out on purchasing it this year. 

There are a few versions of Express Pass. You can purchase it for both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure or just for one park. Express Pass will be available for Universal Orlando’s new theme park, Epic Universe, closer to the park’s opening date, which is set for May 22nd, 2025. Even Universal Orlando’s water park, Volcano Bay, has Express Pass options.

Here is a look at the different types of Express Passes and their general pricing for a single park:

• Universal Express Pass – Universal Studios Florida: Skip the regular lines at Universal Studios Florida’s most popular rides and attractions once per ride. This starts at $89.99 per person, depending on the date you select.
• Universal Express Pass – Islands of Adventure: Skip the regular lines at Islands of Adventure’s most popular rides and attractions once per ride. This starts at $94.99 per person, depending on the date you select.
• Universal Express Unlimited Pass – Universal Studios Florida: Skip the regular lines at Universal Studios Florida’s most popular rides and attractions as many times as you want. This starts at $199.99 per person, depending on the date you select.
• Universal Express Unlimited Pass – Islands of Adventure: Skip the regular lines at Universal’s Islands of Adventure’s most popular rides and attractions as many times as you want. This starts at $124.99 per person, depending on the date you select.

Prices can go all the way up to $289.99 per person.

If you want to purchase Express Pass for both parks, the pricing is as follows:

• Universal Express Pass – Universal Studios Florida & Islands of Adventure: Skip the regular lines at Universal Studios Florida’s and Islands of Adventure’s most popular rides and attractions once per ride. This starts at $104.99 per person, depending on the date you select.
• Universal Express Unlimited Pass – Universal Studios Florida & Islands of Adventure: Skip the regular lines at Universal Studios Florida’s and Islands of Adventure’s most popular rides and attractions as many times as you want throughout the day. This starts at $134.99 per person, depending on the date you select.

Prices can go all the way up to $319.99 per person.

While it is nice to purchase Express Pass to skip the lines, there are four reasons why you should consider skipping out on Express Pass the next time you visit Universal Orlando.

You Should Skip if you are Staying at a Premier Resort

One of the perks of staying at one of Universal’s top-tier resorts, Premier Resorts, is that guests of these resorts, including the Hard Rock Hotel, the Royal Pacific Resort, and the Portofino Bay Hotel, are given complimentary use of the Express Pass, as part of their stay.

If you are staying at one of these hotels in 2025, do not worry about dishing out the extra cash for Express Pass, as it is already included in your stay. 

You Should Skip if the Rides You Want to Ride are Not Included

Just like Disney’s Lightning Lane service, not every ride is included with Express Pass. Here are the rides that have Express Pass lines:

Universal Studios Florida

• The Bourne Stuntacular
• Despicable Me Minion Mayhem
• E.T. Adventure
• Fast & Furious – Supercharged
• Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts
• Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit
• Hogwarts Express
• Kang & Kodos’ Twirl ‘n’ Hurl
• Men In Black: Alien Attack
• Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon
• Revenge of the Mummy
• The Simpsons Ride
• Transformers: The Ride-3D

Islands of Adventure

• The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man
• Caro-Seuss-el
• The Cat in the Hat
• Doctor Doom’s Fearfall
• Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls
• Flight of the Hippogriff
• Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
• The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride!
• Hogwarts Express
• The Incredible Hulk Coaster
• Jurassic Park River Adventure
• Jurassic World VelociCoaster
• One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish
• Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges
• Skull Island: Reign of Kong
• Storm Force Accelatron

Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure is not available for Express Pass users, so if that was the main reason for you to purchase Express Pass, you may want to skip the up-charge.

You Should Skip if You Are Visiting During the Off-Season

Now we know that it can feel like there is no off-season for the Central Florida theme parks, but the crowds tend to die down once school’s winter breaks and the holiday season wraps up. Another off-season period is right after the summer, as school is back in session. If you find yourself visiting during these times, Express Pass may not be as valuable as crowd levels tend to be lower.

When Is The Best Time To Visit Universal Studios?

You Should Skip if You Are Visiting for an Extended Stay

Some people like to vacation at Universal Orlando for an extended period and check out the other Central Florida theme parks. If you have plenty of park days planned, you may not need to splurge on Express Pass as you may have more time to get everything you want done over an extended period.

The Best Itinerary for Universal Orlando

Overall

Skipping out on Express Pass in 2025 can help you save some extra cash. It may be a good idea to purchase it if you only have a few days to experience Universal Orlando and want to squeeze as much as possible into your stay or if you are visiting during a busy time. If you see yourself falling into the scenarios above, like staying at a Premier Resort, booking an extended stay, or visiting in the off-season, it may be a good idea to skip out on Express Pass.

For more theme park tips and to stay up to date on all the latest theme park news, make sure to continue to follow along with AllEars!

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Do you think Express Pass is worth it? Let us know in the comments!

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