IS THE UNIVERSAL EXPRESS PASS WORTH IT?

If you're planning a trip to Universal Studios, you’ve probably wondered if the Universal Express Pass is worth the extra cost. After spending a full week at all three Universal Orlando parks and using the Premier Annual Pass (which includes Express access after 4 p.m.), we’ve had plenty of time to see how it works—and if it’s really worth it.

What Is the Express Pass?

The Universal Express Pass lets you skip the regular standby line at most rides and attractions. There are a few ways to get Express access:

• Universal Express: Skip the line once per ride

• Express Unlimited: Skip the line as many times as you want

• Premier Annual Pass: Includes Express Pass after 4 p.m. every day

• Universal Premier Hotels: Include Express Unlimited all day, every day during your stay

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Our Experience with the Premier Annual Pass

We purchased the Premier Pass for all three parks—Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, and Volcano Bay. One of the best perks of this pass is Express Pass access after 4 p.m., every single day.

We used it throughout the week to skip long evening lines—especially helpful when crowds peak in the late afternoon and early evening.

Even without Express during the first part of the day, we used the morning hours for rides with shorter wait times, then switched to Express mode after 4 p.m. to ride the more popular attractions with minimal waiting.

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What Our Week Looked Like with the Premier Pass

Most days we didn't go to the park until 4pm since that is when our express passes took affect and when it was cooler in the day.  We are here in the June heat which is one reason we waited until late afternoon.

Thanks to the built-in Express benefit, we never waited more than 15 minutes for even the most popular rides after 4 p.m., including:

• Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts

• The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man

• Transformers: The Ride 3D

• Men in Black: Alien Attack

• The Simpsons Ride

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When Express Access Is Worth It

• You're visiting during peak season (summer, holidays, weekends)
• You only have a few days or want to ride a lot without waiting
• You’re visiting multiple parks and need to make the most of each afternoon
• You value comfort, flexibility, and lower-stress planning

The Premier Pass made it incredibly easy to enjoy the parks on our own schedule—and it paid off every day.

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When You Might Not Need It

• You're visiting during a slower season with shorter wait times
• You don't mind waiting or are sticking to less popular rides
• You're focused more on shows, food, or the ambiance than riding everything
• You're only visiting one park and arriving early enough to beat the lines

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Final Verdict: Was It Worth It?

Absolutely. Even though the Express benefit with the Premier Pass kicks in after 4 p.m., that’s often when you need it most. Crowds build in the afternoon, and the Express lines gave us the freedom to ride more, wait less, and truly enjoy our evenings in the parks.

Plus, when you factor in all the other Premier Pass perks—like free parking, discounts, and early park admission—it’s one of the best values we’ve found for frequent or extended visits.

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Tips for Using the Premier Pass

• Plan your day around that 4 p.m. Express benefit—do lower-wait rides earlier in the day and save the big ones for later

• Consider staying on-site for even more perks like Early Park Admission

• Know which rides don’t take Express—Hagrid’s and VelociCoaster currently require the standby line only

• Use the Universal app to check wait times and Express availability in real time

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Thinking about getting the Premier Pass or buying Express separately? Let me know in the comments! I’m happy to answer questions or help you decide what works best for your trip.