“The custom touring plans set us right every time! It felt magical!” ‑Heather B.

What is Universal Express?
Express is Universal’s skip-the-line offering for attractions and shows. Universal promises Express will cut wait times in half – a 90-minute wait for Jurassic World VelociCoaster will be 45 minutes or less.
There are two Express versions: standard Express, valid only once per attraction, and Express Unlimited, which offers unlimited access for each attraction. Passes come in one or both theme park options. Express is valid only for one day and for one person; each party member must have an Express pass. Valid theme park admission is still necessary for entry.
Unlike Disney’s Lightning Lane, no reservations or return times are required.
How Much Does an Unlimited Express Pass Cost?
Express Passes start at $99.99 per person plus tax for a base one-park Express pass and $149.99 per person for a one-park Express Unlimited Pass. Universal now offers a two-park, two-day Express Pass starting at $330 per person plus tax (or $165 per day). We will be comparing this two-day pass to staying at an Express hotel later in this post. During holidays and weekends, these prices can inflate to astronomical amounts—during Christmas week, the two-park Unlimited Express swells to an eye-watering $360 per person per day!
Vacation Hack – Stay at a Signature Collection Hotel Instead
Three of Universal’s Signature Collection hotels (Loews Portofino Bay, Loews Royal Pacific, and Hard Rock Hotel) include a complimentary Express Unlimited Pass. You heard that right–this isn’t just any Express, it’s the highest tier, two-park, unlimited Express that costs $150 to $380 per person per day. The complimentary Express passes are valid for each person in the room for every day of the stay, including check-in and check-out days. Note that the complimentary Express offered at these three hotels is valid only for Universal Studios Florida and  Islands of Adventure; Volcano Bay, Epic Universe, and Halloween Horror Nights are not included.
Doing the Math
Let’s take a look at this example, a long weekend trip from November 21-23, 2025, and December 5-7, 2025 (note: prices in 2026 have remained similar to those in 2025, we will keep an eye on pricing throughout the year and update if needed). We are assuming you will spend three days and two nights at the parks for two guests. We will be looking at the lowest-priced Signature Hotel that includes an Express Pass for these comparisons.

Compare this to the price of an Express Pass on its own. Using Universal’s ticket site, I found the prices for the same two-park, two-day Unlimited Express Passes.

Two days of Express Unlimited for two people with tax is $745.48. Compare that to the $2263 total for the hotel room, and you get a delta of $1518. That means if we can find a hotel under $759 per night with tax, we will be saving money. Now let us compare December:

Two days of Express Unlimited in early December are $617.68 with tax. When you factor the cheapest room at Royal Pacific is $2053 with tax for two nights, and find the delta between the two prices, you discover that the break-even point is $717.66 per night.
For parties of two, the complimentary Express offering is not a big enough perk anymore to always suggest staying on site over buying Express separately. Most hotels that offer similar amenities, like Sapphire Falls, are routinely cheaper than the price delta between buying Express and staying at a hotel that includes it. Because of this you will now need to do some price shopping on how many days you plan to need Express at USF and IOA, plus the cost of other Universal hotels. We find that, depending on price, splitting a room with four is still more affordable than buying separate Express tickets for the whole party. If you have an Annual Pass or are a Florida resident, the savings could be even greater. Annual Passholders and Florida Residents can save up to 30% off rack rates, although inventory is limited.
Does Complimentary Express Include Volcano Bay and Epic Universe?
Epic Universe and Volcano Bay are not included with the complimentary Express program. Express through the hotels is only valid at Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure during daytime admission (no HHN, sorry).
Do I REALLY Need an Express Pass?
No.
Express is a nice luxury and creates a more relaxed, stress-free vacation. Express does not make or break a vacation. Showing up thirty to sixty minutes before the park opening, with a Touring Plan in hand, will also let you experience the parks at a fraction of the cost.
Do you stay at Signature Collection resorts to save money on Express? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!
(Originally published December 19, 2020)

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