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Universal Express

Universal's paid Lightning Lane/FASTPASS-like system for reducing your wait in line has multiple components that can help you get the most from your day. We'll show you how making the right choices (with the use of a touring plan) can make it even better.

Last updated: June 22, 2024

What is Universal Express?

Universal Express is a “skip-the-regular-line” service offered at many rides and shows in Universal's parks. If you've been to another theme park or amusement park, you're probably familiar with how lines work: you see a ride you want to experience, like Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, and you get in the line to ride it. These regular lines are usually called the “standby” lines. And there's usually a sign out in front that says, “The wait is 60 minutes” or similar.

Those with Universal Express Pass use a separate line for the same ride, and this queue is set up for faster access. That 60-minute standby wait for Forbidden Journey might be under 10 minutes via the Universal Express queue. As you might expect, faster access costs extra money.

For many groups the most cost-effective way to get Universal Express access for attractions at the Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure parks is to stay at one of Universal's three Signature Collection hotels located adjacent to Universal CityWalk. That's because 2-Park Universal Express Unlimited is included with those stays – in fact, you get it at no extra charge for your entire stay, including the the days that you check-in and check-out. If you're visiting Universal Orlando for two or more days, this is one of the top recommendations we can make to you.

Note that Universal has not announced how Express Pass will operate at the new Universal Epic Universe park when it opens in May 2025.

Universal Express Pass Types

There are three different kinds of Universal Express:

1
Universal Express
Allows you to use the shorter Universal Express queue one time at every attraction that offers it at Universal Studios Florida (USF) or Islands of Adventure (IOA). (A 2-park version is also available.)
2
Universal Express Unlimited
Gets you unlimited use of the Express lines at every eligible attraction at USF or IOA all day long. If you want to ride Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey sixteen times with minimal waiting, this is the pass to get. (A 2-park version is also available.)
3
Volcano Bay Express
You'll be able to skip the TapuTapu virtual queue process one time at each participating attraction in the Volcano Bay water park. A PLUS version is available that includes four more slides than the standard version.

Each Universal Express pass includes ride access for one person for a specific date.

The 1-park version of Universal Express and Universal Express Unlimited includes Universal Express access to either USF's or IOA's attractions. A 2-park version is available if you plan to visit two parks in a single day and want to use the Universal Express lines at both parks. Any Universal Express pass can be purchased in-person, online, or in Universal Orlando's official app. Purchasing in advance normally saves you money, so we recommend you buy in advance if you know you want it. Also, if you're unsure how many parks you'll visit, you can upgrade a 1-park Express pass to a 2-park version while in the parks.

How Do I Use Universal Express On Rides?

Universal Express is easier to use than Disney's Lightning Lane services.

When you want to use Universal Express, just head for the attraction you want to experience. When you get there, go to the Universal Express queue entrance and show or scan your Universal Express pass at the entrance to gain access. That's it!

Do I have to make ride reservations with Universal Express?
No – Universal Express doesn't use ride reservations. You do not need to book a return time or use an app. This is totally different from how Lightning Lane works at Disney's theme parks.
Is Universal Express restricted to certain times of day?
No – Universal Express queues operate whenever an eligible attraction is operating during official park hours. You do not need to visit at a specific time of day.
Do I have to use my phone and Universal Orlando's app for Universal Express?
No – you can use Universal Express without touching your phone at all! This is totally different from how Disney does things. At Universal, just show up at the ride entrance and present your Universal Express pass. (If you'd like, you can store a Universal Express pass in the Universal Orlando app on your phone and show a barcode on your phone rather than present a physical Express pass.)

Which Attractions Offer Universal Express?

Universal Express is offered at almost all of Universal Orlando's rides and shows – that's 30+ attractions in just the two theme parks!

Select a park to see its Universal Express attractions:

Universal Studios FL Park Icon
Universal Studios FL
Down Arrow
Islands of Adventure Park Icon
Islands of Adventure
Down Arrow
Volcano Bay Park Icon
Volcano Bay
Down Arrow
Attraction
Animal Actors on Location Question Mark
Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem Question Mark
E.T. Adventure Question Mark
Fast & Furious – Supercharged Question Mark
Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts Question Mark
Hogwarts Express - King's Cross Station Question Mark
Hogwarts Express - Return Trip to King's Cross Question Mark
Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit Question Mark
Illumination's Villain-Con Minion Blast Question Mark
MEN IN BLACK Alien Attack Question Mark
Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon Question Mark
Revenge of the Mummy Question Mark
The Simpsons Ride Question Mark
Transformers: The Ride-3D Question Mark
Trolls Trollercoaster Question Mark
Universal Orlando's Horror Make-Up Show Question Mark
Attraction
The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man Question Mark
Caro-Seuss-el Question Mark
The Cat in the Hat Question Mark
Doctor Doom's Fearfall Question Mark
Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls Question Mark
Flight of the Hippogriff Question Mark
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey Question Mark
The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride! Question Mark
Hogwarts Express - Hogsmeade Station Question Mark
Hogwarts Express - Return Trip to Hogsmeade Question Mark
The Incredible Hulk Coaster Question Mark
Jurassic Park River Adventure Question Mark
Jurassic World VelociCoaster Question Mark
One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish Question Mark
Popeye & Bluto's Bilge-Rat Barges Question Mark
Skull Island: Reign of Kong Question Mark
Storm Force Accelatron Question Mark
Attraction
Honu of Honu ika Moana Question Mark
ika Moana of Honu ika Moana Question Mark
Kala & Tai Nui Serpentine Body Slides Question Mark
Universal Express PLUS only
Ko'okiri Body Plunge Question Mark
Universal Express PLUS only
Krakatau Aqua Coaster Question Mark
Maku of Maku Puihi Round Raft Rides Question Mark
Ohno of the Ohyah and Ohno Drop Slides Question Mark
Universal Express PLUS only
Ohyah of the Ohyah and Ohno Drop Slides Question Mark
Universal Express PLUS only
Puihi of Maku Puihi Round Raft Rides Question Mark
Punga Racers Question Mark
Raki of Taniwha Tubes Question Mark
Tonga of Taniwha Tubes Question Mark

Can Express Passes Sell Out on Busy Days?

Yes – sometimes Universal stops selling Universal Express passes. This happens rarely, typically during holidays such as Christmas or Spring Break.
Is Universal Express Pass Worth It?

Like with airline tickets and hotel rooms, pricing for Universal Express passes is dynamic: the price depends the day for which the pass is valid, and the price may vary depending when you purchase it. Cost ranges (including tax) for Universal Express are listed below:

  • A standard one-park, one-day Universal Express pass starts at $96 per person on days with low crowds, and costs up to $373 on days of high attendance.
  • One-park Universal Express Unlimited passes cost between $106 and $405 per person per day.
  • Volcano Bay Express passes cost between $21 and $160 per person per day.

Note that park admission is not included in the price of Universal Expess. Also, all Express passes are the same price for children and adults; there's no discount for kids or seniors.

Express pass purchases are not refundable. This is another reason why getting Express pass by staying at certain Signature Collection Universal hotels is a good idea: you can cancel your hotel reservation – which includes Universal Express Unlimited – and get a full refund for your room.

Can I Buy Universal Express Before I Visit?
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How Long Are Wait Times with Universal Express?
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Does Universal Express Work with My Touring Plans?
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Which Universal Hotels Come With Universal Express?

Three of Universal's Signature Collection hotels (Loews Portofino Bay, Loews Royal Pacific, and Hard Rock Hotel) include complimentary Universal Express Unlimited in the price of the room. That's the 2-Park version of Universal Express Unlimited – access that costs over $400 per person on busy days. The "free" Express passes are valid for every person in the room for every day of the stay, including check-in and check-out days.

This is why we tell everyone who's thinking about buying Universal Express to just stay at a qualifying Universal hotel. You need a place to stay anyway, and it's often much cheaper to stay at one of these hotels and get Universal Express than to stay somewhere else and pay for Universal Express separately.

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