What could be better than a day of punching boxes in Super Nintendo World and experiencing behind-the-scenes movie magic in the afternoon, followed by the wonders of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in the evening? The only thing we can think of would be to do all of that without waiting! With the Universal Studios Hollywood Express Pass (formerly known as the Universal Studios Hollywood Front of Line Pass), you can breeze through all of your favorites with one-time priority access to each attraction. Having this gem is just one part of a fun day here! We have some brick-blasting news — Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge has been added to Universal Express!
The Frog Family recently jumped at the opportunity to use the Universal Express Pass during a school break, and it toadally made our day. Even though these tickets cost more than regular admission, the benefits are well worth it, especially if you are taking that once-in-a-lifetime trip. The park limits the number of Universal Studios Hollywood Express Passes sold each day, so the awesome perks are always maintained. This post explains all of the Universal Studios Hollywood Express Pass benefits! We'll also discuss other ways to save time (and money) as well as the details of the Unlimited Express Pass and the VIP Experience. Both services offer Unlimited Express access (if riding once is not enough), plus additional benefits.
It's important to note that a Universal Express Pass purchased in advance is a full ticket that includes admission to Universal Studios Hollywood, plus one-time access to most rides and the WaterWorld show, which is different than the add-on passes sold in the Orlando parks.
When you enter the park, you present your park ticket from Undercover Tourist (printed out or from your device). The turnstile attendant will issue you a paper Express ticket (about the size of a credit card). You will present this small ticket to be scanned at each ride.
You may purchase a regular ticket and upgrade to Universal Express Universal Studios Hollywood — more on that further below. Also, you can upgrade to an annual pass. In those cases, that Express ticket will not include your park admission (as shown in the photo), since you already have park admission.
Universal Express is a perk of having a Platinum annual pass. Those guests can only get Express access starting at 3 p.m. each day. Other passholders can upgrade at the Box Office or ticket booths.
Do You Need Universal Studios Hollywood Express Passes?
We get lots of people asking if they really need Universal Studios Hollywood Express Passes to enjoy their day at the park. And the answer really depends on when you are going. You don't usually need Universal Studios Hollywood Express Pass on weekdays and even some weekends in the off-season. You'll want Universal Express in March and April, during holiday weekends, summer vacation and winter break. Even traditionally slower lines have been a lot busier than normal this past year as Super Mario fans continue to visit Super Nintendo World. You will be glad to have the ability to bypass the line with Universal Express, especially around school breaks and holidays.
You can check wait times in the Universal Studios Hollywood app from home throughout the day on days leading up to your trip to get a sense of wait times. (Check it in the late morning or early afternoon to get the best sense of peak wait times.) That being said, we have never regretted having Universal Express, even on a non-busy day, because shaving even 30 minutes off the wait here and there quickly adds up to hours, allowing us to do everything we want to do in the park.
Some weeks of spring break can be busy. On other weeks, not so much. It varies based on the local spring breaks for large school districts.
Even though the lines are shorter in the off-season, the park hours are shorter too, so shaving off wait times with Universal Express can still come in handy if you want to squeeze it all in during less crowded times. (Need help deciding when to visit? Check out this post on the best and worst times to go to Universal Studios Hollywood.) We sell the Universal Express Pass for 1-Day tickets (save up to $111). If you purchase the regular ticket without Express and change your mind, you can upgrade your ticket in the park when you arrive, as long as there's availability (it can sell out).
We upgraded at the ticket booth during spring break 2023 and paid an additional $145 per person for Universal Express. That price can be higher in summer. You'll save a lot by buying in advance from Undercover Tourist.
We also sell the VIP Experience (save up to $161)! That ticket comes with Unlimited Express access to rides and participating shows.
Even though Universal Studios Hollywood Express Pass costs more than a normal ticket, the benefits can toadally make the expense well worth it. Using the Universal Express Pass is just one of the ways to maximize your time at Universal Studios Hollywood. On peak days in the afternoon, the lines can reach up to two or three hours long for big draws such as Jurassic World — The Ride. But if you have a Universal Express Pass, you walk — or, in our case, hop — right onto rides with a much shorter wait, sometimes no wait at all. That is what sets Universal Express Passes apart from other parks that have plans to reduce your wait times but do not send you straight to the front of the line. Secret Life of Pets can sometimes have a 20-minute wait even for Express.
What's Not Included With Express?
All rides and one seated show (Waterworld) are included. Wand Pairing at Ollivanders is not. The newest ride, Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge, is now included with Universal Express (as of June 20, 2024). Read more about Super Nintendo World. You'll also want to find out how to get a same-day reservation for Toadstool Café.
Using Universal Express to Access Super Nintendo World
When the land was brand-new, it could hit capacity. The park would open a virtual queue to enter the land as space permitted. That doesn't really hoppen very often anymore. But at peak holiday times, it could. Both Express and Unlimited Express (and VIP tours) grant you access to the land without a reservation if a virtual queue is in place. Platinum passholders can use Express for reservation-free access to Super Nintendo World after 3 p.m.
Tips for Using the Express Pass at Universal Studios Hollywood
Enhance Your Show Experience
The Universal Studios Hollywood Express Pass gets you one-time priority access to WaterWorld. It also gets you priority seating. You should still arrive early to access this seating before other guests enter the stadium.
As of Jan. 9, 2023, Animal Actors and the Special Effects Show permanently closed to make way for Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift, a new coaster (coming in 2026). That means WaterWorld is the only show on the Express Pass.
Consider Buying Universal Express Pass Strategically
While it's always great to spend time together as a family, your whole family might not need to purchase Universal Studios Hollywood Express tickets. If your family is only interested in rides, but you have some younger children who won't meet the height requirements (or might be too frightened for the big rides), you probably don't need to purchase Express for them. Or, if you are prone to motion sickness like Flora, you might buy just your older kids an Express Pass and opt out of the pass and thrill rides for yourself. With the much shorter waits (thanks to the Universal Studios Hollywood Express Passes), the family will be reunited in no time!
One of the season pass options includes Express access. The Platinum Season Pass comes with one-time per day Express access to each ride, attraction and seated show after 3 p.m. People with other passes may choose to upgrade to a Universal Express ticket for the day (subject to availability) at the Box Office.
If you want to purchase Express mainly for Super Nintendo World, you can now use it for Mario Kart. A cheaper alternative is to purchase Early Access, which gets you into Super Nintendo World one hour before park opening. (We think it's toadally worth it!) You can purchase Early Access separately from your ticket.
Use Universal Studios Hollywood Universal Express Only When There Are Long Wait Times
The Universal Studios Hollywood Express Pass can only be used one time per ride. If you know your froglets want to ride a ride such as Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem twice, choose your ticket wisely. We rode Minion Mayhem early in the day when the wait was under 15 minutes without scanning our Express tickets. Then, Mommy Frog and Lily rode again later by utilizing Universal Express when the wait was over an hour.
Plan Ahead
Universal Studios Hollywood limits the amount of Express Passes sold each day, so if you are concerned about crowds and prices, buy in advance. You can also wait until you are in the park to decide the lines are not for you, but we highly recommend purchasing in the morning as they may sell out. (Keep in mind, you can get a much better deal on Express from Undercover Tourist compared to upgrading in the park). The good part of limiting pass sales is that it means you truly go to the front of the line. Plus, you'll get a better value experience when you use the pass.
Save money by visiting at "off-peak" times or less expensive days. The pass can help make your day much more enjoyable if you are visiting during a peak time. But if you purchase the Universal Studios Hollywood Express on a less busy day, you can save money.
Use Other Tools to Skip the Lines
Even if you have Universal Express, you can still maximize time in the park. Arrive before park opening (you might get in 30 minutes early) and follow a park plan. We knock out the Lower Lot rides first with short wait times and then hit the Studio Tour and Upper Lot. You can purchase Early Access to have the shortest wait times for the ride and challenges in Super Nintendo World before the park opens, especially since they are not included with Universal Express. The taller, older frogs in the family can hop in the Single Riders line for Mario Kart, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey and Lower Lot attractions when available. These tools help you maximize time whether you use the Universal Express Pass or not.
Some affordable time-saving tips include the following:
- Arriving at park gates at least 30 minutes before park opening (you may get in early).
- Staying until park closing.
- Utilizing Child Switch (where available).
- Using the Single Rider line for Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey and all Lower Lot attractions. Mario Kart also has a Single Rider line.
- Use the Wait Time Alert feature in the app. You tap on a ride with a long wait, then "Wait Time Alert." Set what you feel is a reasonable wait time for the ride and tap "Set." The app will notify you when the wait time drops. You can hop in line!
- Set reminders for show times.
- Purchase Early Access to Super Nintendo World and to Halloween Horror Nights.
- Purchase a 2-day ticket instead of one day with Express (for a limited time, you can get a second day free!)
- Using the Virtual Line (available at certain times via the free Universal Studios Hollywood app or distribution machines) for Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash! But you'll still have a long wait. (You can skip the exterior line for this ride with Universal Express, and also skip some of the indoor queue.)
Upgrade in the Park
If you are really not sure if a Universal Studios Hollywood Express Pass is for you, or you already have your ticket or an annual pass without Express access, you can take a chance and upgrade in the park. Express tickets can sell out on crowded days. On a spring break day, we noticed that it was up to $145 to upgrade to a Universal Express ticket for one-time use for each ride. On other days, it is about can be more or less. No matter how you bought your park ticket, you can purchase an upgrade in the park. The cost to upgrade is the same for everyone.
The price may vary — even throughout the day! If you are finding higher waits in the afternoon, on some days Universal may drop the price after 3:30 p.m. So definitely check back if you want to upgrade in the afternoon. You can't count on it being available, but it's worth looking into. You can purchase and upgrade in the Upper Lot at the Box Office or at a kiosk at the bottom of the escalator in the Lower Lot.
Upgrade to Unlimited Universal Express
If one-time access is simply not enough, there is an Unlimited Universal Express option. Unlimited Universal Express is available in the park. You can upgrade to a Universal Express ticket, a regular park ticket or a season pass (subject to availability). If you already have a Universal Express ticket, the cost to upgrade to Unlimited Universal Express may be $35-$45. Peak days will be pricier than non-peak days, and they will sell out much faster on peak days. Prices are subject to change.
If you have a regular park ticket, it can cost about $110 to $180 to upgrade to Unlimited Universal Express. Prices can vary, depending on the day. Weekends are generally more expensive than midweek days. We recommend purchasing discount Universal Express tickets in advance (through Undercover Tourist, when available, of course!) to lock in Express access, and then if you decide you want even more access, you can inquire about Unlimited Universal Express early in the day inside the park.
Get the VIP Experience
Unlimited Universal Express is included with the VIP Experience, along with park admission, meals, valet parking and a behind-the-scenes tour. Unlimited access to Mario Kart is included with the VIP Experience. So if you are planning to upgrade to Unlimited Express, you might get the VIP Experience. This is especially hopful if you want to skip the long line for Mario Kart or ride it multiple times (you do, as there's a learning curve) and get to enjoy behind-the-scenes experiences. Unlimited access to Super Nintendo World and Mario Kart is included with the VIP Experience.
Consider Bringing a Lanyard
The old Front of Line tickets were given to guests as a lanyard worn around the neck. The current Universal Express Pass tickets are paper tickets about the dimensions of a credit card. You have to pull the pass out each time you need to have it scanned for rides or shows. It can be cumbersome to always pull it out of pockets and backpacks. If you have a lanyard with a clear pocket, bring it along for quick, almost hands-free scanning. You can put two passes back to back in a lanyard for easy scanning if you like. Universal Studios sells souvenir lanyards in the park if you don’t have one.
Buy Universal Express for Horror Nights or Special Events
Buy Universal Express for special events such as Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights. We cannot stress this enough. Halloween Horror Nights draws scary huge crowds. Some of the most popular attractions can have waits that last two to four hours! We have been there without the pass, and it is frustrating. We have also been there with the pass and were able to hop through every house and ride. The pass was well worth it! It's really the only way to do Halloween Horror Nights.
These Universal Express Passes are limited, and they will sell out early. If you plan to attend Horror Nights, make sure to buy early and be sure to get a Universal Express Pass for each member in your party. And remember to bring a lanyard to simplify your night. Otherwise, you need to pull the Universal Express ticket out in the dark for scanning at each maze and risk dropping it in the dark. A lanyard makes your night so much easier! The only way to get Unlimited Universal Express at Halloween Horror Nights is to purchase the R.I.P. Tour.
In 2023, we saw an after-11 p.m. Universal Express pass become available. So keep an eye out for that if you are looking to skip some lines at the end of the night.
Should You Get Universal Express?
The Universal Studios Hollywood Express Pass is a great way to help you manage your day. The Express Pass will allow you to experience everything in the park at least once. With the time savings that come with the pass, you can hit your favorite attractions a second time. It also allows you to relax and enjoy more of the sights, take photos, see shows, meet characters, enjoy your meals, calmly sip Butterbeer, shop for treats and explore Universal CityWalk. Buying the Universal Studios Hollywood Express Pass buys peace of mind. That way, you know you can get it all in, and that equals a good family value.
We have already mentioned that if Super Nintendo World is your priority, you can skip the line for Mario Kart with the VIP Experience. If that is out of your budget, you might consider purchasing the Super Nintendo World Early Access ticket. You can add that on to your Universal Express ticket (or general admission ticket). You can purchase your discount tickets through Undercover Tourist. Then add on Early Access through Universal Studios for $20 to $30. But purchase early as it can sell out in advance.
Early Access gives you access to Super Nintendo World an hour before the park opens. With low capacity, you can ride Mario Kart, access Toadstool Café and play the games before the crowds arrive. Then hit the rest of the Lower Lot at park opening. Early Access includes one-time Express access to the Studio Tour by 11 a.m. However, if you also have Express, you can continue to maximize your time the rest of the day by skipping the lines and even going back into Super Nintendo Land later. You can also purchase Early Access for Halloween Horror Nights!
We have another option (but it's only for a limited time) that can save you a lot of money by splitting up your visit over two days. If you plan to visit by Dec. 18, 2024, you can take advantage of our Buy a Day, Get a Second Day Free ticket!
Did you know the Frog Family offers discount tickets to Southern California attractions? You'll find discounts on Universal Studios Hollywood tickets, as well as more tickets for Universal and other Los Angeles and San Diego attractions.
Related: The Best Times to Visit Universal Studios Hollywood
Related: How to Save Money at Universal Studios Hollywood
Keep hopping!
