Universal Studios theme parks are known for their thrilling rides! However, with popularity comes crowds, and navigating the lines can sometimes feel like an amusement park ride. That’s where the Universal Express Pass comes in! It offers visitors a way to skip the regular lines and make the most of their time in the park.
Planning a Universal Vacation?
Whether you’re planning your first Universal vacation or returning for another adventure, our Explore Universal Destinations guide is a great place to start. You’ll find helpful planning information for Universal Orlando Resort, Universal Studios Hollywood, and more, including tips on tickets, resorts, attractions, and ways to make the most of your time.
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What is the Universal Express Pass?
The Universal Express Pass is a system designed to help visitors make the most of their time in the park. It allows you to skip the regular lines at participating attractions. With the Express Pass you can enjoy priority access to some of the most popular rides.
How Does it Work?
When you purchase an Express Pass, you’ll receive a lanyard with a plastic card attached. This card contains a barcode that is scanned at the entrance of each participating ride or attraction. Once scanned, you’ll be directed to a separate Express Pass line. You will wait a fraction of the time you would in the regular line.
Types of Express Passes
Universal Studios offers different types of Express Passes to suit different budgets and needs:
- Universal Express Pass: This pass grants you one-time express access to each participating ride and attraction.
- Universal Express Unlimited Pass: Enjoy unlimited express access to participating rides and attractions throughout the day.
- Universal Express Unlimited VIP Pass: The VIP Pass is the ultimate Universal Studios experience. It offers unlimited express access to all participating rides and attractions. Also includes is a guided tour of the park with exclusive behind-the-scenes access and other VIP perks.
Related Article: An Epic Day Elevated: Our Private VIP Tour
Which Rides Accept the Express Pass?
Universal Studios Florida
Universal’s current list includes 22 attractions/experiences eligible for Universal Express or Express Unlimited.
Illumination’s Minion Land
- Illumination’s Villain-Con Minion Blast
- Despicable Me Minion Mayhem
DreamWorks Land
- Trolls Trollercoaster
- DreamWorks Imagination Celebration
Hollywood
- The Bourne Stuntacular
- E.T. Adventure
- Universal Horror Make-Up Show
- Animal Actors on Location!
New York
- Revenge of the Mummy
- Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon
- TRANSFORMERS: The Ride-3D
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley
- Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts
- Hogwarts Express*
San Francisco
- Fast & Furious – Supercharged
World Expo
- MEN IN BLACK Alien Attack
Springfield: Home of the Simpsons
- The Simpsons Ride
- Kang & Kodos’ Twirl ’n’ Hurl
Important: Hogwarts Express requires a Park-to-Park ticket because it travels between Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure.
Universal Islands of Adventure
Universal currently lists 19 attractions for Express/Express Unlimited.
Marvel Super Hero Island
- Doctor Doom’s Fearfall
- The Incredible Hulk Coaster
- Storm Force Accelatron
- The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man
Toon Lagoon
- Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls
- Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges
Jurassic Park
- Jurassic World VelociCoaster
- Jurassic Park River Adventure*
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade
- Flight of the Hippogriff
- Hogwarts Express*
- Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
Seuss Landing
- Caro-Seuss-el
- One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish
- The Cat in the Hat
- The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride!
Skull Island
- Skull Island: Reign of Kong
*Hogwarts Express requires Park-to-Park admission.
Universal Epic Universe
This is one of the biggest changes from when Epic Universe first opened. Express access has expanded to the major attractions, including Mario Kart, Mine-Cart Madness and Battle at the Ministry. Universal currently lists 12 Express attractions/experiences.
Celestial Park
- Constellation Carousel
- Stardust Racers
Dark Universe
- Curse of the Werewolf
- Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment
How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk
- Fyre Drill
- Hiccup’s Wing Gliders
- The Untrainable Dragon
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic
- Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry
- Le Cirque Arcanus
SUPER NINTENDO WORLD
- Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge
- Mine-Cart Madness
- Yoshi’s Adventure
Universal Studios Hollywood
Hollywood operates somewhat differently from Orlando, but Universal Express provides one-time Express access to participating attractions, along with additional benefits such as priority seating for shows and reservation-free access to SUPER NINTENDO WORLD when a virtual queue is being used.
The current Express-eligible attractions include:
Upper Lot
- Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
- Flight of the Hippogriff
- Despicable Me Minion Mayhem
- The Simpsons Ride
- The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash
- DreamWorks Theatre Featuring Kung Fu Panda
- Silly Swirly Fun Ride
SUPER NINTENDO WORLD
- Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge
Lower Lot
- Jurassic World – The Ride
- Revenge of the Mummy – The Ride
- TRANSFORMERS: The Ride-3D
Studio Tour
- The World-Famous Studio Tour
Entertainment
- WaterWorld — priority seating
New in 2026
- Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift — Express eligible following its 2026 opening
Universal Volcano Bay
Volcano Bay is a little different because there are two levels of Express: standard Express and Express Plus. Universal’s current guide lists the following.
Standard Express
Krakatau
- Krakatau Aqua Coaster
- Punga Racers
River Village
- Honu ika Moana
Rainforest Village
- Maku Puihi Round Raft Rides
- Tonga and Raki of Taniwha Tube
Express Plus — additional attractions
- Ko’okiri Body Plunge
- Kala & Tai Nui Serpentine Body Slides
- Ohyah & Ohno Drop Slides
The attractions marked with an asterisk by Universal require Express Plus, rather than standard Express.
Tips for Using the Universal Express Pass
Here are a few tips to help you make the most of your Universal Express Pass:
- Purchase Early: Express Passes are limited, especially during peak times. It’s a good idea to purchase yours as early as possible to ensure availability.
- Plan Ahead: Take some time to familiarize yourself with the park map and the location of participating attractions.
- Arrive Early: Arriving at the park early will give you a head start on the crowds. It will allow you to experience more attractions throughout the day.
- Use Single Rider Lines: Some attractions offer single rider lines. It’s a good option if you don’t mind riding separately from your group and want to save even more time.
- Be Flexible: While the Express Pass can significantly reduce your wait times, it’s still a good idea to be flexible. Have a plan B in case your favorite ride is temporarily unavailable.
Is the Universal Express Pass Worth It?
The Universal Express Pass can be a great investment for visitors who want to make the most of their time in the park and avoid long wait times. While it does come with an additional cost, many visitors find that the time and stress saved are well worth it, especially during peak times.
The cost of the pass varies per date, but you can expect to pay upwards of $80/person, and at busier times of year over $100/person. However, GREAT NEWS!! When you stay at 1 of 3 Universal signature level resorts (Hard Rock Hotel, Royal Pacific Resort or Portofino Bay Resort) you receive FREE Express Pass Unlimited for each day of your park visits.
Related Articles
- Top 5 Reasons to Stay at Loews Royal Pacific Resort
- Top 5 Reasons to Stay at Loews Portofino Bay Resort
- Top 5 Reasons to Stay at Hard Rock Hotel
Continue Planning Your Universal Vacation
Ready to keep planning? These guides can help you take the next step toward your Universal vacation:
- Explore Universal Destinations – Start here for our complete Universal vacation planning resources.
- Universal Tickets Guide – Compare ticket options and learn what you need to know before purchasing.
- Universal Orlando Resort Guide – Explore Universal Orlando’s hotels and find the right resort for your stay.
- Universal VIP Tour Review – Get a firsthand look at the VIP Tour experience and what you can expect.
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