When purchasing our day pass to Islands of Adventure, I looked into the option of adding the Express Pass to our ticket.  Universal's Express is similar to Disney's FastPass+ in that it allows you to enter a different, shorter line for most attractions.  However, rather than having specific return times, Express allows you to enter the queue at anytime.  Express is complimentary for guests staying at Universal's three deluxe resorts (Portofino Bay, Hard Rock, and Royal Pacifica).  However, for all other guests, Express is available at an additional cost, depending on the time of your visit and how many rides you purchase.  For the Sunday we were visiting, an Express Pass redeemable for three rides was $60 per person, and it only went up from there.

Perhaps it's because I'm used to Disney's FastPass+ which allows all guests at least three FastPasses per day included in regular park admission that I thought $60 for three Express Passes was a little steep.  The reasoning behind the price makes sense, though.  Disney's system allows guests to reserve a specific time to ride an attraction... all guests are limited to a one hour window (plus a 5 minute early, 15 minute late cushion) during which they can ride the select attraction.  The FastPass+ system also allows only a certain number of FP+ reservations in an hour per attraction, so there is a limited number of FastPass+ that can be distributed per day.  Rather than limiting the number of Express Passes distributed per attraction, Universal limits the number sold with its pricing.  If the Express Pass was priced too low, then more guests would buy it, the Express line would be longer, and the Express Pass would no longer be of value.

A piece of advice I read in the 2014 Edition of Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World was to not purchase Express in advance, but wait until the day of.  Depending on the crowds that day, we may or may not want to purchase the Express Pass.

Our plan was to get to Islands of Adventure before park opening that morning so that we would be able to ride all of the biggest attractions without a very long wait.

On our way to the parking garage that morning, Natalie spotted a sign for valet parking.  I couldn't remember how much Valet cost, but I remembered thinking it was reasonable.  To save us a little time and hassle, Natalie decided to opt for valet.  The signs read 0-2 hours $15, Over 2 Hours $35.... The way the sign was written, we were thinking this was an hourly rate and were going to drive back to the parking garage.  But the valet attendant approached us, so Natalie asked, and he told us $15 for the day.  That's less than daily parking at Walt Disney World - we'll take it! (spoiler: he was wrong)


Turnstiles - how antiquated!  We had printed our tickets out at home, and my ticket was not scanning.  The Team Member had to type in the number to allow me into the park.