896: We Put Universal Express Pass to the Test

We’re heading outside the Disney bubble for a full Universal Orlando trip report! On this episode, we’re recapping our recent stay and everything we experienced across Universal’s Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida, including 18 attractions, plenty of snacks, some seriously wet water rides, and one of the biggest questions we had going into the trip: just how valuable is Universal Express Pass? We worked our way through nine attractions at each park, from The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, and Jurassic World VelociCoaster to Revenge of the Mummy, E.T. Adventure, MEN IN BLACK Alien Attack, and Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts. Along the way, we tracked the posted standby wait for every attraction and compared it with how long we actually waited using Express. And the results were pretty eye-opening. We also talk about our stay at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, transportation, park entry, and some of the food and snacks we tried along the way, including Butterbeer, a Honeydukes pumpkin pastry, and the wonderfully strange Pizza Dog. Then we wrap everything up by looking at the actual cost of Unlimited Express during our visit and answering if would we pay for it separately? Does staying at a Signature Universal resort where Express is included completely change the value equation? And beyond simply saving time, did Express make the entire Universal experience better? 🎉 Plan Your Next Adventure with MEI-Travel Let the magic start before your trip even begins! Our trusted partner, MEI-Travel, takes the stress out of planning with nearly 20 years of expert service and completely free vacation planning. Whether it’s Walt Disney World, Disneyland, a cruise, or beyond—they’ve got you covered. Get your fee-free, no-obligation quote at MainStMagic.com/Travel and let the memories begin! 📱 Stay Connected with Main Street Magic Join the conversation and follow along for park tips, laughs, and magic: Facebook Group – Main Street Magic Community Facebook: @MainStMagic Instagram: @MainStMagic TikTok: @MSMPodcast X (formerly Twitter): @MainStMagic 🌐 Visit Us Online Podcast & Blog: www.MainStMagic.com Disney-Inspired Apparel: www.MainStreetShirts.com 🍽️ Snag That Hard-to-Get Disney Dining Reservation Never miss your dream meal again! Set up free alerts at MouseDining.com and get text or email notifications when reservations open up. Be the first to the table—literally! 🤝 Support & Discover Our Friends Explore more of our favorite resources, creators, and small businesses at www.mainstmagic.com/msm-friends/ 🎵 Theme Music Provided by TFresh Productions Because every great show deserves a great beat.