Before we left for Universal Orlando, I already knew I wanted to look into some kind of line-skipping option. I’ve been to plenty of amusement parks (though nothing quite on Universal’s scale) and knew how quickly a day can disappear standing in endless lines. The last thing I wanted was to spend over $1,500 on a vacation and barely experience anything.

When I first saw the price for the All-Day Unlimited Express Passes—over $300 per person for the weekend we were there—I thought, “Absolutely not.” That just wasn’t in the budget I was comfortable spending.

Luckily, while talking with a Universal representative, we learned about the After 4 PM Express Pass. It was much more affordable (around $150 per person), and since the parks stayed open until 9:00 or 10:00 PM, we would still have 5–6 hours to knock out the rides we really wanted. That felt worth it—and it absolutely was.

Who it worked best for:

The After 4 PM Express Pass was perfect for our group because we had teens who wanted to ride the bigger, thrill rides. One of my daughters isn’t a big coaster fan, and she chose to sit a few of those out, but she had no problem using the pass on all the virtual and 3D rides. Even though she didn’t ride every single coaster, it was still more than worth it for our group as a whole.

When it really paid off:

Friday night: Crowds were manageable. Using Express Pass meant practically walking onto several big rides.

Saturday (holiday weekend): The park was absolutely packed. Even the Express lines were longer than ideal at times, but still way faster than the regular lines.

Sunday: The park was much quieter. Shorter lines overall meant Express Pass made everything even more efficient.

The rides where we were especially grateful for Express Pass included: Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts, Revenge of the Mummy, The Incredible Hulk Coaster, Transformers: The Ride 3D.

Important things to know ahead of time:

• The After 4 PM Express Pass allows only one-time access per ride (not unlimited rides like the pricier pass).

• Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure is not included in Express Pass at all. The regular line for that ride stayed above 80–100 minutes the entire weekend.

• On very busy days, even the Express line can get a bit backed up, but it’s still significantly faster than waiting in the regular standby line.

Pros and Cons of the After 4 PM Express Pass

Pros:

• Great value for the cost compared to the full-day unlimited option

• Perfect for families with teens or thrill seekers who want to prioritize big rides

• Works really well if you prefer a slower morning and a later park start

• Skips most of the long lines, even on a busy holiday weekend

• Flexibility to park-hop and maximize evening hours

Cons:

• Only one-time use per ride (not unlimited access)

• Not valid for Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure

• On very busy days, even Express lines can have noticeable wait times

• Might not be as valuable for younger kids or those who aren’t ride-focused

Takeaways for Families and First-Timers:

1. Express Pass saves serious time, especially on popular rides like Gringotts, Hulk, and Mummy.

2. After 4 PM Express Pass offers great value if you’re willing to start later in the day.

3. It’s not unlimited—one time per ride unless you purchase the higher-priced option.

4. Hagrid’s Motorbike Adventure is not included—plan to wait or hit it first thing.

5. Crowd levels matter—even Express Pass lines can get long on peak days, but it’s still worth it.

6. Budget ahead: Know that Express Pass prices change daily depending on crowd predictions.

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