Universal Studios Hollywood Express Pass Guide

Introduction

Express Pass is the correct name for Universal's skip-the-line system, and it is the single most expensive line-item decision you'll make at Universal Studios Hollywood. This isn't Disneyland's free virtual queue system. This is a paid product, priced by the day, and on a busy day it can run close to what you paid for the park ticket itself.

I get asked constantly whether it's worth it. The honest answer is: it depends entirely on the day you're visiting, not on how much money you have to spend.

This guide breaks down exactly when Express Pass earns its price tag and when you're better off keeping your cash for CityWalk dinner.

What Express Pass Actually Gets You

Express Pass gives you access to a shorter, dedicated queue at nearly every major attraction in the park, including Revenge of the Mummy, Jurassic World — The Ride, and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. You still wait — just in a much shorter line.

There are two tiers sold at USH: a standard Express Pass that lets you use each participating ride's Express line once, and an unlimited version that lets you re-ride as many times as you want all day. Pricing on both fluctuates by season and is set directly by Universal, so always confirm the current rate on the official ticket page before you plan around it.

One notable gap: Mario Kart: Bowser's Challenge in Super Nintendo World has historically run its own virtual queue system separate from Express Pass. Check the official Universal app on the day of your visit, since ride-specific access systems do change.

When Express Pass Is Worth It

Buy it if you're visiting on a weekend, a school holiday, a summer weekday, or literally any day in the Halloween Horror Nights daytime crossover window. On those days, standby lines for Mummy and Forbidden Journey regularly run 60–90 minutes, and Express Pass can be the difference between riding four attractions all day and riding everything on your list twice.

If you only have one single day in Los Angeles and this park is a bucket-list stop, buy it without guilt. A one-day trip with three-hour standby lines is a wasted flight.

When to Skip It

Skip it on a genuine off-peak weekday — Tuesday through Thursday in January, February, or September, outside of any special event. On those days, most standby lines run under 30 minutes anyway, and Express Pass is functionally paying full price for a line you'd barely have waited in.

If you're traveling with young kids who won't ride the bigger thrill attractions, you also don't need it — you'll spend most of your day in Super Nintendo World and the kid-friendly zones, which move at a different pace entirely.

Sarah's Take

Sarah's Take: Express Pass is not a scam, but it is not a default purchase either — it's a tool for a specific problem, which is a packed park and one day to see it. On a busy Saturday, I would buy it every time and not think twice. On a quiet Tuesday in the off-season, I'd pocket the money and put it toward a better dinner on CityWalk.

— Sarah "Screamscape" Jenkins, Universal & Coaster Specialist

Skip It

Skip buying Express Pass automatically just because it's offered at checkout — Universal's booking flow nudges you toward it on every ticket type, even for dates with historically light crowds. Check a crowd calendar first, then decide. My Universal Studios Hollywood Crowd Calendar tells you which days actually need it.

Quick Reference

See Also

For the full breakdown of how to structure your day around Express Pass, read my Universal Studios Hollywood One Day Itinerary. To figure out which dates actually need it, check the Universal Studios Hollywood Crowd Calendar and Best Time to Visit Universal Studios Hollywood. New to the park entirely? Start with the Complete Universal Studios Hollywood Guide.

Guide by Sarah "Screamscape" Jenkins | Theme Park Network

Last Updated: July 2026. Express Pass pricing and eligible rides change by season — verify current details on the official Universal Studios Hollywood app or website before you buy.