Universal Orlando Launches Express Now Skip-the-Line Pass

According to AllEars.net, Universal Orlando has rolled out Express Now, a streamlined skip-the-line option that departs from the traditional Express Pass model. The new pass allows guests to skip the line at one attraction, one time, for a single price—marking a shift toward more granular, day-of purchasing options at the resort.

How Express Now Works

Express Now functions as a single-use, single-attraction pass available exclusively through the Universal Orlando app on the day of your visit. According to the source, when you purchase Express Now, you select a participating attraction and a specific time window, then enter the Express queue during that window to enjoy a shorter wait.

The pass requires two technical prerequisites: location services must be enabled on your phone so the app can verify you're inside the park, and you must have valid theme park admission. As the source notes, guests without valid admission or those outside the parks won't be able to see what's available.

A critical limitation: Express Now cannot be pre-booked before your trip. Availability is determined day-of based on capacity and wait times at select participating attractions. The source confirms that Universal has not yet released a list of which attractions are included in the program.

Where Express Now Is Available

Express Now is offered across all three Universal Orlando parks: Islands of Adventure, Universal Studios, and Epic Universe. This represents a significant expansion of skip-the-line options at the resort's newest park, which opened in May 2025.

Express Now vs. Disney's Lightning Lane Single Pass

According to the source, Express Now mirrors Disney's Lightning Lane Single Pass system in structure—both allow guests to skip the line at one attraction once for a separate fee. However, there's a key operational difference: Disney allows pre-booking of Lightning Lane Single Passes at least three days in advance, or seven days in advance for guests staying at a Disney World hotel. Universal's Express Now, by contrast, is strictly day-of purchase only, with no advance booking option currently available.

This same-day-only model may appeal to spontaneous visitors or those who want to purchase skip-the-line access only for attractions with notably long waits, rather than committing to a full Express Pass before arrival.

What Remains Unclear

The source does not specify the price point for Express Now, the complete list of participating attractions, exact time windows, or whether guests can purchase multiple Express Now passes per day. Universal has also not addressed whether Express Now will eventually be available for pre-booking, or whether it's restricted to certain ticket types.

For guests planning a spring break visit or managing crowds during peak season, Express Now adds flexibility to Universal's skip-the-line lineup—though the lack of advance booking and limited participating attraction list may require flexibility in return.