Planning a trip to Universal Studios and hoping to skip the long lines? Which rides are actually included? In this post, we’ll break down the full list of rides that accept the Universal Express Pass at Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, Epic Universe, and Volcano Bay so you can plan your visit like a pro.
One of the biggest questions guests have before purchasing is simple: which rides actually accept Universal Express Pass?
With attractions spread across Universal Studios Florida, Universal’s Islands of Adventure, Universal Epic Universe, and Universal’s Volcano Bay, it can be confusing to know where you can skip the regular line — and where you can’t.
Each Universal park has select rides and attractions that are included in the Express Pass. These Universal Express Pass rides are usually some of the most popular ones at the park and having express pass will save you time waiting in line.
I have shared my thoughts on if express pass is worth it and when single rider line may be a better option, but for this post I want to share a basic list of rides with express pass at Universal Orlando to help plan your trip.
This complete Universal Express Pass rides list breaks down every attraction that accepts Express Pass, organized by park, so you can plan smarter and maximize your time. Whether you’re visiting during peak season or just want to avoid long waits for the most popular rides, this guide will help you decide if Express Pass is right for your trip — and exactly how to use it strategically.
Universal Express Pass Rides List (Updated 2026 Guide)
With over 40 rides and attractions included in Universal Express Pass it is helpful for guests to know where they can and can’t use the passes. Thankfully Universal includes a lot of the best rides so guests can see and do the best of the parks while using Express Pass.
What is Universal Express Pass
Universal Express Pass is an add-on ticket guests can purchase to skip the regular queue and enter a special queue with minimal wait times. There are two types of Express Pass at Universal: Universal Express Pass and Universal Express Unlimited.
Universal Express allows a one time ride at each attraction on the day of your visit. Unlimited express allows guests to ride express pass attractions as many times as you would like.
Guests do not need to reserve ride times but you do need to purchase express pass in addition to your park ticket. Prices starts at $119.00 a day/per person. This does not include your park admission.
How Express Pass Works
Once guests have purchased theme park tickets and Express pass it is very easy to you. You will scan your ticket at the Express Pass entrance of the attraction you would like to ride. Everyone in your party must have an express pass to enter the express pass queue.
Tips for Using Express Pass
Express Pass does not require a lot of planning ahead of time. When visiting you may want to ride the attractions without express pass early on in the day to avoid waiting in any lines.
For the most part you can enter a ride queue at any time of day and have a minimal wait time for even the most popular attractions.
My biggest tip is to stay at a Signature resort to get Universal Unlimited Express Pass for free. There are three hotels at Universal that include Express Pass and you will often spend less staying at these resorts over adding express pass to your tickets.
Hard Rock Hotel, Loews Royal Pacific, and Loews Portofino Bay include Express Pass from day of check-in to check-out day. I highly recommend comparing the costs to see if this is a good option for your trip. Express Pass included with the hotel stay does not include Express Pass for Epic Universe.
Universal Express Pass Rides Overview
Universal Express Pass includes some of the most popular rides and attractions at the Universal theme parks.
Universal Studios Florida Express Pass Rides
- Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts™
- Hogwarts™ Express (Park-to-Park admission ticket required)
- Despicable Me Minion Mayhem
- DreamWorks Imagination Celebration
- Illumination’s Villain-Con Minion Blast
- The Simpsons Ride™
- Kang & Kodos’ Twirl ‘n’ Hurl
- TRANSFORMERS: The Ride-3D™
- Fast & Furious – Supercharged
- MEN IN BLACK™ Alien Attack™
- Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon
- Revenge of the Mummy
- E.T. Adventure
- The Bourne Stuntacular
- Animal Actors on Location!
- Trolls Trollercoaster
- Universal Horror Make-Up Show
Best Express Rides at Universal Studios Florida
The most popular attractions at the park are where you will want to use your Express Pass. E.T. Adventure, Revenge of the Mummy, Men in Black, and Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts are great passes to use. I suggest using them when crowds are low. If wait time is less than 15 minutes you may want to save them for a re-ride later in the day.
Islands of Adventure Express Pass Rides
- The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man®
- Caro-Seuss-el™
- The Cat in the Hat™
- Doctor Doom’s Fearfall®
- Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls®
- Flight of the Hippogriff™
- Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey™
- The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride!™
- Hogwarts™ Express (Park-to-Park admission ticket required)
- The Incredible Hulk Coaster®
- Jurassic Park River Adventure
- Jurassic World VelociCoaster
- One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish™
- Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges®
- Skull Island: Reign of Kong
- Storm Force Accelatron®
- Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure
Top Express Pass Rides at Islands of Adventure
Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, Jurassic World VelociCoaster, and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey are some of the most popular attractions at the park. The express pass is also very helpful when riding Flight of the Hippogriff and the High in the Sky Trolley.
Epic Universe Express Pass Rides
- Constellation Carousel
- Curse of the Werewolf
- Fyre Drill
- Hiccup’s Wing Gliders
- Le Cirque Arcanus™
- Mario Kart™: Bowser’s Challenge
- Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment
- Stardust Racers
- The Untrainable Dragon
- Yoshi’s Adventure™
- Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry
- Mine-Kart Madness
Best Express Pass Rides at Epic Universe
Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry, Stardust Racers, Mine-Kart Madness, and Hiccup’s Wing Gliders are great express pass rides. Honestly all of the express pass queues at Epic Universe are worth it and will save you a lot of time waiting in lines.
Volcano Bay Express Pass & Express Plus Rides
Volcano Bay has two tiers of express pass. It includes one time per ride per day.
Volcan Bay Express Pass:
- Krakatau Aqua Coaster
- Punga Racers
- Maku of Maku Puihi Round Raft Rides
- Puihi of Maku Puihi Round Raft Rides
- Honu of Honu ika Moana
- ika Moana of Honu ika Moana
- Taniwha Tubes
Volcan Bay Express Plus Pass:
- Kala & Tai Nui Serpentine Body Slides
- Ko’okiri Body Plunge
- Ohno of Ohyah & Ohno Drop Slides
- Ohyah of Ohyah & Ohno Drop Slides
Should You Get Express Pass at Volcano Bay
Deciding on if you should get express pas at Volcano Bay really depends on expected crowd level during your visit. If you are visiting during the month of July you may want to purchase express to minimize time waiting in long, hot and humid, queues. A mid-week in September might not be busy and express pass is probably not necessary.
Rides Not Included with Universal Express Pass
There are only a couple of rides and attractions at the three theme parks that are not included in the Universal Express Pass. If you want to experience these rides with minimal wait times I suggest riding before lunch to avoid afternoon crowds.
- Dragon Racer’s Rally (Epic Universe)
- Pteranodon Flyers (Islands of Adventure)
Frequently Asked Questions about Express Pass
- Can Express Pass be added day of visit? Yes-you can purchase express pass inside the park but on occasions it sells out for the day.
- Do you need a park ticket? Yes-you need a park ticket and an express pass ticket to use the Express Pass queue.
- Does everyone in my group need to purchase express pass? Each guest entering the Express Pass queue needs to have an express pass ticket.
Final Thoughts
Universal offers a variety of rides and attractions in their express passes making it a great value, if it is in your budget. On busy days at the park the express pass can be a huge time saver.
When planning your day at the parks keep in mind the more popular rides will have longer standby lines and longer express lines.
If the wait time is very long for regular line, expect to shorten your wait time with express pass, but even guests with express pass will have wait times on popular attractions.
Express Pass can be worth it, depending on the crowd level the day of your visit and if it is worth it for your budget. We have visited Universal with and without Express Pass.
Having Express Pass does help plan out the day but it is not always in our vacation budget. When we don’t have express pass we rely on Single Rider line to shorten our wait times and we have a plan for each park. For example we always use this Islands of Adventure rope drop strategy to ride Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure.
I hope this helps you plan your day to Universal with Express Pass and that you have a great Universal Orlando trip.
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