Universal Express Pass covers most major rides at Universal Orlando, but a handful of attractions are excluded, and the biggest one is changing on July 1, 2026. Here is the audited, current list by park so your family knows exactly what your Express dollars do and do not cover.
By Favorite Grampy | Last Updated: May 2026 | Express lineup verified against Universal Orlando as of May 27, 2026.
Which Universal Orlando Rides and Attractions Do Not Accept Express Pass?
Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure is the headline change. Effective July 1, 2026, Hagrid’s will no longer be included in the Universal Express program. Some Universal Express listings may already show Hagrid’s removed, but Universal’s stated effective date is July 1, 2026. Beyond Hagrid’s, Universal Express does not work on Pteranodon Flyers, Raptor Encounter, Dragon Racer’s Rally at Epic Universe, or either of the Ollivanders wand experiences in Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade.
Universal Express also does not apply at Universal Volcano Bay or during separately ticketed events like Halloween Horror Nights. Universal Express Pass starts at $119 per person on top of regular admission, so families spending that money deserve to know exactly which rides are covered before booking.
The list is short, but the gaps matter. Families planning a Universal Orlando trip this summer need to plan their morning strategy around these exclusions, especially after July 1.
| Attraction | Park | Express Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure | Islands of Adventure | Express ends July 1, 2026 | Some listings may already show Hagrid’s removed |
| Pteranodon Flyers | Islands of Adventure | Not included | Currently closed for refurbishment |
| Raptor Encounter | Islands of Adventure | Not included | Character encounter, not a ride |
| Ollivanders (Hogsmeade) | Islands of Adventure | Not included | Wand selection show, not a ride |
| Ollivanders (Diagon Alley) | Universal Studios Florida | Not included | Wand selection show, not a ride |
| Dragon Racer’s Rally | Epic Universe | Not included | The lone confirmed Epic Universe ride exclusion |
| All Volcano Bay attractions | Volcano Bay | Separate product | Volcano Bay sells its own Express Pass Plus separately |
| Halloween Horror Nights | Universal Studios Florida | Separate product | Event-specific Express sold separately |
Swipe left to see all columns on mobile.
Universal Express Pass Quick Facts
Does Universal Express Pass cover every ride?
No. Universal Express covers most major rides at Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, and Epic Universe, but excludes Pteranodon Flyers, Raptor Encounter, Dragon Racer’s Rally, both Ollivanders wand experiences, and Hagrid’s after July 1, 2026.
How much does Universal Express Pass cost in 2026?
Universal Express Pass starts at $119 per person per day, with prices varying by date and park and reaching as high as the mid-$300s on peak dates.
Does Universal Express Pass work at Volcano Bay?
No. Standard Universal Express does not apply at Volcano Bay. The water park sells its own separate Express Pass Plus product starting at $19.99 per person for select attractions.
How Does Universal Express Pass Work and What Does It Cover?
Universal Express Pass is a paid add-on that lets your family use a separate, shorter queue at participating rides at Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure, and Epic Universe. Prices start at $119 per person per day and vary based on date and park. Theme park admission is required separately.
Universal offers three Express products. The standard Universal Express Pass gives one-time access per participating ride. Universal Express Unlimited offers unlimited use at Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure, though not at Epic Universe. Universal also offers Express Pass Now for select participating attractions through the app when available, typically around $20 to $30 per ride.
In addition, guests staying at Loews Portofino Bay, Hard Rock Hotel, or Loews Royal Pacific Resort receive complimentary Universal Express Unlimited at the two legacy parks. That hotel perk does not extend to Epic Universe, where Express must be purchased separately. On peak dates, this hotel benefit can be worth hundreds, and for larger families it can save more than $1,000 across a multi-day trip.
Now that you know how Express works, here is the park-by-park breakdown of what it does not cover.
Why Is Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure Losing Express Pass?
Universal Orlando confirmed on May 26, 2026, that Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure will leave the Universal Express program effective July 1, 2026. Some Express listings on Universal’s website may already show Hagrid’s removed, but the company has been clear that the official effective date is July 1.
Universal’s stated reason is operational. The company says removing Express from Hagrid’s will improve the flow of the experience for all guests. Hagrid’s has consistently posted some of the longest standby waits at Universal Orlando, with wait times often hovering around the 120-minute mark. Pulling Express was likely the cleanest fix for a queue that could not handle the volume.
For families booking trips this summer, this is the single most important Express change to plan around. My grandkids would lose their minds if I told them Hagrid’s was off the table, so I would not avoid the ride. Instead, plan to hit it differently than you would have a month ago.
For trips after July 1, 2026, hit Hagrid’s first thing in the morning. If your family is staying at a Universal hotel, or purchased your tickets through Favorite Grampy Travels, both of which offer with Early Park Admission, head straight to Hagrid’s the moment the rope drops. Single-rider line is also a real option here and can significantly reduce your wait time. Because Hagrid’s is a complex outdoor coaster, it can experience downtime, so check the Universal Orlando app for reopening windows. A ride that just reopened from downtime often has the shortest wait of the day.
What Rides Don’t Accept Express Pass at Islands of Adventure?
Beyond Hagrid’s, Islands of Adventure has three more Express exclusions worth knowing about. Pteranodon Flyers and Raptor Encounter in Jurassic Park do not accept Express, and neither does the Ollivanders wand experience in Hogsmeade.
Pteranodon Flyers loads about 170 guests per hour, which is one of the lowest capacities at any major Orlando theme park. Adults can only ride if they are accompanying a child between 36 and 56 inches tall, so it is essentially a kid-and-grownup ride by design. The ride itself lasts about 75 to 80 seconds.
Here is the honest truth from someone who has actually done it. Ben was 7 when we rode Pteranodon Flyers together. It scared me to death. Ben loved it. The view over Jurassic Park is genuinely fun, but the wait-to-ride payoff is rough. I would skip it unless your kids really want to ride.
Raptor Encounter is not a ride at all. It is a character encounter where guests come face-to-face with Blue, a Velociraptor brought to life by puppetry, along with a raptor handler. Express does not apply because it is a meet-and-greet experience, but lines can build on busy days as families wait for photo opportunities.
Ollivanders Hogsmeade is the third Express exclusion at Islands of Adventure. The short wand selection show only takes a small group at a time, so a separate Express queue would not help. If one Ollivander’s line looks long, check the other location at Universal Studios Florida if you have park-to-park access.
Pteranodon Flyers has been closed since early 2026 for an extended refurbishment, with Universal currently targeting a July 3, 2026 reopening (the date has shifted multiple times). Jurassic Park River Adventure is also closed for refurbishment with no firm reopening date posted. Always check the Universal Orlando app the morning of your visit before walking your family across the park to Jurassic Park.
Does Epic Universe Express Pass Cover Every Ride?
Dragon Racer’s Rally in Isle of Berk is currently listed as the Epic Universe attraction not included with Universal Express. Every other major Epic Universe ride now accepts Universal Express, making this exclusion the only ride-level gap in the park.
This is a recent change worth flagging. Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry and Mine-Cart Madness are both now listed as Express attractions at Epic Universe. Older articles saying these rides are excluded may be stale. Dragon Racer’s Rally is the only ride still outside Express at this writing.
For example, beyond rides, families should know that Epic Universe play areas and character meet-and-greets do not use Express either. Astronomica in Celestial Park and Viking Training Camp in Isle of Berk are walk-in interactive areas, not ride queues. Character meet-and-greets like Toothless and Friends operate on their own schedules. None of the grandkids has ever cared that meet-and-greets are not on Express, but parents should build in time for those experiences separately.
Dragon Racer’s Rally waits are rarely reported to climb above 60 minutes. Hit it either right at park open or in the late afternoon for the lowest waits. Save your Express time for Stardust Racers, Monsters Unchained, and Battle at the Ministry, where Express is far more valuable.
Does Universal Express Pass Work at Volcano Bay?
Standard Universal Express Pass does not work at Volcano Bay. Universal’s water park sells its own separate Express Pass Plus product, which starts at $19.99 per person for select attractions and $49.99 per person for all attractions.
The complimentary Express Unlimited perk that comes with Loews Portofino Bay, Hard Rock Hotel, or Loews Royal Pacific Resort does not extend to Volcano Bay either. That trips up a lot of families every year. If a Volcano Bay day is on the schedule, plan to budget for Volcano Bay’s own Express product separately, or build in extra time at the water park.
In addition, families planning fall or winter 2026 trips should know that Volcano Bay closes for a full refurbishment from October 26, 2026 through March 24, 2027. The five-month closure covers fall break and much of Orlando’s mild winter season, so check Universal’s calendar carefully if Volcano Bay is part of your plan.
Does Universal Express Work During Halloween Horror Nights?
Standard daytime Universal Express Pass does not work during Halloween Horror Nights or any other separately ticketed event. The event runs after the regular park closes and requires its own ticket, and the Express product sold for HHN is a completely separate purchase.
The HHN Express Pass for 2026 typically runs $170 to $280 per person, depending on the night. It lets your family skip the standby line once per haunted house and at participating rides during the event. On busy nights, haunted house waits can get very long, so event-specific Express is almost essential for families wanting to see all the houses in one night. For a full breakdown, see our Halloween Horror Nights planning guide.
That said, the daytime Express Pass you bought for your regular Universal trip is unrelated to the HHN event Express. Buying one does not get you the other, even if you visit on the same calendar day.
Attractions People Often Get Wrong About Express Pass
A few Universal Orlando attractions get incorrectly listed as Express exclusions by other guides, and a few get missed entirely. Here are the most common ones families ask about.
Is Raptor Encounter Included With Universal Express?
No. Raptor Encounter is not a ride, but it is specifically listed as not included with Universal Express. Lines can get long on busy days as families wait for photos with Blue, so plan time for it separately, or hit it during a parade or an evening lull when crowds thin out.
What About Character Meet-and-Greets Like Toothless?
Meet-and-greets are generally not standard Express attractions at any Universal Orlando park. Toothless and Friends at Epic Universe operates on its own schedule, as do most character experiences. Check the Universal Orlando app for character schedules and plan your touring around them.
What About Play Areas Like Astronomica and Viking Training Camp?
These are interactive walk-in experiences, not ride queues, so they are not listed as participating Express attractions. Astronomica in Celestial Park is a constellation-themed exploration area, and Viking Training Camp in Isle of Berk is a play structure for kids. Both are great breaks between headliner rides, and neither requires a separate line.
Are Power-Up Band Activities Covered by Express?
No. Power-Up Band activities in Super Nintendo World at Epic Universe are interactive land experiences, not rides. The bands are sold separately for around $40 and unlock features throughout the land like punching question blocks and competing in Key Challenges. Express has nothing to do with how the bands work.
Is Universal Express Pass Still Worth It If Some Rides Are Excluded?
Yes, for most families. Universal Express Pass still covers the vast majority of major rides across all three theme parks, and the time savings on a crowded day can be substantial. For first-time visitors, peak-season trips, or short trips of two days or less, Express usually earns back its cost in time and reduced family stress.
The math gets more nuanced when you factor in the exclusions. If Hagrid’s is your family’s must-do ride and you are visiting after July 1, 2026, Express will not help you there. If your trip is entirely at Volcano Bay, the standard Express product does not apply at all. In those cases, the value calculation changes. For a fuller breakdown, our Universal Express Pass worth-it analysis walks through the per-family math.
A travel advisor can help you run the numbers based on your family size, trip length, hotel choice, and the rides your kids care about most. That kind of personalized planning matters more than ever now that the Express lineup is changing in real time. Your advisor may charge a planning fee based on the complexity of your trip, but for many families, it is worth every penny to have someone tracking these changes so you do not have to.
Who Should Skip Buying Universal Express Pass?
Not every family needs Universal Express, and being honest about that matters. Here is where I would skip it.
Families visiting on slow weekdays in mid-January, early September, or early December often do not need Express. Standby waits on those days tend to be much shorter, so the time savings rarely justify the cost. The Universal Orlando app posts real-time wait time and ride delays or shut downs so you can adjust accordingly.
Families on very short trips focused on only two or three headliner rides may also be better served by single-rider lines plus rope drop. On slower days, rope drop and single-rider lines may let you knock out several headliners before crowds build, without needing Express at all.
I would also skip Express for families visiting Volcano Bay only, since standard Universal Express does not work there. The same goes for families whose plans revolve around character meet-and-greets, play areas, and shows rather than ride headliners. None of those uses Express.
That said, on a busy spring break week or a peak summer Saturday at Islands of Adventure or Epic Universe, I would not show up without it. Knowing when Express pays off and when it does not is exactly the kind of judgment call a good travel advisor handles for you.
Best Strategy for Universal Rides Without Express Pass
The exclusions on Universal Express are real, but they are also manageable with a smart plan. Here is what I tell every family I help plan a Universal trip.
Ride Early
Rope drop is the single most powerful tool you have. Hit Hagrid’s and Dragon Racer’s Rally first thing in the morning when posted waits are at their lowest. Early Park Admission, included with Universal hotel stays, gives you a 30 to 60 minute head start on the rest of the crowd. On top of that, single-rider lines at rides like Hagrid’s, VelociCoaster, and Mario Kart can significantly reduce your wait time if you do not mind splitting up.
Watch the Universal Orlando App
The Universal Orlando app posts real-time wait times, ride downtime alerts, and Universal Express Now availability. Better still, you can check the app for current operating status before walking across the park. Dragon Racer’s Rally often dips in mid-afternoon to under 30 minutes. A ride that just reopened from downtime often has the shortest wait of the day, since the standby line cleared while it was closed.
Have a Backup Plan
If Hagrid’s is delayed at rope drop, pivot to Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey or VelociCoaster while you wait. If Dragon Racer’s Rally posts a long line, hit Hiccup’s Wing Gliders and circle back later. If Ollivanders Hogsmeade is packed, walk over to Diagon Alley instead. Flexibility is the best Express Pass you can carry.
Book your Universal vacation early enough that your travel advisor can lock in your hotel and Express pricing before the next change. Universal package pricing varies throughout the year, and the Express lineup itself is moving in real time. A good advisor watches both for you so you are not caught flat-footed when something changes.
Full Updated List by Park
Here is the clean park-by-park summary for reference.
Universal Studios Florida
- Ollivanders Experience in Diagon Alley — not included with Express (wand selection show, not a ride)
- No confirmed ride exclusions as of May 2026
Universal Islands of Adventure
- Pteranodon Flyers — not included with Express (also currently closed for refurbishment)
- Raptor Encounter — not included with Express (character encounter, not a ride)
- Ollivanders Experience in Hogsmeade — not included with Express (wand selection show, not a ride)
- Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure — Express ends July 1, 2026
Universal Epic Universe
- Dragon Racer’s Rally — not included with Express
- Character meet-and-greets and play areas (Astronomica, Viking Training Camp) — not standard Express attractions
Universal Volcano Bay
- Standard Universal Express does not apply
- Volcano Bay sells its own separate Express Pass Plus product
Separately Ticketed Events
- Halloween Horror Nights and similar events require a separate event-specific Express
Frequently Asked Questions About Universal Express Pass Exclusions
Will Hagrid’s Have Express Pass After July 2026?
No. Universal Orlando confirmed that Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure leaves the Universal Express program effective July 1, 2026. Some Express listings on Universal’s website may already show Hagrid’s removed, but the company has been clear about the July 1 effective date. For trips after that date, plan to use the standby line, single-rider line, or Early Park Admission to ride Hagrid’s. Universal has not announced a replacement Express option for the ride.
Do Universal Hotel Guests Get Express Pass for All the Excluded Rides?
No. Guests staying at Loews Portofino Bay, Hard Rock Hotel, or Loews Royal Pacific Resort receive complimentary Universal Express Unlimited at Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure, but the perk has never covered excluded attractions like Pteranodon Flyers, Raptor Encounter, or the Ollivanders experiences. The complimentary hotel perk also does not extend to Epic Universe or Volcano Bay, where Express must be purchased separately even for hotel guests.
Is Universal Express Pass at Epic Universe Worth It If Dragon Racer’s Rally Is Excluded?
For most families on a busy day, yes. Express at Epic Universe still covers Stardust Racers, Monsters Unchained, Mario Kart, Battle at the Ministry, Mine-Cart Madness, and the rest of the headliner lineup. Dragon Racer’s Rally rarely posts long waits, so hitting it at rope drop or in the late afternoon is usually enough. On a slow weekday in mid-January, Express may not be necessary at all.
Can I Buy Universal Express Pass Now for Excluded Rides?
Express Pass Now is for select participating attractions, so you should not assume it will be available for rides excluded from standard Universal Express. Pteranodon Flyers, Raptor Encounter, Dragon Racer’s Rally, the Ollivanders experiences, and Hagrid’s after July 1, 2026 are all unavailable for Express Pass Now. The product is sold through the Universal Orlando app for around $20 to $30 per ride at participating attractions only.
Does Universal Express Pass Work for the Bourne Stuntacular and Other Shows?
Yes for most shows. Universal Express covers many shows across the parks when they are operating. At Epic Universe, the two main shows Le Cirque Arcanus and The Untrainable Dragon both have Express access for reserved entry, though seating is not guaranteed once the show fills. The Ollivanders wand experiences are the main show exception across all parks. Always check the Universal Orlando app for current show participation before relying on it.
Let a Travel Advisor Track These Changes for You
Universal Express Pass can save your family hours of waiting, but only if you know what it covers. The Hagrid’s change on July 1, 2026, is just the latest example of how fast the Express lineup can shift. A travel advisor watches these changes for you and adjusts your park strategy before you ever step foot in Orlando.
Favorite Grampy Travels’ concierge travel advisors book Universal Orlando vacations every single day. They know which hotels include Express Unlimited, when Express add-ons are actually worth the money for your family, and how to plan around the rides Express does not cover. Your advisor may charge a planning fee based on the complexity of your trip, and for most families, it is the best investment they make in the whole vacation.
Ready to plan a Universal Orlando trip that does not end with surprises at the ticket counter? Reach out for a complimentary consultation and let a real person handle the details so you can just show up and enjoy your family.
