How much is FOTL worth?

[JenniferW]

I made a reservation today for my family to stay at HRH for the price of $117.50 with the entertainment card rate during Thanksgiving. I remember the parks being quite busy, and since we only have 2 days at Universal, my brother possibly one day we thought it would be worth it for the FOTL access. We plan on going only on each ride one time and do the highlights of both parks and buy the multiday passes. We have 6 people in our party so we are looking at 3 rooms for 2 nights, is it worth it?
Is there a list of all the rides which offer the FOTL or not?

My hubby and I went last year and didn't notice how much the express would help, we didn't use it really. The crowds seemed reasonable on Wednesday, but peaked on Friday after T day.
I hate to spend the cash, but I am thinking it might be worth it. Any ideas?

Jenn

 

[gschmerl]

I don't know how crowded it gets during Thanksgiving. We were there the week of July 4 and it was DEFINITELY worth every penny. We never waited more than about ten minutes, and most times it was less than that. You may decide to go on some rides more than once. You only have to spend one night at the HRH to get two days of express access.

 

[CoasterFEV]

Even without Express access to the attractions, $117.50 a night is a BARGAIN for a hotel like the Hard Rock. Consider you would probably pay more than that just for some of the mid-scale Disney resorts like Caribbean Beach.

 

[UKDEB]

FOTL applies to every ride and attraction. When we were at HRH 26 & 27 July, it worked like this:

Until 11.00 am you approach a staff member associated with the ride and they will escort you to the front of the line (not just a clever name!).

After 11.00 you join the Express line.

As CoasterFEV says, you've got a bargain even without FOTL. HRH is <i>amazing</i>. FOTL is the icing on the cake and you won't believe how much time it will save you.

Btw, we found IoA very quiet during the evening that we were there and the whole place takes on a lovely ambient feel. The fireworks were as good as anything Disney does, IMO, but a bit late at 9.50pm.

 

[nhrenee]

There are a couple of things you can't use fotl or Express for:

"...Front of the line access is not available on Pteranodon Flyers, Mt. Crumpit’s slide (during Grinchmas), and the front rows of Dueling Dragons and the Incredible Hulk Coaster at Islands of Adventure. Universal Studios does not have front of the line access on Fivel’s Playland slide and Woody Woodpecker’s Nuthouse Coaster. "

"...Universal Express is not available on Pteranodon Flyers, Mt. Crumpit’s slide (during Grinchmas), and the front rows of Dueling Dragons and the Incredible Hulk Coaster at Islands of Adventure. Universal Studios does not have Universal Express on Fivel’s Playland slide and Woody Woodpecker’s Nuthouse Coaster. "