Universal's New Pay-Per-Ride Express Pass Could Change How You Skip the Line

Universal Orlando has a new way to skip the line — and it’s going to feel very familiar to anyone who’s used Disney’s Lightning Lane.

The resort quietly launched Universal Express Now, a single-use express pass option that lets you skip the standby queue at one specific attraction for a set return window. According to Inside Universal, which first reported the details on April 14, the new option is available exclusively through the Universal Orlando Resort app — but only if you’re already inside the park.

How Universal Express Now Works

The mechanics are straightforward. While you’re in the park, you open the app, browse participating attractions, select one, and purchase a timed return window. When your window arrives, you enter the Express queue for that ride — one time only. The pass cannot be exchanged for a different attraction once purchased, and availability is released sporadically rather than all at once.

A few other conditions apply: location services must be enabled on your device, and the purchase window is day-of only. You cannot buy these in advance or from outside the park gates.

Early pricing spotted by guests puts individual passes at $19.99 for attractions like Yoshi’s Adventure and $24.99 for Hiccup’s Wing Gliders. Universal has not confirmed whether pricing will fluctuate based on demand, though that would be a logical next step if this product matures.

Sound Familiar?

If you’ve been to a Disney park recently, the comparison is hard to miss. Disney’s Lightning Lane Individual works on essentially the same model — one ride, one return time, purchased day-of through the app. Universal has long offered a different approach with its traditional Express Pass, which covers multiple attractions for a flat (often steep) fee. Express Now fills in a lower price point for guests who only want to skip the line on one or two headliners rather than committing to a full pass.

That flexibility matters, especially at Epic Universe, where the new attractions are commanding significant standby wait times. Being able to drop $25 for a single Express queue on a marquee ride — without spending $100-plus on a full Express Pass — gives guests a lot more control over how they spend.

What to Keep in Mind

A few things worth considering before you tap “buy”:

• Availability is not guaranteed. Passes are released sporadically, so popular attractions may sell out early in the day. If you have a specific ride in mind, check the app as soon as you’re through the gates.
• No exchanges. Once you buy for a specific attraction, you’re locked in. Make sure the ride you’re targeting is actually worth the spend to you before you commit.
• Pricing may change. Universal hasn’t announced a demand-based pricing model, but it wouldn’t be a surprise. The current prices may not reflect what you’ll see a few months from now.

This is a meaningful addition to how Universal handles the line-skipping economy, and it’s one that gives budget-conscious guests a real option. Whether it stays at these price points long-term remains to be seen — but for now, it’s worth knowing the option exists before your next visit.