Universal Orlando Tightens Express Pass Rules and Adds Facial Recognition Checks

Overview

• Universal activated stricter Express Pass enforcement on Saturday, June 13, 2026, and is using facial recognition and staff verification at Express entrances to confirm the pass holder matches the assigned guest.
• Complimentary Universal Express Unlimited that comes with select premier hotel stays still applies to Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure only and is not being extended to other parks.
• Epic Universe and Volcano Bay are excluded from the hotel benefit and require separate purchases for skip-the-line access when those products are offered at those parks.
• Universal Express comes in two main forms — a single-use Express and an Express Unlimited that allows repeated entries — and both are sold separately from admission with prices that rise and fall based on demand.
• The changes make budgeting and day planning more important for families because relying on a hotel perk no longer guarantees resort-wide line-skipping, so guests should check park-specific Express rules before they book or arrive.