Universal is taking a big step toward changing how guests experience its most popular attractions. For decades, Universal Express Pass has been a familiar system—pay once, skip the line on multiple rides, and keep your day moving.But this fall, the resort quietly started testing something new, and it looks a lot like what Disney fans have known for quite some time: individual attraction purchases. This could be the start of a significant transformation for how Universal approaches line-skipping, crowd management, and pricing strategy.Credit: Universal Orlando ResortUniversal’s New Test at Revenge of the MummyGuests at Universal Studios Florida recently noticed something different near the entrance to Revenge of the Mummy. A sleek new sign appeared offering Single Attraction Access, a one-time option that lets guests skip the regular line for that specific ride. Unlike traditional Express Passes, this is a separate purchase—not bundled into a day pass or hotel package. Even more interesting, the sign includes a QR code, making the purchase process incredibly quick and easy through the Universal app.New Type of Universal Express Pass Currently Being Tested at Universal Orlando https://t.co/X2Il7zM6cSAre Universal heading down Disney’s Lightning Lane route? It would appear so! pic.twitter.com/mah6fI4kGt— Orlando Theme Park Zone (@OTPZ_TP) October 16, 2025This isn’t something guests book months in advance or even the night before their trip. It’s a same-day, same-attraction opportunity that’s available in limited quantities. Once it sells out, that’s it. If you’re at the park and you want to skip the line for Revenge of the Mummy just once, you can buy your access right then and there and bypass the standby queue. It’s streamlined, simple, and aimed at people who don’t want to commit to the price of an entire Express Pass but are willing to splurge a little for one major ride,.A Familiar PlaybookIf this sounds familiar to Disney fans, it’s because the strategy looks very similar — but yet still different — to Lightning Lane, the system that replaced Genie+ at Walt Disney World. Disney offers the Lightning Lane Multi Pass, which allows guests to select several attractions ahead of time and then stack them as they use them, but the company also offers the Lightning Lane Single Pass, a pay-per-ride service that you can also purchase ahead of time for the most popular attractions in each of the parks.The change gave Disney more control over crowd flow, while giving guests more flexibility in how they spent their money. Universal has tinkered with variations of Express in the past, but this single-attraction option is the clearest signal yet that the company may be following a similar path. For a lot of guests, this is a big deal. Express Pass has traditionally been a premium offering—sometimes costing as much as park admission itself on busy days. By offering a smaller, lower-cost option for one ride, Universal is opening a door for more people to get in on the action without fully breaking the bank.Credit: UniversalWhy Universal Might Be Making This ShiftThere are a few strategic reasons this move makes sense. First and foremost, Express Pass demand is always high. On peak days, it can sell out entirely, leaving some guests with no line-skipping options at all. Introducing Single Attraction Access allows Universal to meet that demand in a new way, tapping into a market of people who wouldn’t have bought a full pass but are willing to pay for one or two big rides.Second, it’s a clever way to control crowds more effectively. By offering a set number of single-attraction passes for select rides, Universal can better manage how many people enter through the Express lane. That helps keep wait times balanced between the two lines, improving the guest experience overall. Instead of everyone flooding into Express all day long, the flow is more measured and predictable.And then there’s the business angle. Single Attraction Access is a revenue booster. Rather than raising ticket prices across the board or increasing the cost of Express Pass, Universal can bring in extra income in smaller, more targeted ways. Guests who wouldn’t have spent an extra $100 or more on a full-day Express might be willing to drop $20–$30 for one ride they really love. Multiply that across thousands of guests, and the impact becomes significant.Credit: UniversalWhat Guests Should Expect NextRight now, the test appears to be limited to Revenge of the Mummy, but it’s unlikely to stay that way for long. If the system proves successful, the next step could be rolling it out to other high-demand attractions across Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure. If you’re familiar with those parks, it’s not hard to imagine which rides would be next in line. Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, Jurassic World VelociCoaster, and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey are all prime candidates.Each of these attractions is known for long lines, especially during peak seasons. Offering Single Attraction Access for them would not only generate extra revenue but also give guests a way to secure a ride they might otherwise have to wait over an hour for. It also creates a more flexible experience for travelers who might be visiting for just one day and want to make the most of their time.It will also be interesting if they decide to implement this into Epic Universe at some point, as well.The Bigger Picture: Lightning Lane vs. ExpressFor years, Universal has had the simpler, more premium system when compared to Disney. Express Pass is expensive, but it’s easy to understand: pay once, skip the line on most rides all day. Meanwhile, Disney’s Lightning Lane involves picking specific rides and time slots, making it more complex but also more customizable.By adding Single Attraction Access, Universal may be looking to blend the best of both worlds. Full Express will likely remain for guests who want an easy, all-inclusive skip-the-line experience. But the single-attraction option gives Universal a way to reach guests who want a cheaper, more flexible alternative. In other words, it’s not about replacing Express Pass—it’s about adding another tier of choice.Credit: UniversalWhat This Means for Theme Park PlanningIf this test expands, it will likely change how people plan their Universal vacations. Instead of deciding between no Express and full Express, guests might start strategizing around individual rides. Families could choose one or two “must-do” attractions to buy access for, saving both time and money. Solo travelers or couples might grab a last-minute pass for one headliner to avoid spending the last hour of their day in a long line.Of course, this also introduces some unpredictability. Because inventory is limited, there’s no guarantee Single Attraction Access will be available when you want it. That could create a bit of a scramble on busy days, especially for the most popular rides. But it also keeps the system flexible and dynamic, which is exactly what Universal seems to be going for.A New Era of Line-SkippingUniversal’s long-running Express Pass has always set it apart from Disney’s approach, but this new system could make the experience more customizable. For some guests, that’s a game changer. It makes the parks more accessible to those who might not want to invest in the full Express experience. For others who love the simplicity of a single add-on, it might feel like a step toward the more complicated Lightning Lane structure at Disney.Either way, the writing is on the wall: Universal is rethinking how guests access its most popular rides. If this trial is successful—and there’s a strong chance it will be—Single Attraction Access could mark the beginning of a much bigger shift in the Universal theme park experience. What starts with one sign at Revenge of the Mummy could very well reshape how people tour the parks in the years to come.The post Universal Changes Longtime Express Pass, Following Disney’s Model appeared first on Inside the Magic.