From Mark's WDW Update 2/20/06 (http://www.mouseplanet.com/articles.php?art=wd060220mg)

…Universal Studios Orlando and Islands of Adventure have announced that they are officially discontinuing the free Universal Express ride reservations system, but continuing the Express Plus pay system, where guests who pay ($15-$50, depending on season) can go to the front of the line every time.


So was the 'free Universal Express ride reservation system' the advantage you get from staying on site? Or is this the little kiosks they had, like Fast Passes, where you could just get one at a time? I'd think it could affect the occupancy rate of their hotels if it is the former.

I believe it is the kiosks. You are in esssence, paying for Universal Express when you stay onsite.

It was the free program like Disney's Fast Pass. Universal Guest still hae the Express PLUS. The only was for non-resort guest to get a express pass now is pay for the Express PLUS which runs $15 - $25 dollars. You have to schedule the date you will be using this service in advace - like a reservation. However, some dates are blacked out so the pass is not available to non-resort guests on the high "peak" dates. Resort guests always recieve the "PLUS" pass.

Thanks for the help on this one!
That makes a lot more sense then what I was initially thinking (that it was the guest thing, since they don't techincally pay extra for it)