Are express passes something that are a ‘must have’ now?
I don't think they are any more of a must have now than they were back then, so I'd go with however you felt about them before.
It's possible to go with or without EP. It just depends on how much time you have, how much you want to see, and how much planning and early morning rushing around you are ok with doing. I've done it both ways. It's always nice to have EP and not have to be on a schedule, but if it's going to cost a fortune, a trip can be done without EP.
When I really think it is worth it is when you have teens / tweens who want to ride the same coasters over and over again back to back during moderate to busy times of the year. If you just want to ride once or twice and have 2 or 3 days to tour the parks, you can plan out your rides and minimize most waits.
Recognizing that this will be different depending on the time of year (we are looking at mid Feb).
I have had mixed results with January / February. Some trips have been walk on absolutely everything. Others have been ridiculously crowded. You also have to watch out for holidays in there, plus over-spill that lingers from New Years well into Jan.
If I could swing staying at a Premier resort, I would. Then, you've got the EP if you need it, but didn't pay for it. Otherwise, I'd wait and buy it once there if you end up needing it, but unless you are going over a Feb holiday, I think it will be manageable without EP with a little planning, unless you are trying to do both parks in one day. Buy EP for that and even then, good luck rushing around.
I'm also looking at possibly going in February, and I don't think we will need EP except maybe late afternoon / super popular attractions, but it would be nice to have, even just for piece of mind. I'd rather have it and not need it, then the reverse, but when I lived in Tampa, we did the parks all the time without EP, even at peak times, so it can be done.
Not sure if you've been during Mardi Gras before or not, but outside of Christmas, it is probably my favorite time of the year to go. The floats are just as good as the ones in New Orleans, and there are ways you can even ride on one during the parade if you like.
What of the newer things since your last trip are you most interested to see/do?
Of the new attractions added since you've been, I do not care for Jimmy Fallon or Fast & Furious, so we will most likely skip those.
I have only gotten to ride Hagrid's once, and it was amazing, so I'm excited to do that again if we can fit it in. We aren't going to have much time, though, so I don't want to waste it waiting on one ride the whole day.
I've also not tried VelociCoaster. I'm undecided on if I want to or not. I don't like the fact that there is not an over the shoulder harness. Rides with only lap bars tend to throw me around and give me migraines, but I've heard it's smooth, so I'm still debating.
I love MIB, so another attraction where you get to shoot targets (Villian Minion Blast) sounds great, but like the above two attractions, I've heard this one also has crazy wait times right now. Also, not sure I'm thrilled with the fact you have to stand.
I'd love to see the Bourne show as that sounds like a lot of fun.
I'm also excited for all the great food. Nothing in particular. I've been reading menus all weekend, and it all looks amazing. Lots of new food to try.
Really, though, I'm just excited to be going back, relaxing by the pool, walking the path to the parks, listening to the music at IOA while I stroll along with a drink or snack. I'm also super excited to show my co-worker around as she has never been before.
Universal is my happy place. I find it super relaxing. I don't really care what I do while there. We always have fun.
