I'm planning on taking my son to Universal Studios Hollywood in November. We will be there 2 days likely. I was wondering if the express pass is a necessity. I've learned with Disney parks that the Genie makes the experience so much better. But does it do the same with Universal? They have a deal right now for buy one day get one free for $109, so we both could get 2 days for $218 total, and the alternative with the express would be $800 (199 per day for 2 days for 2 people).

Has anybody done the park without the express pass recently?