How to MAXIMIZE Your Annual Pass at Universal Orlando in 2024
Credit: Universal Orlando
Annual Passes can be extremely cost effective because they often pay for themselves within a few visits. If you're visiting internationally, an Annual Pass is WAY cheaper than multi-day, park-to-park tickets, too.If you’ve been considering getting an Annual Pass or maybe you have one, here’s how you can maximize your AP and get the most bang for your buck!
Always Ask to Use Your AP Discount
Annual Passholders get a LOT of discounts at Universal Orlando! Often times Team Member's are in such a hurry to check you out, they forget to ask to scan your AP. Always pull it out and ask for it to be scanned. Food + Drink Discounts
Every time you stop for food, drinks, have your AP scanned. Premier Pass – 15% discountPreferred Pass – 10% discount$1 off per Coca-Cola Freestyle additional day rechargePopcorn souvenir bucket refills only costs $2
Pro Tip: If you’re visiting during special event seasons like Mardi Gras or HHN, you can save a good amount on those specialty food and drinks with your AP.
Special Passholder Discount on the Universal Orlando Food Mardi Gras Food & Beverage Card!
Passholders can enjoy more bites for less on over fifty Mardi Gras menu items. Purchase a $150 Food & Beverage Card for only $120. Just present your valid Annual or Seasonal Pass at time of purchase to receive this exclusive offer.
Merchandise Discounts
If you love to shop in the parks, the AP merchandise discount can save you a TON.
For Premier passholders, they get 15% discount off most merch including Wizarding World of Harry Potter items. Items like Interactive wands rack up pretty quickly.
For Preferred passholders, it’s a 10% discount off Universal merchandise for most items.
Annual Passholers also get exclusive Universal Orlando swag that can be purchased!
Discounted Universal Hotel Rates
This is one of the biggest Universal Orlando Annual Passholder perks, besides EPA, park entry, is discounts on Universal hotel rates.You can save UP to 30% off on Premier or Preferred Hotels and up to 25% off of Prime Value Hotels.Universal Orlando usually releases the annual passholder discount hotel rates about two months in advance.Pro Tip:
AP rates can go FAST! Especially during busy times of the year like Mardi Gras, HHN and the Holidays. Keep checking the Universal Hotel page prior to your trip if there aren’t any AP rooms left. Sometimes rates become available when folks cancel plans.If you're apart of the UOAP Facebook page, sometimes nice people will post when they've released hotel rooms, that way someone else can snag them.
Discount on Universal Orlando Park Tickets
If you have friends or family planning to visit Universal Orlando for at least 2 days, you can save them 10-15% off multi-day park ticket‘s. Just note these have to be purchase at gate, and you have to be present with you Annual Pass + ID.
Other Notable Annual Pass Discounts:
Discount on My Universal Photos
$3 off admission to after 6pm movies at Universal Cinemark Theatre in CityWalk15% discount on non-private experience tickets at Universal's Great Movie Escape
Know Your Perks!
Passholder Appreciation Days
Every year Universal Orlando dedicates a certain number of days to UOAP's with extra discounts, perks like a dedicated AP lane at the turnstiles, special menu items, and more.Make sure you’ve signed up for the UOAP emails to get alerts on when this will be offered in 2023. Booking your trip around Passholder Appreciation days could be really fun for the theme park foodies!
Special limited-time food & drinks just for AP’s
Ex: During the Holiday's at Universal, there's and exclusive menu items just for AP’s.Voodoo Doughnut in CityWalk almost always has a seasonal AP exclusive doughnut for purchase!
Special AP viewing areas for experiences like the Parades
Ex: Passholders can view Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s from a special viewing area in front of Mel’s Drive-In on select datesThroughout Mardi Gras, you can watch the nightly parade in the UOAP viewing area
AP previews for new attractions, experiences, etc.
AP’s check out new rides before they even open to the public! Most recent attraction preview was for VelociCoaster. I have a feeling AP's will get a preview for the new Minions attraction opening this summer!For season events AP’s can preview the Tribute Store before its officially opens
AP’s can sign-up to ride on the Mardi Gras Floats
During the Mardi Gras celebration at Universal Studios Florida, annual passholders have the opportunity to ride on one of the decorated parade floats and throw beads to park guests. 
Access To Early Park Admission
If you a Preferred or Premier AP, you get free Early Park Admission to either Universal Studios Florida or Islands of Adventure without having to stay at a Universal hotel. This is hands down my favorite perk. It can come in so handy if you're visiting on a busy day and Universal Express Passes aren't in the budget. EPA also gives you an additional opportunity to ride Hagrid’s Motorbike Adventure
Save on Add-On Experiences
Buying an add-on experience like the Holiday tour, Grinchmas Breakfast, or doing the HHN Scare Actor Dinning Experience? You can call to get the AP discount applied to your purchase!New for 2023- Passholder's can save 15% on the Mardi Gras Float Ride and Dine Experience!If you try to buy these add-experiences on the Universal Website, or in the Universal App, there’s no way to apply the AP discount. Most guests don’t know they have to call to get that discount. applied.
Save on Annual Special Event Tickets
Annual Passholder's get a discount on special events that require a separate ticket like, Halloween Horror Nights. Premier AP's get one free HHN ticket each year to use on select HHN nights. 
Save on Parking
Power Pass
50% off regular daytime self-parking
Preferred AP’s
Get free self-parking and discounted rates for valet parking
Premier AP’s
Get free Prime self-parking and normal valet parking
Exclusive Freebies
Although the AP Buttons are gone & magnet ‘s aren’t monthly, Universal Orlando periodically offers freebies like UOAP lanyards, a-pop up hot chocolate bar, offer free churros, etc.You can almost always count on a seasonal UOAP magnet for Mardi Gras, HHN, Christmas, etc.
Access to The UOAP Lounge
This is an exclusive, Air-conditioned space for AP’s to rest, get out of the elements, or grab a cold drink. There's outlets to charge your phones, and tables if you need to work remote for a few minutes, Usually open from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm daily.Sometime this year, The Universal Orlando Passholder Lounge will be relocating to Toon Lagoon in Islands of Adventure,. The current location in Universal Studios Florida closed on December 31, 2022.
Free Express Pass After 4pm
Note— This perk is ONLY for Premier Pass.Premier AP’s get free Express Passes after 4:00 pm at both Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. This is the limited Express and not Unlimited, which means you can only use your built in Express Pass once per, attraction per day. (At participating attractions)Top Perks at The Hotels
10% Discount on Hotel Food and Non-Alcoholic Drinks
10% off Sonic Souvenir CupsDiscount on Universal Orlando owned and operated merchandise gift shops10% for Preferred AP’s15% for Premier AP’s
At Cabana Bay Beach Resort:
Get 10% off Tubes at the Tube Shack10% off food and non-alcoholic beverages at Galaxy Bowl with the purchase of bowling
For a complete list of all the current Annual Pass discounts across both theme parks, CityWalk, and the hotels, head to Universal’s website.
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