Is Universal Orlando’s Annual Pass Worth It in 2023?
if you are planning a visit to Universal Orlando you may be wondering is the Universal Orlando annual pass worth it.Here's your complete guide to Universal Orlando Annual Passes.
The Basics
Before I break down pricing and benefits of each annual pass option, it’s important to note Universal's average adult ticket pricing in 2022:One Park Per Day Ticket: Starts at $1092-Park, 1-Day Ticket: Starts at $1641-Day Volcano Bay Ticket: Starts at $80Parking: $28 per vehicle, free after 6 p.m.Express Pass: Starts at $79.99 per personHalloween Horror Nights: Ranged from $69-$100 in 2022
Thinking about taking your family to see Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort?Can’t wait to ride the Hogwarts Express? Be prepared for some serious sticker shock. At times, Universal Orlando ticket prices can make Disney World look downright affordable — even with Disney’s most recent round of pricing changes. Universal is smart with how they help you decide to part with a good chunk of your wallet.For example, if you want to ride the Hogwarts Express (I certainly did!), you’ll need to purchase the park-to-park option. There’s literally no other way to ride one of the most popular rides in the park.When I planned my first solo trip to Universal Orlando Resort, I was thinking that three days would be the right amount of time to explore both amusement parks that Universal has to offer. I quickly found that three-day tickets with Express Passes (Universal’s version of a FastPass) would cost me more than buying annual passes.Two-day tickets with Express Passes weren’t that much cheaper. In short, it was time research various annual pass options that Universal Studios Orlando offers. To save you some of the pain, I'm going to walk you through what you need to know if you’re waffling trying to decide if a Universal Orlando annual pass is worth it for your family.
Types of Universal Orlando Annual Pass
Universal Orlando features 4 different types of annual passes. You can buy a two-park or a three-park version (Volcano Bay) The four types of annual passes at Universal Orlando are:Seasonal
Power
Preferred
Premier
Seasonal Pass
The Seasonal Pass comes with the following blackout dates:
January 1 – 3, 2023
March 12 – March 19, 2023Access after 5pm to Universal Studios Florida for Mardi Gras concerts
April 9 - April 16, 2023December 17 – 31, 2023
Seasonal Passholders are blocked out of Universal Studios Florida on all concert dates and will only receive access to Universal’s Islands of Adventure..This pass is likely not a good match for families and probably only makes sense if you live in Florida or can get there quite easily. Many of the most popular dates are blacked out, and the concert schedule further complicates dates you could come.Seasonal passholders do get on-site hotel discounts and discounts on certain special event tickets. The on-site hotel discounts can be helpful if you book one of the hotels where all guests receive Express Passes with their room reservation.Power Pass
Similar to the Seasonal Pass, there are a number of blackout dates:January 1 – 3, 2023March 12 – March 19, 2023Access after 5pm to Universal Studios Florida for Mardi Gras concerts
April 9 - April 16, 2023December 17 – 31, 2023
There are no concert night restrictions.Power passholders receive the same special event and on-site hotel discounts as Seasonal passholders. In addition, they get free admission to certain concerts and events, such as Mardi Gras.ower passholders get a 50% discount on self-parking.Preferred Pass
Preferred passholders have no blackout dates for the two main parks, Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. Preferred passholders enjoy early access to the parks. There are blackout dates for this annual pass. Along with the discounts that Power passholders receive, Preferred passholders get 10% discount on food and merchandise as well as free self-parking.Premier Pass
The Premier Pass represents the best value, by far, of the annual pass options at Universal Orlando.There are currently no blackout dates for Premier passholders. Early park admission included. Free prime and valet parking . The Premier Pass is also the only pass that comes with free Universal Express included after 4pm each day. 15% discount on food, drinks and merchandise,During peak times Express Passes can be SUPER expensive unless you are staying at select resorts that convey it as a perk of staying at that property. Otherwise, this is where the true value of the Premier pass pays off as you could stay wherever you wish and still get some Express Pass benefits.The official written rule on Universal Express for Premier passholders states that you can only use your Express option once per ride per day.Along with all the benefits of the Preferred pass, Premier passholders also are entitled to one free Halloween Horror Night ticket. Considering these start at $74 per ticket, this can be a big factor in determining the value of an annual pass if your family is up for that event.FlexPay for Annual Passes
FlexPay is a somewhat unique way to pay for theme park tickets. Universal Orlando will sell you an annual pass and allow you to make payments. You’ll need to put down a deposit of about 50% of the purchase price for the pass you choose. Then, you’ll pay the balance in 11 equal monthly payments.Universal Orlando Annual Pass Pricing
As mentioned, Universal Resort Orlando has a total of three parks. A two-park pass gets you access to Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure. The three-park option includes access to Volcano Bay.
The pricing of the Seasonal, Power and Preferred passes is close enough that I don’t see too many solid reasons to choose the Seasonal or Power. Given the blackout dates and restrictions, they’re much harder to get great value out of. The free parking and discounts on food and merchandise could easily cover the difference in the cost of upgrading to the Preferred pass. Preferred Pass also gets you access to Early Park Admission.Two-park Seasonal Power Preferred Premier
New Pass $425 $475 $539 $754
Things to Know Before Being an Universal Annual PassHolder
When you are an annual pass holder you can save up to 30% off Universal onsite hotels. A really great perk!Your annual pass starts on the day you first use it, not purchase it. Typically you have 12 months from purchase to use it but double check the fine print.If you are purchasing a pass that has blackout dates check them before you buy.Youl'l need to look at your vacation calendar to make sure the days work for you before booking. At Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure there is a Pass holders lounge to relax and escape the heat. Should You Buy An Universal Orlando Annual Pass?
Ultimately- You will find that its worth the savings and added value after at least three park days or more. Park-to-park passes average $145/day, Given that both parks are included, into the third day, guests have nearly come break even with the base level package.For those who are staying as long as five days, a Premier Pass will significantly improve their experience. In addition to any cost savings, Express Pass is included after 4 pm valid once per ride (with the exception of the Velocicoaster and Hagrid’s) every day. Premier pass holders also have early access to the parks an hour before they open to the public.Additional savings on resorts, food & beverage offerings, and merchandise add to the total value of a visit to the parks with an annual pass.