• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
sand and snow logo

Sand and Snow

Travel | Food | Beauty | Disney

  • About Sand and Snow
  • Travel
  • Food & Drinks
  • Disney
  • Beauty
  • Talk & Tech
  • Privacy

Universal Orlando Annual Pass: 11 Insanely Good Benefits and Perks

January 24, 2022 by Karyn Locke

2 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet

I must admit, when it comes to Universal annual passes, they’re not only affordable, they offer plenty of additional ways to get your money’s worth. And with all of tiers, which one saves you the most money with freebies and discounts? Here are 11 hefty perks of a Universal Orlando annual pass.

universal annual pass benefits passholder lounge
Passholders Lounge in Universal Studios Florida

Page Contents

  • Universal Orlando Annual Pass: 11 Hefty Benefits and Perks
  • Universal Orlando Annual Pass – Food Discounts
  • Universal Orlando Annual Pass – Merch Discounts
  • Universal Orlando Annual Pass – Early Park Admission
  • Universal Orlando Annual Pass – Free Parking
  • Universal Orlando Annual Pass – Free Express Pass After 4pm
  • Universal Orlando Annual Pass – Exclusive Snacks
  • Universal Orlando Annual Pass – Free Halloween Horror Nights Ticket
  • Universal Orlando Annual Pass Hotel Discount
  • UOAP Lounges
  • Universal Orlando Annual Pass – Ride & Attraction Previews
  • Universal Orlando Annual Pass – Mardi Gras Float Participants
  • Universal Premier Pass Bring a Friend for Free?

Universal Orlando Annual Pass: 11 Hefty Benefits and Perks

I’ve been a Universal Orlando annual passholder (UOAP) for several years now and not once have I ever been disappointed with it even though I live in Ohio near Pittsburgh, PA. To compare prices, it only takes a few days in the park to completely cover the cost of an annual pass versus purchasing park tickets. 

Just to quickly bring you up to speed with how Universal passes work, there are four tiers:

  • Seasonal
  • Power
  • Preferred
  • Premier

The higher the tier, the more perks. For instance, Seasonal passes have more blackout dates than Power passes, but Preferred and Premier passes have no blockout dates. I’ll add to that  –  Universal Orlando annual pass price does increase with each tier. 

I’ll mainly be talking about Universal Premier Pass benefits as I know them well and highly recommend the splurge if you’re going to be a passholder. 

If you were wondering if there’s a best time to buy universal orlando annual pass, my answer is not really. Sometimes they do offer extra months on the pass for free, but if you’re planning on using it straight away, I wouldn’t wait. Additionally, if you’ve already purchased Universal Orlando tickets, you can always upgrade to an annual pass as long as there’s at least one day left on your ticket. 

Before we dig in, if you want the scoop on how to save some serious cash in the parks, here are the best freebies at Universal Orlando Resort.

Universal Orlando Annual Pass – Food Discounts

For both the Power and Premier passes, both have dining discounts at most restaurants in the parks and Citywalk. 

Preferred Pass – 10% discount of food

Premier Pass – 15% discount on food. 

And if you use the Universal Orlando app to make a mobile order, all you need to do is scan your pass and the correct discount will be given to you. 

Universal Orlando Annual Pass – Merch Discounts

universal annual pass benefits discounted merch

Another great perk with Universal annual passes, especially if you love to shop in the parks, is the merchandise discount.

For Premier passholders, we get a 15% discount off most merch including Wizarding World of Harry Potter items. For my family, the savings racks up pretty quickly. 

For Preferred passes, it’s a 10% discount off Universal merchandise for most items. 

Also, passholders get plenty of exclusive merchandise to purchase as well. My picks are the Halloween Horror Nights passholder shirts. 

Universal Orlando Annual Pass – Early Park Admission

As a family, we love hitting rope drop, aka, when the park opens for the day. It’s then that we accomplish the most as the crowds tend to be thinner than the afternoon. For some annual passholders regardless of if you’re staying at an official hotel, early park admission is offered. 

Premier passes – One hour early entry to one of Universal Orlando’s theme parks each day. No blockout dates. 

Preferred Passes – Again, one hour early entry to one of the parks but with blockout dates. Looking at the official blockout dates calendar, you’ll find excluded dates around big holidays and school breaks. 

Universal Orlando Annual Pass – Free Parking

I love this perk! All you need to do is show your annual pass at the entry gate, have it scanned, and off you go. 

Premier – Both free self parking and valet parking when available. Additionally, lately there has been a special parking area for higher tier passholders that is closer to the bag check area as well. 

Preferred – Free self parking

Power – 50% off parking

Wondering if a Walt Disney World annual pass is right for you? Here’s the scoop on the perks of being a Disney annual passholder. 

Universal Orlando Annual Pass – Free Express Pass After 4pm

If you’ve stayed at a Premier category Universal Orlando hotel, you probably know all about the complimentary express passes that essentially take you straight to the front of the line. 

For Premier passholders, that perk exists every day after 4pm. You don’t need a special ticket – just scan your pass at each express lane entrance and go. This perk is good for one ride on each approved attraction per day except for:

Islands of Adventure:

  • Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure
  • Pteranodon Flyers
  • Jurassic World Velocicoaster

Universal Studios Florida:

Fievel’s Playland

Universal Orlando Annual Pass – Exclusive Snacks

I really dig snacking on Universal exclusive snacks. But that goes a step further as there are UOAP snacks that are always cool to try. So, think special doughnuts in Voodoo Doughnut and fun foods during the festivals. 

I know that traveling can take a toll – here’s how to not get sick at Universal – and what to do if you do. 

Universal Orlando Annual Pass – Free Halloween Horror Nights Ticket

Another reason for choosing the Premier pass is the fact that I get one free Halloween Horror Nights (HHN)  tickets each season. With the ticket there is a catch, though: it’s mainly for weekday visits when crowd levels are low. 

Having written that, I’d much rather attend HHN when crowd levels are lower so, I’m fine with the stipulation. 

Universal Orlando Annual Pass Hotel Discount

Guest rooms at Cabana Bay Beach Resort. Photo Credit: Karyn Locke

This is another great perk that I fully take advantage of. For all four annual pass tiers, some pretty deep discounts on hotel rooms can be found. Of course, this depends on the time of year you visit and how long you stay. 

As a general rule, passholders receive up to 30% off room rates at the Premier and Preferred hotels or up to 25% off room rates at the Prime Value and Value hotels. 

UOAP Lounges

At Universal Studios Florida, passholders have a lounge to use at their leisure. Inside are seats, drinks for purchase, and charging areas. Located at Studio Styles on Hollywood Boulevard (across the “street” from Bourne Stuntacular), it’s a nice place to cool off and relax. 

It’s here we can ask questions about our passes, make payments, renew or upgrade passes, and purchase discounted tickets. 

Universal Orlando Annual Pass – Ride & Attraction Previews

Best rides at Universal Orlando: Velocicoaster
Velocicoaster opened this June and is already becoming the favorite rides of Universal Orlando Resort visitors.

One of my favorite perks of a Universal annual pass is the ability to check out new rides before they even open to the public. If you’re signed up to receive passholder emails, when a new ride or attraction is getting ready to open, keep an eye out for preview invites. 

Just last year before Velocicoaster opened, my family was able to ride it well in advance of the official opening. 

Want the scoop on the must-do rides? Here are the 20 best rides at Universal Orlando. 

Universal Orlando Annual Pass – Mardi Gras Float Participants

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. 

Again, you’ll need to check your email for sign up information, and may sign up to four additional passholders to participate with you. 

Universal Premier Pass Bring a Friend for Free?

I know this used to be a big perk, and folks still wonder about it, but at this time Universal annual pass folks don’t have this perk. A couple of years ago a friend pass was granted to each passholder but that’s since been discontinued. 

Fingers crossed it will come back, though. 

Filed Under: Universal Orlando Tagged With: universal annual pass, universal annual pass discounts, Universal Orlando, universal orlando annual pass freebies, universal orlando free things, universal orlando pass discounts

Primary Sidebar

Thanks for popping by the site! Sand and Snow is dedicated to provided travel tips, fun recipes, reviews, and plenty of theme park planning tools! Email klocke@sandandorsnow.com with questions and comments.

Connect with Us

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Disney Park Planning

New at Disney World 2023 - te fiti in new Moana attraction at Epcot

Everything Fun Coming & New at Disney World 2023

January 9, 2023 By Karyn Locke

Disney Hotel Lobby Scent - B Resort

Love Disney World ? This $12 Perfume Smells Exactly Like a Disney Hotel Lobby Scent – Here’s Where to Get It

November 18, 2022 By Karyn Locke

can I take my pet on a Disney Cruise - Disney Wish

Can I Take My Dog on a Disney Cruise? Here’s How to Do it Properly

August 2, 2022 By Karyn Locke

Disney Stroller do's and don'ts

Disney Stroller Rules: 6 Things You Should Never Avoid

March 28, 2022 By Karyn Locke

unexpected things to save your sanity at Disney World - cinderella castle back

How to Save Your Sanity at Disney World – 14 Easy Tips

June 8, 2022 By Karyn Locke

Footer

About Our Affiliate Links

Sand and Snow uses affiliate links in its posts and articles and is a member of the Amazon Services LLC Program that provides earned advertising fees at no additional cost to the reader.

Recent

  • OYO Times Square Review: The One Hotel I’ll Never Stay at Again in Manhattan
  • The 5 Most Beautiful Flowering Trees for Spring
  • How To Stay Safe During a Camping Trip: 4 Important Tips
  • 5 Big Disney World Changes 2023
  • Laurel Highlands Pour Tour 3.0 – A “Spirit”ual Take on Everything You Need to Know

Search

Copyright © 2023 · Magazine Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

Cleantalk Pixel
We Value your Privacy
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
Cookie SettingsAccept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT