Universal Orlando Annual Passes (!)

First off, exciting news. We got Universal Orlando Resort Annual Passes! We’re definitely going down in November when we have a weeklong trip planned and will visit Disney as well, but I’m hoping to go to Universal a bit sooner too. I’m hoping for August, so we can get our passes and get a ride on Velocicoaster before the big trip. If you know, you know (and if you don’t, look it up).

That being said, it can be kind of tough to know which annual pass is right for you. I wanted to make this post to highlight the four levels of annual pass and what the key differences are, plus the one that we purchased and why. I hope this is helpful, or at least interesting!

The first thing to decide when considering an annual pass is whether you want two parks on your pass, or three. That is, do you want an annual pass to Volcano Bay too? We personally opted not to- just because we wouldn’t use it enough to be worth it. The difference in cost to add Volcano Bay varies based on the level of pass you’re looking at, but is around $100-150. For reference, a day pass to Volcano Bay is $80.

If you’ll be visiting Volcano Bay more than twice, this add-on makes sense. Volcano Bay is Universal’s water park, similar to a Cedar Fair Soak City. It has a really awesome island theme and is definitely fun, so if you live nearby or you visit a waterpark every time you visit a theme park, you might consider this. We did go to Volcano Bay on our last trip and enjoyed the lazy river and wave pool, but living many many hours away and not feeling it a necessity to ride waterpark rides often, it didn’t seem worth it to us.

After that first decision, you’re down to deciding what pass to get. The base-level, most affordable pass is the Seasonal Annual Pass, which is currently available (in the two-park version, excluding Volcano Bay) for $349.99. This pass has benefits, of course, but it’s not without drawbacks. This pass does grant admission to the parks, but there are blackout dates. There is no parking benefit or merchandise discount, but there may be discounts available for hotels (depending on the hotel and the date you’re hoping to book). They claim that the blackout dates fluctuate (see the 2021 dates here) but they’re typically just during what we’d consider “peak season-” school break times.

The next level up is the Power Annual Pass. This one is currently $399.99, and is similar to the Seasonal pass, but has less blackout dates. That same link posted above (but also here, you’re welcome) shows those dates as well. Holders of this pass are also entitled to discounted self-parking. That applies at the parks, but not at the hotels! It’s also notable that this level is where “flex pay” begins, which is the opportunity to make a down payment on your pass and then complete the full payment with monthly installments.

Our pass is up next! We chose the Preferred Annual Pass. In full, this one is $449.99, and in my view is where you start to really see benefits. This pass offers admission to the parks with no blackout dates, so you can visit whenever you’d like, AND early admission to the Wizarding World (one hour before park open). Holders also receive free self-parking, and a discount on additional multi-day passes, so while you can’t bring a guest for free you can purchase admission for them at a discount. At this level passholders start to receive discounts on food and merchandise in the parks, as well as the discount on hotels that the lower levels share.

The top-tier pass is the Preferred Annual Pass, which is currently listed for $624.99- quite a jump up. This pass of course boasts all of the benefits of the other passes, plus a bit more. Holders of this pass are entitled to one FREE admission to Halloween Horror Nights, a separately ticketed event, plus free admission to some other separately ticketed events. They also get free valet (on select days, free self-parking any day) and free Express Passes after 4pm, every day.

There’s a rundown of the Universal Orlando Annual Pass levels and why we chose the one that we did. I hope this is helpful if you’re considering ever purchasing one, or if you’re just curious about what they mean! Also note, these are out-of-state prices. Florida resident prices are going to be cheaper, but you do have to provide with a driver’s license and other documentation that you yourself are actually a Florida resident. If there are any questions you have that I didn’t answer, comment and I’ll try! Orrrrr, if you don’t wanna hear it from me, Universal’s website is here, I guess.

xoxo

If you wanna read more from me on Universal, check out this post here! Or this post here!