Thinking about making more than one trip to Universal Orlando this year? You might be wondering if an annual pass is the smartest way to save money and unlock extra perks. In this post, I break down the costs, benefits, and real-world value of Universal Orlando’s annual passes so you can decide if it’s the right move for your next adventure.
We live in New York state and have been Universal Orlando Annual Passholders multiple times over the last 8 years. You might be wondering why a family that lives in New York would purchase an annual pass for Universal- the bottom line is it saves us so much money.
From discounted Universal hotel stays to being able to visit the parks multiple times a year, it has always made financial sense for us. I even include having an annual pass in my top 10 ways to save at Universal.
There are different tiers depending on your needs. I have done the math and once you visit more than 5 park days an annual pass provides the best value. There are “issues” that come up including if you plan to visit Epic Universe and where you want to stay for your trip.
Let’s get into all the details and see if purchasing an annual pass is a good choice for your trip.
Universal Orlando Annual Pass Differences
Guests can purchase annual passes for Universal that include the following:
- 2-Park Pass: Includes unlimited visits to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure
- 3-Park Pass: Includes unlimited visits to Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, and Volcano Bay
- As of 6/2025 Epic Universe does not offer annual passes.
Once you decide if you want a 2-Park Pass or a 3-Park pass you will need to compare the passholder tiers.
| Perks | Premier | Preferred | Power | Seasonal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flex Pay | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Blackout Dates | No | Yes (Volcano Bay Only) | Yes | Yes |
| Parking | Free Valet & Prime Parking | 50% Valet & Prime, Free Self Parking | 50% off Self Parking | No |
| Discounts on Theme Park and Special Event Tickets | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Discount of Food, Merchandise, and Specialty Items | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Early Park Admission | Yes | Yes (Blackout Dates Apply) | No | No |
| Universal Express Pass after 4pm | Yes | No | No | No |
| Universal Orlando Hotel Room Discount | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Passholder Exclusive Entrance at Islands of Adventure 8am-12pm, blackout dates apply. | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| One Free Halloween Horror Night Ticket | Yes | No | No | No |
| Includes admission to Special Events like Mardi Gras and Holidays at Universal | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes-except concerts dates during Mardi Gras at Universal Studios Florida |
For full details and updated benefits check here. If you are military check out this post that covers the military freedom pass.
How Much is a Universal Orlando Annual Pass
| Type of AP | 2-Park Pass | 3-Park Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Premier Pass | $905.00 | $1095.00 |
| Preferred | $630.00 | $740.00 |
| Power | $475.00 | $585.00 |
| Seasonal | $425.00 | $525.00 |
An annual pass at Universal cost $425.00- $1095.00 depending on which tier you pick. To put this in perspective, a one day park to park ticket for an adult cost around $164.00. This is for one day and includes a park to park pass which allows you to visit Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure in one day.
If you are a Florida resident you can save even more with special offers for Florida residents. Another way to save per day is to purchase more days. The more days you purchase the less you pay per day. If you are visiting more than 5 days it is financially beneficial to purchase an annual pass.
Often Universal has special offers where guest can purchase an annual pass for 15 months instead of 12, this has allowed us to visit for our winter break two years in a row. Saving money on theme park tickets for second trip saves us over $1500.00 for a family of five.
Benefits of Being a Universal Orlando Passholder
Annual Passholders receive discounts on hotels, special perks throughout the year, reservations to ride the Mardi Gras floats, and unlimited visits to Universal.
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.
For example if you purchase in March and use it for the first time in May it will remain active until the following May.
If you are purchasing a pass that has blackout dates check them before you buy. Our blackout dates with the seasonal pass is the month of Spring Break Days, July, Christmas/New Years weeks, and days there are concerts at Universal Studios.
We look at our vacation calendar and make sure the days work for us before we purchase. The only time this affects us is when we visit during Mardi Gras when there are concerts.
On those days we are blocked out of visiting Universal Studios we visit Islands of Adventure. It can be an inconvenience and if you think it will be for your trip purchase a pass without blackout dates.
At Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure there is a Pass holders lounge to relax and escape the heat. You can also pick up your annual pass holder buttons and magnets.
When you are an annual pass holder be sure to check resort rates for your visit. On our last visit we saved almost 50% at the Hard Rock Hotel. This included Express Pass with our stay which is a great perk!
They also celebrate Annual Passholder days, these are usually in August. During the celebration they have specialty menu items, buttons, and more surprises.
One of my favorite things is Universal Annual Passholder Night. This is a ticketed event that allows Passholders into the park after hours. Read about our experience: Annual Passholder Night at Universal Orlando
Let’s Be Real: My Honest Recap
At the end of the day, here’s what really stuck with me. No fluff, just the takeaways I’d share if we were talking over coffee or texting late at night.
If you’re planning on visiting 5 or more times in a calendar year it is worth purchasing a Universal Annual Pass. We have saved a lot by choosing this option.
First it includes park-to-park privileges. This means we can visit Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure in one day. It also allows us to ride the Hogwarts Express which is the train that goes between the two parks, and you need a park to park ticket to ride.
Having an annual pass takes the pressure off of doing it all. It allows us to visit the parks in a much more leisurely pace.
Instead of racing to get from attraction to attraction we can take our time exploring and experiencing some of the food at Universal.
If you are trying to stay on a budget having an annual pass is also really helpful. For our most recent purchase a 5 day pass would have cost us $1900.00. We purchased annual passes for $1600.00.
Universal was also running a special that offered a 15 month annual pass instead of the traditional 12 month. Even without this perk the 12 month pass can be beneficial.
This made it worth it for us. We planned two vacations at Universal. This does cost a bit upfront but you end up saving money in the long run.
Overall I would recommend comparing prices for tickets or an annual pass. It could surprise you and save you money on your vacation.
Leah has been planning and writing about Universal trips since 2016. She loves finding the best places to eat and stay during her visits to the park. Leah enjoys the little details that make visiting the parks so immersive and special, and sharing that with her readers.
