If you currently have an annual pass to any major theme park, you probably know that they all work basically the same way. You get to visit the park every day of the year. Parking is generally included as well, as are some discounts such as food or merchandise.
What you might not realize is that some parks provide additional, less-advertised benefits. Here is a look at 6 lesser-known perks for Universal Orlando annual passholders.
1. Halloween Horror Nights Passholder Weekends
Halloween Horror Nights EntranceDuring passholder weekends, you and a guest can skip the crowds waiting to enter Halloween Horror Nights.
Universal Orlando really goes out of its way for annual passholders during Halloween Horror Nights. As a passholder, you can buy heavily discounted tickets for not only yourself but up to five friends or family members. In addition, the first two weekends of each run are designated passholder weekends. On those nights, you and a guest can enter the park beginning at 5 p.m. You will wait in a designated holding area while the day guests are cleared and then enjoy exclusive early entry to two of the haunted houses. Normally, “Stay and Scream” requires daytime park admission, so this is a great perk for those attending with a non-passholder.
2. Extra Mardi Gras fun
Mardi Gras FloatAs a passholder, you can sign up to ride a Mardi Gras float and toss beads to the crowd.
Universal Orlando’s Mardi Gras is a scaled-down version of New Orleans’ legendary party. With concerts by top-name performers, a parade with floats built by New Orleans Mardi Gras masters the Blaine Kern family, and such New Orleans delicacies as beignets and king cake, it is hard to believe that admission is included with your annual pass. Yet what really makes Universal Orlando’s Mardi Gras stand out for passholders are the extra perks.
A special parade viewing area is set aside just for annual passholders, allowing you to watch without fighting for space. But if you would rather be in the parade than on the sidelines, Universal has you covered. With a week’s advance notice, you can actually ride on a float, tossing beads to the crowd as you pass by. Becoming a float rider in New Orleans means paying a lot of money to join a krewe, but at Universal it is as simple as putting in a request.
3. Discounts galore
CityWalkMany CityWalk locales, including the movie theater, offer annual passholder discounts.
Never spend a dime on Universal Orlando property without flashing your annual pass first. Although most food carts do not give a passholder discount, all other Universal-owned food outlets do. You also receive a discount at all Universal-owned merchandise locations including carts. In addition, you are eligible for discounts on mini-golf, movies and other activities at CityWalk, as well as discounts at some non-Universal-owned locations. You even get discounts at certain locations inside the Universal resort hotels, such as the Mandara Spa at the Portofino Bay. New discounts are constantly added, some on a limited-time basis, so it never hurts to ask even if you have been turned down before.
4. Hotel specials
Hard Rock HotelAnnual passholders get discounts at Universal’s onsite resort hotels. Image: Mike Burton, Flickr.
Depending on the season, annual passholders can score rock-bottom pricing at Universal’s onsite hotels. The Royal Pacific, Hard Rock Hotel, and Portofino Bay are well-known for their luxurious appointments and convenient location to the parks. The newest property, the Cabana Bay Beach Resort, is Universal Orlando’s first moderately-priced option. Guests at the three deluxe hotels also get free unlimited Universal Express, allowing you to skip the regular lines. All four properties provide early entry to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
The hotel specials vary dramatically from month to month, and some offers are better than others. Pay close attention to your passholder newsletter or call the hotel that interests you directly for details.
5. Insider info and invitations
Known as the ePassport, the emailed monthly passholder newsletter is chock full of insider information, tips and tricks, and special invitations. If a new discount is added or a special event is about to occur, you will find details in your ePassport. In addition, the ePassport is a great place to keep up with news on upcoming projects across Universal. If you are already a passholder, make sure your email address on file is up to date so you don’t miss a single opportunity. You can also check out the annual passholder website for up-to-the-minute additions and changes.
6. Free stuff
Incredible Hulk CoasterA Premier Pass gives you free Universal Express every day after 4 p.m.
Universal offers different levels of seasonal and annual passes. The top level, the Premier Pass, is especially packed with benefits. At this tier, your discounts are slightly better than those offered by the Preferred Pass. You also get quite a bit of free stuff, including free Universal Express after 4 p.m. each day. It is not valid during specially ticketed events such as Halloween Horror Nights, but the savings can be tremendous on crowded days. You are eligible for free valet parking, except after 7 p.m. on special event nights and certain holidays. In addition, each year you will receive 8 coupons, each good for one free bottle of water, as well as one free ticket to Halloween Horror Nights.
