Annual pass question

[bingbong222]

Leaving for Orlando in 4 days and I was thinking of purchasing annual passes for the family. Is there any difference if I buy them online before I go or can I just buy them at the park since we are leaving in a few days.

Also the power pass for non residents is $189.99 and an unlimited 14 day ticket is $174.99. Is there only a difference of $15 between the 2 as I was originally thinking of purchasing the 14 day unlimited ticket.

Thanks in advance for any info !

 

[Metro West]

Leaving for Orlando in 4 days and I was thinking of purchasing annual passes for the family. Is there any difference if I buy them online before I go or can I just buy them at the park since we are leaving in a few days.

Also the power pass for non residents is $189.99 and an unlimited 14 day ticket is $174.99. Is there only a difference of $15 between the 2 as I was originally thinking of purchasing the 14 day unlimited ticket.

Thanks in advance for any info !

You can do either. It would save some time if you chose the electronic pick up option so you can get the tickets w/o having to stand in the ticket lines. You would go to the kiosks outside the gates...enter your credit card number and confirmation number and tickets will print out there. They will be activated once you go through the gates. I would recommend getting one Preferred AP so you can take advantage of the free parking and park discounts on food and merchandise.

 

[blackjack68]

How long are you staying? The lower level APs have blackout dates around the holiday, so watch out for that.

 

[Metro West]

How long are you staying? The lower level APs have blackout dates around the holiday, so watch out for that.

True but this year the blockout dates are 12/26 through 12/31 and only at IOA.

 

[blackjack68]

I hear ya Metro, but since he was leaving on the 18th and looking at 14 day tix, those dates would be half of his trip.

Just want him (her?) to be aware.

 

[bingbong222]

Thanks for all the replies. I think we are going to do the passes with upgrading one of the passes for the parking since we are not staying on site. The blackout dates should be fine. We plan to visit Orlando again within the year.

Do you have any suggestions for Disney passes ?

 

[rthib]

True but this year the blockout dates are 12/26 through 12/31 and only at IOA.

According to this:
http://www.universalorlando.com/Theme-Park-Tickets/Annual-Passes/2011-Blockout-Dates.aspx
and
http://www.universalorlando.com/Theme-Park-Tickets/Annual-Passes/2012-Power-Blockout-Dates.aspx

It is at both Parks from 26-31

 

[Metro West]

According to this:
http://www.universalorlando.com/Theme-Park-Tickets/Annual-Passes/2011-Blockout-Dates.aspx
and
http://www.universalorlando.com/Theme-Park-Tickets/Annual-Passes/2012-Power-Blockout-Dates.aspx

It is at both Parks from 26-31

Yup...you're right. I looked at the wrong color.

 

[johnnyr]

I would recommend getting one Preferred AP so you can take advantage of the free parking and park discounts on food and merchandise.

Is the free parking good at any of the 3 onsite resorts or is it just for parking at the parks?

 

[mesaboy2]

Is the free parking good at any of the 3 onsite resorts or is it just for parking at the parks?

Just at the garages for the parks and City Walk. Everyone with a car pays parking at the three resorts.

 

[kenban]

You might want to think about this long term as well. Universal gives some great discounts on renewals. Anyone know what the renewal price on the power pass currently is? The Preferred is up to $159 a year but I know about 5 or 6 years ago it was $99 for either pass.

If you make annual trips to Orlando it can actually make sense to keep the passes to Universal. Plus if the renewal prices are close or the same still you might just want to get the preferred passes.

 

[n2mm]

You might want to think about this long term as well. Universal gives some great discounts on renewals. Anyone know what the renewal price on the power pass currently is? The Preferred is up to $159 a year but I know about 5 or 6 years ago it was $99 for either pass.

If you make annual trips to Orlando it can actually make sense to keep the passes to Universal. Plus if the renewal prices are close or the same still you might just want to get the preferred passes.

I agree -- good advice. We are preferred (non-resident) passholders. We generally only visit about 3 days a year, but it's worth renewing our preferred passes each year. We save on parking and did actually stay at Portofino this summer for 50% off for passholders -- special email pin offer. I think we are going on 5 years now. We did love the years that it was only $99 and/or for 15 months. There hasn't been any great promotions or perks since the Harry guy moved in.

 

[damo]

You might want to think about this long term as well. Universal gives some great discounts on renewals. Anyone know what the renewal price on the power pass currently is? The Preferred is up to $159 a year but I know about 5 or 6 years ago it was $99 for either pass.

If you make annual trips to Orlando it can actually make sense to keep the passes to Universal. Plus if the renewal prices are close or the same still you might just want to get the preferred passes.

I don't think the power pass has a discounted renewal like the other passes.