Annual Pass Question

[truetink]

Hi! I apologize for this question if it seems basic but I’m planning our first trip to Universal. We are disney veterans but know very, very little about Universal - and are so excited to go! We are out of state and are going to stay on-site so we don’t need free parking or express passes. I’m considering buying one preferred pass to get food/merch discounts and the other 3 seasonal passes. Is this a good approach and worth it for the discounts?

 

[macraven]

Preferred pass allows 10% off of food and merch
At Hard Rock Cafe it is a 15% discount

For your family of 4, it might turn out to be a decent savings for you

How long will you be at the darkside?

 

[truetink]

Awesome, thank you for the wonderful and quick reply. 5 days.

 

[truetink]

Preferred pass allows 10% off of food and merch
At Hard Rock Cafe it is a 15% discount

For your family of 4, it might turn out to be a decent savings for you

How long will you be at the darkside?

Sorry for not using the reply on the earlier post. Also staying at Hard Rock so that’s great info!

 

[macraven]

The preferred ap allows 10% discount at HRH Kitchen restaurant

Great breakfast buffet there

Show your ap when you shop or eat

 

[truetink]

The preferred ap allows 10% discount at HRH Kitchen restaurant

Great breakfast buffet there

Show your ap when you shop or eat

That sounds fantastic - thank you!

 

[skylock]

I suggest showing your preferred AP everywhere you buy something. Just get in the habit. It is good to have it in a lanyard so it is always right there.

You can not get a discount at the carts.

Since you will not be using the free parking, you might want to run a little test to see if a 10% savings for your family will work out for the added cost of the preferred. Just estimate how much you will be spending every day and see.

I think the preferred pass is $100 more than seasonal. So you would need to have $1000 in eligible purchases to make the Preferred pass a good deal over the seasonal.

I have a group of 8 this time. I am not even sure if we would spend $1000 all together, however we will be at the park for 3-4 days and it is the second time I will be using this pass, so well worth the extra hundred dollars for us. We parked free 4 times last year, so that made it worth it.

 

[truetink]

I suggest showing your preferred AP everywhere you buy something. Just get in the habit. It is good to have it in a lanyard so it is always right there.

You can not get a discount at the carts.

Since you will not be using the free parking, you might want to run a little test to see if a 10% savings for your family will work out for the added cost of the preferred. Just estimate how much you will be spending every day and see.

I think the preferred pass is $100 more than seasonal. So you would need to have $1000 in eligible purchases to make the Preferred pass a good deal over the seasonal.

I have a group of 8 this time. I am not even sure if we would spend $1000 all together, however we will be at the park for 3-4 days and it is the second time I will be using this pass, so well worth the extra hundred dollars for us. We parked free 4 times last year, so that made it worth it.

Thank you for that breakdown! That is helpful. I guess whether there is a hotel discount would factor in to the amount as well. I really appreciate all these helpful replies!

 

[skylock]

Thank you for that breakdown! That is helpful. I guess whether there is a hotel discount would factor in to the amount as well. I really appreciate all these helpful replies!

You get the hotel discount with any of the annual passes, so I find the savings with the preferred pass has to be figured on in park discounts. I base my decision on the free parking which you will not need and just figure the in park discounts are gravy.

I have been playing this theme park game for 30 years and not just in Orlando. I have figured out there are usually some smart people behind the pricing of these things. And I am supper frugal, so I do not want to give my money for anything that cost me extra and does not add to the value of my vacation.

Last year we had 16 people, 4 cars, so we made sure there was 4 people with free parking. Like I said, we went 4 days, so the extra we paid for the pass was a wash. Unfortunately, not everyone can make this trip, but it works out well because there will still be two people with the preferred pass. Just worked out that way.

 

[truetink]

You get the hotel discount with any of the annual passes, so I find the savings with the preferred pass has to be figured on in park discounts. I base my decision on the free parking which you will not need and just figure the in park discounts are gravy.

I have been playing this theme park game for 30 years and not just in Orlando. I have figured out there are usually some smart people behind the pricing of these things. And I am supper frugal, so I do not want to give my money for anything that cost me extra and does not add to the value of my vacation.

Last year we had 16 people, 4 cars, so we made sure there was 4 people with free parking. Like I said, we went 4 days, so the extra we paid for the pass was a wash. Unfortunately, not everyone can make this trip, but it works out well because there will still be two people with the preferred pass. Just worked out that way.

Those are great points! You definitely have analyzed this appropriately and I appreciate your research. That definitely makes me reconsider the value if we think we will only do one trip.

 

[skylock]

Those are great points! You definitely have analyzed this appropriately and I appreciate your research. That definitely makes me reconsider the value if we think we will only do one trip.

I am happy to help you make an informed decision.

I am in no way trying to talk you out of getting one. Just wanted to point out a few things to think about esp when you will not need the parking which is, depending on how many days you are going, the biggest savings, because I think most people hate spending their money on extra things that will not be to their benefit.

Edit to say, One more thing to think about. Disney and Sea World just had price increases and universal is probably not far behind.

 

[truetink]

I totally understand. Thanks for the advice!