Annual Pass questions

[Sassagoula]

I have a WDW annual pass, and I've recently decided to look into getting a Universal Studios AP as well. Does the pass expire 1 year after purchase or after it is first used? I'm also wondering which AP you would recommend, the Preferred AP or the Power Pass. Do the discounts that you receive for the Preferred AP make it worthwhile? I haven't stayed on Universal property yet, so if an AP discount is good enough, I would consider that. How would you compare them to the WDW AP hotel discounts? Thanks in advance for any advice!

 

[Fan2CSkr]

Preferred Annual Pass Benefits:
You only need one PAP per family to get the discounts. Power Pass had black out dates and no discounts. Usually you will find APH rates at the on-site hotels. At certain times of the year they can be very very good.

10% savings on 1-day and 15% savings on multi-day theme park tickets (up to 6 people)
Free admission to select special events such as Mardi Gras
Special discounts on separately ticketed events, such as Halloween Horror Nights and Rock the Universe
10% savings on select VIP Tours. Call 407-363-8295 to book your VIP Tour. Dates subject to availability.
10% savings at merchandise stores (excluding merchandise carts and The Master Coin Monster and Mystics of the Seven Veils.) Restrictions apply on select merchandise, some Islands of Adventure locations excluded. Special discounts subject to change without notice.
10% savings at all restaurants (excluding carts and alcohol)
Above benefits cannot be combined with other discounts, offers, or promotions. Discounts subject to change without notice.




10% Savings – Air Brush Wizard, Cinnabon®, Get Wired, Hair Wraps (on hair wraps only), Quiet Flight® Surf Shop, Rant N Rave Jewelry, The Endangered Species Store®, Starbucks
20% Savings - Universal Studios Store®
Bob Marley, A Tribute to FreedomSM - 15% savings on food and beverages (excluding alcohol)
Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. ™ Restaurant & Market – 5% savings on food and beverages (excluding alcohol)
Hard Rock Café®- 10% savings on merchandise , food and beverages (excluding alcohol)
Hard Rock Live® Orlando-2 Free admissions to “Livewire” & “Jam Bando” local nights (18 & up). Call 407-351-LIVE for events.
Jimmy Buffett’s ® Margaritaville - 10% savings on merchandise, food & beverages (excluding alcohol)
Latin Quarter – 15% savings on food and beverages (excluding alcohol). Priority seating for your entire party (Sun-Thurs only)
NASCAR® Sports Grille - 10% savings on food & beverages (excluding alcohol)
NBA City - 10% savings on food and beverages (excluding alcohol) one free interactive game card per passholder, one $3.00 off merchandise voucher (per party.) Priority seating is included (excluding holidays & special events)
PastamoreSM - 15% savings on food & beverages (excluding alcohol), plus kids (ages 3-9) eat free for dinner ( with the purchase of an adult entrée limit 1 for up to $4.95)
Pat O'Briens® - 15% savings on food & beverages (excluding alcohol), plus kids (ages 3-9) eat free from 4pm-9pm (with the purchase of an adult entrée-limit 1)
Red Coconut ClubSM- 10% savings on food & beverages (excluding alcohol)
the groove - 2 for 1 domestic drafts
Universal Cineplex 20, an AMC Theatre® - $2.00 off admission on highest ticketed price.
Above discounts cannot be combined with other discounts, offers, or promotions. Discounts subject to change without notice.




Universal Orlando® Resort:


Free self-parking each time you visit or pay for 2 hours of Valet and get the rest of the day for free‡
$5.00 preferred parking (price subject to change without notice)‡
Free use of kennels for one pet on the day of your visit. Additional pets stay at the regular price. (subject to availability)


Universal Orlando® On-Site Hotels:

Portofino Bay Hotel, A Loews Hotel
Hard Rock Hotel®, A Loews Hotel
Royal Pacific Resort, A Loews Hotel

Save up to 30% off room rates at each hotel. For reservations/availability call 1-866-PASS-4-FUN or click here.

10% discount at Mandara Spa® at Portofino Bay Hotel (products not included). Call 407-503-1244 for appointments

Save 10% at the following restaurants:
Trattoria del Porto® at Portofino Bay Hotel
The Kitchen at the Hard Rock Hotel
Islands Dining Room at Royal Pacific Resort
Wantilan Luau at Royal Pacific Resort (price includes food & beverages), call 407-503-DINE to receive discount

Based on availability. Some blackout dates and minimum stays apply. Special Events and Holidays excluded on all hotel offers above. Food and non-alcoholic beverages only, alcohol excluded.

Wet ' n Wild - Orlando
Save $20.00 on a Wet ‘N Wild Annual Pass (Not valid with the purchase of a Weekday Annual Pass)
Save 25% on a regular priced all day admission to Wet 'n Wild - Orlando (Valid for Passholder only, Blackout dates apply).
Call 1-800-992-WILD for more information.
Save 10% in the Breakers Beach Shop (excluding sundries)

Please present your Annual Pass to the Wet ‘N Wild Guest Services Window at the park entrance for listed benefits. Above benefits cannot be combined with other discounts. Discounts valid through pass expiration date. Please present your Annual Pass to the Wet ‘N Wild Guest Services Window at the park entrance for listed benefits. Above benefits cannot be combined with other discounts. Discounts valid through pass expiration date.



‡Subject to availability. Valid at Universal Orlando Parking garages only. Not valid for parking (including valet) at any Universal Onsite Hotel.

 

[phamton]

It expires one year after first use. The preferred is worth it to me for the free parking. It is only $60 more than the power pass. Parking is $11.

 

[DOOM1001]

I have the preferred,and I'll always keep renewing it with it's relatively low renewal price of $99.Free parking,discounts,no blackout dates,discounts to Halloween Horror Nights makes it a good value!!

 

[Sassagoula]

Thanks for all the info, it's very helpful. I have just a few more questions. If I purchase the AP now but only plan on using it for the first time in October, will I still be able to get discounted hotel rates and discounted Halloween tickets?

Also, I've been reading about deals where you get 2 years for the price of 1. Those are only for FL residents or AAA members, right? I'm neither one of those, but my grandparents live in FL for part of the year and are also AAA members. Would I be able to get that deal through them at all? It doesn't sound too likely but I just thought I would check to see what you all think! Thanks again!