Annual Pass?

[MDer2FL]

I read today on touringplans.com that if you plan to stay at a Universal resort for 3 or more nights, you may be better off buying an AP because of all the extra discounts. This is something that would never have crossed my mind. Anyone have experience with this? Link to AP info? Thank you.

 

[Metro West]

Moving to the main board.

Here's the link to annual passes on the Universal website:

https://www.universalorlando.com/Theme-Park-Tickets/Annual-Passes/Non-FL-Annual-Passes.aspx

To take advantage of any notable discounts, you would need to have either the Preferred or Premier AP.

 

[macraven]

on the uo website, they list the 3 annual passes and benefits.

i have the preferred pass and renew annually.

i use it for the ap discounts for onsite hotels, park admission, food/merch in the parks and city walk, and special event tickets.

the preferred is also valid for the park garage parking.



power pass is basically for park admission.

 

[bumbershoot]

To see if there's an AP rate for your stay, check here. Enter "APH" into the code field. If there's an AP rate for your dates at the time you're checking, it will show up. If not, it won't. But sometimes AP rates pop up later, so keep checking. (in the run-up to our Feb trip they showed up, went away, showed up, went away, etc many times)

You can book the AP rate without an AP in hand. If you find an APH rate that's great, book it, and then when you're closer to your trip, then buy the AP. I bought mine online, and picked it up at the ticket kiosk outside the gates. It was very easy.

If you don't get the AP rate, you'll have to figure out how much food and souvenirs your family will get; we get souvenirs, but our food budget for Universal is never hugely high. It would be hard for my family to justify APs for just those discounts (but we'd try anyway!).

 

[MDer2FL]

Ok, someone tell me if I'm doing this right.

I'm looking at the Preferred Pass ($280). The value of this would be:

- a year's worth of park-to-park admission for the passholder only (i.e., with 5 of us for our trip next month, we still need to buy 4 park tickets).
- discounted park tickets (discount not specified)
- discounts on food & stuff (what's typical?)
- getting the AP rate at the resort (which right now shows about a $400 savings for the 3 nights we'll be there)

(I know there's other things on the Pass, I just picked out the ones that I know we'd use.)

 

[MDer2FL]

This site is incredible. So much info! Found lots of more detailed AP info here: http://www.wdwinfo.com/discounts/discounts-universal.htm#annualpassdiscounts

It really looks like the AP, even at $280, will end up saving us money. I never would've considered it but.... would appreciate anyone who can take a quick overview of what "I think" the AP is worth and let me know! Thank you!

 

[davedmaine]

To see if there's an AP rate for your stay, check here. Enter "APH" into the code field. If there's an AP rate for your dates at the time you're checking, it will show up. If not, it won't. But sometimes AP rates pop up later, so keep checking. (in the run-up to our Feb trip they showed up, went away, showed up, went away, etc many times)

You can book the AP rate without an AP in hand. If you find an APH rate that's great, book it, and then when you're closer to your trip, then buy the AP. I bought mine online, and picked it up at the ticket kiosk outside the gates. It was very easy.

If you don't get the AP rate, you'll have to figure out how much food and souvenirs your family will get; we get souvenirs, but our food budget for Universal is never hugely high. It would be hard for my family to justify APs for just those discounts (but we'd try anyway!).

I took Bumbershoot's recommendation last Feb to buy an AP and get the discounted room rate. We ended up saving more than the ap cost.. Best advice I've gotten here.. Thanks again..

 

[Metro West]

Ok, someone tell me if I'm doing this right.

I'm looking at the Preferred Pass ($280). The value of this would be:

- a year's worth of park-to-park admission for the passholder only (i.e., with 5 of us for our trip next month, we still need to buy 4 park tickets).
- discounted park tickets (discount not specified)
- discounts on food & stuff (what's typical?)
- getting the AP rate at the resort (which right now shows about a $400 savings for the 3 nights we'll be there)

(I know there's other things on the Pass, I just picked out the ones that I know we'd use.)

The park ticket discounts are 10% on one day tickets and 15% on multiple day tickets...that's for up to six additional tickets for family/friends. Typically...10% is the Preferred AP discount on food and merchandise inside the parks...except for the food carts where there's no discount. You would also get free parking at the garage after the first visit and at $15.00 day, that can add up quickly.

 

[Bluer101]

The park ticket discounts are 10% on one day tickets and 15% on multiple day tickets...that's for up to six additional tickets for family/friends. Typically...10% is the Preferred AP discount on food and merchandise inside the parks...except for the food carts where there's no discount. You would also get free parking at the garage after the first visit and at $15.00 day, that can add up quickly.

Yep, if we want a drink we always go into a food place to get the discount. The only time we don't is for popcorn. Remember to get your butterbeer in Hog Heads Saloon for the discount.

 

[sz9144]

Yep, if we want a drink we always go into a food place to get the discount. The only time we don't is for popcorn. Remember to get your butterbeer in Hog Heads Saloon for the discount.

Great ideas!

 

[MDer2FL]

You can book the AP rate without an AP in hand. If you find an APH rate that's great, book it, and then when you're closer to your trip, then buy the AP. I bought mine online, and picked it up at the ticket kiosk outside the gates. It was very easy.

So the rate isn't an issue until checkout, correct? Then I would just have to show the AP.

 

[Bluer101]

So the rate isn't an issue until checkout, correct? Then I would just have to show the AP.

You just have to show a valid AP at some point during your stay.

 

[MDer2FL]

Okay. Preferred AP is purchased. AP rate at PB is booked.

So I get 15% off multi-day tickets for the rest of us. Does that have to be done at the gate? When I tried UO online it wouldn't allow me to add standard park-to-park tickets, only those that included Express. But we already have that because of staying on site.

 

[Bluer101]

Okay. Preferred AP is purchased. AP rate at PB is booked.

So I get 15% off multi-day tickets for the rest of us. Does that have to be done at the gate? When I tried UO online it wouldn't allow me to add standard park-to-park tickets, only those that included Express. But we already have that because of staying on site.

The discount is off gate price at the gate. You might want to research ticket prices for the best deal.

 

[DCTooTall]

The discount is off gate price at the gate. You might want to research ticket prices for the best deal.

Gate prices are usually more expensive than the online price, so sometimes the AP discount won't save you a ton off what you would've paid for the ticket by pre-purchasing them online.

You may also want to check the prices on Undercover Tourist, as sometimes they have a discount that equals or beats the AP discounted price for your multiday tickets.

 

[damo]

I may have read this thread too quickly and missed it, but another thing to remember is that renewals are greatly discounted.... about $100 for your next year's AP.

 

[Metro West]

So I get 15% off multi-day tickets for the rest of us. Does that have to be done at the gate? When I tried UO online it wouldn't allow me to add standard park-to-park tickets, only those that included Express. But we already have that because of staying on site.

AP discounts usually have to be done at the gate but check with Undercover Tourist and compare discounts. Go with the better deal. The AP discounts will kick in once your pass is activated at the gate.

Oh and welcome to the passholder family!

 

[bumbershoot]

Ok, someone tell me if I'm doing this right.

I'm looking at the Preferred Pass ($280). The value of this would be:

- a year's worth of park-to-park admission for the passholder only (i.e., with 5 of us for our trip next month, we still need to buy 4 park tickets).
- discounted park tickets (discount not specified)
- discounts on food & stuff (what's typical?)
- getting the AP rate at the resort (which right now shows about a $400 savings for the 3 nights we'll be there)

(I know there's other things on the Pass, I just picked out the ones that I know we'd use.)

Wow, you're already saving $400 just for the hotel? Awesome! Compare the AP to the ticket you would have gotten, and you are already WAY ahead of the game.

Maybe save that money, just in case the rest of the family decides they want to come back inside the AP year. Upgrading is fun.

I took Bumbershoot's recommendation last Feb to buy an AP and get the discounted room rate. We ended up saving more than the ap cost.. Best advice I've gotten here.. Thanks again..

So glad I passed along the info!

Yep, if we want a drink we always go into a food place to get the discount. The only time we don't is for popcorn. Remember to get your butterbeer in Hog Heads Saloon for the discount.

So the rate isn't an issue until checkout, correct? Then I would just have to show the AP.

They will tell you when to show the AP. It won't be necessary at the time of checkin, though; they understand that many people have to get them first. : )

Gate prices are usually more expensive than the online price, so sometimes the AP discount won't save you a ton off what you would've paid for the ticket by pre-purchasing them online.

You may also want to check the prices on Undercover Tourist, as sometimes they have a discount that equals or beats the AP discounted price for your multiday tickets.

Yep.

The AP discount on tickets is only at the gate. At the gate without a discount is $20 more right now than buying it online. So to figure it out, add $20 to the cost online, then take 10-15% off. See which one is better.

Then look at undercovertourist.com's prices. See which one is better.

Discounts/prices vary, but I've always found UCT to be the best for when I'm pricing things out.

It's also possible UCT is even better right at this instant, because they might still have the OLD priced tickets. UO just raised prices on many tickets on the 17th, but UCT tends to sell at the old price until those tickets are gone. So you might have a great bargain buying from them right now.

 

[MDer2FL]

I think Undercover Tourist might still be a better bet for park tickets.... which sort of bums me out.... although it shouldn't, because even with spending $300 on the AP we still come out ahead. LOL.... gotta laugh at all these contortions we go thru (and the resorts/corporations, too) trying to squeeze out those extra pennies.

Thank you all -- I continue to learn SO MUCH from everyone here. I'll try not to keep posting annoying questions, but no promises!

 

[chs27]

Another perk: Your AP pass date doesn't start till you use it. You have until next year at that time to renew. So, you could have a second discounted vacation next year under this year's pass!