Anyone heard anything about Universal's 2025 military discount tickets?

[CarolynFH]

My sister just wants to visit UOR in January 2025 (already has accommodations booked) but is hoping for military discount tickets such as the ones offered for 2024 (or any special military tickets). I couldn't find anything via Search of this board so wondering if there have been any announcements or even rumors so far. TIA!

 

[Wendysofftoneverland]

There was a "Thank You, Veterans" post this week on UOR's FB, and a couple of people commented about the Freedom Pass, and Universal's response was "We do not have information at this time, but we recommend staying tuned to our website for any updates."

I don't want to read too much into it, because maybe the discounted tickets are just being released later this year or something. The past few years, they would be announced around Veterans' Day.

 

[Lynne G]

I would think soon, as I think last year for this year was announced 17 November 2023.

Disney military tickets were announced last week or so.

 

[Elisaj71]

There was a "Thank You, Veterans" post this week on UOR's FB, and a couple of people commented about the Freedom Pass, and Universal's response was "We do not have information at this time, but we recommend staying tuned to our website for any updates."

I don't want to read too much into it, because maybe the discounted tickets are just being released later this year or something. The past few years, they would be announced around Veterans' Day.

When I searched last week an MWR site said they would be released 11/14. Now today I can’t find that. Hoping they do have them again.

 

[Elisaj71]

My sister just wants to visit UOR in January 2025 (already has accommodations booked) but is hoping for military discount tickets such as the ones offered for 2024 (or any special military tickets). I couldn't find anything via Search of this board so wondering if there have been any announcements or even rumors so far. TIA!

Found it! From redstone MWR

My sister just wants to visit UOR in January 2025 (already has accommodations booked) but is hoping for military discount tickets such as the ones offered for 2024 (or any special military tickets). I couldn't find anything via Search of this board so wondering if there have been any announcements or even rumors so far. TIA!

found it from redstone MWR page :
2025 Universal Freedom Pass tickets are expected around mid Thanksgiving ~11/14. We have no further details on changes, pricing, if Epic Universe will be included, etc.

 

[CarolynFH]

Thank you all! I’ll tell her!

 

[Leigh L]

It's been announced!
https://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/universal-military-discounts/the-2025-universal-orlando-resort-freedom-pass/

 

[CarolynFH]

It's been announced!
https://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/universal-military-discounts/the-2025-universal-orlando-resort-freedom-pass/

Thank you! As it turns out, she found it herself, but I appreciate your help!

 

[Elisaj71]

My sister just wants to visit UOR in January 2025 (already has accommodations booked) but is hoping for military discount tickets such as the ones offered for 2024 (or any special military tickets). I couldn't find anything via Search of this board so wondering if there have been any announcements or even rumors so far. TIA!

They are out today on MWR site now do not include epic universe - you can add on one day epic universe

 

[CarolynFH]

They are out today on MWR site now do not include epic universe - you can add on one day epic universe

Thanks!

 

[StarCruzer]

FYI...We were told (on the phone, by the Shades of Green sales rep) that if we buy the Universal Military pass in 11/16 or later, it would be good for both our Dec 2024 trip and all of 2025.

This.... doesn't sound right to me and I feel very nervous about it. The rep said she does it for her family every year though

 

[CAPSLOCK]

Isn't that what the link says too? Covers now through 2025 - blockout dates are 12/25/24-1/2/25, 4/14/25-4/20/25, and 12/19/25-12/31/25.

 

[StarCruzer]

Isn't that what the link says too? Covers now through 2025 - blockout dates are 12/25/24-1/2/25, 4/14/25-4/20/25, and 12/19/25-12/31/25.

Maybe they changed the wording then? On the Shades of Green website it originally said the tickets for 2025 would be active starting January 1, 2025.

If that's the case then it's awesome! I just didn't want to get stuck with tickets that didn't work.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

Maybe they changed the wording then? On the Shades of Green website it originally said the tickets for 2025 would be active starting January 1, 2025.

That's just based on what the link posted by @Leigh L said.

 

[Leigh L]

Maybe they changed the wording then? On the Shades of Green website it originally said the tickets for 2025 would be active starting January 1, 2025.

If that's the case then it's awesome! I just didn't want to get stuck with tickets that didn't work.

I think we did this the first year the pass came out. I want to say we did winter break (no blackout that year? Or DD had a later return to school date in Jan) and we used it again in June.

 

[Leigh L]

Here's another

https://carlisle.armymwr.com/happenings/universal-studios-military-promo-tickets
The 2-Park Military “2025 Freedom Pass” Promotional Ticket entitles one (1) guest admission to BOTH Universal Studios Florida, AND Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme parks on the same day. Ticket is valid for use November 14, 2024 through and including December 19, 2025, with the exception of blackout dates which include December 21, 2024, THRU-January 2, 2025 & April 14-20, 2025. Ticket expires in full December 19, 2025.

The original site I posted is very trustworthy for WDW/UO military discount info though

 

[reluctantredhead]

I have a question about these tickets -- it's my first time going to Universal in 15 years, so please forgive me if I'm asking a question that has an answer everyone already knows.

My husband and I will be taking a joint trip with a sibling whose husband is retired Army, plus their two adult children (so 6 people total). We wanted to share a suite, but the price isn't in the budget for this trip, so we've decided to get 2 separate rooms -- my husband and I in one, and my sibling's family in the other. We understand that my brother in law can purchase the Freedom Pass for us. However, the agent who helped them over the phone claimed that he could only buy the tickets for us if we stay at the same hotel they do.

Is this true, or did they get a phone agent who was misinformed? We've taken several Disney trips with them in the past, they've always bought us the Military Salute tickets, and we've stayed at different hotels from them every time. I understand it's a different park with different rules, but I was surprised by this.

Thanks in advance to anyone who has any information about this!

 

[Leigh L]

I have a question about these tickets -- it's my first time going to Universal in 15 years, so please forgive me if I'm asking a question that has an answer everyone already knows.

My husband and I will be taking a joint trip with a sibling whose husband is retired Army, plus their two adult children (so 6 people total). We wanted to share a suite, but the price isn't in the budget for this trip, so we've decided to get 2 separate rooms -- my husband and I in one, and my sibling's family in the other. We understand that my brother in law can purchase the Freedom Pass for us. However, the agent who helped them over the phone claimed that he could only buy the tickets for us if we stay at the same hotel they do.

Is this true, or did they get a phone agent who was misinformed? We've taken several Disney trips with them in the past, they've always bought us the Military Salute tickets, and we've stayed at different hotels from them every time. I understand it's a different park with different rules, but I was surprised by this.

Thanks in advance to anyone who has any information about this!

Yes, your BIL can purchase the Freedom Pass for you, I just did this in January with some friends with no issue. You do have to register names with the tickets when you buy them and they are non-transferable.

Is your BIL booking a package? (I'm wondering if that might be the reason why?)

In my experience, tickets aren't linked to the hotel, but we've never gone the package route (I have seen it as an option and it reads like you can buy the Freedom Pass directly through Universal).

We've always purchased tickets through MWR or another military outlet (e.g. Coast Guard Exchange). The hotel we always book directly with Universal. Although, anyone I've ever purchased tickets for did stay in the same resort - but Universal didn't know that when I bought the tickets.

I'm not sure if that makes sense?

 

[Wendysofftoneverland]

We bought the Freedom Pass at Shades of Green one year and stayed off-site. They had no idea what our accommodations were. Maybe they thought you wanted a military discount on both rooms or a package deal?

The one catch is that all 6 Freedom Pass tickets must be purchased at once. You can't buy 4 in March and go back for 2 more in May, even though it still totals 6 (we asked about this another year when the grandparents thought about going to the parks after we'd gotten tickets, and even though all 6 of us were sharing a room at Cabana Bay, we couldn't get 2 more Freedom Passes).

 

[reluctantredhead]

Yes, your BIL can purchase the Freedom Pass for you, I just did this in January with some friends with no issue. You do have to register names with the tickets when you buy them and they are non-transferable.

Is your BIL booking a package? (I'm wondering if that might be the reason why?)

In my experience, tickets aren't linked to the hotel, but we've never gone the package route (I have seen it as an option and it reads like you can buy the Freedom Pass directly through Universal).

We've always purchased tickets through MWR or another military outlet (e.g. Coast Guard Exchange). The hotel we always book directly with Universal. Although, anyone I've ever purchased tickets for did stay in the same resort - but Universal didn't know that when I bought the tickets.

I'm not sure if that makes sense?

Yes, this makes perfect sense. Thank you so much for taking the time to respond in so much detail!

They were unsure if they were buying a package or not, but they did call Universal directly because the MWR was already closed for the day. I shared my response with your sister, and she's going to try to call MWR today and see if she gets the same story.