AP discount on Mardi Gras food & beverage gift card

[georgina]

Just a reminder - I sometimes forget this, but there is a $30 discount on a $150 food and beverage card that can be purchased during mardi gras. All levels of AP can get the discount, and preferred and premier will also get their additional discounts when using it to pay for food -

^Annual Passholders can save $30 on the purchase of a limited time offer Universal Orlando Resort Food and Beverage Card to use throughout the Universal’s Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnaval event from February 4 – April 16, 2023 at locations throughout Universal Studios Florida. The card retails for $120 for a $150 value and Preferred Annual Pass Holders and Premier Annual Pass Holders will also receive their respective discounts with valid UO Annual Pass on food and beverage (excluding alcohol) when paying with their Universal Orlando Resort Food and Beverage Card.

In the FAQs it says this can be used anywhere in the parks and City Walk, and does not expire. -

Does the Universal Orlando Resort Food and Beverage Card have to be used during Mardi Gras 2023?
No, the Universal Orlando Resort Food and Beverage Card does not expire and can be used throughout Universal’s Islands of Adventure, Universal Studios Florida, Universal’s Volcano Bay and Universal CityWalk.

 

[Robo56]

Thank you for sharing the information on the AP discounts on the food cards for Mardi Gras.

 

[tony67]

Preferred Annual Pass Holders and Premier Annual Pass Holders will also receive their respective discounts with valid UO Annual Pass on food and beverage

This is a really good value - especially when you stack it with this.

Are there any restaurants its not accepted in in citywalk? I can see myself buying several of these over a week if that is the case.

 

[georgina]

This is a really good value - especially when you stack it with this.

Are there any restaurants its not accepted in in citywalk? I can see myself buying several of these over a week if that is the case.

Don't know. Sounds like most would take them from the FAQ's I quoted above, the OI meetup folks started giving out food & beverage gift cards and they also say "almost" every food and beverage location, including City Walk.

 

[wdwrule]

This is a really good value - especially when you stack it with this.

Are there any restaurants its not accepted in in citywalk? I can see myself buying several of these over a week if that is the case.

We did exactly this last year and planning on doing the same this year… purchasing multiple cards. We didn’t encounter any place last year that did not accept them. Of course there’s always a chance that some places do not accept them though. Besides using these at some restaurants on Citywalk, I remember being able to use it for butterbeer.

ETA: I just revisited one of my old trip reports because I was curious about who accepted the food card. I had in my notes that some of the hotel restaurants did not accept the food cards. (Although from what I’ve read it seems this year the hotels will have more Mardi Gras specialty items.) But the park and Citywalk restaurants did indeed accept the cards (unless there was an oddball one or two that did not accept them). I know we used them at some quick service places in the parks as well. We did stack our AP discount also which was great but note: no discount as usual on alcohol but you can use the food card for alcohol. It’s a wonderful deal!

 

[UOAP-Naples]

We did exactly this last year and planning on doing the same this year… purchasing multiple cards. We didn’t encounter any place last year that did not accept them. Of course there’s always a chance that some places do not accept them though. Besides using these at some restaurants on Citywalk, I remember being able to use it for butterbeer.

ETA: I just revisited one of my old trip reports because I was curious about who accepted the food card. I had in my notes that some of the hotel restaurants did not accept the food cards. (Although from what I’ve read it seems this year the hotels will have more Mardi Gras specialty items.) But the park and Citywalk restaurants did indeed accept the cards (unless there was an oddball one or two that did not accept them). I know we used them at some quick service places in the parks as well. We did stack our AP discount also which was great but note: no discount as usual on alcohol but you can use the food card for alcohol. It’s a wonderful deal!

We missed buying them last year but will take advantage of it this year. We'll buy at least two or three to use throughout the year. We'll throw them in the lanyard with the annual pass so we don't forget them or lose them.

 

[georgina]

We did exactly this last year and planning on doing the same this year… purchasing multiple cards. We didn’t encounter any place last year that did not accept them. Of course there’s always a chance that some places do not accept them though. Besides using these at some restaurants on Citywalk, I remember being able to use it for butterbeer.

ETA: I just revisited one of my old trip reports because I was curious about who accepted the food card. I had in my notes that some of the hotel restaurants did not accept the food cards. (Although from what I’ve read it seems this year the hotels will have more Mardi Gras specialty items.) But the park and Citywalk restaurants did indeed accept the cards (unless there was an oddball one or two that did not accept them). I know we used them at some quick service places in the parks as well. We did stack our AP discount also which was great but note: no discount as usual on alcohol but you can use the food card for alcohol. It’s a wonderful deal!

Thanks! I am not really surprised about restaurants at the hotels not taking them. Will definitely plan on getting one or two on my trip.

 

[UOAP-Naples]

We did exactly this last year and planning on doing the same this year… purchasing multiple cards. We didn’t encounter any place last year that did not accept them. Of course there’s always a chance that some places do not accept them though. Besides using these at some restaurants on Citywalk, I remember being able to use it for butterbeer.

ETA: I just revisited one of my old trip reports because I was curious about who accepted the food card. I had in my notes that some of the hotel restaurants did not accept the food cards. (Although from what I’ve read it seems this year the hotels will have more Mardi Gras specialty items.) But the park and Citywalk restaurants did indeed accept the cards (unless there was an oddball one or two that did not accept them). I know we used them at some quick service places in the parks as well. We did stack our AP discount also which was great but note: no discount as usual on alcohol but you can use the food card for alcohol. It’s a wonderful deal!

Thanks! I am not really surprised about restaurants at the hotels not taking them. Will definitely plan on getting one or two on my trip.

It makes sense that the hotels wouldn't take the food cards. The hotels are operated by Loews. City Walk and the parks are all operated by Universal. The food cards are still a really good deal if you have a family or are doing multiple days at the parks. It's not hard at all to spend $150 on food even in just 1 or 2 days.

 

[Allieoop1]

Where can I buy the food card?

 

[wdwrule]

Where can I buy the food card?

At any food kiosk in Studios. According to Universal’s blog:

“To get more items for less, check out the Mardi Gras Food & Beverage Card. It’s available for purchase at the food kiosks in Universal Studios Florida and can be used at any food and beverage location in all three theme parks and Universal CityWalk. That’s eating smart.

Not available for use at Universal Orlando hotels. Premier and Preferred Passholders standard food discounts apply.”

 

[Allieoop1]

At any food kiosk in Studios. According to Universal’s blog:

“To get more items for less, check out the Mardi Gras Food & Beverage Card. It’s available for purchase at the food kiosks in Universal Studios Florida and can be used at any food and beverage location in all three theme parks and Universal CityWalk. That’s eating smart.

Not available for use at Universal Orlando hotels. Premier and Preferred Passholders standard food discounts apply.”

Thank you! We're new Passholders and it's our first time for Mardi Gras. The food card sounds like a great deal.

 

[wdwrule]

Thank you! We're new Passholders and it's our first time for Mardi Gras. The food card sounds like a great deal.

It’s such a great time!! Yes, the food card is a wonderful deal especially the $150 for $120… and AP discounts on food and non alcoholic beverages. We purchase several because they don’t expire.

 

[DonaldnDaisy5]

Do you have to have an annual pass to purchase a food card?

 

[wdwrule]

Do you have to have an annual pass to purchase a food card?

No you do not… not for the $75 card.

 

[Skippyboo]

I think you need an AP for 120 for 150 card. There is a lower 65 for 75 card that you don’t need AP.

 

[wdwrule]

I think you need an AP for 120 for 150 card. There is a lower 65 for 75 card that you don’t need AP.

Yes good point. That’s what I’ve seen as well.

 

[DonaldnDaisy5]

Without the ap what is the benefit of the card? We will be there the last week of March.

 

[wdwrule]

Without the ap what is the benefit of the card? We will be there the last week of March.

It’s basically a gift card for food and drinks at restaurants and food stands throughout the parks and Citywalk but the appeal is that you save $10 with each card you purchase (buy a $75 food card for only $65- even without an AP). You can purchase as many cards as you’d like and they don’t expire which is nice if you’re planning a future trip(s).

 

[mort1331]

Thank you all for this,,,we will be there mid march and pick up a few for sure. Anyone know of places that do not accept them?

 

[DonaldnDaisy5]

Thank you!