Budget Tips for a first time Universal person

[tstidm1]

For the first time ever, I'm doing a Universal Orlando only and am planning for four days at Universal Studios. What are the best ways to save money on a trip? I know about buying tickets through a reputable ticket broker (such as Maple Leaf Tickets). What are good ways to save money on the trip? Tentatively planning a February or March trip (not Presidents Day weekend or Late March), so I want some ideas to save some money in the parks.

 

[macraven]

check out www.universalorlando.com for tips


hth!

 

[mousecrazy]

Well, I will try to be helpful with this one tip...

Do a search for refillable mugs. You'll see that you can purchase a mug and refill it for 99 cents. There are also refillable popcorn buckets available.

Universal is amazing...I hope you have a great trip!

 

[hydrotony]

You can get discounts by using various things:
Annual Passes
14-Day 3-Park Passes
AAA membership
American Express card used to buy the ticket/pass

There is no standard list of what gets you what where but the APs and AAA usually get a 10% discount on food.

 

[psiprez]

If you have an American Express card, we saved A LOT in the parks using AMEX to purchase food and souveniers. It works like using the Disney Visa card in WDW.

https://www.universalorlando.com/Theme-Park-Tickets/Special-Offers/American-Express.aspx

10% off food and beverages, from walk-up carts to hotels to CitiWalk restaurants.

10% off a $50 merchandise purchase, 15% off $75 or more.

One free 5x7 or 8x10 photo print with Photo Connect purchase.

To save on merchandise, we remembered that most items are available in the big Universal shop near the park entrances. Rather than buy a few items here and there, we made one large purchase. Of course, some items (especially HP stuff) are only in special shops, but it was easy to spend at least $50. I think we only made one t-shirt purchase without a discount.

Some checkout TMs asked to see the AMEX discount page on your mobile (as the instructions say to), but most gave us the discount without us asking. If there was an issue, the Manager always came right over and fixed it pronto with a smile.

If you buy your tickets with AMEX, you have access to the AMEX lounge, though we never made it. Apparently, all the do is offer you bottled water and pretzels anyways.

 

[crazycatlady]

If you have an American Express card, we saved A LOT in the parks using AMEX to purchase food and souveniers. It works like using the Disney Visa card in WDW.

https://www.universalorlando.com/Theme-Park-Tickets/Special-Offers/American-Express.aspx

10% off food and beverages, from walk-up carts to hotels to CitiWalk restaurants.

10% off a $50 merchandise purchase, 15% off $75 or more.

One free 5x7 or 8x10 photo print with Photo Connect purchase.

To save on merchandise, we remembered that most items are available in the big Universal shop near the park entrances. Rather than buy a few items here and there, we made one large purchase. Of course, some items (especially HP stuff) are only in special shops, but it was easy to spend at least $50. I think we only made one t-shirt purchase without a discount.

Some checkout TMs asked to see the AMEX discount page on your mobile (as the instructions say to), but most gave us the discount without us asking. If there was an issue, the Manager always came right over and fixed it pronto with a smile.

If you buy your tickets with AMEX, you have access to the AMEX lounge, though we never made it. Apparently, all the do is offer you bottled water and pretzels anyways.

Is the AMEX discount page on the AMEX website?

Whoops! Missed the link the first time I read it.

 

[tstidm1]

You can get discounts by using various things:
Annual Passes
14-Day 3-Park Passes
AAA membership
American Express card used to buy the ticket/pass

There is no standard list of what gets you what where but the APs and AAA usually get a 10% discount on food.

I do have a question about Annual Passes. Are the discounts worth it for four park days of visits? I'm thinking about getting a Power Pass or the next level of pass because of the discounts on Room. It may be what gets me to stay on site instead of offsite.

 

[Senator Tressel]

How are you supposed to keep the AMEX discount page easily accessible on your phone? That seems like a hassle.

 

[BeccaA]

You can get free cups of ice water all over the park. Many restaurants have AAA discounts there.

 

[Go Vols]

How are you supposed to keep the AMEX discount page easily accessible on your phone? That seems like a hassle.

We usually just take a screenshot of the screen with the iphone. It will be stored in your photos.

 

[NavyDotz]

How are you supposed to keep the AMEX discount page easily accessible on your phone? That seems like a hassle.

We usually just take a screenshot of the screen with the iphone. It will be stored in your photos.

or save it as a bookmark on a smartphone


Go Vols!

 

[hydrotony]

I do have a question about Annual Passes. Are the discounts worth it for four park days of visits? I'm thinking about getting a Power Pass or the next level of pass because of the discounts on Room. It may be what gets me to stay on site instead of offsite.

The Preferred Annual Pass included free garage parking and discounted valet parking. Most places give 10% discounts. The below came from the UOR website earlier this year. Some may have changed especially since so many CityWalk places have changed.

2014 Preferred Pass Discounts - All benefits are valid from January 1 - December 31, 2014.
General Annual Passholder Benefits:
Free self-parking‡ or pay 2 hours of valet parking and get the rest of the day free (valet excludes some holidays and special event nights)
Pay $25 to upgrade to Red Carpet Valet
Preferred Self-Parking Discount – Preferred Passholders just pay the difference between the regular self-parking price and the preferred self-parking price
365 days of unlimited park-to-park admission with no blockout dates
Free admission to select special events such as Mardi Gras, Grinchmas™ and Macy’s Holiday Parade™
Special discounts on separately ticketed events such as Halloween Horror Nights®, Rock the Universe and New Year’s Eve
Universal Studios® Florida and Islands of Adventure®
10% off the following:
Select VIP Tours. Call 407-363-8295 to book (Dates subject to availability)
Universal Orlando® owned and operated merchandise stores and carts
All restaurants (Excludes food & beverage carts and alcoholic beverages)
15% off the following:
Multi-day theme park admission tickets purchased at the front gate (Up to 6 people per transaction per day)
Lucky Eye Jewelry and U Name It
$2 discount on standard manual wheelchair rentals
Special $30 pricing on a 10-minute reading at Star Souls (Psychic Readings)
“Enjoy Your Face” painting discounts: $2 off of $8, $10 or $12 face painting designs; $3 off of $15 face painting designs (USF & IOA)
Universal CityWalk®
10% off the following:
Airbrush Wizards, Cinnabon®, Hair Wraps, Hart & Huntington Tattoo Company, The Island Clothing Store, PIQ, Quiet Flight® Surf Shop, Starbucks® Coffee, Universal Studios Store®
Antojitos™ – on food & beverages (Excludes alcohol)
Bob Marley - A Tribute to FreedomSM – on food & beverages (Excludes alcohol)
Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.™ Restaurant & Market – on merchandise, food & beverages (Excludes alcohol)
Emeril’s® Restaurant Orlando – on food and beverages (Excludes alcohol)
Fresh Produce® - (off regular priced merchandise, excludes Vera Bradley & Brighton)
Hard Rock Cafe® – on merchandise, food & beverages after 4pm (Excludes alcohol)
Jimmy Buffett’s® Margaritaville® – on merchandise, food & beverages (Excludes alcohol)
NASCAR Sports GrilleSM – on food & beverages (Excludes alcohol)
NBA City – on food & beverages (Excluding alcohol); one free interactive game card per Passholder. Priority seating is included (Excluding holidays & special events)
Pat O’Brien’s® – on food & beverages (Excludes alcohol)
Red Coconut ClubSM – on food & beverages (Excludes alcohol)
Red Oven Pizza Bakery – on food & beverages (Excludes alcohol)
Starbucks® Coffee
Universal Orlando® owned and operated merchandise stores and carts
15% off the following:
Hollywood Drive-In Golf (applies to 18 holes/single feature up to 5 people)
20% off the following:
Blue Man Group adult tickets in Tier 1 seating only (up to 6 guests). Purchase at the Blue Man Group box office, by calling 407-BLUEMAN (258-3626) or online
CityWalk Party Passes (Up to 4 passes per day)
Hard Rock Café – on merchandise, food & beverages from 11am – 4pm (Cannot be combined with any other offers or discounts. Does not include alcohol, sales tax or gratuity).
AMC Universal Cineplex 20 – $3.00 off admission on highest ticketed price (After 4:00pm; limit 2 people)
the grooveSM – 2 for 1 domestic beer bottles

 

[Planogirl]

Be sure to read the dining stickey at the top. It'll give you a good idea of better places to eat and the prices can often be quite reasonable.

 

[godders]

My biggest tip for saving money at Universal.....don't take a big HP fan.....there is sooooo much merchandise!!

Already had to give myself a good talking to and write a little list of what I want so I don't go mad with the spending....gryffindor scarf, stuff toy Minion (ok not HP but they're so cool!)....

 

[Mickeypooh99]

If you have an American Express card, we saved A LOT in the parks using AMEX to purchase food and souveniers. It works like using the Disney Visa card in WDW. https://www.universalorlando.com/Theme-Park-Tickets/Special-Offers/American-Express.aspx 10% off food and beverages, from walk-up carts to hotels to CitiWalk restaurants. 10% off a $50 merchandise purchase, 15% off $75 or more. One free 5x7 or 8x10 photo print with Photo Connect purchase. To save on merchandise, we remembered that most items are available in the big Universal shop near the park entrances. Rather than buy a few items here and there, we made one large purchase. Of course, some items (especially HP stuff) are only in special shops, but it was easy to spend at least $50. I think we only made one t-shirt purchase without a discount. Some checkout TMs asked to see the AMEX discount page on your mobile (as the instructions say to), but most gave us the discount without us asking. If there was an issue, the Manager always came right over and fixed it pronto with a smile. If you buy your tickets with AMEX, you have access to the AMEX lounge, though we never made it. Apparently, all the do is offer you bottled water and pretzels anyways.

Thank you for this tip! I never knew that, but it will help us save money on our next trip!!