Universal Studios AP - Is it worth it?

[Anfield1892]

Hi
Has anyone bought 1 AP for a member of their party to obtain the benefits it includes.
We're a family of 4 going next August and would only visit US/IOA for 2 or 3 days.
However looking at the cost of a Premier AP for just 1 person (ME!!) and the benefits it includes with 15% off tix and free parking it would only cost approx $10 more in total - and this is before you include the discounts off merch., food and 8 free bottles of water! - not to mention the Express Pass after 1600.
I know we wouldn't get max benefit as would only do 1 trip in the year and not gaining room discounts but it just seems like a no brainer.

Am I missing something? Any thoughts/comments either way.
Thanks

 

[tony64]

DW and I both have AP's as universal had buy one get one year free and the renewal cost made it worth it again. We love not paying for parking and 10% of food is always put to good use. Mythos is our favourite park restaurant.

 

[wayneg]

You just need to add up the figures.
Which tix you considering buying for the rest? are they included in the 15% disc? not sure the disc is valid on the 14 day unlimited tix(around £80), are they better value?

Will you be going back every year? every year after the 1st you get a discount, we all have the Preffered passes, $220 for the 1st year but only $149 for renewal so we get AP's for not much more than a 14 day ticket.

As well as the regular discounts you will get emails with monthly offers, one recently offered 50% off certain tickets(think it was 1 & 2 day) buy one entree get one 50% off etc.

We have had ours for about 6-7 years now, worked very well for us.

 

[Giddy Kipper]

Glad u asked this question...we are back in planning mode and I was wondering if you all need to have an AP to book a room (Hard Rock) or is it just lead person...

 

[wayneg]

Glad u asked this question...we are back in planning mode and I was wondering if you all need to have an AP to book a room (Hard Rock) or is it just lead person...

I believe you can book upto 2 rooms with 1 AP, many people just get 1 AP for the room discount. If its mainly the room discount you want also consider AA membership which gives you AAA benefits incl room discounts at the Universal hotels. You can buy AA membership for about £7 if you don't have it.

 

[paulfoel]

Hi
Has anyone bought 1 AP for a member of their party to obtain the benefits it includes.
We're a family of 4 going next August and would only visit US/IOA for 2 or 3 days.
However looking at the cost of a Premier AP for just 1 person (ME!!) and the benefits it includes with 15% off tix and free parking it would only cost approx $10 more in total - and this is before you include the discounts off merch., food and 8 free bottles of water! - not to mention the Express Pass after 1600.
I know we wouldn't get max benefit as would only do 1 trip in the year and not gaining room discounts but it just seems like a no brainer.

Am I missing something? Any thoughts/comments either way.
Thanks

You know you only get free parking with the preferred pass ($220) ???

Parking not included with power pass ($140)

 

[wayneg]

You know you only get free parking with the preferred pass ($220) ???

Parking not included with power pass ($140)

Anfield1892 quoted the Premier pass which includes all the extras listed(and more) that ones over $300 with tax. Benefits of Premier are not enough for the difference in cost to the Preferred for me.

http://www.universalorlando.com/Tickets/Annual_Passholders/annualpass.aspx

Another thing Anfield1892 the Express pass would only be for you no-one else in your party.

 

[Giddy Kipper]

thanks Wayne...will look into AAA discount...Joined Quidco this week as well, so looking for as many bargains as possible as we are going next August

 

[Anfield1892]

Thanks for all the replies.
Still weighing up the options, going to leave the decision to late on in the hope of any deals becoming available.
Looking at the two passes - leaning towards Premier due to the period of Express Pass it gives (travelling with 2 young children and a wife who isn't keen on US) - I'd like a bargaining chip of a 2 hour period where I could dart off on my own).
It is more of an initial expense but may just be worth it.