UOAP: Orlando Local Preferred vs Premiere...

[IrishT53]

So looking at UOAPs, and weighing Preffered vs Premier. I live about 30 minutes from the park and would be purchasing for family of 4.

I understand the primary differences being:

- Free Prime/Valet Parking (not certain how critical this is compared to free General parking with Pref)
- One ticket to HHN (definetly a plus)
- Universal Express Pass after 4p

If I understand the Express Pass for APs, it can be used on each attraction once per visit that has an Express Pass lane. With a benefit like that, I'd imagine that taking the family out once every 4-6 weeks for dinner onsite or near the parks, then rides via Express Pass the rest of the evening to be very attractive. There'd still be other day long trips scattered throughout the year, and at least one extended weeked stay-cation.

So for those that have Premeire and live nearby with a couple of kids, how often do you go to the parks in the afternoon/evening just to take advantage of that Express Pass after 4p? Is there anything else that a Premier pass has over a Preferred pass?

 

[ajsamett]

I have a premier pass and I love it! I can't speak to your exact situation, but my friend abd I both have this pass and live 2-2.5 hrs from the parks. We probably every other month or so like to drive up in the late morning/early afternoon, ride the short lines and when 4pm hits, use the EP. We do that until park close and drive home (and sleep in the next morning!). A word of warning for the free EP, your ride line tolerance will drop drastically by being spoiled!!

For other perks:
- free hhn tickets: a hhn ticket is like an 80$ value, so if you were already planning on going, then you can subtract that from the price comparison. There are specific dates for these tickets (off season and weekdays), but there's always a few weekends dates in Sept that it's valid for
- parking: correct this isn't that big of a perk, but it's still nice. It doesn't impact my decision of this pass, but it's definitely nice to have
-discounts! Don't forget these premier is 15% and preferred is 10%. If you go a lot, that 15% can make a dent in the cost. You are unlikely to spend that much to make up for the added 5%, but it'll make that difference smaller. Note that AP discounts are much easier here than Disney. It's 15% all food and merchandise (including butterbeer carts). It even applies to city walk (i have a coldstone addiction)

 

[wdwrule]

So looking at UOAPs, and weighing Preffered vs Premier. I live about 30 minutes from the park and would be purchasing for family of 4.

I understand the primary differences being:

- Free Prime/Valet Parking (not certain how critical this is compared to free General parking with Pref)
- One ticket to HHN (definetly a plus)
- Universal Express Pass after 4p

If I understand the Express Pass for APs, it can be used on each attraction once per visit that has an Express Pass lane. With a benefit like that, I'd imagine that taking the family out once every 4-6 weeks for dinner onsite or near the parks, then rides via Express Pass the rest of the evening to be very attractive. There'd still be other day long trips scattered throughout the year, and at least one extended weeked stay-cation.

So for those that have Premeire and live nearby with a couple of kids, how often do you go to the parks in the afternoon/evening just to take advantage of that Express Pass after 4p? Is there anything else that a Premier pass has over a Preferred pass?

We aren’t local but visit about once per month. I believe premiere also has a very slightly percentage off of participating food and merchandise. I think it’s 15% compared to 10%.

We have the premiere passes and recently renewed that tier again. We enjoy the flexibility of staying at other resorts and not being locked into premiere hotels to have EP (although that method is unlimited EP). For how we tour, it REALLY works well for us and we are there often enough anyways. We get to the parks early and get a ton of stuff done without EP. Then we know once 4:00 rolls around we can use EP. Sometimes we opt to not use it if single rider lines are shorter but that’s not for everyone.

So for us, we mostly use that tier for flexibility of various hotels. Even stayed offsite once or twice and had great peace of mind with the limited EP. Universal’s website breaks it down and gives comparisons for all of the tiers. It seems what you’d be using it for would be worth it.

Also, keep an eye out for park hours to use after 4 EP to the max (now and then there are earlier park closings).