What are the perks of an Annual Pass?

[kace08]

I'm thinking about buying an annual pass (just the basic power pass) partly because I'm anticipating a discount on a hotel reservation. What kind of discount can I expect if any? We are planning to go the first or second week of December. Are there other discounts that make the power pass worthwhile?
Thank you!

 

[damo]

Biggest perk of a power pass is that is is almost the same price as a 4 day ticket but yet allows you as many trips as you would like outside of the block out dates.

Here is the list of perks from the website:

Enjoy all the thrills at both Universal Studios Florida & Universal’s Islands of Adventure (Blockout dates apply.)

• Free admission to select special events such as Mardi Gras and Grinchmas™
• 10% off multi-day theme park admission tickets purchased at the front gate (Up to 6 people per transaction per day; not valid on 3-Park Unlimited tickets, Universal Express passes, or tickets with Universal Express)
• Save up to 30%1 off room rates at each Premier and Preferred on-site hotel or save up to 25%1off room rates at Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort.
• Special discounts on separately ticketed events such as Halloween Horror Nights®, Rock the Universe and New Year’s Eve
• Power Passes valid after 5 PM on Mardi Gras concert nights.
  • 
    Blockout Dates:
  • Universal Studios Florida:
    • January 1 – 2, 2016
    • March 19, 2016 – April 2, 2016
    • December 17, 2016 – December 31, 2016
  • Islands of Adventure:
    • January 1 – 2, 2016
    • March 19, 2016 – April 2, 2016
    • June 11, 2016 – August 15, 2016
    • December 17, 2016 – December 31, 2016

All benefits and blockout dates are valid on a calendar year basis and are subject to availability and to change without notice. Not valid for the Hogwarts™ Express during blockout dates.

On-site hotels parking not included.

Parking and additional Annual Pass benefits and discounts do not apply. Blockout dates and prices are subject to change without notice. Pass is valid for one (1) year from date of first use for one (1) guest admission during regular theme park operating hours. All benefits subject to availability and to change without notice and cannot be combined with any other offers, promotions or discounts, and discounted renewed passes. Does not include admission to separately ticketed events, such as Halloween Horror Nights and Rock the Universe or venues within either theme park, Universal CityWalk®, or on-site hotels. Parks, attractions, or entertainment may: close due to refurbishing, capacity, weather or special events; change operating hours; and otherwise change or be discontinued without notice. Additional restrictions may apply. Passes are non-transferable, non-refundable and may not be copied or resold.

1Rooms at this promotional rate are based upon seasonal availability. Advanced reservations required. Blockout dates and arrival/departure restrictions may apply.

 

[kace08]

Thanks. I was just hoping that somebody could give me some examples of savings or special deals they have gotten in the past. Or maybe some other discounts offered that weren't on resorts. I've heard that meal plans have had discounts too. If anybody has used these perks in the past, please share

 

[Chinedu]

I bought the PowerPass AP primarily for the room discount. We're paying $229 for Bay View at Portofino for May 18-21. The Garden view is now $340 per night for that same period. When I booked in February, the garden view w/o APH discount was $309.00. To me, the hotel discount alone made it worth the price of the annual pass.

 

[vinotinto]

I'm getting a power pass because I found an AP rate, that is worth the very small difference in price over the 2-day ticket. The last time we went, we also got discounts at restaurants, but it looks like now that's a different AP tier higher than the power pass.

 

[angai379]

Hi Kace!

If you check the main Universal forum, under the quick access link thread. One of the links is for AP discounts. My fav are the merch and restaurant discounts. I decided to check out the whole list and was surprised to see discounts for the onsite resort restaurants as well.

Interesting discounts like the one on tubes at the CB lazy river, and even the expensive pearl jewelry store.

 

[SharkyGoddess]

Clarification question... If I upgrade to one of the AP tiers while I am there, can I show the AP at check out and get the discount on our room and parking?

 

[macraven]

You have to have booked the room with the AP discount in advance
They have a limit on the number of rooms allowed with AP bookings

Prefaced AP allows free garage parking once it is activated

If staying onsite, no discounts for parking at the hotels

 

[SharkyGoddess]

You have to have booked the room with the AP discount in advance
They have a limit on the number of rooms allowed with AP bookings

Prefaced AP allows free garage parking once it is activated

If staying onsite, no discounts for parking at the hotels

I was thinking that was the case but saw a thread where the mention of upgrading and using the AP at check out came up. Thanks Mac!

 

[macraven]

AP room rates years back were so easy to get

Last few years they have been limited
Once they are gone, that's it

January 2014 AP rates for that month were released sometime in November
Can you believe they were all taken for the dates I had booked for January...

The rooms were gone in one day

Not a complete loss for me as I had booked with the smsm rate but missed out on the better AP rate

So if a person does not have the AP booking, they won't be able to get it later while staying at the hotel

 

[SharkyGoddess]

Yikes! 1 day? Is it even worth it for the other perks if the rooms are gone so fast?

 

[macraven]

Yikes! 1 day? Is it even worth it for the other perks if the rooms are gone so fast?

It was a rare time that this happened to me

Those AP rates were released so quick and I was not on the computer that morning
So many had been posting in a thread about needing the January dates released for the discount
Many were planning to get rooms for the harry potter gala in January and were checking or calling frequently for the AP release
Once a person posted on that thread, all booked and the dates I needed were gone later that day

Never saw this happen before
I already had booked 6 months back with the smsm code but wanted the cheaper AP room rate
At least I did not pay rack rate for that trip

 

[SharkyGoddess]

I'm seriously considering getting myself one this trip. It would be the perfect excuse to fly out when ever I get the whim.

 

[georgina]

Yikes! 1 day? Is it even worth it for the other perks if the rooms are gone so fast?

It depends. You can book your room with the AP discount before you even have the AP, so if no AP discounts are available for your dates, then no need to buy the AP. The Power pass mentioned in the OP does not include the many discounts other than the room discount, but is only a $10 upgrade from the 3 day pass, so it is worth it to me for the room discount alone, even though there are blackout dates. The more expensive AP that has restaurant and merchandise discounts is not worth it to me for 3 days at Universal.