What do annual passes look like and what is the process for getting them?

[cab0ad]

if I buy my annual passes online early how do I get my actual card once I get there? I do not want to get stuck with a piece of printed paper for a pass all year. Are the cards waterproof? Do you go somewhere special to get your picture taken for it? How long does the process take? For those with premier passes: do they give you coupons for the free water or is it electronically tracked on your card? I am guessing the fastpasses are electronically tracked on your card too?

Or should I just put it off and buy them at the gate and hope prices do not go up?

 

[pcstang]

Go ahead and buy. The pass date doesn't start until the first time you use it. Choose will call and you can get it in the lobby of the hotel if you stay onsite or at guest services. There is no picture on the pass and it is printed on tyvex (I think it's called) credit card size paper. If you are stating deluxe, you get your room key and then go to a kiosk in the lobby to print your express pass, which will have your picture on it. I'm a preferred AP but I've read that the free water bottles ended at the beginning of this year. You can ask for free cups of ice water and get free water at the freestyle machines. The AP and Express pass are definitely NOT waterproof!

 

[bumbershoot]

I don't know that water is still included with the highest pass.

I don't know how the express pass after 4 is done. I've been happy with my preferred pass since 2011.

When I got mine online I selected will call. I took a chance and went to a kiosk (happened to be outside IOA), put in the cc I had used and out it popped. No pictures.

It's tyvek paper like dlr APs used to be. Cc-sized. I wear a lanyard with a waterproof hard plastic case (Witz brand "see it safe") so it does just fine. If it gets ruined just show it to them and you can replace it.

 

[snoopboop]

FYI - Apparently annual passes can no longer be shipped to you. I learned this the hard way..... I was informed over the phone that ALL new AP purchases now must be picked up when you arrive on-site. :-/

 

[kbelle8995]

I think that the AP's at Universal are a great deal. I have preferred and am very happy with it. Is it a value? Yes. The ap's are not waterproof as stated. I ordered mine online but had to pick it up at the park.

Personally I don't care what they print it on. The discounts (with exception of Power pass) on the hotels, merchandise and food are really good.

 

[Clemson Bama Fan]

I don't know that water is still included with the highest pass.

I don't know how the express pass after 4 is done. I've been happy with my preferred pass since 2011.

When I got mine online I selected will call. I took a chance and went to a kiosk (happened to be outside IOA), put in the cc I had used and out it popped. No pictures.

It's tyvek paper like dlr APs used to be. Cc-sized. I wear a lanyard with a waterproof hard plastic case (Witz brand "see it safe") so it does just fine. If it gets ruined just show it to them and you can replace it.

What happens if you don't have the credit card you used to make the purchase? My bank is switching from Mastercard to Visa and the account numbers will change. I called Guest Services and they had no idea. Anyone have experience with this? Does this mean we won't be able to use the kiosks? Will new Visa work to identify me? Or is a trip to the parks and Guest Services?

Thanks.

 

[pcstang]

What happens if you don't have the credit card you used to make the purchase? My bank is switching from Mastercard to Visa and the account numbers will change. I called Guest Services and they had no idea. Anyone have experience with this? Does this mean we won't be able to use the kiosks? Will new Visa work to identify me? Or is a trip to the parks and Guest Services?

Thanks.

That's a good question. I know which CC you are talking about, I think, since it happened to us as well. What a PITA!

Edit to add: I just called GS also. Sounds to me like you will have to go to GS to get your tickets or AP. You can try the hotel if you are staying onsite. I got a half *** answer too. They stated the CC is just for verification purposes. I asked if I bought with my visa but put one of my amx in the kiosk, would it work. Answer I got was "it should..."

 

[SA mom]

When I picked up tickets at the ticket kiosk at Royal Pacific last month, it did not print an actual annual pass. It printed a voucher. I still had to go to Guest Services at the park entrance to receive an actual AP. All the other members of my party had the 3-park, 14 day ticket and that did print out at the kiosk.

 

[mcollar]

I bought a 3 day pass... If when we get there we decide that we'd like to come back within the year, can we upgrade to an AP and pay the difference?

 

[cab0ad]

Not waterproof!? That is silly. Every other card on earth is hard plastic. Makes you wonder why Universal does not, ESPECIALLY with water rides! I guess a lanyard with plastic holder is required.

So one person has said I can print off an AP at a kiosk at my hotel (cabana beach bay) and one person has said I have to go to guest services at the park. Any more experience that leans one way or the other? Have not read about how the express pass works yet, either. Anyone have experience?

Bummer on the water. I wanted my 8 free bottles, lol!

 

[rlduvall]

Not waterproof!? That is silly.

Unfortunately, that's not even half of the silliness. Last year, checked into RPR. Went over to kiosk to print out our annual passes. Checked in, got the room key . . . then had to go back over to the kiosk to print out the Express Passes. Meaning we had to carry 3 separate cards at all times: 1) AP; 2) room key; and 3) Express Pass. ALMOST, makes me wish for Universal magic bands.

Regarding your AP question at the resort - I thought I was able to print out the AP - no voucher to take to Guest Services. Funny how quickly we forget.

 

[pcstang]

As long as it's not a Florida resident AP you can print it off at CBBR. Unless it's changed in the last week. I think UO will be at least going back to plastic passes soon.

 

[cab0ad]

When do you think they will be going back to plastic? I would rather do it at the park if it will be plastic. I am guessing that the premier pass will be a different color or somehow indicate it is a premier pass so I can get my food/merchandise discounts and express passes?

I guess i am still not seeing the advantage to purchasing online if you have to go to the hotel kiosk to get a voucher and then to the front gate to get the actual ap. Seems like it just adds extra steps. What am i missing (besides the possibility of a price increase)

I am so sorry for the continued questions! Universal is new to me.

 

[rlduvall]

I bought a 3 day pass... If when we get there we decide that we'd like to come back within the year, can we upgrade to an AP and pay the difference?

Yes, but unlike Disney's bridging of the price [at least in the past] you will definitely pay the difference of the cost from the day you upgrade. In other words, if prices went up since you bought the 3 day pass, you will still pay the complete difference, no savings from having purchased before a price increase.

 

[pcstang]

When do you think they will be going back to plastic? I would rather do it at the park if it will be plastic. I am guessing that the premier pass will be a different color or somehow indicate it is a premier pass so I can get my food/merchandise discounts and express passes?

I guess i am still not seeing the advantage to purchasing online if you have to go to the hotel kiosk to get a voucher and then to the front gate to get the actual ap. Seems like it just adds extra steps. What am i missing (besides the possibility of a price increase)

I am so sorry for the continued questions! Universal is new to me.

Who knows when the passes will change. I was just there for a week and talked to several people about the paper passes. You should be able to get your AP at the hotel unless you are a FL resident. Your pass will say premier and when the barcode is scanned for discounts it will give the appropriate premier discount. Yes, I agree, it is a little bit of a pain to have the paper passes. Although, I'd rather UO spend money on the parks than a billion+ on a magic band. Just get a laynyard and you will be set.

 

[macraven]

I have the hard plastic credit card style AP/ preferred

I keep it renewed each year and it stays valid

If I let it lapse, I would end up with the tyvek AP

Never going to let that happen.....
Just not a tyvek homie

 

[bumbershoot]

What happens if you don't have the credit card you used to make the purchase? My bank is switching from Mastercard to Visa and the account numbers will change. I called Guest Services and they had no idea. Anyone have experience with this? Does this mean we won't be able to use the kiosks? Will new Visa work to identify me? Or is a trip to the parks and Guest Services?

Thanks.

Not sure, but I'm sure it wouldn't be a huge deal.

I bought a 3 day pass... If when we get there we decide that we'd like to come back within the year, can we upgrade to an AP and pay the difference?

Yes you can.

Last year, checked into RPR. Went over to kiosk to print out our annual passes. Checked in, got the room key . . . then had to go back over to the kiosk

For others; you do NOT have to have the AP to check in even if you have an AP rate.

And yes, there are several cards. I personally don't have a problem with this, and actually kind of like it. Reminds me of our first big trip to Disneyland in '07 with several cards and a slip of paper allowing us to charge to the room!

I don't like having ONE point of failure. If my card gets demagnetized, there goes *everything*, when it's all on one card. I dealt with my Disneyland AP being halfway demagnetized for a year; and they Disneyland won't replace them for free, either.

Yes, but unlike Disney's bridging of the price [at least in the past] you will definitely pay the difference of the cost from the day you upgrade. In other words, if prices went up since you bought the 3 day pass, you will still pay the complete difference, no savings from having purchased before a price increase.

More recently they've bridged.

 

[rlduvall]

For others; you do NOT have to have the AP to check in even if you have an AP rate.

More recently they've bridged.

I didn't say you DID have to have it, but the kiosks were right there and why not? Also, they have never bridged for me but ymmv.

 

[macraven]

Riduvall what was the date you tried to bridge your tickets?

Last month or so?

 

[damo]

Yes, but unlike Disney's bridging of the price [at least in the past] you will definitely pay the difference of the cost from the day you upgrade. In other words, if prices went up since you bought the 3 day pass, you will still pay the complete difference, no savings from having purchased before a price increase.

As long as you use the ticket once, you pay the difference between gate prices of your current ticket and gate price of your wanted ticket. Universal bridges the exact same way as Disney.