As of April 2023, it just became considerably more expensive to be an Universal Orlando Annual Passholder (UOAP). With theme park crowds at increasingly elevated levels and operating costs continuing climb, Universal apparently decided that it was time to increase the cost of a number of their annual passes.
According to their website, the prices of certain annual passes have increases between $90 and $150. However, prices on several of the lower level passes did not change.
What we found interesting about the timing of the price increase is that it coincided with the release of the sale for new annual passes at Walt Disney World.
Universal Orlando Annual Pass Price Increases
Following is a summary of the cost increase on each of the four, 2- and 3-park annual pass options that are currently available as of this time. The 2-park pass includes admission to Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure. The 3-park pass also including entry to Universal’s Volcano Bay water theme park.
There are no blockout dates for 2-park Preferred and Premier passes. Seasonal and Power passes have blockout dates for for both the 2 and 3-park annual passes and blockout dates apply to Volcano Bay for the 3-park Preferred Pass.
2-Park Passes for Florida Residents
- 2-Park Premier Pass: $789.99 plus tax (up from $639.99 as of July 2022)
- 2-Park Preferred Pass: $529.99 plus tax (up from $439.99 as of July 2022)
- 2-Park Power Pass: $374.99 plus tax (unchanged from July 2022)
- 2- Park Seasonal Pass: $324.99 plus tax (unchanged from July 2022)
3-Park Passes for Florida Residents
- 3-Park Premier Pass: $979.99 plus tax (up from $829.99 as of July 2022)
- 3-Park Preferred Pass: $639.99 plus tax (up from $549.99 as of July 2022)
- 3-Park Power Pass: $484.99 plus tax (unchanged from July 2022)
- 3- Park Seasonal Pass: $424.99 plus tax (unchanged from July 2022)
2-Park Passes for Non-Florida Residents
- 2-Park Premier Pass: $904.99 plus tax (up from $754.99 as of July 2022)
- 2-Park Preferred Pass: $629.99 plus tax (up from $539.99 as of July 2022)
- 2-Park Power Pass: $474.99 plus tax (unchanged from July 2022)
- 2- Park Seasonal Pass: $424.99 plus tax (unchanged from July 2022)
3-Park Passes for Non-Florida Residents
- 3-Park Premier Pass: $1,094.99 plus tax (up from $944.99 as of July 2022)
- 3-Park Preferred Pass: $739.99 plus tax (up from $649.99 as of July 2022)
- 3-Park Power Pass: $584.99 plus tax (unchanged from July 2022)
- 3- Park Seasonal Pass: $524.99 plus tax (unchanged from July 2022)
Monthly payment options are now available to both Florida residents and out-of-state passholders.
Universal Orlando Annual Passholder Benefits
Universal Orlando does an excellent job of making passholders feel appreciated. In addition to theme park admission, there are a number of benefits included in your annual pass (depending on the individual pass level). These include:
- Discounted or complimentary parking (select passes)
- Discounts on select special events like Halloween Horror Nights
- Admission to the Passholder Lounge
- Rental car discounts at Budget and Avis
- Food and Beverage Discounts
- Resort Hotel Discounts
- Discounts on select merchandise
- Early park admission (Preferred and Premier passes)
- Universal Express Pass after 4:00 PM (Premier passes)
- Free Valet Parking (Premier Passes)
- Passholder appreciation days
In addition to the items listed above, Universal also offers bonus perks to passholders which come around on a period basis. According to the Universal web site there are additional benefits from May 1st to 26th, 2023 “including an exclusive park entrance and dining locations, secret menu items, and more. It just adds to the good times and gives you even more reasons to come visit”.
Click here to learn more about the benefits of being an annual passholder at the Universal Orlando Resort.
Is a Universal Orlando Annual Pass Worth the Cost?
The Endless Summer family has annual passes at a number of Florida theme parks including Universal Orlando and have witnessed the costs increasing dramatically over the past several years. Not only the costs but the pass benefits have changed a number of times (we remember getting free bottles of water with our annual passes many years ago).
To determine if a Universal annual pass is worth it for you and your family, you need to determine how often you will be visiting the parks.
Single-day one park admission prices for Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure range from $109.00 to $159.00. So at an average daily admission cost of $125.00, you would generally have to visit the theme parks five days in a 12-month period for an annual pass to be worth the cost. Please note that this does not factor in the $30.00 per day cost for “Regular” parking, discounts on food & merchandise and any other benefits.
What type of annual pass does Endless Summer have?
Currently we have the 2-park Premier Pass which we downgraded from the 3-Park Premier Pass several years ago (since we upgraded our Walt Disney World passes to include the water parks for $99 per year).
While there are many benefits to the Premier Pass, the main reasons we chose this option are as follows:
- Free Universal Express Pass after 4:00 PM
- Free (one night) admission to Halloween Horror Nights
We feel that the Universal Express Pass is a game changer for theme parks as we get to bypass the regular line after 4:00 PM on most of the attractions at both Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure. There has been many nights where we were able to get on every ride at one of the two parks due to having this benefit.
If purchased separately, the cost of a one time per participating ride Universal Express Pass ranges from $89.99 to $349.99 per day. Granted our Premier Pass benefit starts at 4:00 PM, we still get tremendous value from having this feature.
In addition to Universal Express Pass, Premier Passholders get a free night at Halloween Horror Night which is one of the best special events at any theme park in Florida (on select nights). Depending on the individual night, HHN costs range from approximately $109.99 to $219.99 plus tax per night.
While there may come a point where the price becomes prohibitive, at this time Endless Summer family feels that the Premier Pass cost of $789.99 per year (less our renewal discount of 20%) is well worth it.
Disclaimer: The information provided above is subject to frequent change and was obtained from sources deemed reliable but are not guaranteed or warranted. Please check the Universal Orlando web site or contact guest services to determine specific prices and benefits.