Universal Discounts

[ShookieJones]

So I consider my self a seasoned WDW vacation planner.
I've been lucky enough to get discount pins or have taken advantage of bounce back offers or free dining, etc. etc.

I realized that the last two years I've booked my Universal park tickets and stays sight unseen without doing an research on discounts etc.

Does Universal ever offer any 'pin' type offers, etc. on packages?

Is it cheaper to book a room and get discounts on tickets etc. separately?

I continue to do the research but thinking I may be able to get some help in parallel from some folks in the know around here.

Thanks -

 

[ShookieJones]

Sorry...I meant to put a question mark in my title...my bad.

 

[ShookieJones]

They run discounts now and again. Right now it's 3 tickets for the price of 2. If you want to go to Universal a few times in a year the AP is well worth it. Something like $256 for an AP and you get room discounts, food discounts, free parking, etc. Depends which AP, lowest AP is $189. Depends how many days you want to stay etc.

https://www.universalorlando.com/Theme-Park-Tickets/General-Admission.aspx

https://www.universalorlando.com/Theme-Park-Tickets/Annual-Passes/Non-FL-Annual-Passes.aspx

Thanks -- So if I book an onsite hotel separately and do a 3 for 2 ticket do I still get the the express pass benefit?

 

[Zortek]

Thanks -- So if I book an onsite hotel separately and do a 3 for 2 ticket do I still get the the express pass benefit?

When we went, the Express pass was a seperate ticket that you got from a kiosk using your room keys. It wasn't linked to the admission ticket in any way, so I would guess that you would still get the express pass benefit with any ticket deal you find.

 

[ShookieJones]

When we went, the Express pass was a seperate ticket that you got from a kiosk using your room keys. It wasn't linked to the admission ticket in any way, so I would guess that you would still get the express pass benefit with any ticket deal you find.

Thanks, appreciate the info.

 

[JillC LI]

When we went, the Express pass was a seperate ticket that you got from a kiosk using your room keys. It wasn't linked to the admission ticket in any way, so I would guess that you would still get the express pass benefit with any ticket deal you find.

Yes, you use your park tickets, however, obtained, to enter the park, but you get the express pass at the resort, and that's what you show to get on the express lines once you're inside the parks.

Without any Universal discount promotions, I found that the best ticket rates were through AAA (some sounded lower but included mailing fees that made them costlier), and also the best onsite hotel rates from with an AAA discount.

 

[luv]

Your EP is because you're a hotel guest - ticket type doesn't matter. You show your hotel key at the ride entrance.

 

[Zortek]

Your EP is because you're a hotel guest - ticket type doesn't matter. You show your hotel key at the ride entrance.

They actually stopped using the room keys because they were being shared by non-guests. Now you have to get a seperate pass with your picture on it.

 

[luv]

They actually stopped using the room keys because they were being shared by non-guests. Now you have to get a seperate pass with your picture on it.

Oop. Didn't know!

 

[jessfriends]

If you buy an AP it says that one of the perks is Discounts on theme park tickets**. The ** says restrictions apply. Does anyone know if would be able to buy a ticket at a discount for someone traveling with me who doesn't have an AP? I couldn't find anything online so any help would be appreciated. If you can provide pricing too that would be great!

Also, if I stay onsite I would have my room key, my AP pass and another card that has my photo with information showing that I am staying onsite to utilize the Express Pass. Is this correct? I haven't been to UO for a couple of years.