Our Big Plans for Universal’s Passholder Days
Universal Orlando celebrates Annual Passholder Appreciation Days from August 16 through September 30, 2021. During this month and a half, there are tons of hotel discounts, free things, and benefits in the resorts, CityWalk, Islands of Adventure, and Universal Studios Florida. This post shares details, plus our big plans for the UOAP event.
Everyone loves freebies, so we’ll start with that. During Universal Orlando Passholder Passholder Appreciation Days, you can pick up a free magnet at the UOAP Lounge in Studios Styles at Universal Studios Florida from 11 am to 4 pm or in Toon Extra at Islands of Adventure from park open until park close.
Throughout Passholder Appreciation Days, Power and Seasonal Passholders receive Early Park Admission at Universal Studios Florida or Islands of Adventure one hour prior to park opening on weekdays from August 16 through September 30, 2021. (Premier and Preferred Passholders continue to receive this as a standard benefit.) Additionally, 3-Park Universal Orlando Annual Passholders receive Early Park Admission at Volcano Bay water park one hour prior to park opening.
Next, there are a ton of special menu items exclusively for UOAPs during Passholder Appreciation Days throughout both parks, CityWalk, and at the hotels. Highlights include an AP Doughnut at Voodoo Doughnut, Peaches & Cream French Toast at Toothsome, Vegan Pizza Tots at Green Eggs & Ham Cafe, Malloney Stack at Finnegan’s Bar & Grill, and Passholder Burger at Endless Summer.
At a few of the hotels, there are even freebies Passholders receive with the purchase of a meal or entree. There are a ton of other snacks, drinks, and entrees available–Universal’s site has a full pdf menu and all of the details.
If you’d prefer Passholder exclusive merchandise, there’s that, too. Shirts, lanyard pouches, a pin, a windbreaker, and more. Get over to the AP Lounge in Universal Studios or Toon Extra at Islands of Adventure and shop the selection. Premier Passholders get 15% off and Preferred Passholders get 10% off with their standard discount.
In terms of other savings, Universal Annual Passholders get 30% off select Express Passes for use at Universal Studios Florida and/or Universal’s Islands of Adventure. These are available for purchase at Universal Studios or Islands of Adventure front gate ticket windows only. Or, you can book a deeply-discounted (select) hotel and get Express Pass included with your stay…
Finally, there are some exceptional resort discounts. For well over a year, we’ve been promising more Universal Orlando hotel reviews. Originally, our plan was to cross off a few more during Halloween Horror Nights last year when it would be advantageous. That didn’t happen for obvious reasons.
With a flurry of HHN announcements in recent weeks, we figured we’d do exactly that this year. After receiving Universal’s Passholder newsletter last week teasing some great rates, we priced out a couple of nights at Universal hotels coinciding with Passholder Appreciation Days and Halloween Horror Nights.
While searching, one thing led to another and yadda yadda yadda we booked nights at every Universal resort we haven’t stayed in the last 3 years. For reference, that’s all of them except Cabana Bay and Universal’s Endless Summer Resort — Surfside Inn & Suites.
That might seem excessive, but here’s why we did it–these are the rates we found while searching:
Perhaps we’ve just become overly accustomed to Walt Disney World resort pricing, but we were floored to find some of these rates. For reference, pictured above are the lowest AP price points for each resort; those specific prices seem to be available weeknights starting August 29 and running for the entirety of September. Weekends and dates before that are more expensive–weeknights also can be more expensive depending upon room availability and demand. (There are some random dates when Royal Pacific, Hard Rock, and Portofino Bay spike to double those amounts.)
However, those are the prices we paid for every hotel stay except Hard Rock Hotel (booked before August 29, so ~$20 more), Dockside Inn (upgraded to a 2 bedroom suite for $20 more), and probably Portofino Bay (will attempt to upgrade to a balcony upon arrival, which I think is like ~$30 to $40 extra).
It was a lot of money to spend for hotel stays that we didn’t strictly “need” as locals, but the total was still less than the cost of a couple of nights in the new rooms at the Polynesian and Contemporary. Plus, we’ve spent very little on traveling in the last year-plus, are getting pretty restless, and felt this would be beneficial research given the increasing number of reader comments about non-Disney hotels around Orlando.
The reason we’re mentioning this is not to boast about our bookings, but to give you a heads up about these great rates if you’re thinking of taking a trip to Florida this fall–either to take advantage of low crowds right now, or for the start of Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary. We’ve heard from many readers waiting to book until discounts are released, and while we still thinking they’re coming within the next couple weeks, Disney’s rates won’t beat these for comparable properties. Universal’s best rates are in September, but solid hotel discounts are available through the end of the year.
We also want to solicit some feedback. In response to our prior Universal hotel reviews and other content, we’ve received a lot of curveball questions–things I didn’t think to check out while there and thus couldn’t answer. I’m pretty good with anticipating these when it comes to Walt Disney World, but you all have some oddball inquiries when it comes to Universal. 😉
With all of these stays, we’ll get Early Park Admission; with three of them, we’ll receive unlimited Express Pass. We already plan on covering those and other on-site Universal hotel perks, plus anything that would be obvious for a hotel review–room quality, amenities, grounds, pools, transportation, location, and so forth. If you want to see coverage about anything specific beyond all of that, please let us know in the comments and we’ll do our best to accommodate. (Within reason, of course.) What’s that? Several of you have food allergies to everything except burgers and steak? Okay, I’ll do my best to offer comprehensive coverage of both! Anyway, we’re pretty excited about these Universal hotel stays–hopefully the resulting posts are useful to your planning!
Need trip planning tips and comprehensive advice for your visit to Central Florida? Make sure to read our Universal Orlando Planning Guide for everything about Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida. Also check out our Walt Disney World Vacation Planning Guide for everything about those parks, resorts, restaurants, and so much more. For regular updates, news & rumors, a heads up when discounts are released, and much more, sign up for our FREE email newsletter!
YOUR THOUGHTS
Will you be taking advantage of any deals, freebies, or benefits during Universal’s Passholder Appreciation Days? Thoughts on those hotel discounts? Any questions or thing you’d like to see us cover with regard to Universal’s on-site resorts? Thoughts on anything else covered here? Will you be attempting to visit Central Florida this late summer/early fall, or are you waiting? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
My family is taking our first Universal Orlando trip in February. We’re limited by New York’s school holiday calendar, so our Portofino Bay rate is almost 3x what’s listed here! In attempting to plan for this trip, I’ve been disappointed in what the internet has to offer, as compared to the overwhelming number of planning blogs, vlogs and podcasts in the Disney space. I eagerly await your reviews, Tom. I’d be most interested in a 2-day, 2-park touring plan that includes riding the Hogwarts Express both ways.
I hope crowds are still a bit lower with this AP promotion. We arrive this Friday and have never been! Was hoping for a less crowded park! We are staying at Loews RP, does anyone know who to use for a grocery delivery order for some items for our room. Garden Grocer is great, but they only deliver to Disney resorts. Also, are there refillable mugs at RP?
Thanks! Looking forward to all your new posts Tom & Sarah!
Sheri, not quite what you were hoping for but I wanted to let you know. We ate dinner at The Kitchen early, like 3:30. There was one other table seated and one came in while we were there. This was during the week in July with a full resort. This restaurant is at the Hard Rock. Every place else we ate at was packed.
What resorts have refillable mugs? We know Dockside does and Hard Rock does not. Found that out in July. We realized very quickly that we needed to get some supplies for the room when we got to the HR and checked in and it was $15 for 3 drinks for my kids and I. My husband happened to not need one. That would add up extremely quickly if we didn’t have drinks for our room.
We have Lowe’s RP booked for the end of September. I’m mostly interested in dining info. I see universal offers mobile dining for very few restaurants. We’re still trying to avoid eating inside restaurants since we have a child who isn’t vaccinated yet. Any info you can give on where we can eat outdoors or who offers easy to go options would be great. We hate the thought of eating pizza and burgers all week… we’d like to try take-out from some of the nicer restaurants if that’s an option. Thanks!!
We also got in on the 15 month pass holder deal and will be taking out first trip to Universal at Christmas and not our usual Disney.
We understood from your prior reviews that Cabana Bay was similar to POP and we are happily staying there for 2/3 the price. Excited to use the after 4pm express pass included with the higher tier pass we purchased. Would love to hear your thoughts on early entry, leaving for an afternoon pool break and returning after 4 to use the pass on eligible rides….Also any City Walk restaurant reviews. Being the planning nut that I am, we already have reservations at Cowfish, Margaritaville, Vivo and Toothsome. 😉 (Hard Rock doesn’t book this far out.)
Thanks for the sacrifices you both make in the name of research.
Thank you for sharing this information. I am planning a trip to Universal Studios in march – it will be our first trip and I am considering the express pass by staying at one of those deluxe hotels. Please share your touring plan. Your itineraries work!.
Hey Rob, when we’ve done early admission as UOAPs, they let everyone through the turnstiles (including those without early admission). Then a little further into the park, they have a rope blocking access where the TMs check your AP or hotel key card to confirm you have early admission and let you through. Everyone else just waits until official opening time. In our experience it hasn’t been hard to get through the turnstiles quickly, but definitely get there early (earlier!).
Man, and I was happy with my Dockside reservation at $86/night, that’s crazy.
It’s a shame my dates are locked in.
Jack, the great thing about UOR is that you don’t really need to plan. Maybe a reservation here or there a few weeks in advance (Toothsome or Mythos, perhaps). If you stay at RPR, HRH, or Portofino, the need to plan is even less critical. You have to figure how to do Hagrids and Velocicoaster, and that’s about it.
I’m driving to WDW a few days before my wife and looking at these prices I’m wondering why I’m tenting on Disney campgrounds for $75 when UO has hotels at $69 a night?
I haven’t been to AP days before, but it seems to me from things I have read, that the offerings are less this than other years. Any commentary on that or comparisons of what they have done other years? I’m disappointed also about their quick service dining plan disappearing virtually overnight — I was hoping maybe they would bring back some form of it for AP days.
A question on early admission. Are there separate lines for us pass holders or do we wait with the masses arriving early with a standard ticket thus blocking turn style access for the annuals?
I don’t live in Florida but bought a seasonal pass back in March when they were running the free 3 months promotion. I figured even going 4 days would even itself out more or less. I am so happy I paid $305 at the time because I am also finding great resort rates this fall. I search 3 or 4 times a day on the website for my dates and play around a lot. I have found that the rates vary depending on when you check. So I just keep checking again and again and rebooking as needed. I guess it’s my comfort place based on all that time spent revising Disney FastPass+ reservations in the old world 🙂 Anyways, I was so excited to find a 3 night stretch for my dates this morning at Hard Rock for $209! Looks like you did even better. But can’t beat that considering the Express passes. For anyone looking for availability, my advice is to constantly check as it keeps constantly changing.
My one question is in regards to the early admission Passholder benefit. I thought all resort guests get 1 hour early admission to the parks each day anyhow? So if you’re staying on site would it be the same benefit you’re already getting anyhow?
We are going to Universal in November and also got a great hotel & ticket deal through the website (and we aren’t even locals or AP holders)! Very much looking forward to hearing your thoughts on how useful Early Park Entry is and which resort restaurants are worth leaving the park for midday!
A trip to Universal is definitely in our near future and now I understand how Disney first timers feel. I definitely will need to do my research in advance of any trips.
Awesome! I’m so excited to see all this content. I’d love to read about your experience of a full/fun day at the parks from the perspective of someone staying onsite. Things like how you get on Hagrids, experience with park entry from the resorts, best use of of time during early entry, etc. Basically the way you approach the Disney reviews….
Also any experience with easy/quick breakfast items, or if you stumble into any fun/hidden gems for a day or so only at the resorts (pools worth hopping too, etc.)
Hope you enjoy the stays!
I hope you’re able to review the signature restaurants at Portifino, Hard Rock and Royal Pacific.
The one tempting thing is a frequent fear pass for HHN. This is our first year living here and it’s tempting to take the 24 minute drive to HHN for at least 4 dates lol. That doesn’t take too much advantage of our shiny new AP except for the parking!
We love the Frequent Fear Pass. It’s fun, inexpensive, and something to do late at night when Florida’s weather is most pleasant.
Maybe we’re just cheap, but I’ve never felt the “need” to purchase the Express Pass add-on for HHN. Then again, we’re fine doing the houses early or late in the night. Even without Express Pass, we were able to do all of the houses in one night several times in 2019.
We are passholders and yes you can get some great rates now with the passholder discount at the Universal hotels. But just a heads up that just the other night I actually called Universal as I was shocked at some of the rates during October for $400 plus a night with no passholder discounts whatsoever and then the same through November and then even December. So bottom line, is it looks like from now until October is the best time to take advantage of some of the great passholder rates at the hotels. The cast member said that even with the spikes of Covid cases in Florida that many of the hotels have reached capacity that they haven’t seen in years. And, that they are expecting to be just as busy by October through the holidays which is why rates are so high.
I found that the best way of checking is using the online booking system rather than calling: https://reservations.universalorlando.com/ibe/default.aspx?hgID=641&langID=1&checkin=9%2F19%2F2021&nights=1&rooms=1&adults=2&children=0&promo=APH&iata=&group=&hotels=&ada=0&currid=1&vouchercode=&attendeeCode=
There are some weeknights when Portofino Bay (for example) is $214, and the very next night it’s over double that. I found it was pretty easy to get the lowest/best rates in the next 3 months just by playing around with the dates a bit. But you’re right–not all dates are that cheap!