Universal Brings Back Cheap Year-Plus Freedom Pass for 2027, More Military Disney Deals Coming Soon

Universal Orlando Resort has released the 2027 Military Freedom Pass, its inexpensive multi-park year-plus admission option for eligible service members and their families. This quasi-Annual Pass starts at only $235 and is actually valid for more than 1-year, from now through December 2027! This covers dates, details & ticket pricing, along with our commentary.

Let’s start with the bad news, which is that the multi-park AP does not include Epic Universe. This isn’t really a surprise, as there still aren’t any regular Universal Orlando Annual Passes that include Epic Universe. As discussed in the latest update to When Will Epic Universe Have Annual Passes, we do expect them in 2027. However, we also anticipate a phased approach, with the add-on rolling out to the most expensive tiers of APs first.

Given that, it wouldn’t be the least bit surprising if Epic Universe still isn’t included for the 2028 Military Freedom Pass when it launches around this time next year. The park still has a lot of capacity woes, and that’s unlikely to be fully fixed until more attractions come online. The good news is that there are other multi-day military ticket options that do include Epic Universe for 2027. Let’s dig into the details!

Universal Orlando Resort is honoring military members and their families with exclusive savings on a visit to the thrilling vacation destination in 2027. Eligible service members can purchase the 2027 Military Freedom Pass Promotional Ticket for access to Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure now through December 23, 2027.

Eligible service members can also book specialty vacation packages that pair theme park access with a host of benefits and enjoy significant savings when staying at any of Universal Orlando Resort’s 11 hotels. Finally, there are single and multi-day park-to-park tickets available, along with room-only rates ranging from 30% to 40% off for eligible military members and their families.

2027 Military Freedom Pass

The 2027 Military Freedom Pass Promotional Ticket gives eligible service members and their families the opportunity to enjoy repeated access to Universal Orlando’s award-winning theme parks through December 23, 2027. The ticket includes park-to-park admission to Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure and is available for $235 per adult and $230 per child.

Beginning April 1, 2027, when Volcano Bay reopens following its seasonal closure, an additional ticket option will be available. The 2027 Military Freedom Pass Ticket with Volcano Bay will include park-to-park admission to Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure and Universal Volcano Bay through December 23, 2027 for $270 per adult and $265 per child.

Active Military Freedom Passholders can also take advantage of specially priced 1-Day tickets to Universal Epic Universe. (We discuss discounted Epic Universe tickets in greater detail later in the post.) 

The 2027 Military Freedom Pass Promotional Ticket is available for purchase through authorized military sales outlets in the United States with valid military identification. The pass is not available for purchase at the Universal Orlando Front Gate. Blockout dates apply, including December 25, 2026 through January 3, 2027, and March 22 through March 29, 2027.

This ticket is cheaper than any other Universal Orlando Annual Pass, is valid for longer (assuming you purchase and start using it this holiday season), and has fewer blockout dates than the lowest tier AP. It’s even less expensive than the Florida resident rates on Annual Passes.

Aside from not including access to Epic Universe, the other downside is that Military Freedom Pass does not offer Annual Pass benefits. Most notably, these passholders don’t get free parking at the theme parks or special discounts on food, merchandise, etc.

In fairness, this is also the case with Universal Orlando’s lower tiers of APs. Depending upon how often you visit, where you stay and whether you drive or rent a vehicle, this could be a difference maker. If you’re primarily visiting as a tourist who wouldn’t rent a car but would stay on site, this probably doesn’t matter.

I’ve done Universal Orlando’s lower tier Annual Passes in the past and had mixed experiences. Back when we lived in Florida, I ended up regretting not upgrading to a higher tier as I was visiting often and carpooling or paying for parking became tedious. More recently, I’ve done the cheaper APs and came out way ahead, as I wasn’t parking and only did partial days in the parks, so I was able to minimize how much I ate in the parks.

Point being, the upfront savings can be attractive, but might end up costing you more over time via incremental spending or the lack of discounts. Everyone’s circumstances are different, so it’s worth considering your personal usage and whether you’re better off just paying more up-front, or if you can “get away” with the cheaper pass. I would come out way ahead if eligible for the 2027 Military Freedom Pass. It’s not even a close call.

Universal Military Vacation Packages

Eligible service members and their families can plan the ultimate Universal Orlando Resort getaway with two exclusive vacation package options: the Military Create Your Own Vacation Package and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Exclusive Military Vacation Package. Both packages include a 2027 Military Freedom Pass Promotional Ticket, hotel accommodations at one of Universal Orlando’s 11 hotels and additional exclusive benefits.

The Military Create Your Own Vacation Package features:

• 4-Night hotel accommodations at a Universal Orlando hotel
• One of the following 2027 Military Freedom Pass offers based on their travel dates
  • For arrivals now through March 31, 2027, package includes the 2027 Military Freedom Pass Promotional Ticket to experience park-to-park access to Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure
  • For arrivals April 1, 2027 – December 23, 2027, package includes the 2027 Military Freedom Pass Promotional Ticket with Universal Volcano Bay to experience park-to-park access to Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure and Universal Volcano Bay
• Exclusive hotel benefits, including Early Park Admission to enjoy select attractions up to one hour before park opening, complimentary transportation to Universal Orlando’s theme parks and Universal CityWalk, and additional benefits available at select hotels

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Exclusive Military Vacation Package features:

• 5-Night hotel accommodations at a Universal Orlando hotel
• 2027 Military Freedom Pass Promotional Ticket to experience park-to-park access to Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure
• Early Park Admission to enjoy select attractions at one of Universal Orlando’s amazing theme parks up to an hour before park opening
• A special Florean Fortescue’s Ice Cream Flight in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley, featuring a choice of four flavors, plus one Honeydukes Cooler Tote
• Breakfast at the Leaky Cauldron in Universal Studios Florida (one per person)
• Breakfast at the Three Broomsticks in Universal Islands of Adventure (one per person)
• One Shutterbutton’s Photography Studio session in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley

For more information about this collection of Military offers, or to make a purchase, eligible service members should call 1-877-801-9720 or visit their authorized Military Ticket Office. Eligible service members are as follows:

• Active Duty, Reservist, National Guard, and Retired members of all branches of the U.S. Military and/or their spouses
• 100% Disabled Veterans
• Department of Defense Civilian personnel members

To confirm you have the correct qualifying identification, please contact your local Authorized Military Ticket and Travel office in advance of your visit. You must present your current and valid qualifying Military ID or Department of Defense identification at any participating Authorized Military Ticket & Travel office.

Universal Hotel Room-Only Military Discounts

In addition to the military vacation packages, Universal Orlando also offers discounted hotel rates for those who don’t need or want packages.

Discount Availability:

• Save 40% off the Flexible Rate – Stays at Universal Cabana Bay Beach Resort
• Save up to 30% off the Flexible Rate – Stays at other Universal hotels

Single & Multi-Day Military Tickets

Most Authorized Military Ticket & Travel Offices offer a variety of the ticket options listed.

• 1-Day Tickets: Visit Universal Islands of Adventure and/or Universal Studios Florida on the same day.
• Multi-Day Tickets: With new 3-, 4-, or 5-Day Park-to-Park tickets you can visit Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure, Universal Epic Universe, and Universal Volcano Bay every day of your stay.
• Halloween Horror Nights

Note: Universal Volcano Bay is temporarily closed for maintenance and has a planned reopening on or before April 1, 2027. Dates are subject to change; please check park hours for updates.

For more information about the military discounts, please visit www.UniversalOrlando.com/Military. (Note that this has not yet been updated for 2027, but should be soon. Once that happens, it’ll contain more info than what was revealed in the press release.)

Epic Universe Tickets?

The one thing to which we want to call your attention above is the inclusion and exclusion of Epic Universe. Per Universal, there is no 1-day option for Epic Universe, unless you’re a Military Freedom Passholder, in which case, specially priced tickets are available.

However, according to the above information, Epic Universe is included with discounted multi-day park-to-park tickets. These are already available, and can be purchased for 2026 or 2027.

It wouldn’t surprise us if the Epic Universe admission options for 2027 end up being more expansive. There almost certainly will not be an add-on for the Freedom Pass, but we could see single-day tickets including Epic Universe.

We mention this because shortly after the deals were announced last year, we heard from a few military members who indicated that they were already able to purchase more ticket options at their local MWR office than what Universal announced–and that the prices, which are not published online, were reasonable. This is not hugely surprising, especially given the deals that Universal rolled out in the couple of months after last year’s military tickets were announced.

More Disney Deals Coming

Earlier this week, we reported on Walt Disney World’s Discount Military Year-Long 2027 Ticket as well as discount multi-day tickets and room only rates. Since then, Disney has announced other discounts that are coming soon for Disneyland, as well as special offers available now for Aulani and Disney Cruise Line:

• Disneyland Resort: Special military offers include 1-Day, 1-Park tickets for $104 for adults and $98 for children ages 3–9 for eligible visits through December 30, 2027. Beginning November 17, 2026, additional 2027 offers include up to 40% off select Disneyland Resort hotel rooms and specially priced 3-Day and 4-Day Park Hopper tickets starting at $339.
• Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa: Eligible U.S. military members can enjoy special savings on select stays in 2027, including up to 25% off select stays from Jan. 3 through March 31 and up to 30% off select rooms from April 1 through May 7, with additional savings available for select May stays.
• Disney Cruise Line: Eligible U.S. military members can also find savings of up to 35% on select sailings, giving military families another way to make special memories together at sea.

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

What are your thoughts on 2027 Universal Orlando Military Freedom Pass? Does this cheap AP work for you, or is the lack of Epic Universe a deal-breaker? Agree or disagree with our assessment? Any questions? We love hearing from readers, so please share any other thoughts or questions you have in the comments below!