Universal Orlando Resort for Newbies – Tickets

Whether you are a long-time Walt Disney World guest looking to switch theme parks on your next trip or you are visiting Orlando for the first time, planning a visit to Universal Orlando Resort poses a lot of questions. This article covers your options for Universal Orlando tickets at theme parks, water parks, and shows.

Overview

Universal Orlando Resort comprises two theme parks and one water park, each requiring an admission ticket to enter. Tickets are valid for only one guest and are assigned to a person at the point of sale – fingerprint scans are used to validate the person entering the park is the ticket owner. Tickets bought for Walt Disney World (or other Orlando area attractions) are not valid at Universal Orlando Resort, and vice versa.

All pricing is accurate as of the day of publication, for up-to-date pricing visit the TouringPlans Universal Orlando Tickets site.

Single-Day Tickets

Single-day tickets to Universal Orlando’s two theme parks, Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure, start at $109 per adult plus tax. Prices vary based on projected attendance with higher attendance days costing more; visit Universal Orlando’s site for the ticket price calendar.

Multiday Tickets

If you are visiting for more than one day, consider purchasing a multi-day ticket. These tickets are valid for more than one day at a discounted per-day rate. Ticket pricing is based on a rolling average of the dates the ticket is valid, usually the number of days the ticket is for plus a buffer window of two to four days. Any days not used on a multiday ticket are forfeit after that ticket window has elapsed.

For more information on multi-day tickets and how to save money on them visit our break down on date-based tickets.

Multi-Park Add On

Similar to Disney’s “Park Hopper” option, the multi-park add-on grants guests the ability to visit more than one park per day and ride the Hogwarts Express. The multi-park ticket add-on is priced based on the number of days your ticket is valid with the cost per day reducing based on the length of your visit.

For more information on multi-park tickets and how to save money on them visit our breakdown on date-based tickets.

Volcano Bay

Universal sells single-day tickets to its water park, Volcano Bay, starting at $80 per adult plus tax. Pricing varies depending on the day of the visit. For guests visiting more than one day, a Volcano Bay add-on is available for multi-day tickets for an additional cost.

Annual Passes

If you are a local or plan on visiting more than six days during a year, consider purchasing an Annual Pass. Valid for a full year, Annual Passes start at $309 per adult plus tax and include discounts on food and beverage, hotel rooms, event tickets, and merchandise. Higher-level passes include free parking, free valet parking, free Halloween Horror Nights tickets, and free Express access after 4:00 p.m.

For more information, pricing, and benefits visit Universal Orlando’s Annual Passholder site.

Purchasing Tickets

• Travel Agent – Our TouringPlans Travel Agents will find the best deal for you including Annual Pass options, multi-day tickets, and more.
• Online – Universal Orlando and Undercover Tourist sell tickets online that are discounted from the cost at the theme park. Tickets can be printed out at home or picked up at Will Call.
• Hotel – All Universal hotels, and most in the surrounding area, sell theme park tickets at vacation counters.
• At The Parks – Each park features ticket windows with sales staff. These tickets are usually more expensive than purchasing beforehand online plus you miss out on critical early morning touring time.

Which Ticket Should I Purchase?

When choosing which tickets to purchase ask yourself the following questions:

• How Many Days Do I Have to Tour? No vacation is infinite and most visists are paired up with another Orlando area destination or activity. Determine how many days you will spend at the resort and purchase a corresponding ticket. We suggest one full day per park plus an additional day if you are a Potter-head to explore the area’s offerings.
• What is My Budget? Tickets are one of the most expensive items to purchase during a vacation; trimming options like Volcano Bay might save you some money.
• Will I Be Returning Within a Year? If so, consider an Annual Pass.
• Will I Be Staying On Site? Consider looking at an Annual Pass. Check for AP discounts on hotel rooms and factor in discounts on food, beverage, and merchandise. Upgrading from a multi-day ticket to an Annual Pass could save you hundreds of dollars in discounts alone.

Do you have questions about Universal Orlando Resort? Leave your questions and comments below!