How to Get Cheap Universal Express Passes

How to Get Cheap Universal Express Passes

How to Get Cheap Universal Express Passes

This article is your complete guide on how to get cheap Universal Express Pass tickets! This is one of my favorite topics here at The Park Prodigy, as one of the main reasons I started the business was that I realized how confusing buying theme park tickets can be during my time selling tickets as a Walt Disney World cast member. This is especially true when it comes to the different skip-the-line passes that are offered at all of the Orlando theme parks. In this article, we are going to provide some of the easiest ways to ensure that you are purchasing the cheapest Universal Express Pass tickets.

That’s why we are breaking down all of the best tips and tricks we have picked up while helping over 10,000 clients buy the cheapest Universal Orlando tickets below. We hope you find this post helpful! Our goal at The Park Prodigy has always been to help you save time and money on your next Universal Orlando vacation!  If you are planning a trip to Universal Orlando, be sure to check out the latest deals on Universal Orlando vacation packages and our discounted Universal Orlando multi-day tickets, which include EARLY PARK ADMISSION to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter!

SPECIAL NOTE: If you’re looking for the best time to visit Universal Orlando, check out our Universal Crowd Calendar!

 Universal Crowd Calendar

How to Get Cheap Universal Orlando Express Pass Tickets?

We’re going to start this guide with the most popular question we receive: how do I get cheap Universal Express pass tickets? As a general rule of thumb, we find that upgrading and staying at a Universal Orlando premier resort which offers Express Pass tickets for free, purchasing your tickets as far in advance as possible, taking advantage of Universal Orlando combo tickets, and making sure that you are purchasing the right fit Universal express passes are the easiest ways to buy cheap express pass tickets. However, as you’ll see below, there are many different ways for families of all sizes and budgets to get the best deals on Universal Express Pass tickets! 

How to get the cheapest Universal Express Pass tickets?

• Stay at a Universal Orlando Premier Hotel
• Always Buy Your Universal Orlando Express Pass Tickets in Advance Vs the Park Gates
• Always Purchase Combo Tickets If Buying the Express Pass For More Than One Day
• Purchase a Universal Orlando Vacation package
• Take Advantage of the Validity Window on the Express Pass Tickets
• Make sure that you’re purchasing the right fit Universal Express Pass for your family

Related Page: Is the Universal Orlando Express Pass Worth it? 

Stay at a Universal Orlando Premier Hotel

Did you know there is a way to get discount Universal Express Passes for free? Guests who stay at one of the Universal Orlando premier resorts will receive a free Universal Express Unlimited pass for each day they stay at the hotel. The following hotels offer guests an Express Pass for each day they stay at the hotel, including check-in and departure days.

• Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando
• Universal’s Hard Rock Hotel
• Loews Royal Pacific Resort

When helping our clients at The Park Prodigy book discount universal vacation packages we have found the premier resorts will typically cost between $550-$650 per night. However, if you have three or four people in your family and you purchase the express passes separately, each Express Pass could cost an average of $175 per person per day (the price fluctuates during the year based on anticipated park attendance). So you can see that guests could potentially spend $700 on just the Universal Express Pass tickets per day, which is why getting the Express Pass tickets for free is such a great deal. Remember that you do not receive a free Universal Express Pass for Volcano Bay for staying at these resorts. That will need to be purchased separately if you want it. 

Related Page: Discount Universal Orlando Hotels With Free Express Passes

Always Buy Your Universal Orlando Express Pass Tickets in Advance Vs. the Park Gates

Very similar to buying the cheapest Universal Orlando tickets, the best way to get cheap Universal Orlando Express Passes is to buy your tickets in advance. We would also add that buying your tickets as far in advance as possible is beneficial, mainly because Express Passes tickets fluctuate and will increase as you get closer to your travel date. We have found that most families will book their Universal Orlando tickets within 30 days of their travel date. However, from our experience, the price change for Express Pass tickets can be significant, and guests can end up paying hundreds of dollars more vs. when the Express Pass ticket price is typically released around November or December of the previous year. 

Related Page: How Much Does the Universal Express Pass Cost?

Always Purchase Combo Tickets If Buying the Express Pass For More Than One Day

The Universal Orlando Combo tickets are essentially a bundle and save and can be one of the easiest ways to get the cheapest Universal Orlando Express Passes. In many cases, we have seen our clients save up to a few hundred dollars just by purchasing the combo tickets vs the Express Passes one day at a time. 

Cheap 2-Day Universal Tickets + 2-Day Unlimited Express Passes

Here is how you can buy cheap 2-Day Universal Studios tickets by the numbers: 

• Average cost of 2-Day Universal Orlando Park-to-Park Tickets = $342.92 
• Average Cost of 2-Day Universal Unlimited Express Passes sold individually ($179.00 X 2 Days) = $358.00 
• Total Cost to purchase 2-Day Park-to-Park Tickets + 2-Day Unlimited Express Passes individually = $700.92
• Compared to the average cost of a 2-Day Universal Studios Park-to-Park Ticket with Unlimited Express Pass bundle = $549.00
• You will save over $150.00 by bundling your cheap Universal tickets with express passes. 

Cheap 3-Day Universal Tickets + 3-Day Unlimited Express Passes

Here is how you can buy cheap 3 Day Universal Studios tickets by the numbers: 

• Average cost of 3-Day Universal Orlando Park-to-Park Tickets = $362.09 
• Average Cost of 3-Day Universal Unlimited Express Passes sold individually ($179.00 X 3 Days) = $537.00 
• Total Cost to purchase 3-Day Park-to-Park Tickets + 3-Day Unlimited Express Passes individually = $899.09
• Compared to the average cost of a 2-Day Universal Studios Park-to-Park Ticket with Unlimited Express Pass bundle = $604.00
• You can save over $295.09 by bundling your cheap Universal tickets with express passes. Purchase a Universal Orlando Vacation package.

Related Page: Discount Universal Orlando Express Pass Tickets

Purchase a Universal Orlando Vacation Package

Another great way to get a great deal on Universal Express Pass is to book an official Universal Orlando vacation package! This is true for a few reasons, one of the main ones being that guests can often book official Universal Orlando vacation packages at one of the Universal premier resorts before express pass prices for the next year are even released. We also find this to be true when staying at one of the other Universal Orlando hotels when booking your package far in advance.

It’s also important to note that not only will guests save money on the express pass, but booking an official Universal Orlando package through a Universal-preferred travel agency like The Park Prodigy will allow each family to put as little as $50 per person down and pay their vacation package off over time. This is different from buying Universal express passes on their own, as they would have to be paid in full at the time of purchase.

Related Page: Discount Universal Orlando Hotels With Free Express Passes

Take Advantage of the Validity Window on the Express Pass Tickets

How to Get Cheap Universal Express Pass Tickets FAQ

What is the cheapest Universal hotel with Express Pass?

Based on our experience helping our clients book their Universal Orlando packages, we typically see the Loews Royal Pacific resort to be the cheapest Universal hotel with free express passes. Nightly rates can range between $405 per night to $835, and we typically see Express Pass prices fluctuating in that same range compared to the average family of four.

How do you get a free express pass to Universal Orlando?

Guests can get free Universal Express Pass tickets at one of the three Universal Orlando premier resorts, including the Hard Rock Hotel, Loews Portofino Bay Resort, or Loews Royal Pacific Resort.

Is Express Pass more expensive at Universal?

As a general rule of thumb, it really all depends on the travel dates for your Universal Orlando vacation. As discussed above, the Universal Orlando Express Pass tickets can sell out during some of the busier times of the year, and during those same periods, the prices for the Express Passes will go up as you get closer to your trip and will be more expensive at the park gates.

When Is The Best Time To Visit Universal Orlando?

Our Universal Orlando Crowd Calendar is the best tool to help you get the most out of your time in the parks. We break down the park crowds, park hours of operation, ticket prices by day, and average temperature.

Are You Ready to Plan Your Next Universal Orlando Trip?

If you are planning a trip to Universal Orlando, be sure to check out our discounted multi-day Universal Orlando tickets and Universal Orlando vacation package deals which include EARLY PARK ADMISSION to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter!

And to stay up to date on everything going on inside the theme parks be sure to check out our partners at Themeparktoday.com!