Which Universal Hotels Include the Express Pass in 2025?

Which Universal Hotels Include the Express Pass in 2025?

Which Universal Hotels Include the Express Pass in 2025?

This article is your complete guide on which Universal Orlando hotels include the Express Pass in 2025! The Universal Express Pass is included with your stay at Hard Rock Hotel, Loews Portofino Bay, and Loews Royal Pacific Hotel. Guests will receive a 2-park unlimited Express Pass, which can be used at Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida. It’s important to note that the two newest hotels added to the Universal Orlando Resort signature collection, Loews Sapphire Falls Resort and the Helios Grand Hotel, do not include the free express pass at this time.

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So, if you’re ready to learn all about the hotels that offer free express passes at Universal Orlando, read on!

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

Universal Orlando Crowd Calendar

Which Universal Orlando Hotels Include Express Passes?

As of 2025, there are three of the five Universal Orlando Resort signature collection hotels, which include the free express pass, and they are Loews Royal Pacific Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel Orlando, and Loews Portofino Bay Hotel. That means guests looking to book at any one of these Universal hotels will be given a free 2-park Universal Express Pass Unlimited for each guest registered to the room. These Express Passes can be used at Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida theme parks at this time. The Express Pass will be connected to each guest’s hotel key and will be included for check-in and check-out days.

As discussed above, it’s important to note that the two newest Signature collection hotels Loews Sapphire Falls Resort and the Helios Grand Hotel, do not include the free express pass at this time. The Express Pass is also only valid for Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure theme parks – not Volcano Bay or Epic Universe.

Universal Orlando Hotels, which includes 2-Park Express Unlimited Pass

• Loews Portofino Bay Resort
• Hard Rock Hotel Orlando
• Loews Royal Pacific Resort

Universal Hotels that do not include Unlimited Express Pass

• Loews Sapphire Falls Resort
• Helio Grand Hotel
• Endless Summer Resort (Surfside and Dockside Inn)
• Cabana Bay Beach Resort
• Aventura Hotel
• Stella Nova or Terra Luna (new Epic Universe value hotels)

Related post: Payment Plans for Universal Studios Orlando

Are the Universal Hotels With Free Express Pass Worth it?

We do believe that families of three or four who plan to purchase the 2-park Universal Express Pass should at least consider staying at one of the three hotels that include it for free. The average price of the 2-park Universal Orlando express pass to start 2025 was $239.00 per person per day. This would come to $956.00 per day for a family of four and would typically be more than one night at any of the Universal hotels, which include it for free. As we discussed, guests would get the express passes for free on check-in and check-out day, which makes it one of the easiest ways to save money at Universal Orlando.

What is the Cheapest Premier Resort with Free Express Pass?

The cheapest hotel with free Express Passes is typically Loews Royal Pacific Resort. Depending on the time of year, we have personally found hotel rooms here to be around $100 cheaper per night than the Hard Rock or Portofino Bay.

Related post: Guide to Hotels Near Universal Studios Orlando with Free Shuttle

How Can You Use Your Free Express Pass Unlimited?

When booking a Universal Orlando Resort, which includes the Express Pass, each guest registered to the room will automatically be eligible. When you check in to your room at one of the Universal Studios hotels with Express Pass, every guest registered will receive their personalized room key. So, during your stay, your room key serves as your Express Pass, and it will be what Team Members scan for each individual when wanting to enter the Express Pass line.

It’s crucial to understand, especially if you’re staying at a Universal Studios Orlando hotel with Express Pass, that you will not have a group Express Pass for everyone in your room. Instead, you’ll need to ensure that everyone has their key, aligning with the policies of Universal Express Pass hotels.

Important tips and tricks to get the most out of your Express Pass

• Guests can check in as early as they need to pick up their Express Passes up
• Guests can also leave their bags with the concierge on the check-in and check-out day to enjoy the parks
• The Universal Express Pass is included for check-in and check-out days
• Families can have up to five guests stay in a standard room for even bigger savings

Related post: Complete Guide on Celebrating a Universal Studios Orlando Birthday

Which Universal Hotels Include Express Pass FAQ

Q: Do you get a free Express Pass at Helios Grand Hotel?

A: Helios Grand Hotel is the newest hotel opening with the brand new park Epic Universe. However, this hotel does not include the free Universal Express pass at this point in time.

Q: Do you get a free Express Pass at Sapphire Falls?

A: No, unfortunately, Sapphire Falls does not include a free Express Pass even though it’s one of the newest hotels which was added to the Signature Collection at Universal Orlando. Guests still do get Early Park Admission and the best transportation options for hotel guests in that area.

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!