Which Universal Hotels Include the Express Pass?

Which Universal Hotels Include the Express Pass?

Which Universal Hotels Include the Express Pass?

This article is your complete guide to learning about the Universal hotels with Express Pass. The Universal Express Pass is included with your stay at Hard Rock Hotel, Loews Portofino Bay, and Loews Royal Pacific Hotel. This is a huge added perk for guests looking to book with certain Premier Hotel at Universal, so keep reading to learn more.

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 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!

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

What Are the Hotels that Offer Free Express Passes?

Three Universal hotels include Express Pass: 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 Premier Hotels will be given a free Universal Express Pass for each guest registered to the room. We think it is a huge perk for guests looking to book hotels that offer a fast pass for Universal Studios, as the Express Pass purchase is rather pricey. It’s also important to note that each guest will receive a free express pass for their check-in date and check-out date as well!

It is important to note that Sapphire Falls and the new Helios Grand Hotel will also be premier hotels, but do not offer Express Pass. The Express Pass is also only valid for Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure – not Volcano Bay or Epic Universe.

Which Universal Hotels offer Express Pass:

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

Related post: One-Day Universal Express Unlimited Tickets

How Much Do Universal Premier Hotels Cost?

Universal Premier Hotels typically costs over $300 per night. Among them, Portofino Bay and Hard Rock Hotel are the more expensive choices, with Royal Pacific trailing closely behind.

Each of these Universal hotels that give express passes offers the best and largest rooms, along with a wide variety of choices for restaurants and recreational activities. They also each have their unique premier theming and decor, catering to different preferences when booking.

Another important factor to weigh is whether the Universal Hotel’s free express pass is worth it, especially considering the time of year you plan to visit. If you’re looking for Universal hotels that include fast passes, these premier options might be what you’re seeking when booking a stay.

Universal Premier Hotel Prices:

• Loews Portofino Bay Resort – Starting at $325 a night
• Hard Rock Hotel – Starting at $370 a night
• Loews Royal Pacific Resort – Starting at $388 a night

What is the Cheapest Premier Resort with Free Express Pass?

The cheapest hotel with an Express Pass is Loews Royal Pacific Resort. Pricing does change throughout the year with date-based pricing – meaning when it is busy, rooms will be pricier. No matter the price or time of year, all guests registered in the room will also receive a free Loews Royal Pacific Express Pass. This is also the easiest hotel to use when trying to decide if the Universal Express Pass is worth it or not because it is the cheapest, so your payback will typically be better.

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

Are Universal Express Passes Included with Hotel Stay?

Guests should note that the only Universal Resort Hotels with Express Pass are those listed: Royal Pacific Resort, Hard Rock Hotel and Portofino Bay Hotel. Those staying in value or prime value hotels do not have the option to get a free Unlimited Express Pass or the regular Express Pass. There are other perks for staying in Universal Orlando hotels in lower tiers, like Early Park Admission, but unfortunately, Express Pass is not one of them.

Hotels that do not include Unlimited Express Pass:

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

Does Loews Sapphire Falls include an Express Pass?

If you’re considering Universal Studios packages with hotel and tickets, you might wonder if Loews Sapphire Falls offers an Express Pass. The answer is that Loews Sapphire Falls does not include Universal hotels with FastPass or Express Pass, even though it falls under the “Preferred” tier of hotels. This tier is one step below the “Premier” tier, which often features Universal Studios hotels that include Express Pass.

It’s important to note that the absence of Universal hotels with fast passes is the one perk that is not shared between the two tiers. However, Sapphire Falls does offer upgraded transportation and some of the nicest accommodations on the property, making it a strong contender among universal Orlando hotels with an express pass in terms of overall amenities.

Related post: Complete Guide to the Universal Studios VIP Experience

How Does Express Pass Work with Universal Hotels?

When booking a Universal Premier Resort, each guest registered to the room will automatically be eligible for their Express Pass Unlimited. 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. In these Universal Resorts that offer Express Pass, 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.

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

Which Universal Hotels Include Express Pass FAQ

Q: Do you get free Express Passes if you stay at Portofino Bay?

A: Yes, guests staying at Portofino Bay will receive a free Express Pass Unlimited to skip the lines when in the theme parks.

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

A: No, unfortunately, Sapphire Falls does not receive a free Express Pass with their stay since it is a hotel in the Preferred category. 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!

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