A Beginner’s Guide: Universal Studios on a Budget, 2022
When our New Year’s Plans took a turn due to Covid, my soul took a small dive. I knew that after this difficult year, I wanted my family to have an amazing place to celebrate a new beginning and was determined to make some last minute plans. With hotel credits, flight credits, and annual passes in hand – the answer was clear – we were headed back to Universal Studios Orlando!
Within one day the trip was booked and my heart felt light and excited once again! I am a roller coaster junky, I love Harry Potter, and I love to PLAY and simply be a kiddo again from the to time, and most importantly, I love watching my tween embrace these things as well. Alas, however, theme parks can wreak havoc on our bank accounts, but I have noted throughout my journeys here various ways to have an amazing trip, all while saving some extra cash and allocating it to where it really matters. Now, while I will save how I earn free flights and hotel stays using my CHASE CARD for an entirely different post, it will be mentioned throughout this guide, as benefits of my travel credit card helps me to cut costs throughout the trip. Okay, without further adieu, let’s jump right into it!
LODGING
Okay, so I have done extensive research on this, and even a side by side comparison of various pros and cons. Long of the short, there are tons of hotel options around the park within a reasonable amount of distance, many of which will offer a free shuttle – just call to confirm before booking. There are also many short term rental options, however, I do recommend staying onsite for a number or reasons, and while yes, they are more expensive per night, the pros typically outweigh the cons – my past post here breaks the financials down in detail. First off, staying onsite allows you to come and go throughout the day, skipping the shuttle schedule or taxi services. In addition, you can take advantage of the exclusive entry points, saving time for entry and exit. You can also store luggage at the hotel and continue to utilize park passes on your departure day, a service complimentary in on-site hotels. To offset the costs, I highly recommend storing some groceries or taking advantage of food delivery services, which can be much more affordable than eating in the park the entire time. We use services like DOORDASH (get $30 off here) and INSTACART (get $10 off here) to stock the room and pack healthy snacks and beverages, which also saves us time and keep us energized In terms of the premier hotels, you also receive the EXPRESS PASS as complimentary benefit, which leads me to my next section…
CHOOSING YOUR PASSES
For my most recent trip to the park, my family and I found it beneficial to invest in Annual Passes. Not only do you get discounts throughout the park on food, drinks, on site hotels, and merchandise, but with Annual Passes starting at $349.00 and the Park Daily Passes starting at $109, it can be more beneficial to invest in an annual pass and grant yourself multiple visits for the same entry fee. You can also allocate the pass portion of a vacation bundle towards an annual pass, so make sure to speak with a member of vacation services about this as well to see if it makes sense for you and your family. If you will be visiting for multiple days but do not find benefit in an annual pass, make sure to check out 2 and 3 day bundle passes, as they can total up to far less than individual daily passes.
Now, as Annual Pass Holders, we enjoy splurging on the Express Passes that are included in the Premier Hotel Stays, and the ability to shift between Universal Orlando Studios as well as Islands of Adventure. We find it worth it to skip the lines and take advantage of early entry while there. For a family of four, for example, upgrading to express passes can cost anywhere from $79 – $179.00 per person, per day depending on the date, so paying an extra $200-$300 for a premier onsite hotel per night is far more affordable for ride junkies looking for shorter wait times. Also, don’t overlook the vacation packages available on the website. If you are looking for passes and hotels, make sure to factor in all additional costs and compare. Check out my post HERE for a detailed breakdown a side by side comparison of a vacation package versus an “a la carte” style option.
THINGS TO BUY AHEAD OF TIME
Okay, so needless to say, everyone will have their favorite foods, beverages, and swag which will be worth the splurge, but some items can be purchased ahead of time to save money while still making the most of your trip. For example, essential items such as themed masks, ponchos, backpacks, waist bags, refillable water bottles and lanyards for hotel keys and Express passes are a must. I have complied an ongoing list of Universal Studios and Harry Potter themed swag, as well as essential items available on Amazon HERE. You can also order Harry Potter Interactive Wands here for a bit less than they would be purchased in the park for. Keep in mind that there are water fountains available through the park, and that you can being in certain foods and snacks, in accordance with the GUIDELINES FOUND HERE.
MORE WAYS TO SAVE…
While these are more personal tips, I felt that they were still worth the share. I often utilize hotel and flight points through my travel credit card to book any first or last night off site hotels, flights, and more. I also have Priority Pass lounge access which has complimentary food, beverages, and rest areas and helps me save a pretty penny when arriving to, or departing from many airports across the globe. What other ideas do you have? Sharing is caring – so leave a comment below!
