Since its opening in 1990, Universal Orlando has allowed its guests to “ride the movies,” bringing a ton of action-packed Hollywood-themed attractions to the East Coast. Today, with 2 theme parks, 1 water park, and 1 more theme park coming soon, you have so much to experience and enjoy. With its additional parks and attractions and hotel options, navigating the Universal Orlando ticket prices can be tricky when planning your vacation.
We’ve spent endless hours in the Orlando theme parks and have learned the ins and outs of purchasing theme park tickets so you don’t have to look further when planning your Universal Orlando vacation. This is your guide to Universal Orlando ticket prices, including details on the Express Pass options, VIP Experience, and Universal Orlando vacation packages.
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Universal Orlando Ticket Prices
Guests can purchase admission tickets at ticket windows right before entering the theme parks. However, ticket windows, especially in the morning, tend to be extremely busy. This makes purchasing your ticket in advance online a much more convenient option.
Guests can purchase tickets directly online from Universal Orlando or by phone at (800) 711-0080. Additionally, guests staying at many Orlando-area hotels can purchase tickets at the concierge desks or attractions box offices. Finally, guests staying at the DoubleTree Universal hotel can purchase tickets through Guest Services in-person or calling (407) 351-1000.
Please note that many hotels and some ticket brokers that sell Universal Studios admission tickets do not issue actual passes. Instead, when purchased, you receive a voucher that you redeem at the theme park for a pass. If you choose this option, you can redeem your admission ticket at a separate window from the theme park’s ticket windows.
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Universal Orlando Ticket Prices & Types
Universal Orlando offers 2 different ticket types depending on which theme park you would like to visit. When selecting your ticket online, you start by choosing your ticket type and then select the date which you want to visit that specific theme park or water park. Let’s go over each ticket type.
One Park Per Day
This ticket type allows you to visit either Universal Studios Florida or Islands of Adventure. This ticket will most likely extend to Universal’s Epic Universe once it opens in 2025. When purchasing online, there is a separate option to purchase a 1-Day ticket to Volcano Bay.
With a Single Day, One Park Per Day ticket, guests must choose one park to visit. Additionally, if you purchase a Multi-Day, One Park Per Day ticket, you must choose either park on any given day. On the day of your visit, you may leave and return to the same park you specified on your ticket, but you cannot switch parks.
Park-to-Park
In contrast to the one park per day ticket, the park-to-park ticket type allows guests to visit either Universal Studios Florida or Islands of Adventure. With this ticket, guests can ride the Hogwarts Express between Hogsmeade Station and King’s Cross Station to travel between theme parks. Additionally, if you get a 3-park ticket, you may also visit Volcano Bay water park in the same day.
Universal Orlando Ticket Prices
Similar to ticket pricing for Walt Disney World, prices for any of the Universal Studios theme parks are date-specific, meaning that ticket prices vary according to expected crowd levels for that particular day. Note that 2-day, 3-day, 4-day, and 5-day tickets are also available to purchase.
- 1-Day Adult
- Single Park: $119-$179 (without tax)
- Park-to-Park: $174-$234 (without tax)
- 1-Day Child (age 3-9)
- Single Park: $114-$174 (without tax)
- Park-to-Park: $169-229 (without tax)
- 2-day Adult
- Single Park: $234.99-$337.99 (without tax)
- Park-to-Park: $292.99-$408.99 (without tax)
- 2-Day Child (age 3-9)
- Single Park: $222.99-$338.99 (without tax)
- Park-to-Park: $282.99-#398.99 (without tax)
- 1-Day Volcano Bay
- Adult: $80-$85 (without tax)
- Child (3-9) $75-$80 (without tax)
Note that Universal Orlando tickets expire 7 days after the first use and children under 3 are free. Additionally, Florida residents can save up to $65 on select multi-day tickets. However, these tickets are not available at the front gate – they must be purchased online. Florida residents also have the chance to take advantage of a special offer allowing them to purchase a 2-Park 1-Day + 2nd Day Free Promo Ticket. These tickets can be used on non-consecutive days and are valid through March 6, 2024.
Universal Express Pass
When purchasing tickets to Universal Orlando, guests have the option to purchase and add on the Universal Orlando Express Pass to their ticket. This allows you to skip attraction lines at Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, and Volcano Bay.
The Universal Express Pass can be very beneficial if you’re visiting during peak park times, if you want to experience many of the park’s most popular attractions in a single day, or if you have a group that makes standing in a long line difficult.
The Universal Express Pass is priced per person, per day. When purchasing online, you have the option to add the it to the total cost of your ticket. Guests can also make this purchase in-person at the ticket window of the theme parks when purchasing their theme park tickets.
Finally, guests have the option of adding the Universal Express Pass to their ticket after purchasing their theme park ticket with an upgrade. Depending on the type of ticket you purchase, this may or may not be the most cost-efficient way to add the Universal Express Pass to your ticket. Not sure if this is for you? Our travel partner Get Away Today can help you make the most effective decision for you and your traveling buddies!
List of Attractions Included in the Universal Express Pass
- Universal Studios Florida
- The Bourne Stuntacular
- Despicable Me Minion Mayehm
- E.T. Adventure
- Fast & Furious – Supercharged
- Harry Potter and the Escape From Gringotts
- Hollywood Rip Ride Rockpit
- Hogwarts Express (Park-to-Park admission ticket required)
- Illumination’s Villain-Con Minion Blast
- Kang & Kodos’ Twirl ‘n’ Hurl
- MEN IN BLACK Alien Attack
- Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon
- Revenge of the Mummy
- The Simpsons Ride
- TRANSFORMERS: The Ride-3D
- Universal Islands of Adventure
- The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man
- Caro-Seuss-el
- The Cat in the Hat
- Doctor Doom’s Fearfall
- Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls
- Flight of the Hippogriff
- Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
- The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride!
- Hogwarts Express (Park-to-Park admission ticket required)
- The Incredible Hulk Coaster
- Jurassic Park River Adventure
- Jurassic World VelociCoaster
- One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish
- Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges
- Skull Island: Reign of Kong
- Storm Force Accelatron
- Universal Volcano Bay
- Honu of Honu ika Moana
- ika Moana of Honu ika Moana
- Krakatau Aqua Coaster
- Maku of Maku Puihi Round Raft Rides
- Puihi of Maku Puihi Round Raft Rides
- Punga Racers
- Taniwha Tubes
- Additional Rides Available with Express PLUS at Universal Volcano Bay
- Kala & Tai Nui Serpentine Body Slides
- Ko’okiri Body Plunge
- Ohno of Ohyah & Ohno Drop Slides
- Ohyah of Ohyah & Ohno Drop Slides
Types of Universal Express Passes
There are two Express Pass options for each of the main theme parks and two options at the water park.
Universal Studios Florida
The Universal Express Pass ($79.99 and up per person) enables you to skip the regular attraction line once per ride.
The Universal Express Unlimited Pass ($109.99 and up per person) enables you to skip the regular attraction lines an unlimited amount of times.
Universal Islands of Adventure
Universal Express Pass ($84.99 and up per person) enables you to skip the regular attraction line once per ride.
The Universal Express Unlimited pass ($114.99 and up per person) enables you to skip the regular attraction lines an unlimited amount of times
Volcano Bay Water Park
The Universal Express Pass ($19.99 and up per person) enables you to skip the virtual queues at select attractions once per attraction.
The Universal Express Plus Pass ($49.99 and up per person) enables you to skip the virtual queues at all attractions, once per attraction.
Park-to-Park Admission + Universal Express Unlimited Combo
This combo allows you to bundle your 2, 3, 4, or 5-day tickets with the Universal Express pass to help save you money. A 2-Park Park-to-Park + Express Unlimited Ticket ($598.99 and up per adult, $588.99 per child age 3-9) allows you admission to Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure with Universal Express Unlimited Pass for one day.
Universal Orlando Vacation Packages
Universal Orlando also offers a variety of vacation packages that bundle your tickets with their on-site hotels. Currently, Universal Orlando offers 8 different hotels for guests and are all close to the action.
The perks of staying at a Universal Orlando hotel include:
- Being walking distance to all the theme parks using the CityWalk pathway
- One-hour early entrance into the theme parks
- Free Universal Express Unlimited Passes to Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Island of Adventure
- Complimentary transportation to the theme parks through the water taxi or bus
- The ability to purchase food and merchandise inside your hotel or the theme parks and complimentary hotel delivery
- Character wake-up calls from popular character
Additionally, Florida residents have special access to discount Universal Orlando ticket prices for their vacation package when purchasing online.
Universal Orlando VIP Experience
If you’re looking for the royal treatment on your visit to Universal Studios Orlando, you may want to consider booking the VIP Experience as an add-on experience. When choosing this experience, you have 2 options. The first allows you to be escorted on a guided group tour. With this option, you may be combined with other guests who also purchased this experience.
The second, on the other hand, gives you access to your own exclusive VIP group, allowing you to build your own park itinerary and experience along with a number of extra perks. With both options, you will be personally escorted by a Universal Orlando VIP guide through Universal Studios Florida or Universal’s Islands of Adventure, or both with a 2-park experience.
VIP Experience Benefits
With either option, you receive exclusive Universal Orlando backstage access, learn insider information, and are able to enjoy the rides without waiting in line. You also receive complementary valet parking, reserved seating at shows, complimentary breakfast and lunch, a VIP lanyard, Universal Express Unlimited Pass for the rest of your day after your experience, and CityWalk Party Pass.
VIP Experience Pricing and Details
The Universal Orlando VIP Experience starts at $189 per person. You have two options. The 1-Day, 2-Park Experience includes a 7-hour tour with priority entrance into a minimum of 8 rides and attractions. The 1-Day, 1-Park Experience includes a 5-hour tour with priority entrance into a minimum of 8 rides and attractions at the park of your choice.
Note that separate theme park admission is required for all VIP Experiences. Tickets for the VIP Experience can be purchased online as an add-on package. However, to book a private VIP tour or for more details, you must call (866) 346-9350, 9am-7pm, 7 days a week.
Plan Your Universal Orlando Vacation
To get a head start to planning your Universal vacation, subscribe to our FREE Deals newsletter. Here you will have access to useful planning information, exclusive Universal deals, and access to the lowest priced Universal tickets anywhere. Find more information on planning your vacation here:
- Best Hotels Near Universal Orlando
- Universal Orlando Discount Tickets
- MCO to Universal Orlando Transportation Guide
- Universal Orlando vs. Walt Disney World
The cost to buy a ticket to Universal Studios Orlando depends on which ticket type you decide to purchase and which park(s) you decide to visit. Tickets to visit Universal Studios Orlando can start at $119 for a 1-Day adult ticket.
Comparing purchasing Universal tickets online to purchasing in-person at the Universal Studios ticket window, it is not cheaper to purchase online. However, there are certain discounts that can only be applied online or in person. Additionally, purchasing through our partner Get Away Today guarantees you the lowest price possible on your Universal Studios vacation.
Considering that there are 2 main theme parks and 1 water park in Universal Studios Orlando, 1 day is not enough to see everything within Universal Studios Orlando. Additionally, many factors may influence your ability to experience all of the attractions, including crowd levels and weather conditions.
Through our partner Get Away Today, you are able to purchase Universal and Disney tickets together. Get Away Today is a trusted reseller of Disney and Universal tickets. Make sure to check with them for the best deals on both Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World tickets.
