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<ul class="summary-list"><li><strong><a href="https://www.insider.com/choosing-between-disney-world-and-universal-orlando-florida-review-2023-9">My family</a> had Disney World annual passes for 7 years, but we started struggling to justify the cost.</strong></li><li><strong>My teens like Universal more right now, and we were blown away by the value of its annual passes.</strong></li></ul><p>I've been a Disney World annual passholder since my family <a href="https://www.insider.com/surprising-things-moving-to-florida-with-family-2023-8">relocated from Maryland to Florida</a> in 2016. When I first signed up, I brought my husband and two kids along for the ride.</p><p>As my kids have gotten older, they've lost interest in <a href="https://www.insider.com/disney-world-solo-adult-frequent-visitor-best-things-2023-6">visiting Disney World every weekend</a>, so we slowly let everyone's pass but mine expire. At its highest, our monthly cost was over $400, and I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy not paying more than my car payment each month for four passes.</p><p>Recently, my family — especially my 15-year-old son — has become interested in <a href="https://www.insider.com/disney-vs-universal-one-requires-less-planning-2023-10">visiting Universal Orlando</a>. I'd heard Universal's annual passes were more affordable, but when I really did the research, I was blown away by the value.</p><h2><strong>Universal Orlando's annual-pass program is more affordable and has better perks</strong></h2><div type="image" title="terri posing with her annual pass outside the passholder lounge at universal orlando" height="3024" width="4032" msid="105152718" hostid="261" sizebytes="718522"></div><p>I recently signed my son and me up for annual passes at Universal.</p><p>A top-tier Premier Pass for <a href="https://www.insider.com/surprising-things-living-in-florida-from-new-yorker-2023-7">a Florida resident</a> costs about $800 a year, but there are also lower options that still have plenty of perks. After paying half as a down payment, my monthly fee for both passes is about $70 — which is what I currently pay for a mid-tier Disney pass for just myself.</p><p>Among the perks for the highest-tier Premier Pass is a free ticket <a href="https://www.insider.com/used-exposure-therapy-enjoy-halloween-horror-nights-scares-2023-10">to Halloween Horror Nights</a>, or HHN, each season. We signed up in October, which means we got free HHN tickets for 2023 and 2024, a total value of about $400.</p><p>My husband and daughter weren't interested in HHN, so we're planning to sign them up for annual passes the next time we all visit Universal together.</p><h2><strong>Perks for top-tier Universal pass holders include valet parking and free Express Pass</strong></h2><div type="image" title="signs for valet parking at universal orlando" height="3024" width="4032" msid="105152719" hostid="261" sizebytes="772170"></div><p>In addition to HHN tickets each season, Premier Pass holders receive complimentary valet parking that allows you to bypass garages and lines and walk right into Universal. Without a pass, valet parking for a full day costs $75, so the perk is invaluable.</p><p>Leaving the <a href="https://www.insider.com/disney-universal-tips-with-kids-visit-theme-park-movie-theater-2023-10">theme parks with tired feet</a> and only having to go to the valet parking lot to retrieve our car will make our passes pay for themselves fast.</p><p>We also receive Express Pass, Universal's way of skipping standby ride lines, for free after 4 p.m. The time-saving pass, which starts at $80 a person and goes up depending on the season, really <a href="https://www.insider.com/best-ways-to-save-money-at-universal-orlando-2021-7">solidified the value</a> of the annual pass for me.</p><p>Other benefits in our tier of pass include early park admission, no block-out dates, and <a href="https://www.insider.com/favorite-things-to-eat-and-drink-at-universal-from-frequent-guest-2022">discounts on food</a> and merchandise.</p><h2><strong>But all the tiers come with solid benefits</strong></h2><p>Universal passholders, regardless of the tier, can hop between both of Universal's theme parks — Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure — although some block-out dates may apply.</p><p>There are also <a href="https://www.insider.com/trying-private-cabana-at-universal-resort-orlando-florida-worth-it-2023-9">discounts on Universal hotels</a>, select special-event tickets, and access to Universal's themed in-park events, like Mardi Gras and the holiday celebrations.</p><div type="image" title="annual passholder merch at universal orlando" height="3024" width="4032" msid="105152720" hostid="261" sizebytes="597642"></div><p>Universal even does special things throughout the year to thank its passholders, from offering collectible art to passholder-only merchandise.</p><p>There's also a passholder lounge in Islands of Adventure where guests can cool off, purchase drinks, shop for merchandise, and get help with any customer-service needs. </p><h2><strong>For my family, Universal offers a more valuable annual pass than Disney World </strong></h2><div type="image" title="terri's family on a ride at universal orlando" height="3024" width="4032" msid="105152721" hostid="261" sizebytes="1224084"></div><p>The cost of a Universal annual pass is much lower than <a href="https://www.insider.com/disney-world-date-night-adults-only-activities-without-kids-2023-8">one at Disney World</a>, and I think the perks are far greater.</p><p>My teenagers seem to enjoy the <a href="https://www.insider.com/best-theme-parks-us-cedar-point-ohio-disney-world-2022-12">thrill rides</a> and movie-theming at Universal more than Disney right now. And for a family of four, the affordability makes more sense. </p>

After 7 years with Disney World annual passes, my family switched to Universal's. They're cheaper and a better value.

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After 7 years with Disney World annual passes, my family switched to Universal's. They're cheaper and a better value.

Terri Peters

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