We know that for many people, a trip to Florida is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so you’ll want to fit in as much as possible while you’re there. However, the cost of all those attractions and activities can soon start to add up unless you know how to get the best value for money. And that’s where we come in!
Here, we take a look at how you can save money and more during your Orlando holiday by staying at a designated Universal Signature Hotel.
How to save money by staying at a Universal Signature Hotel
If you’re planning on spending a couple of days at Universal Orlando Resort, one of the best ways to save money is to book a stay at a select Universal Signature Hotel - even if it’s just for one night! We know, we know, how is that even possible? Well, it’s simple.
When you stay at one of three select Universal Signature Hotels, you’ll benefit from free Universal Express Unlimited Passes for each guest in your room for every day of your stay, including the days you check in and check out. That means you can get two days’ worth of Express Passes with just a one-night stay! You’ll need valid park admission tickets to use the passes.
These passes are the top-tier, two-park, unlimited passes – basically, the very best ones you can get!
Buying Universal Express Passes separately can cost much more, especially if you’re buying them for the whole family. The prices vary depending on the time of year you’re travelling and costs can go up at the busiest times of the year, such as school holidays and Christmas.
Added value and early admission
Guess what? You’re not only saving money, but you’re getting more bang for your buck with your Universal Orlando theme park passes, too. With the Express Unlimited Passes, you can skip the regular lines for included rides as many times as you like throughout the day, giving you more opportunities to ride your favourites again and again.
You’ll also get early admission to either Universal Studios Florida or Universal Islands of Adventure and Universal Volcano Bay, giving you an extra hour each day to enjoy these epic parks. Oh, and did we mention that the parks are right on your doorstep?!
If you’re looking for hotels near Universal Studios Orlando, then look no further. All of The Signature Collection hotels are close to the Universal theme parks. The closest hotel to Universal Orlando Resort is the ever-so-cool Hard Rock Hotel®, which is just a short walk away or a few minutes by water taxi or shuttle.
Which Universal hotels include Express Passes?
The following Universal Signature Hotels include the Free Universal Express Unlimited Passes for the duration of your stay, including the days you check in and check out. These are:
Although Loews Sapphire Falls Resort and Universal Helios Grand Hotel, a Loews Hotel (opening May 22nd 2025) are Signature Hotels, they don’t currently offer free Universal Express Unlimited Passes.
The Signature Collection is the premium accommodation offering at Universal Orlando Resort. With The Signature Collection, you’ll get full-service amenities, exceptional dining options, distinguished service, immersive theming, and some of the most exclusive theme park benefits, including Early Park Admission (with valid park admission), free water taxis and shuttles, priority seating at restaurants, resort-wide charging privileges, and complimentary merchandise delivery to your hotel.
Inside, you’ll find that the rooms are incredibly spacious with themed decor, giving you enough room to truly relax after a day exploring the parks.
Just as a note, these Signature Collection hotels used to be called Premier hotels.
What are Universal Express Passes?
Universal Express Pass is the fast-track option for attractions, rides, and shows at Universal Orlando Resort. The Universal Express Pass can cut waiting times down by as much as half and allows you to skip past the regular line and use an Express Pass line that usually has a shorter waiting time.
These don’t always mean you go straight to the front of the line. Sometimes, there will be a wait, especially if the parks are busy, but the wait should be significantly shorter than the regular line.
You can also use the pass for shows. Guests with Express Passes can go into the venue before other guests and, therefore, get better seats.
Getting a Universal Express Pass can save you time during your day, meaning you can go on more rides.
When Universal Epic Universe, the brand new theme park coming to Universal Orlando Resort, first opens in May 2025 it won’t have Universal Express Pass access, but we’ll be the first to keep you updated if this changes at a later date!
What is the difference between Universal Express Pass and Universal Express Unlimited?
There are two versions of the Universal Express Pass: a standard Express Pass, which is valid once per attraction, and the Universal Express Unlimited Pass, which you can use as many times as you like on participating rides. Each pass is valid for one person for one day.
If your kids (or you, for that matter!) have favourite rides that they want to go on over and over again, then the Universal Express Unlimited Pass is the one for you.
If you’re buying a Universal Express Pass, you can choose whether you want it for Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure, or both parks.
Most of the attractions at Universal Orlando Resort offer Express Pass access, and this includes fan favourites like Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, The Incredible Hulk Coaster, and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey.
Universal Express Pass summary:
- Skip the regular lines
- No reservations or specific times needed
- Choose from Express Pass or Express Unlimited Pass
Which hotels are in Universal Orlando Resort?
Value Hotels | Prime Hotels | Signature Hotels |
Universal Endless Summer Resort – Dockside Inn and Suites | Universal Aventura Hotel | Loews Sapphire Falls Resort |
Universal Cabana Bay Beach Resort | Universal Stella Nova Resort | Hard Rock Hotel® |
Universal Endless Summer Resort – Surfside Inn and Suites | Universal Terra Luna Resort | Loews Royal Pacific Resort |
Loews Portofino Bay Hotel | ||
Universal Helios Grand Hotel |
Some of the best hotels in Universal Orlando Resort include The Signature Collection. Let’s have a closer look at those hotels that offer the free Universal Express Unlimited Passes.
Hard Rock Hotel®
The Hard Rock Hotel® is the coolest hotel in town! Here, you’ll find over 270 pieces of rock music memorabilia and history. Perfect for family holidays, the hotel is within a short walk of the Universal theme parks and offers a fun, lively atmosphere.
During your stay, you can loan a Fender guitar and wow your family and friends with your rock-star prowess! Budding musicians can book a Future Rock Star Suite with a separate room for the kids and plenty of space for the whole family to chill out.
And the music isn’t just in your room. Head to the pool to listen to the underwater sound system.
The Kitchen, the hotel’s restaurant, serves delicious all-American favourites including burgers, pizzas, and mac n cheese. Don’t forget to try one of the monumental desserts or a tasty milkshake to finish.
Loews Royal Pacific Resort
The beauty of the South Pacific meets Floridian fun at Loews Royal Pacific Resort, the perfect place to stay for the family holiday of a lifetime. Within walking distance of the Universal theme parks, you can be right at the heart of the action in minutes.
The rooms are themed, with some taking inspiration from the film franchise Jurassic World. Kids will love falling to sleep amongst the dinosaurs!
There are also some exciting dining experiences on offer, including a Hawaiian-inspired luau. Grown-ups can also try a lager brewed exclusively for Loews Royal Pacific Resort – you won’t be able to get this anywhere else!
Outside, there’s an epic swimming pool with an interactive play area for the little ones and two hot tubs for mums and dads. Keep your eyes peeled for the 1930s Clipper plane in the lagoon.
Loews Portofino Bay Hotel
Enjoy la dolce vita as you stay at this Italian-inspired Universal Orlando Resort hotel. This hotel is inspired by the village of Portofino in the northwest of Italy, which is famous for its coloured buildings next to beautiful azure blue waters.
It’s just a hop, skip, and a jump from here to the Universal theme parks or climb aboard one of the water taxis – very Italian!
The well-appointed guest rooms are decorated in calming creams and subtle teals, providing a calm haven away from the thrills of the parks. Grand balconies have views over the surrounding water and are the ideal spot to enjoy a morning coffee.
If you’d prefer something a bit more fun, the hotel has kids’ suites to fully immerse you in the magic during your trip. Choose the Minions suite for a vacation that Gru would be proud of.
You’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to restaurants – there are a whopping nine dining locations to try at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, all with an Italian twist. Pasta, pizza, and gelato are all on the menu.
Fancy a swim? There are three themed swimming pools to choose from: Beach Pool, Villa Pool, and Hillside Pool, plus a waterslide and sandy beach. If you want to try your hand at something new, have a go at boccia ball, one of the world’s oldest lawn bowling games.
Benefits of staying in selected Signature Hotel at Universal Studios - summary
- Free Universal Express Unlimited Passes^ for each day of your stay at Hard Rock Hptel, Loews Royal Pacific Hotel, and Loews Portofino Bay Hotel – use to skip lines as many times as you like
- Early admission for either Universal Studios Florida or Universal Islands of Adventure and Universal Volcano Bay^
- Excellent service and facilities
- Free shuttles and water taxis
- Spacious rooms
- Priority seating in restaurants
- Resort-wide charging privileges
- Complimentary merchandise delivery
You can now book a 1-night stay at a Universal Orlando Resort hotel with AttractionTickets.com, or why not make the most of your 14-day 3 Park Explorer Ticket with a longer stay, so you can benefit from early entry and Express Unlimited Passes every day?
^Valid park admission required in addition to your hotel reservation
