Annual Pass Rumors from Universal Orlando in regards to Epic Universe.

Annual Pass Rumors from Universal Orlando in regards to Epic Universe.

Hello readers,

I know it has been a while, but I had been away from Disney, and have only had a Universal Annual Passholder for the past year. Now I have a Disney annual pass, and had intentions of cancelling my Universal annual pass, and some news came out the other day, based on some speculation from a Universal Orlando Survey sent out, to many passholders. 

I have been without a phone and unable to attend the parks unfortunately, for the past weekend, but what I can confirm is simply, what I have heard. Universal is planning and paving their way towards releasing a Universal Epic Universe Annual pass.

As many of you know I have only been to Epic once thus far for an AP preview, back in March of last year, and since then have refused to purchase a ticket to the park, due to the value of a ticket for Passholders not being there, when I could easily get into Universal Orlando Resort’s other two theme parks, Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida, without the need for a ticker for a reduced price a month valued less than a standard park Ticket and parking. 

I have criticized Universal for not releasing Annual passes and still understand why they haven’t given passholders access to the park yet, without the purchase, due to high demand, but despite offering highly immersive and entertaining experiences, Universal unfortunately, as I have suggested in prior posts, has a dud on their hands in terms of capacity when it comes to Epic Universe. On any given day it can rain in FL, if 95% of your rides are out door, they will be shut down. Further if you’re rides keep shutting down due to “technical difficulties” your value will lower. It seems Universal is now starting to hear the guest feedback, In regards to Epic Universe’s attractions, however now the demand may be coming for Annual Passholders to finally have an opportunity to enter Epic Universe as part of their pass instead of as a (discounted yet low value) paid ticket. 

My least favorite option is the doubling in price option for an annual pass. I have criticized this method simply because, we are currently getting access to City Walk, Universal Orlando and Islands of Adventure, adding Epic isn’t worth twice the value of our current pass, regardless of the exclusivity. This option will price out many guests and cater only to extremely well off creating the same problem Disney has created for themselves where many families would rather eliminate their AP’s instead of paying more. If universal were to increase this value $140 a month per person in flex pay isn’t a valid option. Currently with the Flexpay option: one can pay $70 per person for a Universal Premier Pass(their top tier annual pass)(this was $35 a month the first year with a $400 down payment the first year). Therefore, with Flexpay the most I would be willing to pay for a Universal Premier Pass with Epic per person is between $80 and $100 per person a month total. It isn’t yet worth the value of $140 per person like Disney, and Universal risks alienating their loyal Annual Passholders by increasing the Value past $100 a month.

My second least favored is you get 3 or 10 days at Epic universe, for AP holders. I disagree with this as well as what if the value than that, and what does that say about Universal’s faith in this park. Premier Passholders want access to the parks 365 days a year 7 days a week as long as it is opened, we don’t want to be priced out and we most certainly don’t want block-out dates. This tells me many mixed signals Universal is having in regards to the park, this asks the question do we value the AP holders that little, or value this park just little enough to block out our Passholders(their steady income a month) and limit the press who many have annual passes from entering the park more and more.

The Ideal Annual Pass including Epic.

It is my opinion that the Ideal annual pass be affordable with flex pay this is a value increase of 20-$25 a month, that is roughly $90-$95 per person at a maximum a month($50-$55 with flex pay for those starting out, with a roughly $600 down payment at start). Second, we don't want any block out dates, many of us want to come at  a whim at the drop of a dime, for a dinner at Das Steak Haus, Blue Dragon or Atlantic with a spur of the moment dining reservation. Now I am not opposed to a reservation system for Epic Universe similar to what Disney has for all 4 of its parks, but like Disney if Universal wants to have a reservation system, to control capacity, at some point everyday(like Disney it’s 2:00pm) there should be a time frame where after that time it shouldn’t be required to have a reservation to enter the park, especially if all you want is to dine at Pizza Moon or Goblet Noir for the night. Many AP holders strictly just want to go to do the exciting and other offerings besides rides, many of us shop, eat and play with our wands around the Harry Potter/Wizarding World inspired areas we don’t really need to get on every ride to have a successful visit. 

I know for a fact I still haven’t ridden on The Battle of the Ministry Attraction, and that would be the only attraction I would want to ride but after 3 visits, all I would want to do is go exploring, shopping, eat and play with my wand until the park closes.

What are your opinions readers, do you have an opinion on what the Annual Pass for Universal Epic Universe should look like? Should it be separate from a Universal AP? Leave a comment below and keep checking the blog for new updates and writings.