Universal 14 day upgrade or AP

[Fourdoors]

Hi,

I am going to Orlando in Sept 2019 and July 2020.

Should I buy a 14 day ticket and upgrade to a AP or can/would I be better just buying an AP?

Thanks

[LLamb]

We have just upgraded our 3 park explorer tickets.
I paid £255 each here and it cost us $49 each plus tax for the 3 park explorer. The preferred with the free parking was $149.

They scan the tickets to get the value, which is necessarily the same as what you have paid so it can work out cheaper to but the 14 ticket and then upgrade.

Go on to universal site and see how much the ap is, then what the best price you can get for a 14 day ticket plus say around $50 and see which comes out best.

There is no other advantage of buying it here first unless you want the one with free parking/discounts etc
Another thing we did is pay with Amex when upgrading so we could use the lounge in US. Free water, crisps etc
There is also an AP lounge in US too.

[LLamb]

Oops just re-read your post, there are blockout days for July on the seasonal pass so you may have to go for preferred.

[Fourdoors]

Thanks.😎

[gismo1554]

Originally Posted by LLamb

There is also an AP lounge in US too.

See more...

So just to say the AP lounge is pretty poor and according to all the info I've read only open for a limited time (so far 3 months). There is a room and you can purchase coke products. The only slightly fun thing is that you can then freeze your coke in their funky machine to make a slushy. It was rather disappointing.

[JessBlu]

Buy from the begging would be my advice.

[chmurf]

another note about blackout dates

All APs except the top tier (Premier AP) are blocked out from Volcano Bay before 4pm until August 18th included

so if you buy AP first, you won't be able to go to VB before 4pm

if you use 14 days tickets you will be able to enter VB at normal opening hours, until you upgrade to AP

Regarding parking, you can't redeem your AP until you're there, so no matter if you buy first, or upgrade, you'll still pay for parking on your first visit (and until you upgrade)
if your staying onsite at a universal hotel, you'll pay for parking at the hotel AP or not AP

[Fourdoors]

Cool. I will try to work out the best price and decide if I am going to VB.

[juless77]

Not heard about a lounge in US can anyone give me more info please ?

[LLamb]

The us lounge is opposite and slightly up from the old terminator ride. It’s open 11-4 each day. Not sure how long they are keeping it open for but they have extended it from the initial 3 months.
The Amex lounge is opposite the exit from shrek, but quite hidden. This is open 12-5 and had free water, crisps and cereal bars. This was ok if a bit small. Nice break from the heat.