If you want all the thrills and excitement of a theme park combined with the magic of movies, Universal Studios might just be the best place to experience both. Whether you’re going to the park in California or Florida, you’re sure to have the best time ever as you ride rides, enjoy delicious food, and meet all your favorite characters.
In 2024, a single-day ticket to Universal Studios (for one park) is $109 if you buy from Universal directly. If you’re trying to visit multiple parks (in Orlando only) or stay at a Universal resort, the prices can range from $150 to over $200, depending on the season.
Thankfully, you don’t have to pay full price for tickets or resort stays. Deals and discounts are always available if you know where to look. So, let’s break down all the Universal Studios deals you can access for 2024 (and into 2025).
And of course, if you want the very best deals, you should consider joining Boardwalk Travel Agency. Not only will you gain access to exclusive partner relationships, you’ll also be able to earn up to 70% commission when you book travel for others. Read more on why Boardwalk is the best host agency for travel agents.
Universal Studios Deals for 2024/2025
First and foremost, there’s a difference between going to Universal Studios Hollywood or Orlando. In Hollywood, there is one park, so you don’t have to worry about park-hopper tickets. And Universal City Walk is free to experience even if you don’t have a park ticket.
If you’re planning a trip to Universal Hollywood, the best way to get a discount is through a third-party service. For example, AAA members can save up to 30 percent on tickets, depending on when you go. If you live in Southern California, you can buy a ticket through the CityPass website and save a few dollars. Alternatively, SoCal residents can sign up for a membership to the park and pay a low monthly rate ($7 to $29). There is a down payment of $149, though, so this option only works if you can visit the park more than a couple of times throughout the year.
When it comes to Universal Studios deals, Universal Studios Orlando tops the list. Because there are three parks to choose from (Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, and Volcano Bay), there are far more options available. Plus, you can still get discounted tickets from third parties like AAA for one-day passes. Here’s a quick breakdown of the deals offered by Universal Orlando.
Create Your Own Vacation Package
If you’re going to experience Universal Orlando, you might as well stay at an official Universal resort. The primary benefit of staying onsite is that you can get a shuttle to each park (and save on parking fees) and get early access. This means you can spend more time having fun and less time sitting in traffic and walking to the front gate.
The Create Your Own Vacation package includes a resort stay and a three-day park-hopper pass. The savings add up the longer you stay. For example, a two-night vacation will only save you $10, while a seven-night trip can save you $300 or more. The other benefit of this package is that you only have to buy a three-day, three-park pass and get two additional days for free.
As far as resorts go, there are plenty of options, including Dockside Inn and Suites, Cabana Bay Beach Resort, the Hard Rock Hotel, and many more. Universal also works with affiliate hotels to help you find the perfect resort for your needs. This promotion runs until April 16th, 2025.
Park Hopper Bundle
If you want to experience the parks without staying at a Universal Resort, you can get two days free by buying a two-day, two-park pass (or upgrade to a three-park pass to experience all three parks). There are two options for these passes. Either you can visit one park per day or get a multi-park pass.
The advantage of a multi-park pass is that you can move freely between each park within a single day. Universal Studios has a Harry Potter-themed train ride that takes you between the Studios and Islands of Adventure, saving you the time of having to go back out through the front gate.
Other Discounts
Universal Studios deals are also available if you book multi-night stays at different resorts, like the Loews Portofino Bay Hotel. As a rule, booking four or more nights will trigger a discount, but there are blackout dates, so keep that in mind. Again, the benefit of staying at an official Universal resort is that you can skip the parking line and get early access to each park.
Main Attractions at Each Park
Before you book a discounted ticket, it helps to know exactly what you’re getting at each park. Here’s a quick overview of all four parks in the Universal Studios pantheon.
Universal Studios Hollywood
This park has some unique attractions, including Super Nintendo World, the Studio Backlot Tour, Dreamworks Theater, and Minion Land. The park is divided into upper and lower lots, and it’s easy to move from one section to the next. As we mentioned, there’s also Universal City Walk Hollywood just outside the front gate, which has themed shops and restaurants.
Universal Studios Orlando
The sections at this park are much bigger, so you can experience more rides and character visits. Universal Studios has the Wizarding World of Harry Potter (also available in Hollywood), New York, Hollywood, San Francisco, Springfield (the Simpsons), Minion Land, and the World Expo.
Islands of Adventure
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter extends into the Islands of Adventure park, which is why you can take the train back and forth between each park with a multi-park pass. The sections of this park include Seuss Landing, Toon Lagoon, Marvel Superhero Island, Jurassic Park, and Skull Island: Reign of Kong.
Volcano Bay
Volcano Bay is a water park, so there aren’t as many roller coasters or characters wandering around. It’s also split into sections, including Rainforest Village, River Village, the Volcano itself, and Wave Village. Because it’s a water park, Volcano Bay is not always open (depending on the weather and season). So, keep that in mind when booking a Universal Vacation.
Become a Boardwalk Travel Agent and Get Access to Exclusive Universal Studios Deals
As an independent travel agent, you get access to Universal Studios deals and discounts before the general public. You can also get unique promotions that are only available to agents, allowing you to book better vacations for yourself, your friends, and your family. Best of all, you can earn commissions on each vacation package (including those for yourself), meaning it’s never been easier to make money by living your passion for Universal Theme Parks.
Boardwalk Travel Agency makes it easy to start booking as an agent. Sign up with a one-time membership fee and get lifetime access to our network of vendors. In addition to Universal Studios, we also work with Disney, all the major cruise lines, and other travel affiliates. Sign up today and start traveling!
