This is one of the Military Disney Tips Topic Overview Pages. These pages gather helpful posts and planning guides on one subject so you can quickly find the information you need.
Check out all of our other Topic Overview Pages:
Last updated: March 2026. This overview page is periodically reviewed to keep Universal Orlando planning information accurate for military families.
Universal Studios Orlando Resort Overview
Universal Orlando has become a much bigger vacation destination for military families, especially with the long-running Freedom Pass, military-rate hotel offers, and the addition of Epic Universe products. But that also means planning can get more complicated. There are multiple kinds of military tickets, several on-site hotel categories, special perks like Express Pass at select hotels, and transportation choices to consider if you are splitting your vacation with Walt Disney World.
This page brings together the main Universal Orlando topics from Military Disney Tips and my Universal-focused military site so you can quickly find the information you need. Use it as your starting point for tickets, theme parks, hotels, dining, transportation, and CityWalk.
If you only read one page first, start with What’s the Right Military Discounted Universal Orlando Ticket for Me?.
Check out all of our other Topic Overview Pages:
Universal Orlando Tickets |
Universal Orlando military tickets usually fall into two main buckets: the promotional Military Freedom Pass and the regular year-round military discount tickets sold through military ticket offices. Epic Universe adds another layer, since the Freedom Pass and Epic products are handled separately. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
- Military Discount Theme Park Ticket Overview
- Universal Orlando Freedom Pass
- Universal Orlando Freedom Pass – Spring Blockouts Removed
- Universal Orlando Epic Universe Military Discounts
- Will There Be a 2026 Universal Orlando Freedom Pass?
- What’s the Right Military Discounted Universal Orlando Ticket for Me?
- Regular Universal Military Tickets
Buying tickets:
- Buy Military Discounted Universal Tickets Long Distance — Same basic process through Shades of Green.
- The Orlando ITT Office and Navy Exchange
- The Best Way to Get to Universal Studios from Disney World
More Universal military ticket help on my other site:
- How to Use Universal Orlando’s Freedom Pass
- Safeguarding Your Universal Orlando Freedom Passes
- Buy Universal Orlando Resort Military Tickets Using Your Star Card
- Universal Orlando Military Discounts for Veterans
Need Help Planning Your Universal Orlando Vacation?
Universal Orlando vacations can get complicated quickly, especially for military families trying to compare Freedom Passes, military ticket options, Express Pass benefits, and resort choices.
That’s why Military Disney Tips recommends Universal Studios Vacations by Jen Novak.
Jen Novak specializes in helping military families plan Universal Orlando vacations and understands the unique details surrounding military discounts, Freedom Passes, and on-site hotel benefits.
- Experienced with Universal Orlando military discounts and Freedom Passes
- Knowledgeable about Universal Orlando resort benefits and Express Pass strategies
- Same pricing as booking directly with Universal Orlando
- Additional planning assistance available for guests wanting more personalized help
- Can help simplify planning and reduce vacation stress
Universal Orlando Theme Parks |
Universal Orlando now includes multiple major theme parks, each with a different feel and planning strategy. If you are trying to decide how many days you need, where to focus your time, or whether Epic Universe changes the value of your ticket choice, these park guides are a great place to start. Universal now sells separate Epic Universe military products alongside its 2026 Military Freedom Pass offers. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
- Universal Orlando Theme Parks Primer
- Universal Studios Florida
- Universal’s Islands of Adventure
- Universal Orlando Epic Universe Military Discounts
- Everything Harry Potter in the Universal Orlando Resort
More Wizarding World planning on my Universal guide site:
- When Is the Best Time to Visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter?
- All About the Magic Wands
- All About the Hogwarts Express
- Hogsmeade vs. Diagon Alley
Universal Orlando Lodging |
Universal hotels can be an outstanding value for military families, especially when you factor in hotel category perks. Some Signature Collection hotels still include Express Pass benefits even when booked with military discounts, which can make the overall value much stronger than the room rate alone. Universal also currently offers military vacation packages. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
- Hotel & Resort Overview
- Universal Orlando Hotels
- Do Signature Collection Hotel Guests with Military Discounts Still Get Express Pass?
Universal offers military room-only discounts and vacation packages. If you want help booking, Jen Novak remains your recommended Universal travel agent.
Jen Novak is Military Disney Tips’ recommended Universal Studios travel agent.
Click here to get your quote
Universal Orlando Dining |
Dining at Universal Orlando is easier to overlook than the rides, but it can still shape your day, especially if you want table-service reservations or plan to spend time at CityWalk.
Universal Orlando Transportation |
Transportation at Universal Orlando is simpler than Walt Disney World once you are on property, but airport transportation and Disney-to-Universal transfers still matter. Most of the core resort area is walkable, and Universal also operates water taxis for select hotels.
- Transportation Overview
- How to Get to Universal Orlando from Walt Disney World
- Our Orlando International Airport Guide
- Orlando International Airport’s USO Welcome Center
- Universal Orlando Transportation Overview
Universal Orlando Outside the Parks |
CityWalk is the main outside-the-parks destination at Universal Orlando, and it can be a worthwhile stop even on a non-park day. Military discounts are available at some locations.
Universal Orlando for Military |
For much more Universal Orlando content built specifically for the military community, visit Universal Orlando for Military. That site is becoming the dedicated Universal counterpart to Military Disney Tips.
This article was written by Steve Bell, founder of Military Disney Tips.
Steve is a retired U.S. military member who has been visiting the Disney Parks since 1971 and writing about Disney military discounts and vacations for the military community for over 18 years.
Read Steve’s Full Bio | Follow Military Disney Tips on Facebook
Planning a Universal Orlando Vacation?
Universal Orlando vacations work very differently than Disney trips, especially for military families using Freedom Passes and military ticket discounts. These guides can help you understand ticket options, resort benefits, transportation, and planning strategies for Universal Orlando Resort.
- Universal Orlando Freedom Pass Guide
- Universal Orlando Military Tickets & Passes
- Universal Orlando Resort Overview
- Everything Harry Potter at Universal Orlando
- Getting from Disney World to Universal Orlando
- Is Universal Orlando Good for Small Children?
More Universal Orlando Resources:
Need Help Planning Your Universal Orlando Vacation?
Universal Orlando vacations can get complicated quickly, especially for military families trying to compare Freedom Passes, military ticket options, Express Pass benefits, and resort choices.
That’s why Military Disney Tips recommends Universal Studios Vacations by Jen Novak.
Jen Novak specializes in helping military families plan Universal Orlando vacations and understands the unique details surrounding military discounts, Freedom Passes, and on-site hotel benefits.
- Experienced with Universal Orlando military discounts and Freedom Passes
- Knowledgeable about Universal Orlando resort benefits and Express Pass strategies
- Same pricing as booking directly with Universal Orlando
- Additional planning assistance available for guests wanting more personalized help
- Can help simplify planning and reduce vacation stress
Get Free Disney Military Discount Updates
Stay up to date on Disney and Universal military discounts, ticket changes, resort updates, planning tips, and new guides from Military Disney Tips.
Steve’s free email newsletter helps military families stay informed about the latest Disney and Universal vacation news that matters to the military community.
Steve – your site is amazing! We have Form 1173 ID cards with DAVPRM as the status. Will that ID work for Orlando Studios discounts?
Thanks so much!
Hi Holly yes that should work with your Base Ticket Office or Shades of Green just like Disney tickets.
Is Universal Studios going to extend the dates on the Salute to Military’s tickets purchased in 2020 like Disney did?.
Hi David,
I would not expect so as they have a 2021 offer and would have already done so.
If you are holding some reach out to where you bought them to see what they will do for you!
https://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/universal-military-discounts/universal-orlando-2021-special-military-discounted-tickets-and-packages/
Check with universal or load your tickets into the universal app if you have already redeemed your vouchers at the ticket office. We used two days in 2020, our remaking three days are now valid until 2022, two years to the date we redeemed our vouchers.
Awesome news Joel!
Thanks for the intel!!!
Hey Steve,
We are thinking on tacking on a Universal leg to our October Disney trip. We haven’t been to Universal (kids are ages 10 and 16) how many days do we need? Thinking two but wondering if we need three days to see it all.
Thanks!
Hi Holly,
I’ve been to Universal several times over the years. But I don’t tour like others, I’m mostly getting pics rather than riding every ride, especially if I’ve done the ride before.
2 Days is the minimum, I’d say. ANd 3 would take the pressure off and allow a slower pace.
Steve
Do Universal military tickets require the service member or spouse to activate on first use? We are two families arriving at different times (8am vs 6pm) taking 4 HS graduates from Calif. I have the qualifying ID but arrive on the late flight. Can my guests visit the park with their military tickets before I arrive?
Diann
Hi Diann,
It depends on the type of ticket (just like at Disney). The new highly discounted Freedom Passes do require the member to be present to activate the passes for use.
The standard Military Universal tickets like these do not require activation and can be used without the member. Note, I haven’t checked back on their availability so many show unavailable. I’ll try to get to it tomorrow…
I am trying to get the 2022 Freedom Pass for this Thursday and Friday as i will be traveling to Orlando for Yellow Ribbon. My ITT never told me that it takes 3-4 days for them to even get the tickets. They told me that i can purchase them as Shades of Green but after reading some information on these sites it is saying they can only be purchased through my own base ITT or through an agent? Is this the case or how else can i purchase these tickets?
Hi Amber,
You can purchase them at/from any base Ticket Office, Shades of Green or the Orlando ITT.
Has there been any confirmation yet whether the freedom pass will be available for 2023? Not so much interested in the availability date, just wondering if it will be offered.
HI Jake,
It wasn’t until early Nov that I heard last year as I recall. I’ll reach out to Universal to check.
Thank you!
I checked with Universal and they said “early” November.
https://www.universalorlandomilitary.com/universal-orlando-military-tickets/2023-universal-orlando-freedom-pass-information/
Hi, I am coming on vacation to Orlando with me family. I am currently serving in the British Army, I am just enquiring is there any discounts for other serving personal from other countries?
Hi Owen,
None that I am aware of.