Quite a few people have been confused about how to use Universal Orlando’s new Freedom Pass.
The Freedom Pass is a new offering for the military community that started in 2021. Rather than offering the military a highly discounted tickets for a specified number of days as they did in the past, Universal is offering a highly discounted calendar year-long pass to military families for 2024.
Learn more Details and Full Rules about Universal Orlando’s Freedom Pass
Purchasing the Universal Orlando Freedom Pass
Freedom Passes cannot be purchased at Universal Orlando’s ticket booths or hotel ticket locations!
They must be purchased ahead of time at your local Base Ticket Office, a Ticket Office that Ships, or as part of a military room and ticket package.
Each of the below categories may purchase up to 6 Freedom Passes:
- Active Duty (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, National Guard, Reservists) and spouses
- Retired Military service members and spouses
- Department of Defense Civilians
After receiving your Passes, take a picture of the back of each pass and your receipt. If lost, stolen, or forgotten the pictures will allow the replacement of your passes, Then put the passes in a safe place where you will remember putting them. See: Safeguarding your Universal Orlando Freedom Passes
Activating the Universal Orlando Freedom Pass
Before you can use your passes you need to go through an activation process in person at Universal Orlando.
You can do this at the theme and water park ticket booths at all 3 parks or the ticket locations located in each Universal Hotel.
You will need your military ID or civilian CAC to do this.You must activate all the passes that you want at this one single event. You cannot do any more later.
This is the only time your ID will required.
Once activated you are good to go!
You can then link your tickets to your universal app with which which you can display a QR code at the park entrances.
If you have a question just let us know in the comments section below!
Related, see: How to use the Universal Orlando Freedom Pass
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Is there a Universal Freedom Pass out for 2022?
If so..I have a follow on question..are you saying that I can use it every day of the year?..So in other words I could buy a Park hopper ticket..and go yo Universal 10 or 20 times or even more in the same calander year?
Hi John,
Not yet, though we expect to hear what Universal will offer soon. https://www.universalorlandomilitary.com/universal-orlando-military-tickets/universal-orlandos-2022-freedom-pass-update/
Yes the Freedom pass is in essence an annual pass without all the extras, good every day of the year. nYou can buy two 2 park (2 theme parks) or 3 park (theme and water parks) per day versions
I am a 100 % disabled very living in Naples FL wondering where I can purchase universal military tickets as I’m not on base
HI James,
See this post: https://www.universalorlandomilitary.com/universal-orlando-military-tickets/buy-universal-orlando-resort-military-tickets-long-distance/
Fort Meyers Coast Guard Exchange. That’s where I got ours
Thanks for the intel Daniel!
hello, if my suppose activates the 6 tickets that one time does he need to be present with us every time we go to the park without him?
No they do not Francisco.
When activating the tickets, can just the ID Card holder activate or does everyone have to be there?
Hi Yvonne, just the ID holder at Universal.
Just to be perfectly clear: my husband (retired Army) and I can purchase up to 12 tickets between us for ourselves, kids and grandkids and only my husband I have to be present to activate the tickets at Universal?
Hi Kathy,
Yes, per Universal’s Military Sales Manager, between the two of you you are eligible for 12.
What should I do if I have misplaced Universal Orlando Freedom passes that have already been activated and I want to return to Universal Studios?
Hi T,
Please tell me you either linked them in your Universal Orlando app or took pictures of the back of the passes!
If you linked the passes you do not need the physical ticket, just use the app.
If you took pics, you can show these at a Universal ticket window and get replacements.
Otherwise there is not much universal can do without the ticket numbers.
Probably a last ditch effort would be to take your original purchase receipt or pic of it (If you have these) to a ticket window and see if they could look up your passes somehow…
When I activate all six tickets, do I need the names that will go with these tickets or can I activate them and then just give them to the people who will use them (once the names are known), and they can register them in their name when they go the first time?
Hi Jeannette,
You do not need the names when you activate them. As you might be getting Freedom Passes for later in the year and those going with you could change.
FYI, I did need the names of the people who will be using the tickets when I purchased them at the military tickets and tours office and the names were printed on the voucher.
I was able to exchange the voucher at a Universal hotel for the actual tickets, which had the same names that were listed on the voucher.
Thanks for the update Jeannette!!!
Hi Jeannette,
We’ve been getting conflicting info from our base ITT office but maybe you know…I see you need the names of the people who will be using the extra tickets but do they need to be there when you activate and first enter the park? For example, my wife and I will get to Orlando a few days before my kids. Can we activate all the passes and go in even though my kids aren’t physically there to use the pass yet? Thanks!
Hi Rob,
Per Universal Military Sales Dept. the entire party does not need to be there for the initial activation.
Hi,
Can you clarify which Universal Hotels can activate them? We were going to stay at the Loews Royal Pacific…can we do it right from that hotel the morning we check in?
Thank you!
Hi Shelley,
All of Universal Orlando’s hotels have a ticket desk. SO you’ll be able to do it in the morning.
The pool at the Royal Pacific is great! Have fun.
Does the freedom pass get you access to the 20 valet parking
Hi David,
No, the Freedom Pass has no extras at all, just entrance every day through the end of the offer period (31 Dec 2022).
Thank you
We live seven hours away from Universal and are planning to visit Dec 30-31 2021. With COvid restrictions, How can I ensure there is space available for my party on those dates ahead of time? Do I have to visit the park to get our names on the list?
Thanks
Hi Robin,
I was unsure so I checked with my official Universal contact and this is what she said:
“Universal Orlando Resort along with all attractions in Orlando anticipate being very busy over the next couple of weeks. Universal Orlando does not require reservations to visit any of our theme parks. We always manage attendance to provide a safe and enjoyable guest experience and have returned to pre-COVID attendance levels. We encourage guest to arrive as early as possible prior to the parks opening to get parked and make your way to the Front Gates.
Please keep in mind, guests staying at Universal Orlando Resort hotels do have early park admission.”
It’s pretty much what I thought, but I wanted to get the official take on your concerns.
If a eligible veteran is an UOAP, how many freedom passes are they allowed if they are not purchasing one for themselves? 5 or 6?
Hi Z,
I’m not sure if that’s allowed (Like it is at Disney), but I’ll check with Universal Military Sales.
Hi Z,
I’ve queried Universal Orlando’s Military Sales Manager, and they do not want this information posted online for some reason.
They advise passholders to email [email protected] to find out the answer regarding Freedom Passes. (they did not tell me what the answer is…)
Can I add the Universal Studios Express Pass (for specific days) to the Military Freedom Pass Promotional Ticket?
HI Alex,
Yes you can purchase the express pass separately.
I bought my children freedom passes with my eligible tickets but did not realize I would have to check them in on their trip!! Can I send my ID with them? I feel just terrible not looking further into this before.
Hi Linda,
I’d say no. You are required to show your ID in person and enter with your guests the first time.
So the options I always recommend in this situation are:
1.Take the passes back to where you purchased them and tell them they did not inform you of the rules and that you’d like a refund and instead want the Regular Military Discounted Universal Tickers (which offer much less savings).
2. Send a photo of your ID and a letter with your kids explaining the situation and that you’d like them to be able to use the value of the passes towards full price tickets. They will have to work this out ate the ticket locations there.
Are my Adult Children eligible for the Freedom Season Pass? I am retired Military/DOD Tobyhanna Army Depot is my home base Thank You
Hi Michael,
Not on their own. They can not purchase or activate these passes. You or your spouse can of course use them for yourselves and anyone else that you desire.
Your kids on their own could use the Regular Universal Military Tickets that you purchase for them (assuming they have no Mil IDs). If they have Mil dependent IDs they can buy and use the regular mil tickets themselves.
See: https://www.universalorlandomilitary.com/universal-orlando-resort-military-tickets/
I left my paper tickets with the QR code at home. However I do have a pic on my iPhone. Would I be able to get in with the pic and my military ID?
Jim, you’ll be able to go to a ticket window or counter with the pic and ID and get a replacement paper one.
You should link it to the Universal appp, then you don’t need the paper one.
My Dad who is retired military bought the Freedom pass for us. We are going on a trip for Thanksgiving. However, my daughter and I now have the opportunity to go to Universal for a few days this summer and he won’t be with us. However, my friend who is also eligible for these tickets will be with us and is going to activate her tickets. Can she also activate ours at that time?
Hi Jessica,
That’ll be just fine, your friend can activate them for you. Just keep in mind those tickets will go towards their limit not your dad’s
If the military person and spouse have already activated their tickets with a trip to universal, and now want to bring family for a second trip .. can another military person buy the vouchers and the original person or spouse activate them on arrival ?
Hi Rita,
I have to answer, probably…
Please see my 2022 Freedom Pass post for full rules and details as well as the controversy you are acking about. Be suer to read the comments section!
https://www.universalorlandomilitary.com/universal-orlando-military-tickets/universal-orlando-2022-freedom-pass-for-the-military-community/
I am 18 and my dad has purchased tickets for myself and 3 others. I have my own military dependent ID card from him. Can I activate at the park without him being there?
Hi Ellie,
Unfortunately non-spouse dependents like you are not eligible to purchase and activate the Freedom Passes. Only the member or spouse can do that.
In order for you to use a freedom pass with your friends, your mom or dad must buy them and one for themselves, and then activate them either with you or ahead of time.
However you can buy and use the Regular Military Discounted Universal Tickets on your own. See: https://www.universalorlandomilitary.com/universal-orlando-resort-military-tickets/
You didn’t say what kind of tickets he purchased, but I assumed Freedom Passes as you commented on a post about them.
HI Steve,
I feel like I’m getting conflicting info from various places. I am the spouse of Veteran and will be purchasing Freedom Passes for myself and 3 family members. I understand that I can activate the tickets without the others being present but will wee all need to enter the park together for the first time? Two of our family members are coming in on a later flight and I would like to take advantage of that first day by going to the park earlier.
Hi Donna,
Unlike Disney where everyone has to be there, you can activate freedom passes for others to use later without their being present.
I just want to check that you meant spouse of a retired military member right? You have a spouse ID?
Typically Veteran means someone who served but did not retire, and someone in that status would not be eligible for the Freedom Pass.
Hello,
My wife, son and I went to Universal Studios, Orlando back in February, but our daughter was not able to go. We’ve since decided to return in June, and would like to get her a pass as well. Would we be able to activate it even though it was not purchased at the same time as the others??
Hi David,
From all the intel I’ve gathered on property, you shouldn’t have any trouble doing that.
If you should encounter issues, your wife can activate it as she hasn’t done any yet I assume, then your daughter can use it…
Do you know how late ticket offices are open to activate our Military Freedom Passes? We’re not staying at a Universal Resort Hotel and plan to have dinner at Universal CityWalk the night before our first Universal Studios day. We’d like to activate them the night before our first Universal Studios day wherever it’s easiest to do this. Thanks!
Ticket windows are open through park close Donna.
If I purchase a Freedom pass for my son, can he go without me activating it and have him activate it on his own? If I have to be there to activate it, can he go on his own for future visits or do I have to go with him every time.
Hi Nicholas,
I’m assuming that your son is a dependent and not a military member.
If that is the case, no you can’t just buy hime a Freedom Pass, you need one of your own as well. He can’t activate the passes, you need to do that as the member. He can however use the pass without you on later visits.
Can I use the Freedom pass more than 1(one) time?
Hi Travis,
Check out the main Freedom Pass page: https://www.universalorlandomilitary.com/universal-orlando-military-tickets/universal-orlando-2023-freedom-pass-for-the-military-community/
It explains there that the Freedom Pass is a pass good for the length of the offer, not a ticket. That means that you can use it every single day from the day you first use it through the end of the offer period (24 Dec this year).
1. Do I have to have a freedom pass as well as my guest or can I just purchase their freedom pass and activate it
2. Do I have to activate at the counter or is there an online method, like ID ME or other military verification websites that I can use to activate the freedom passes?
Hi Dom,
Universal’s rules require you to have one of your own. The Regular Universal Military Tickets would be the appropriate tickets for giving to others who you won’t accompany.
Unfortunately no, all activations are in person at a Universal ticket window or Universal Hotel ticket desk.
If I purchase the Freedom Pass now, is the Freedom Pass only good for the rest of this current year or is the annual pass from now and for 365 days.
Also, if I purchase for myself and my brother. I understand I will be there at the first activation. Will my brother be able to go back on his own afterwards as many times as he likes until the pass expires.
Hi Nicholas,
This year’s Freedom Pass would be valid through 20 December 2024.
https://www.universalorlandomilitary.com/universal-orlando-military-tickets/universal-orlando-2024-freedom-pass-for-the-military-community/
If me and my husband purchase 6 tickets each do we both have to be at Universal to activate all the tickets?
Hi Yvette,
Yes, you would each have to activate your 6.