Universal Orlando Resort has announced their 2022 Freedom Pass, a special year-long pass for military families for one low price!
For 2022 Universal Orlando Resort has continued their Special Military Tickets called the Freedom Pass.
Freedom Passes are like a Universal Annual Pass, but without the other benefits Universal adds to regular annual passes (like parking and discounts).
These Passes Are Simply Amazing!
Pass Details
Offer Dates:
The Universal Orlando Freedom Pass is valid for use every single day of the year between 11 November 2021 and 31 December 2022 with no blockout dates.
The 2021 Freedom Passes are no longer for sale, but if you have any remaining they may be used prior to the end of the year.
This Pass is a Park Hopper.
Pass Types:
2 Park, Park-to-Park Freedom Pass – Both Adult & Child Versions
The 2-Park, Park-to-Park Military Promotional Pass entitles 1 eligible person admission to the following Universal Orlando Resort theme parks each day: Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure.
3 Park, Park-to-Park Freedom Pass – Both Adult & Child Versions
The 3-Park, Park-to-Park Military Promotional Pass entitles 1 eligible person admission to the following Universal Orlando Resort theme parks each day: Universal Studios Florida, Universal’s Islands of Adventure, AND Universal’s Volcano Bay Water Theme Park.
Pass Prices:
2022 prices for these special military passes remain the same as 2021, something Disney can’t say!!!
- 2 Park Freedom Pass – $200 Adult/$195 Child – For the whole year!
- 3 Park Freedom Pass – $235 Adult/$230 Child – For the whole year!
These Freedom Pass are only available at your Base Ticket Office or through your Travel Agent as part of a package.
They are not availableat Universal’s gates!
Note! These are a specially priced offer and are much cheaper per day than the Regular Military Universal Tickets. Compare prices! It might be cheaper to buy these for a shorter stay than the shorter Regular Military Discount Tickets..
Shades of Green Regular Universal Military Prices (Base Ticket Offices prices very similar if not the same)
Pass Purchase Limits:
Those eligible my purchase and activate up to 6 Freedom Passes duting the offer period.
There seems to be a lot of confusion about these passes on Facebook when I’ve shared this info in the past. So in a effort to be absolutely clear:
These Freedom Passes are like an annual pass, without the other benefits that usually go with an AP, like free parking and discounts.
You only pay the price once for the whole year, not on every visit or every so often.
Eligibility
Those Eligible for This Offer Are:
- Active or Retired US Military -Active Duty, National Guard, Reservists, US Coast Guard (with valid military ID!)
- 100% Service Connected Disability (with valid DoD issued Military ID!)
- Spouses of Eligible Service Members
- DOD Civilian Employees
Note: Unlike Disney, both the member and spouse have their own eligibility! SO that’s 12 Freedom Passes between them.
These tickets are priced extremely low, therefore they are a fantastic opportunity for Military personnel to visit both Universal Orlando’s original theme parks (Universal Studios Florida & Universal’s Islands of Adventure) as well as take advantage of experiencing Volcano Bay Water Theme Park!
Not Elegible:
- Non-Retirees e.g. DD-214 or VA Card
Pass Rules
Please Note/Most Important!!! – The Freedom Pass does not include any extras, like parking or discounts on food or merch! Only park admission is included. These passes are really not for those who are local or semi-local who buy regular annual passes and drive. So if you will be parking each day in Universal’s garage or use AP the discounts, total up all costs each way before purchasing these passes. These are perfect for those who fly in, use the Superstar Shuttle and stay on property for one long stay or several shorter ones during a year. I did a couple trips this year and it was perfect.
The eligible person must present a valid Military ID at time of voucher purchase and when exchanging the voucher at the Universal sales window.
Universal’s Officially Stated Rules:
- Limit 6 Passes during program period per eligible person.
- Only one single activation is allowed during this offer for the member and also one for the spouse. The member or spouse must be activating their own Freedom Pass when activating for others. Example – If you have friends that will be going with you during a second trip later in the year, you need to get and activate passes for them during your original activation. Neither I or multiple readers have found this to be true but Universal insists I put this rule here! I’ve queried Universal Orlando ticket locations in person regarding this and they have not heard of it! Multiple readers have been able to do second activations!
- You may make multiple purchases up to the limit, but only the single activation. Once you’ve activated the member’s and spouse’s ticket you are done. See Above.
- Passes must be used by the same person on any and all days (Non-Transferable). Universal has procedures to insure this.
- Passes will arrive UNACTIVATED
- Passes will be ACTIVATED at any Universal Pass Sales window (theme park or Universal Hotel) with a valid ID presented by the military member or military spouse; military member or spouse MUST accompany the party to the Pass Sales window for first activation of the Passes, and use one of the tickets; Dependent children CANNOT activate Passes on their own.
- Passes are not valid after 31 December 2022
- This offer is not valid at Universal Studios Hollywood
- The military sponsor, whether member or spouse MUST be with their guests on their first day of use of the 2022 Military Freedom Pass tickets as they will need to walk them through the turnstile with military ID. These tickets are not for gifting. I have never had to show an ID during First Use!
How to Buy Freedom Passes
Freedom Passes can only be purchased at your Base Ticket Office or as part of a Military Discounted Package through your Travel Agent.
When you purchase tickets/passes as part of a package they are protected because if you change or cancel your reservations, the whole package is refunded.
If you purchase them on Base all sales are final!
How to Use Freedom Passes
I have a whole post dedicated to this topic, you can check it out here.
Also see: Safeguarding your Universal Orlando Freedom Passes
See: What’s the Right Military Discounted Universal Orlando Ticket for Me?
Use a Military Expert for your Universal Studios Vacation
As I noted, a package is the way to go!
Use a Military Expert for your Universal Studios Vacation!Jen Novak is Our Recommended Universal Studios Travel Agent! Just click this link to get your Quote
Legalese
2-Park “2022 Military Freedom Pass” Promotional Ticket
The 2-Park Military “2022 Freedom Pass” Promotional Ticket entitles one (1) guest admission to BOTH Universal Studios Florida, AND Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme parks on the same day. Ticket is valid for use November 11, 2021 through and including December 31, 2022, with no blockout dates. Excludes separately ticketed events. This ticket also includes admission to select live entertainment venues of Universal CityWalk. Guest must present a valid Military ID at time of purchase, at time of the exchange at either Universal Studios Florida, or Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme park ticket sales window, and upon redemption at both Universal Studios Florida, and Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme parks. Unused days shall be forfeited. Additional restrictions may apply
3-Park “2022 Military Freedom Pass” Promotional Ticket
The 3-Park Military “2022 Freedom Pass” Promotional Ticket entitles one (1) guest admission to Universal Studios Florida, Universal’s Islands of Adventure, AND Universal’s Volcano Bay theme parks on the same day. Ticket is valid for use November 11, 2021 through and including December 31, 2022. Universal’s Volcano Bay closed on select dates. Visit UniversalOrlando.com for details. Excludes separately ticketed events. This ticket also includes admission to select live entertainment venues of Universal CityWalk. Guest must present a valid Military ID at time of purchase, at time of the exchange at either Universal Studios Florida, or Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme park ticket sales window, and upon redemption at both Universal Studios Florida, and Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme parks. Unused days shall be forfeited. Additional restrictions may apply.
The above Admission Media is non-refundable, non-transferable, and must be used by the same person on all days. Standard entry includes biometric scan. Valid only during normal operating hours. Parks, attractions, or entertainment may: close due to refurbishing, capacity, weather or special events; change operating hours; and otherwise change or be discontinued without notice and without liability to the owners of Universal Orlando Resort (‘Universal’). Unless otherwise stated, does not include admission to separately ticketed events at any of the Universal theme parks or within any of the CityWalk venues, Universal Cinemark, or Hollywood Drive-In Golf™, and parking or discounts on food or merchandise. Some CityWalk venues require ages 21 or older for admission. Valid Photo ID required. Additional restrictions may apply and benefits are subject to change without notice.
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Does everyone have to be present when the tickets are activated?
If I had family that would be going on a trip with us later in the year, but arriving a couple days earlier than us, can we activate their tickets their tickets during our first trip (without them) so they could go to the park those few days before we arrive on the combined trip?
Hi Justin,
No, only one activation is allowed. Universal has stated to me that if you need passes for others later in the year to activate them when you do yours.
Last year we purchased and activated 2 Freedom passes on our anniversary trip and then later went back to the ticket office and purchases 4 more tickets separate from our original trip and had absolutely no trouble at all activating those tickets for friends and family on our second spring vacation trip. It was stated above about a one time only activation but we didn’t run into any issues or questions upon that second activation. We were of coarse with the friends and family upon our second trip and activation but I wanted it noted about our experience with that. They cannot possibly expect you to be able to plan your vacation year with your initial ticket and activation purchase or a head count and name of who all you plan to travel with that far in advance which is why I feel that info isn’t accurate per our experience last year. Unless this is a new rule that is being implemented this 2022 year.
Hi Reanna,
Thank you so much for your intel report!!!
It is a ridiculous policy, and I’ve long suspected that in the real world this is not what actually happens.
But Universal Military Sales has repeatedly emphasized to me that this is the rule.
Does the service member or spouse have to be present every time for entry/have to show ID every time through the turnstile? ie: If I buy these for my family, which includes our non-dependent 20 year old niece, can she take my daughter by herself or do I/my husband have to be there to show ID upon gate entry every single time? Thanks!
Hi Staci,
Universal’s corporate military folks have stated to me that there is an ID check the first time that you enter with the passes, but not thereafter.
But… I’ve never experienced even this initial ID check myself, both with 2021 and 2022 Freedom Passes. The only ID check I’ve had is during activation.
Does the other family members need to be with the service member at the initial activation at the park or can the service member just provide names and other info about them to get their tickets activated for their later arrivals?
Hi Rick,
According to Universal’s corporate military folks (who are not at the parks in Orlando), no they do not need to be there.
I must say though that they have made this way more complex than needed with this policy. AND the people working in the parks seem to be totally unaware of this single activation. Just 2 days ago at the ticket desk in the HardRock Hotel I asked now that I had an activated Freedom Pass could I come back at a later date and activate more and was told sure! The same thing has been related to me by others.
Can I add Universal Express Pass to the days I will be there? I’m going for 5 consecutive days in September
Hi Tracy,
At Universal the Express Pass is totally separate from the ticket. So yes you can purchase it after arrival from a sales location.
Thank you for all the good information. So, to be clear, Expresses Passes are not included for use after 4:00 like some of the premier annual passes? Thanks again!
Hi Dan,
The Freedom Passes are good during normal park hours. They are not valid for special events that have an additional fee such as HHN.
Do the military passes include early admission?
Thanks!
Hi there, no they do not. Admission only, no extras whatsoever unlike a regular AP.
do the military freedom passes include Halloween Horror Nights?
Hi Kerri,
No they don’t. HHN is an additional ticket event.
The 2 or 3 park Freedom Express tickets…those are just for one day, correct? Does the freedom express military ticket have the option to add on days so we can do say 3 days? It doesn’t say there’s that option for additional days.
Hi Vanessa,
First, you seem to be mixing 2 different terms and I’m not sure which you are asking about the Freedom Pass or the Express Pass…
I imagine that you are asking about the military Freedom Pass that this post is about.
As noted in the post (look above the Captain America pic) a Freedom Pass that you buy now will be valid every single day from the day you first use it and 31 December 2022. It’s an annual pass.
The Express Pass is an entirely different thing that allows you to skip the regular line and use a shorter one. If purchased separately it is valid for the days purchased.
I am a current DoD civilian with an active CAC. My husband is a retired DoD civilian with an active retiree CAC, he worked for the Army for 34 yrs. We need a total of 9 tickets, can we both purchase tickets.. I’m getting different answers, some say yes, some say retired DoD civilians can’t purchase tickets.
Hi Rose,
Here is the eligibility right from Universal Orlando’s page:
Eligible Service Members
-Active Duty (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, National Guard, Reservists) and spouses
-Retired Military service members and spouses
-Department of Defense Civilians
You’ll see it specifically says retired service members and spouses in the bullet following the military members and spouses bullet. But the bullet stating civilians are eligible is not followed by a bullet saying retired civilians.
Sorry to say that only you are eligible for the Freedom Passes.
For the additional 3 tickets you’ll want to use the regular military discounted Universal tickets, these are only slightly discounted, if your base ticket office will sell them to civilians. If there are kids in the party they would ideally use these as they are cheaper than adults.
See: https://www.universalorlandomilitary.com/universal-orlando-resort-military-tickets/