Universal Orlando Resort has announced their 2024 Freedom Pass, a special year-long ticket for military families for one low price!
For 2024 Universal Orlando Resort has continued their Special Military Tickets called the Freedom Pass.
Freedom Passes are “Unlimited Use Tickets” that are sort of like a Universal Annual Pass, but without the other benefits that Universal adds to their regular annual passes (like parking and discounts). These are officially not passes. These Tickets Are Simply Amazing!
Details
Offer Dates: Tickets are available for purchase starting 16 November 2023! The Universal Orlando Freedom Pass is valid for use from 16 November 2023 through and including 20 December 2024. For the second year Universal’s 2024 Freedom Pass has Bolckout Dates (Dates on which you may not use your pass, it’s blocked from use). Freedom Pass Blockout Dates are:
- 25 December 2023 through and including 2 January 2024
25 March 2024, through and including 31 March 2024These dates deleted by Universal January 2024!
This Pass is a Park Hopper for either 2 or 3 parks. 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: 2024 prices for these special military tickets have increased just 10 dollars. This is the first price increase since the program started in 2021!
- 2 Park Freedom Pass – $210 Adult/$205 Child – For the whole year!
- 3 Park Freedom Pass – $245 Adult/$240 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 available at Universal’s gates! They are not available Universal’s gates! Pass Purchase Limits: Those eligible may purchase and activate a Maximum to 6 Freedom Passes during the offer period. Universal Orlando Freedom Passes DO NOT include admission to separately ticketed events like Halloween Horror Nights! 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 may purchase and activate up to 6 Freedom Passes duting the offer period. There seems to be a lot of confusion about these passes both here and on facebook when I’ve shared this info in the past. So in a effort to be absolutely clear: These Freedom Passes are unlimited use tickets that are like an annual pass, without any 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:
- Current or Retired US Military -Active Duty, National Guard, Reservists, US Coast Guard (with valid military ID!)
- 100% Service Connected Disability (with service connected US military ID!)
- Spouses of Eligible Service Members
- DOD Civilian Employees
Note: Both the member and spouse have their own eligibility, so 12 tickets total for that family. However those who might have 2 eligibilities, e.g. a Reservist/Guardsman who is also a DoD Civ, or military retiree who is a DoD Civ only have 1 eligibility of 6 tickets, it’s per person, not per ID. 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
- Divorced souped with benefits
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 might not be best 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 or other airport Transportation and stay on property for one long stay or several shorter ones during a year. I did a couple trips last 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 purchase is allowed during this offer per eligible person. If there are extenuating circumstances, discuss this with the base where you made the initial purchase.
- All passes must be be purchased at the same location.
- Passes are UNACTIVATED when purchased.
- Passes will be ACTIVATED at any Universal Pass Sales window 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 20 December 2024
- 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.
How to Buy Freedom Passes
Freedom Passes can only be purchased at your local Base Ticket Office, a Base Ticket Office that sells long distance and ships, 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!
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Bridgette says
I have a quick question. Does the military annual pass allow early entry to the parks?
Thank you
Steve says
Hi Bridgette,
At Universal early entry is based on where you stay not your ticket. Guests who stay at Universal’s hotels are eligible for early entry.
A.Brown says
I am a DAFS VA employee and a Veteran. Do I qualify for discounted tickets?
Steve says
Hello A.
The civil service employment doesn’t qualify as it is not DoD.
The veteran status might… It’s complicated.
You said veteran, so you are not retired military???
No veterans are eligible for the Freedom Passes!
But there are the regular Universal military tickets that have other eligibility.
If you fall under the McCain Equal Access Act you can buy the regular tickets and if you are staying at Shades of Green in January or September you can also buy them there.
See:
https://www.universalorlandomilitary.com/universal-orlando-military-tickets/universal-orlando-military-discounts-for-veterans/
https://www.universalorlandomilitary.com/universal-orlando-military-tickets/universal-orlando-military-discounts-for-veterans/
And this on my other site:
https://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/shades-of-green/shades-of-green-stays-for-non-retired-veterans/
April says
Hi, have you looked into the “new” rules about purchasing universal freedom passes after initial purchase? I was told by my local ITT office and Shades of Green, today, that I can come purchase one more ticket for a family member although I’ve already activated 4 and me and my sponsor activated 2 of the 4 (basically we won’t have any a sponsor or spouse to activate a ticket this time). I’m nervous after reading this post because I will be going to the park with only one unactivated ticket for a family member so please let me know if you heard of this new rule as well.
Steve says
Hi April,
Hey, I answered your question on the other post you put it on. I will copy that answer below, but…..
What Base Told You This?
If you let me know I’ll email with my universal rep to say that base abd Shades of Green are saying you can and see what they say.
Thanks, Steve
—————
So, I’ve been round and round with my Universal Orlando Military Sales rep about the one activation rule since they first came out with the Freedom Passes 3 years ago. It’s a stupid rule and I’ve tried to dissuade them from it. But they have held firm that it is their intent for this to be the rule.
I have not yet used the 2024 Freedom Pass, though I did use the 2023 and 2022 extensively. My research on property in 2022 and 2023 was that all ticket locations (park and hotel) would do a second (or more) activation if you brought them passes to activate.
However my rep has told me that they have been working to train those who sell tickets at Universal and those who work in base ticket offices that there can be only one purchase at your base (with one slight exception) and one activation on arrival. Whether those on property are enforcing this, I’m not sure yet as I haven’t been yet this year.
From what you say, you do not have the freedom pass for your family member yet. I’m told the only exception for a second purchase is that you did not need it when you purchased initially. The examples given were your young child did not need a pass when you bought them due to age, but after their birthday they did need one and a exchange student came to live with you after you bought the passes. An adoption would be the same. And you are supposed to go to the same location where you initially purchased to buy again in a circumstance like this.
So, that’s what I know, it’s up to you how you proceed. You could first see what the base will do (sell to you or not). Then you’d have to roll the dice to see if you could get it activated on arrival. If you couldn’t you’d then need to get them to allow you to use the purchase price towards a full price ticket.
Sorry I couldn’t be more help! It’s a dumb rule that hasn’t been implemented in the past, but they say they will be now…
Julia P says
Hi! In the past my mother has always purchased special promotion passes through Disney and universal using her military spouse discount. She and my father have been divorced for about 10 years but were married for 34 years while he was active duty. The base has never asked if she and my father were married and today they asked and she said they were divorced but they didn’t ask any follow up questions. According to shades of green if they were married 20 years she would still get it. In your opinion should she be able to get the universal freedom passes?
Steve says
Hi Julia,
Since you’ve already received a confirmation from Shades of Green I would suggest that she purchase the Universal tickets from them as well.
I believe that she would be eligible, but as the entity making the sale they would be the arbitrator of eligibility.
Pete Tuttle says
I have purchased 4 freedom pass for 2024. Do all of the family need to be present for me to activate them? Can I as the military member activate all 4 passes by myself?
We plan to visit as a family for spring break next month. But I will be visiting the parks by myself next week.
Steve says
Hi Pete,
Yes, as I understand it (and from what ticket workers tell me) you can do that.
Pete Tuttle says
Thanks Steve! Also, thanks for this site, it’s very helpful.
Jen Smith says
Sorry, just want to make sure, I am active military I can purchase 6 tickets for family members but they are not military. They can use them as long as I go through the turn style with them the first time?
Steve says
Yes, that’s correct, that’s how it works Jen.
MM says
When the tickets were first purchased we were told there were block out dates in March. Here I see this:
25 March 2024, through and including 31 March 2024 These dates deleted by Universal January 2024!
So are these dates no longer blocked out for the freedom pass?
Steve says
Yes that’s correct MM.
Josh says
I just purchased three of the | 3-Park Park to Park Universal Orlando 2024 Military Freedom Pass | and I can’t find anywhere if these passes include any express functions. I’m assuming not, but can you please confirm one way or the other.
And, if not, will I be able to purchase express privileges through the Universal Studios App?
Steve Bell says
Hi Josh,
At Universal the Express Pass is not part of tickets!
There are 3 ways to get them:
You can purchase via the app or from locations in each park or ticket booths outside.
Sara says
My husband is a veteran through the National guard could we get a freedom pass for us and 3 kids. Also where would I buy them?
Steve Bell says
Hi there Sara,
When you say veteran, do you mean 20-year retirement from the military? Or someone who served for a time and got out (this is the common meaning of veteran)?
Retired military are eligible for the Freedom Pass. See “How to Buy Freedom Passes” in this post on where to buy.
Veterans are not eligible to buy these, but there are a couple of possible options. If he has a McCain Bill qualifier he can buy the Regular Universal Military Tickets. If not he can still stay at Shades of Green in Jan and Sept and buy the regular tickets while staying there.
https://www.universalorlandomilitary.com/universal-orlando-military-tickets/universal-orlando-military-discounts-for-veterans/
https://www.universalorlandomilitary.com/universal-orlando-resort-military-tickets/
https://www.universalorlandomilitary.com/shades-of-green-an-armed-forces-recreation-center/
https://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/shades-of-green/shades-of-green-stays-for-non-retired-veterans/
https://www.universalorlandomilitary.com/shades-of-green-an-armed-forces-recreation-center/shades-of-green-resort-military-attraction-ticket-sales-office/
Steve G says
I assume since these are the same as Park Hopper tickets, there should not be a problem using the Hogwarts Express. Can you confirm?
Steve Bell says
Hi Steve,
You are totally correct. I just did it last week.