Universal Orlando passholder perks return for May 2023

From May 1-26, 2023, Universal Orlando Resort passholders will receive additional benefits to add to their fun. These include a special entrance, exclusive dining locations, unique menu items, and a new Universal Orlando Annual Pass (UOAP) magnet.

Special UOAP Entrance

Passholders can enter Universal’s Islands of Adventure through an exclusive entrance May 1-26, from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. The specially-marked entrances will require guests to show their annual pass (or season pass) to enter. Guests may also have to show a valid photo ID.

The Universal Studios Florida passholder entrance worked very efficiently in previous years and the Islands of Adventure passholder entrance moved slower. However, only the Islands of Adventure entrance will be available first thing in the morning, as Universal Studios Florida doesn’t open until 9 a.m. and Islands of Adventure opens at 8 a.m. for early park admission.

Special Passholder Dining Areas

Another returning limited-time perk for annual passholders is access to exclusive dining areas. Confisco Grille and Lombard’s Seafood Grill will allow the passholders to utilize the upstairs seating areas, which provides a more exclusive feeling for diners.

Exclusive Universal Orlando Passholder Menu Items

CityWalk

• Voodoo Doughnut – Hole Lotta Horchata Doughnut ($3.75) – A yeast doughnut tossed with cinnamon & sugar with a horchata Bavarian cream filling.
• Antojitos Authentic Mexican Food – Crab Enchiladas (19.95) with chichilo mole, jicama slaw, house rice, and refried beans.
• NBC Sports Grill & Brew – Avocado Toast Burger (16.95) – A non-traditional burger featuring an all-beef patty, fried egg, California smashed avocados, EVOO, sea salt, pickled red onions, feta cheese, and cherry tomatoes.
• Universal’s Great Movie Escape – Perfect Pear Margarita ($14.50) made with El Jimador Blanco Tequila, pear syrup, sour, and fresh lime juice.

Universal Studios Florida

• Lombard’s Seafood Grill – Shrimp and Crab Rangoon ($14.00) – A crispy wonton filled with lump crab, shrimp, cream cheese, soy, and a sweet chili sauce.
• Finnegan’s Bar & Grill – Ale Braised Pork Sandwich ($16.95) – Ale-braised pork sandwich topped with Irish whiskey BBQ sauce, stout beer cheese sauce, pickled onion, and cabbage on a pretzel bun (served with wedge fries).

Islands of Adventure

• Confisco Grille – Wagyu Beef Sliders ($18.95) – Wagyu Beef, caramelized onion and pear chutney, brie cheese, whole grain mustard aioli, and a brioche bun (served with French fries).
• Mythos Restaurant – Shrimp Saganaki Meze ($16.00) – Sautéed prawns deglazed with Ouzu, spicy tomato broth, feta cheese, and a grilled pita.
• Starbucks – Banana Split Frappuccino (Price ranges from $8.49 – $9.49) – Starbucks-exclusive creation featuring a blended frappuccino with vanilla bean, strawberry, java chips, and banana topped with whip and mocha drizzle.

These exclusive passholder menu items show that Universal Orlando Resort trying to care for their annual passholders during slower times of the year. However, we have some observations with respect to this year’s offerings.

Although several are modified versions of previous passholder exclusive menu items, we do not see any vegan items listed this year. With the increase in vegan options offered at Universal Orlando overall, this backward trend is notable.

Also, the return of a Starbucks passholder item will encourage passholders, but why is it only available at the Islands of Adventure location? Since that location draws a large crowd during the morning hours, this may change.

Universal Orlando Passholder Exclusive Dining Offers at Resort Hotels

• Trattoria del Porto at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel – Receive a complimentary dessert with the purchase of a lunch or dinner entrée.
• The Kitchen at Hard Rock Hotel – Buy one draft beer or Archetype wine and get one draft beer or Archetype wine free.
• Jake’s American Bar and Islands Dining Room at Loews Royal Pacific Resort – Buy one draft beer or featured wine and get a second one free.
• Amatista Cookhouse at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort – Buy a draft beer or featured wine and get one free.
• Urban Pantry food court at Universal’s Aventura Hotel, Bayliner Diner at Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort, and food courts at Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Buy one length of stay refillable souvenir cup for the price of a three-day refillable souvenir cup. This will save passholders about three to four dollars for each cup purchased.