My annual pass has saved me tons of money. It gives me discounts on food, hotels, and merch. I have gotten endless summer hotels for as low as $78 a night. I only wish they gave discoints on alcohol.
We use the collapsible cups as well! Just don't ever fill them from the water fountains. That water is nasty. Always from the coke freestyle machines. That water is great and you can get ice then too!
Our grocery store gives us money for gas when we shop there and this includes purchasing gift cards. So I stock up on Universal gifts cards to use on food and merch and save money on gas.
My favorite tip from this video was buying an annual pass! Very smart idea! I live in Los Angeles but if I had an annual pass to Orlando I could see myself going very often! I usually go to HHN there every year but it would motivate me to go to Mardi Gras there for my first time ever! lol
My husband is civilian but works for DOD and qualifies for the military pass! We bring an empty water bottle and water is free at all the soda kiosks. When we arrive, I grab an Uber and get enough food for breakfast, snacks (you can bring them in the park) and dinner for my family and keep it in the hotel (with drinks for mom and dad). Then we eat out one massive meal a day at the parks (our favorite are the Harry Potter world restaurants). I love the idea of staying one night in a premier hotel! Will try that next time.
Thank you Ben and Aub! I got my slytherin postcard from you a few days ago. It’s really nice and I appreciate it. I was really surprised to see it. : )
About 6 years ago my family and I went to Universal for my daughter’s birthday in January, then decided to go back in November. We didn’t buy annual passes, we paid for two full vacation packages within the same calendar year. After doing the math when I found out about the hotel discounts with annual passes, I literally felt like that Tiger King clip.
I always remind people, if they are military, active/retired, or connected to someone that served/serving, the 2024 Military Freedom Pass Promotional Ticket for $210 per person, is the best option out there! Up to 6 tickets per military person for family & friends. There are some rules, but still the best "money saving" option for many people. I have seen Fudge Factor talk about this one in the past, but should be a nugget on this video. A lot of military people aren't even aware of this option. This was still a really good video, especially the 2-day Express Pass tip for staying in a premium hotel for 1 day!
That’s a great point! Freedom pass is a game changer! Especially if you combo it with the military rates on hotels! I agree! Always shocked how many people don’t know about it! Especially on the southern bases when it’s a fairly easy drive down for a 4 day weekend!
I don’t spend as much now as I did when I first started going since I know I’ll always be going I don’t feel like I need to buy all the merch! Except for when Epic opens, I think they’ll be a lot of new merch I’ll have to have 😅! Etsy is a great place for shirts!
I’ve been a pass holder for years. For me it’s the only way I could afford to fill my Universal addiction of weekly park trips. Mostly day trips but added 3 to 4 times a year stay overs at Aventura for Orlando Informer nights 😊
@@fudge_factor not really. I’m a post Jaws AP so lots of other people have seen the major changes that I missed. It took Mr Potter to pull me into being an AP but I’m so glad I did. Universal has become my home park, hands down.
Can I bring my hhn cup from last year and use it at hhn again this year, or is it just the hotel/ universal cups. Also, is it possible to use any container and get water free?
Yes and yes! You can bring your hhn freestyle cup from last year and re activate it for this year! You can also just bring any cup or water bottle for free water!
The Freestyle cup is incredible, especially during the summer. On one of my most recent trips, I refilled it 7x with soda/powerade, and 2x with water. If you have a Freestyle cup and don't want to pay to get it filled a second day, you can still get nice, cold water from the Freestyle machines. For souvenirs, I love buying in the parks, but it's not always in my budget. I like checking on the Universal merch site to see if it's available online. If it's not, I'll probably buy it since I can't get it elsewhere. If it is, I know I have some time to get it at a later date.
@fudge_factor very can't wait we was supposed to be doing it last November but I fell out loft got bleed on brain that stopped me flying. All good now but with all the rides and everything we delayed our trip. Bright side we get to stay longer 😂
Good tips! Love my freestyle cup. Got the holiday one last December, but every one we got leaked! The seal was garbage! Are they always like this? My regular old day to day (no seasonal theme) one is awesome, and I use it daily at home. Has anyone else had this issue? We traded a couple in, trying for a good one, but still ended up with drink all over us. I left mine behind when we came home.
@fudge_factor We did at least 3 times that I knew of. Not sure if the others tried again at some point. All leaked. Maybe we just got there when a bad shipment was out for sale? I may try again next time. We are thinking a February OI meet-up, so might be Mardi Gras!
Great tips. I'm a fan of collapsible cups for free water if I don't want to use my freestyle cup on a particular day. Last year I brought liquid iv packets with me to use with water at the hotel and I thought that worked out really well.
Totally agree! Those collapsible cups are super nice! We bring ours also when we don’t want to bring a freestyle cup! We also do the liquid iv! Super helpful during the summer heat! Or pedialite!
My annual pass has saved me tons of money. It gives me discounts on food, hotels, and merch. I have gotten endless summer hotels for as low as $78 a night. I only wish they gave discoints on alcohol.
That would be primo! Especially on blinky cups!
collapsible water cups (silicone), some children's menu items (don't want a full fish n chips, get the kids, just as good), and OI meetup,
All great options! Children’s menu items are a great option!
Meetups are never a bad option!
We use the collapsible cups as well! Just don't ever fill them from the water fountains. That water is nasty. Always from the coke freestyle machines. That water is great and you can get ice then too!
Totally true! Coke freestyle machines for the win!
Our grocery store gives us money for gas when we shop there and this includes purchasing gift cards. So I stock up on Universal gifts cards to use on food and merch and save money on gas.
Oooo that’s a fun perk!
My favorite tip from this video was buying an annual pass! Very smart idea! I live in Los Angeles but if I had an annual pass to Orlando I could see myself going very often! I usually go to HHN there every year but it would motivate me to go to Mardi Gras there for my first time ever! lol
Uhhh you should go to Mardi Gras! It’s an absolute party!
My husband is civilian but works for DOD and qualifies for the military pass! We bring an empty water bottle and water is free at all the soda kiosks. When we arrive, I grab an Uber and get enough food for breakfast, snacks (you can bring them in the park) and dinner for my family and keep it in the hotel (with drinks for mom and dad). Then we eat out one massive meal a day at the parks (our favorite are the Harry Potter world restaurants).
I love the idea of staying one night in a premier hotel! Will try that next time.
Yes! So many good wins here and great ways to save! Love it! 🙌 what’s your favorite Wizarding world food???
Thank you Ben and Aub! I got my slytherin postcard from you a few days ago. It’s really nice and I appreciate it. I was really surprised to see it. : )
Gahhh we are so glad you got it!!
About 6 years ago my family and I went to Universal for my daughter’s birthday in January, then decided to go back in November. We didn’t buy annual passes, we paid for two full vacation packages within the same calendar year. After doing the math when I found out about the hotel discounts with annual passes, I literally felt like that Tiger King clip.
“I’m never going to financially recover from this” 😂🤣🐅
I always remind people, if they are military, active/retired, or connected to someone that served/serving, the 2024 Military Freedom Pass Promotional Ticket for $210 per person, is the best option out there! Up to 6 tickets per military person for family & friends. There are some rules, but still the best "money saving" option for many people. I have seen Fudge Factor talk about this one in the past, but should be a nugget on this video. A lot of military people aren't even aware of this option. This was still a really good video, especially the 2-day Express Pass tip for staying in a premium hotel for 1 day!
That’s a great point! Freedom pass is a game changer! Especially if you combo it with the military rates on hotels!
I agree! Always shocked how many people don’t know about it! Especially on the southern bases when it’s a fairly easy drive down for a 4 day weekend!
I usually just throw my wallet in first and then go look for it. Adds an extra fun activity
Haha can’t spend money if you can’t find your wallet!
I don’t spend as much now as I did when I first started going since I know I’ll always be going I don’t feel like I need to buy all the merch! Except for when Epic opens, I think they’ll be a lot of new merch I’ll have to have 😅! Etsy is a great place for shirts!
Alllll the merch once epic opens!
@@fudge_factor I need to go through my closet again and get rid of stuff to make room!
Good ole spring cleaning!
I’ve been a pass holder for years. For me it’s the only way I could afford to fill my Universal addiction of weekly park trips. Mostly day trips but added 3 to 4 times a year stay overs at Aventura for Orlando Informer nights 😊
That makes a ton of sense! You’ve seen a lot of change over the years then?
@@fudge_factor not really. I’m a post Jaws AP so lots of other people have seen the major changes that I missed. It took Mr Potter to pull me into being an AP but I’m so glad I did. Universal has become my home park, hands down.
That's fair! You'll see epic open up which is going to be a huge change!
@@fudge_factor isn’t it fabulous!? The scale model in City Walk… just wow 🤩
We haven’t seen it yet! It looks super impressive!!
It was so cool seeing yall at work I'm the butterbeer guy lol
hahahah yessss! It was great seeing you again! It was also great getting video of you at work!
@fudge_factor I appreciate that so much. I'm so excited for that video
🙌🏻🙌🏻
Universal is cheap enough that you can stay on property to get the perks of early entry and Xpress pass. Cheaper than Disney by a longshot.
That's true! A lot cheaper! Universals express pass system is much simpler too in our opinion!
Can I bring my hhn cup from last year and use it at hhn again this year, or is it just the hotel/ universal cups. Also, is it possible to use any container and get water free?
Yes and yes! You can bring your hhn freestyle cup from last year and re activate it for this year! You can also just bring any cup or water bottle for free water!
The Freestyle cup is incredible, especially during the summer. On one of my most recent trips, I refilled it 7x with soda/powerade, and 2x with water. If you have a Freestyle cup and don't want to pay to get it filled a second day, you can still get nice, cold water from the Freestyle machines.
For souvenirs, I love buying in the parks, but it's not always in my budget. I like checking on the Universal merch site to see if it's available online. If it's not, I'll probably buy it since I can't get it elsewhere. If it is, I know I have some time to get it at a later date.
That’s a lot of money you saved with the freestyle cup!! And you can bring it back!
Great tactic with the merch too!
Thanks guys great tips for sure will use❤
Absolutely!! Do you have a trip planned?
@fudge_factor we do sorry!! One week Disney 2 uni us brits get a really good deal on tickets in comparison to you. But for sure love all your vlogs ❤️
That is going to be a heck of a trip!! Are you excited?
Thank you so much! That means a lot!
@fudge_factor very can't wait we was supposed to be doing it last November but I fell out loft got bleed on brain that stopped me flying. All good now but with all the rides and everything we delayed our trip. Bright side we get to stay longer 😂
Oh man! Thats quite the setback! But we are glad everything is ok and you get to enjoy your holiday!
Good tips! Love my freestyle cup. Got the holiday one last December, but every one we got leaked! The seal was garbage! Are they always like this? My regular old day to day (no seasonal theme) one is awesome, and I use it daily at home. Has anyone else had this issue? We traded a couple in, trying for a good one, but still ended up with drink all over us. I left mine behind when we came home.
Uh oh, that’s no good! I would say trade it in if it leaks like that!
@fudge_factor We did at least 3 times that I knew of. Not sure if the others tried again at some point. All leaked. Maybe we just got there when a bad shipment was out for sale? I may try again next time. We are thinking a February OI meet-up, so might be Mardi Gras!
An OI meetup is never a bad idea!
Great tips!
Thank you so much! Glad they are helpful!
Or, You Contact Fudge Factor to help you or setup your Adventures!!
We are always here to help!
I save money thru out the year to spend it here lol
Big facts 🤣😂. Gotta adult in order to allow the uni vacations
Just don't buy anything in theme parks especially food lol. Simple
Hahah that’s a pretty simple plan! Thats the easiest way to not spend money….:don’t spend it lol 😂 🤣
Don't waste money
Its never a good idea!
Great tips. I'm a fan of collapsible cups for free water if I don't want to use my freestyle cup on a particular day. Last year I brought liquid iv packets with me to use with water at the hotel and I thought that worked out really well.
Totally agree! Those collapsible cups are super nice! We bring ours also when we don’t want to bring a freestyle cup!
We also do the liquid iv! Super helpful during the summer heat! Or pedialite!