How to Get the Universal Express Pass for Free [2025 Hotel HACK]

Did you know there’s a way to get the Universal Express Pass for free?

Guests staying at one of Universal’s Signature Collection hotels—specifically Hard Rock Hotel, Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, or Loews Royal Pacific Resort—receive complimentary Universal Express Unlimited Passes for Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure as part of their stay. These passes, valued at $119.99–$400 per person per day in 2025, are included for every guest and every day, including check-in and check-out.

Note: Universal Helios Grand Hotel, another Signature Collection hotel, does not offer complimentary Express Passes, nor do Prime Value (e.g., Loews Sapphire Falls Resort) or Value hotels. Express Passes for Universal Epic Universe ($129.99–$250 per person) must be purchased separately.

Let’s take a closer look at how to get complimentary Universal Express Unlimited passes and why staying at a participating Signature Collection hotel can be one of the best value hacks at Universal Orlando!

Complimentary Express Pass – Universal’s Best-Kept Secret

Many people visiting Universal Orlando Resort know that Universal Express Unlimited is the best way to skip long ride lines. But did you know there’s a way to get these passes for free and potentially offset the cost of your hotel stay?

Here’s the trick: stay at Hard Rock Hotel, Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, or Loews Royal Pacific Resort (the three Signature Collection hotels with this perk), and every guest in your room receives complimentary Universal Express Unlimited Passes for Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure, valid every day of your stay, including check-in and check-out days! (Valid theme park admission required.)

Depending on your travel dates, booking one of these Signature Collection hotels may actually be cheaper than buying Express Passes separately!

Let’s break down why this works…

(Note: Universal Helios Grand Hotel, a Signature Collection hotel, does not include Express Passes, and no hotels offer free Express Passes for Universal Epic Universe. )

How Much Do Universal’s Signature Collection Hotels Cost?

Here’s a look at starting rates for Universal’s Signature Collection hotels offering complimentary Universal Express Unlimited Passes in 2025 (based on a 4-night stay, plus tax):

Loews Royal Pacific Resort – $222–$849 per night
Hard Rock Hotel – $222–$899 per night
Loews Portofino Bay Hotel – $222–$999 per night

Important: Rates fluctuate based on demand and season (e.g., summer, holidays, Halloween Horror Nights). Only Hard Rock Hotel, Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, and Loews Royal Pacific Resort include complimentary Universal Express Unlimited Passes for Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. Other Signature Collection hotels, like Universal Helios Grand Hotel, and all Prime Value (e.g., Loews Sapphire Falls Resort) and Value hotels do not.

Check current rates with The Vacationeer for deals, including Florida residents and Annual Passholder discounts up to 30%, or other promotions on Universal Orlando hotels.

These rates may seem high, but the included Express Unlimited Passes ($119.99–$400 per person per day) often make a Signature Collection stay more cost-effective than buying passes separately, especially for Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure.

Note that Express Passes for Universal Epic Universe ($129.99–$250 per person per day) are not included and must be purchased separately.

Perks of Staying at a Universal Signature Collection Hotel

✅ FREE Universal Express Unlimited Passes

When staying at Hard Rock Hotel, Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, or Loews Royal Pacific Resort, every guest in your room receives free Universal Express Unlimited Passes for Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure, valid for the duration of your stay, including check-in and check-out days (theme park admission required).

Skip regular lines unlimited times at participating rides, like Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey or Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit. However, some rides are excluded, so be sure to check the list on Universal’s website.

Savings Example:

The 2-Park Universal Express Unlimited Pass costs $119.99–$400 per person per day in 2025, averaging $150–$250 depending on the date. For a family of four over a 2-night stay (3 days of passes), that’s $1,440–$4,800 in value, often exceeding the hotel cost!

✅ Prime Locations & Free Water Taxi

These Signature Collection hotels are a short walk or water taxi ride from Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, and CityWalk. Complimentary shuttles also connect to all parks, including Universal Epic Universe, eliminating parking hassles.

✅ Early Park Entry

All Universal hotel guests, including those at Signature Collection hotels, enjoy Early Park Admission up to one hour before Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, or Universal Epic Universe opens, or 30 minutes before Volcano Bay. This means you’ll have more time in the park than regular guests and fewer crowds at Universal Orlando Resort to compete with at high-demand rides like Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure or Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge.

*Valid theme park admission is required.

✅ Universal’s Best Hotels

Signature Collection hotels offer upscale rooms, exceptional dining (e.g., The Kitchen at Hard Rock), resort-style pools, and a relaxing vibe, all steps from the parks.

✅ Great Value – Surprisingly!

Free Express Unlimited Passes make a Signature Collection stay cost-effective compared to purchasing passes separately.

Example:

A family of four staying 2 nights at Loews Royal Pacific might pay $1,000–$2,000 total. Buying 2-Park Express Unlimited Passes separately for 3 days could cost $1,440–$4,800, often more than the hotel stay!

Stay at a Signature Collection Hotel and Save Money

When you stay at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel, or Loews Royal Pacific Resort (the three Signature Collection hotels with Express Pass), you receive:

✔️ Complimentary Universal Express Unlimited Passes for Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure
✔️ For every guest in your room
✔️ For every day of your stay, including check-in and check-out days (theme park admission required)

These top-tier passes, valued at $119.99–$400 per person per day in 2025, let you skip regular lines unlimited times at participating rides.

Other Signature Collection hotels, like Universal Helios Grand Hotel, and all Prime Value (e.g., Loews Sapphire Falls Resort) and Value hotels do not include complimentary Express Passes. Note: Express Passes are not included for Volcano Bay or Universal Epic Universe, where Express Passes ($129.99–$250 per person per day) allow one skip per ride per day and must be purchased separately.

Let’s Do the Math

Consider a family of four staying at Loews Royal Pacific Resort for 2 nights in 2025:

Hotel Cost (2 nights, including taxes/fees): ~$1,000–$2,000
Express Pass Cost if Bought Separately:
- 2-Park Express Unlimited Pass: $119.99–$400 per person per day x 4 people = $480–$1,600 per day
- $480–$1,600 x 3 days (including check-in and check-out) = $1,440–$4,800

The Express Passes alone often cost MORE than the hotel stay, especially during peak seasons (e.g., summer, holidays)! Note: Complimentary Express Passes are valid for Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure only, not for Volcano Bay or Universal Epic Universe ($129.99–$250 per person per day, one skip per ride per day).

Bottom Line: If you plan to buy Express Unlimited Passes for Universal Studios Florida or Islands of Adventure, staying at a Signature Collection hotel (Hard Rock Hotel, Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, or Loews Royal Pacific Resort) is typically the smarter, more cost-effective choice.

Additional Savings: Florida Residents & Annual Passholders

Florida Residents and Universal Annual Passholders can save up to 30% on hotel stays.
Universal hotels are often cheaper than comparable Disney hotels, making this even more appealing.

Final Thoughts: Is It Worth It?

✅ If you plan to purchase Express Unlimited Passes for Universal Studios Florida or Islands of Adventure, a Signature Collection hotel stay (Hard Rock Hotel, Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, or Loews Royal Pacific Resort) is often the best deal, saving $1,440–$4,800 for a family of four over a 2-night stay.

✅ You’ll skip lines (waits drop from 90–180 minutes to 5–15 for most rides), enjoy luxurious accommodations, Early Park Admission to Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, and Universal Epic Universe, and benefit from prime park access via water taxis or walking paths.

Note: Express Passes for Universal Epic Universe ($129.99–$250 per person) must be purchased separately, as no hotels offer them free, including Universal Helios Grand Hotel.