Universal Florida Season Passes

When we moved to Florida I told the kids I would get them season passes to Universal. In the fall of 2022 I decided to make good on that promise. We got the premium passes for a year so we didn't have any blackout days, we got in Islands of Adventure an hour early, and we got discounts. The only mistake I made was not getting the Volcano Bay pass added on. Now that they have Epic opening soon, I'll be getting a four park pass next time we do this.

Throughout the year we probably went over 20 times to Universal, in all types of weather. On Natalie's birthday in 2022 it was raining so we decided last minute to go. It was 65 degrees when we left the house. Two hours later it was pouring raining, dropped into the 40s, and the place was packed. Back in the day when it rained if we went to Disneyland, no one else was there. Times have changed for sure. On this day we got on one ride in three hours, had cold wet feet, and were sick of the crowds. We left after one ride.

For our anniversary Natalie and I left the kids with her cousin, and we spent the night at The Adventura Hotel. For Zach and Dean's birthdays we stayed at the Endless Summer Hotels. We also stayed there when my dad came for spring break. When Natalie's sister came out we took her to Universal. For a year we went at least one a month.

At the time Dean was really being clingy with his mom. I decided one day that he needed a day with just me at Universal. Of course Natalie wanted to show up and try to not be seen but I told her nope. If Dean sees Natalie it's over. Dean was already my kid that was done with the park after a couple hours and wanted to go home and play trains so he wasn't too happy about leaving his mom for the day. At first he was complaining about missing his mom but eventually he warmed up to me. Only took the kid 5 years.

Zach was next to get a day alone with me. Of course with Zach there is no resistance. He was counting down the days. With Dean we were done around 3PM. With Zach I think we stayed until 6:30. Zach was picking the rides and kept going from one side of one park to the other side of the other park. Zach ditched school that day and I think it was the only time the park was every empty. We got on 15 rides and walked 12.24 miles.

Adri was the last to go with me. Of course, like a teen, she had her ear buds in her ear half the day. Natalie decided to go to the park that day too so we met up at the end of the day.

About a month before our passes expired, in late 2023, Zach was finally tall enough to ride Ripsaw Falls. They measured him at the front and he was tall enough. When we got through the line to the ride he was just under the sign and the girl wouldn't let him on. Dean was about to start crying so I got the manager. They took Dean back up front and remeasured him and decided to let him ride. When we went back for a second ride they had done a shift swap so we had to wait ten minutes for the manager again. That night we were at dinner and Dean just started smiling out of nowhere. Natalie asked him why he's smiling and he said he was so happy he got to ride Ripsaw Falls. After that we decided to buy the kid lifts for his shoes but the next time we went the ride was closed for a month for maintenance and our passes were expiring.

The day we bought our season passes.

Dr Suess SkyTrain

The Simpsons

Dr. Doom

Harry Potter train

The Curious George playground. One of my complaints is that a month after we got passes they closed it. I have no idea what they put in there, if they have put anything yet. They also removed the Wood Wood Pecker ride around the same time.

On Natalie's birthday

Velicoraptor. Natalie's favorite ride. I like it but it's a little rough on the neck.

2022 anniversary without kids.

Hagrid's

Jurassic Park was Dean's favorite ride most of the time. That might have changed once he went on Ripsaw Falls

Poseidon. They permanently closed this a couple months after we got our passes.

Rip Ride Rocket. They just recently closed this one and are going to replace it with something new.

Christmas in Harry Potter land.

Popeye and Bluto's Bilge Rat Barges. This was always one of our favorites. I do think they should have shower requirements before riding though. Some people got off that ride and you could smell two months of ass sweat.

Dean's birthday at Endless Summer.

Dean's day with me.

Zach's day with me. You can see there's no one there.

Adri's day with me.

Ripsaw Falls

This is by the pteranodon flyers ride.

I think this was our very last trip there. The only time we got ice cream at this place. It was pretty good.