12 Great Things that are FREE at Universal Orlando

Theme park vacations are expensive. That is why it is important to take advantage of every free perk you can get during your visit. Here is a list of 12 great things you can enjoy at Universal Orlando Resort at no additional cost!

Is a Trip to Universal Expensive

It is true that a trip to Universal Orlando Resort can add up quickly! Transportation, hotels, theme park tickets, and meals are the bare minimum in terms of expenses you may incur. You will also most likely want money for extras like souvenirs, snacks and specialty beverages, photo packages, and even Universal Express Pass.

Of course, you can save by booking a value resort if you are going for the least expensive trip possible. You can also keep an eye out for great ticket deals.

But, you can also save money if you know what Universal Orlando Resort provides guests at no additional charge. Leveraging the freebies is a great way to get more bang for your buck. Here are 12 great freebies to look out for.

1. Transportation Between Universal Hotels and Theme Parks

One of the big perks of staying at a Universal hotel is complimentary transportation to and from the theme parks. This will help you save money on theme park parking or ride share. It is certainly something to consider when deciding between an off-property hotel and one of Universal's hotels for your stay.

You can enjoy bus transportation to and from CityWalk all day for easy access to Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios. This is also where you can transfer to head to Epic Universe once it opens.

Even better, you can also hop on a water taxi for a delightful ride to and from Hard Rock Hotel, Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Loews Royal Pacific Resort, or Loews Sapphire Falls Resort. You can also use the water taxi to get to dining reservations at these resorts, even if you are not staying there. And, if you are staying at a nearby resort, you can also walk over to the boats if you wish, and usually, they will accommodate you.

2. Drinking Water

You can save money every day simply by sticking to drinking tap water. Cups of water are free at all counter service locations in Universal Orlando Resort, including Starbucks. Water is also complimentary at table service restaurants.

You don't need to pay for bottled water. Tap water is free.

Better yet, you can also fill up cups or water bottles with ice and water at Freestyle drink stations around the parks. You can find them on the park map for your convenience.

Remember that if you are a soda drinker and insist on paying for beverages, Universal offers Freestyle cups that you can refill all day for a set price. Read all about them HERE. Refill them at your hotel OR in the theme parks.

3. Celebration Buttons

If you are celebrating a birthday, anniversary, wedding, honeymoon, or anything else, you can share the news with everyone. Simply pick up a celebration button at the front desk of your resort hotel or at the customer service desk at the theme parks. A Team Member will help you customize it!

Then, brace yourself for a lot of "Happy Birthdays" or "Congratulations" all day long! You might even encounter a little extra magic!

4. Universal Express Unlimited

If you are staying at select Signature Hotels, including Portofino Bay, Hard Rock Hotel, and Royal Pacific, you receive free Universal Express Unlimited for your entire stay. So, even if you stay in a higher-end hotel for just one night, you get Universal Express Unlimited for 2 days.

This can be a great value, depending on your party size. For example, if you are traveling as a family of 4 and plan to purchase Universal Express Unlimited, you should look into a signature hotel. Your room will likely be less per night than the cost of 4 Express Unlimited passes, depending on your length of stay.

It is important to know that Epic Universe is not currently part of Universal Express Unlimited, and so it is not currently included in the hotel deal. However, you can buy the regular Universal Express Pass for Epic Universe if you wish. It includes the ability to skip the standby line once for each attraction included in the pass.

5. Attraction Tours

Did you know that you can request an attraction tour of some of Universal's attractions, no VIP tour required? If an attraction is not too busy, a Team Member will give you a tour lasting around 15-30 minutes! Tours are at the discretion of Team Members and are subject to staff availability. So, go in with the mindset that the answer might be "not today." You never know when an attraction's staffing and crowd levels will align.

It is possible to request these for attractions including Transformers, Revenge of the Mummy, Men in Black: Alien Attack, Gringotts Bank, Hogwarts Express, E.T., Fast & Furious: Supercharge, Race Through New York: Starring Jimmy Fallon, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, Velocicoaster, Skull Island: Reign of Kong Tour, Dr. Doom, and The Incredible Hulk Coaster!

My (Kate's) own family recently did an E.T. ride tour, and it was absolutely delightful! Even my youngest child found it extremely interesting, and it ended up being one of her favorite parts of our trip. We rode the attraction, had our tour, and then our guide took us on a second time as part of the tour.

6. Opera

Many people do not realize that you can enjoy live Opera music at Loews Portofino Bay in the evenings. Musica della Notte is available nightly at 6:30 PM. (Of course, it is best to check with the desk to confirm in case there is a schedule change).

It is delightful to come back from a day at the parks, step off the boat, and have a seat at the piazza and wait for the music, especially when there is a breeze. The performance is a mix of classic opera, festive melodies, and "popera" favorites to help end the night on a high note.

8. Leis

If you head over to Loews Royal Pacific, you will notice Team Members in the lobby greeting guests with Leis! This is a fun free treat for those who visit the Polynesian-themed hotel.

7. Mardi Gras Beads

Heading to Universal during Mardi Gras season? The festivities are typically available in February and March! If so, you might be able to get free Mardi Gras beads. The parade performers hand them out before and after the parade. And, during the parade, the people on the float throw so many beads for audience members to catch!

Better yet, you can be one of the people who ride the float to hand out beads. Each year, Universal announces a way to get in on the action. Follow along with us to see how you can get this unique experience in 2026.

9. Concerts

Universal offers concerts during Mardi Gras as well. They are complementary with your park ticket. Mardi Gras 2025 had quite a star-studded line-up. We can't wait to see who is performing next year!

10. Splash Pad

If you want to cool off in the heat, head to CityWalk. There is a splash pad to enjoy! You do not need theme park admission to play. And, as always, there is no charge to enter CityWalk. This will make for a great activity if you have a rest day planned and are not visiting a park on a specific day during your trip.

11. Movies

If you are staying at a Universal Hotel, one of the perks is free poolside movies (weather permitting). This is a perk that many visitors to Central Florida associate with Walt Disney World, but Universal is in on the offerings, too!

If you are looking for more entertainment, frequently the hotels have cartoons playing in common areas for kids to enjoy while you are tending to adult things like the check-in process.

12. Wifi

Universal offers complimentary wifi. The network includes Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, Epic Universe, Volcano Bay, and CityWalk! To join, simply find the network named "Universal," accept the terms and conditions, and follow the instructions.

What is your favorite Universal Orlando Resort freebie? Can you think of any others? Let us know. And be sure to share this list with your friends and family who are planning a visit to Universal so they can enjoy it too!