Universal Orlando Resort has released an inexpensive 2-Park and 3-Park Annual Pass, called the 2026 Military Freedom Pass, for eligible service members and their families. This AP starts at only $220 and is actually valid for more than 1-year, from now through December 2026! This covers dates, details & ticket pricing, along with our commentary.
This is another positive step for Universal Orlando ticket policies and special offers, following up last month’s release of 2026 Epic Universe 1-Day, Multi-Day, Park Hopper & Discount Tickets. In case you’ve missed it, Universal Orlando tickets for this year have included Epic Universe as a separate entitlement instead of allowing park hopping or choosing how many days to visit the park as part of a multi-day one park per day ticket.
The result is that multi-day tickets for this year have all offered only a single day at Epic Universe, regardless of duration. You could buy a 14-day and still only get one visit to Epic Universe. (The most extreme example, for guests from the United Kingdom.) This has made Epic Universe visits even higher stakes and more stressful, which is compounded by crowds, downtime and delays, weather closures, etc.
That changes in January 2026. Single day and multi-day tickets with durations of 3 days or longer will no longer treat Epic Universe as a separate entitlement, and instead guests to “move freely between Epic Universe, Universal Studios Florida, and Islands of Adventure.”
All of that is a step in the right direction with regard to Epic Universe, as it greatly reduces friction and headaches, lowering the stakes for multi-day ticket holders. Given Universal Orlando’s attendance struggles, we’ve also been hopeful to see even more special offers and discounts–this new deeply-discounted 2026 Military Freedom Annual Pass is a good start. Here’s the announcement from Universal:
As a “thank you” for their service, Universal Orlando Resort is offering eligible service members a variety of specially priced offers and vacation packages – inviting them to plan a well-deserved getaway to experience the thrills of the award-winning theme park destination.
Eligible service members and their families can now purchase the exclusive 2026 Military Freedom Pass, with options for a 2-Park and 3-Park Pass, including admission to Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure and Universal Volcano Bay from November 13, 2025 through December 18, 2026 with limited blockout dates.
Specially priced Universal Epic Universe 1-Day tickets are also available for purchase with an activated 2026 Military Freedom Pass, allowing members to explore the brand-new, award-winning theme park that presents a level of innovation and immersion that is unmatched.
Plus, eligible service members can stay near the thrills and enjoy exclusive theme park benefits with vacation packages and significant savings at Universal Orlando Resort hotels, including 40% off at Universal Cabana Bay Beach Resort.
See below for additional details about these special offers:
Universal’s 2026 Military Freedom Pass
Eligible service members and their families can enjoy more than a year of unforgettable theme park adventures at Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure with the 2-Park 2026 Military Freedom Pass, available for $220.
For an additional $35, eligible service members can add even more thrills with the purchase of the 3-Park 2026 Military Freedom Pass, which also includes admission to Universal Volcano Bay water theme park. (Worth emphasizing for those who skim that the third park in the 3-Park 2026 Military Freedom Pass is NOT Epic Universe. No version of this AP includes unlimited admission to Epic Universe.)
The 2026 Military Freedom Pass is now available for purchase at participating sales outlets on Military Base installations throughout the United States (valid identification required). Pass blockout dates include December 25, 2025 – January 4, 2026, and March 30, 2026 – April 6, 2026. The 3-Park Pass blockout dates also include October 26, 2026 – December 18, 2026 for Universal Volcano Bay specifically.
Universal Orlando’s 2-Park or 3-Park 2026 Military Freedom Pass is available for use from now through December 18, 2026. This offer cannot be purchased at the Universal Orlando Front Gate. Eligible Service Members can purchase and activate up to six (6) promotional tickets but one (1) of the six (6) must be for the Eligible Service Member (exceptions apply).
Must present current and valid qualifying Military ID or DOD ID at any Universal Orlando theme park front gate ticket window in order to activate tickets.
Military Freedom Pass Holders can experience Universal Orlando Resort’s newest theme park with special access to 1-Day Universal Epic Universe Tickets. An activated 2026 Military Freedom Pass Promotional Ticket is required at time of purchase of the 1-Day Universal Epic Universe ticket.
Linked Military Freedom Pass and Military ID are required for entry at the park. Limit one (1) 1-Day Universal Epic Universe ticket per day per Pass. Ticket prices and availability vary by day. Daily pricing is visible within the Web Store price calendar to see exact ticket price for your preferred day of visitation. One (1) add-on ticket per date per Pass; limit six (6) tickets per transaction. Additional restrictions apply.
While this 1-day Epic Universe add-on is being spun as a perk, being limited to a single day at Universal’s newest park over the next 13 months is a massive downside to this Annual Pass. If I were going to visit Universal Orlando for 20 days in 2026, I’d allocate ~15 of those days to Epic Universe. In fact, I’ve dropped my Universal Orlando AP in favor of multi-day tickets next year specifically so I can spend a lot of time in Epic Universe while making minimal visits to the legacy parks. To each their own on that, though.
The other potential downside is that Military Freedom Pass does not appear to offer Annual Pass benefits. In particular, there’s nothing mentioned about free parking at the theme parks or special discounts on food, merchandise, etc.
Our expectation is that it won’t offer either benefit, as is the case with Universal Orlando’s lower tiers of APs. Depending upon how often you visit, where you stay and whether you drive or rent a vehicle, this could be a difference maker.
I’ve done Universal Orlando’s cheaper Annual Passes in the past and ended up regretting not upgrading to a higher tier. The upfront savings can be attractive, but might end up costing you more over time via incremental costs or the lack of discounts. Of course, everyone’s circumstances are different–but it’s something worth considering.
Universal Military Vacation Packages
Eligible service members and their families can also take their Universal Orlando Resort getaway to the next level and stay near the excitement with two unique vacation package options: the Military Create Your Own Vacation Package and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Exclusive Military Vacation Package.
Each includes accommodations at one of Universal Orlando’s 11 phenomenal hotels – including the brand-new Universal Helios Grand Hotel, a Loews Hotel, Universal Stella Nova Resort and Universal Terra Luna Resort – a 2026 Military Freedom Pass, exclusive benefits and more.
The Military Create Your Own Vacation Package features:
- 4-night hotel accommodations at a Universal Orlando hotel
- 3-Park 2026 Military Freedom Pass to experience Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure and Universal Volcano Bay on the same day
- A host of exclusive benefits as a hotel guest, including Early Park Admission to enjoy select attractions in one of our amazing theme parks up to an hour before park opening, complimentary transportation to the theme parks and Universal CityWalk, and more.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Exclusive Military Vacation Package features:
- 5-night hotel accommodations at a Universal Orlando hotel
- 2-Park 2026 Military Freedom Pass to experience Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure on the same day
- Early Park Admission to enjoy select attractions in one of Universal Orlando’s amazing theme parks up to an hour before park opening
- Special Florean Fortescue’s Ice Cream Flight in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley – guests will be able to choose four flavors for their flight and will also receive one Honeydukes Cooler Tote
- Breakfast at the Leaky Cauldron in Universal Studios Florida (one per person)
- Breakfast at the Three Broomsticks in Universal Islands of Adventure (one per person)
- One Shutterbutton’s Photography Studio Session in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley
For more information, please visit www.UniversalOrlando.com/Military.
Universal Hotel Room-Only Military Discounts
In addition to the military vacation packages, Universal Orlando also offers discounted hotel rates for those who don’t need or want packages.
Discount Availability:
- Save 40% off the Flexible Rate – Stays at Universal Cabana Bay Beach Resort
- Save up to 30% off the Flexible Rate – Stays at other Universal hotels
Discount Eligibility:
- Active or Retired Military Personnel of all branches of U.S. Military including National Guard, Reservist, and the U.S. Coast Guard
- Active Duty, Reservist, and National Guard Military Spouses, and
- 100% Disabled Veterans With valid active and qualifying Military ID
For booking information, visit your Authorized Military Ticket & Travel Office.
Single & Multi-Day Military Tickets
Most Authorized Military Ticket & Travel Offices offer a variety of the ticket options listed.
- 1-Day Tickets: Visit Universal Islands of Adventure and/or Universal Studios Florida on the same day.
- Multi-Day Tickets: Visit Universal Islands of Adventure, Universal Studios Florida, and Universal Volcano Bay, and 1 separate day at Universal Epic Universe. During the fall and winter Seasons, Universal Volcano Bay is closed on select dates. Visit Park Hours for details. Universal Volcano Bay will begin a seasonal closure on October 26, 2026, with a current planned reopening on or before March 24, 2027.
- Halloween Horror Nights
Epic Universe Tickets?
I can’t say with complete certainty, but I suspect the information in the section immediately above about 2026 single and multi-day tickets is outdated (or will soon be) with regard to Epic Universe. Those policies align with 2025 ticketing for Epic Universe, but not 2026. (The other giveaway that this info is outdated is that the section referencing HHN pertains to this year’s version of the event, which is over.)
Our expectation is that Universal Orlando offers standalone discounted 1-Day Epic Universe tickets for 2026, beyond just the Military Freedom Pass add-on. Don’t expect significant savings on those–it’ll probably be around $20 to $25 off, at most. The better deal will potentially be on multi-day tickets, which should allow the same friction-less park hopping as the general public 2026 tickets.
Or perhaps not! Maybe the reason that Universal Orlando is deeply discounting the 2026 Military Freedom Annual Pass is to push military families towards that (which you’ll notice does not offer any Epic Universe access) and away from regular park tickets with Epic Universe. The new park is still struggling with capacity woes, so it makes sense that Universal would prefer pushing the legacy parks.
Disney Celebrates America Military Salute
Earlier this week, we reported on Walt Disney World’s Deep Discount Military Year-Long 2026 Ticket for America’s 250th Anniversary. In that, we questioned whether the quasi-Annual Pass would offer perks such as free parking, discounts, etc.
We’ve since received clarification from Walt Disney World that this year-long ticket is distinct from their Annual Pass products, and will not offer any of those perks. Just as a heads up, we’ve updated that article accordingly, and also added pricing and other details that Walt Disney World subsequently provided.
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YOUR THOUGHTS
What are your thoughts on 2026 Universal Orlando Military Freedom Pass? Does this cheap AP work for you, or is the lack of Epic Universe a deal-breaker? Agree or disagree with our assessment? Any questions? We love hearing from readers, so please share any other thoughts or questions you have in the comments below!