One of the least known hacks for visiting Universal Studios Orlando is to get a “Ghost Room” during your stay.
Don’t worry, a ghost room is not haunted and not something to be scared of. Instead, it is a way to save money on your Universal Studios vacation.
In this article we’ll explain what a Ghost Room is, as well as a sample budget showing how much money you can expect to save using this money-saving tip.
What is a Ghost Room at Universal Studios?
A “ghost room” is a room reservation that you pay for, but you do not plan on staying inside the room overnight.
Ghost room reservations are only used at Universal Studios Orlando Premier on-site hotels.
These hotels are:
- Loews Royal Pacific
- Hard Rock Hotel
- Loews Portofino Bay
Why Pay for a Hotel Reservation and Not Use the Room?
Paying for a hotel room that you are not going to use makes no sense. Especially when you have a room reservation at another hotel in the same area for the same night!
Plus, these three hotels are the most expensive room nights at Universal Studios Orlando!
So why are people using this trick?
Because of the perks.
Universal’s Premier hotels come with the perks of free Express Passes for everyone staying in the room for the duration of your stay, including the check-in day and the check-out day.
As Express Passes are so expensive to buy on their own, many people are booking a hotel room just for the amenities with no intention of sleeping overnight.
An additional perk, though not worth the extra expense, is the ability to use the boat transportation from the resort to the theme parks. The boats have shorter security lines and drop you off closer to the theme parks.
What is an Express Pass?
An Express Pass lets you skip the regular lines at most attractions at Universal Orlando Resort theme parks and see more in a day than you could while waiting in long lines.
For an in-depth explanation of this add-on, see our Ultimate Guide to Universal Studios Express Passes (and How to Get Discounts).
How Much Money You Can Save: A Real Life Example
Let’s do an example of how much money you can save using a ghost room.
We are not going to factor in the cost of theme park tickets because those prices will be the same regardless of whether you are staying on-property or off-property.
Related Post: Are Universal Studios Park to Park Tickets Worth It?
We will compare prices of 4 Universal Express Unlimited Pass for Monday, November 20, 2023 as found on Universal’s website at the time this article was published.
The cost of the one-park Express Unlimited Pass, purchased 7 months in advance, is $169.99 per adult, plus tax.
For a family of four, the cost is:
- For one day of Unlimited Express Passes: $679.96 plus tax
- For two days of Unlimited Express Passes: $1,359.92
This family will also be staying at an off-site hotel, one of the hotels with free shuttles to Universal Studios.
A one night stay at the Doubletree By Hilton at Universal Studios is $143 a night, plus tax.
On the same day, an overnight reservation at Loews Royal Pacific hotel for November 20, 2023 is $560.00, plus tax.
The hotel rate could be less with a Florida resident discount or annual pass.
Universal Express Unlimited Passes are valid for as soon as you check-in and the day that you check out.
If you can check in first thing in the morning on the day of your reservation, you will be able to use the Pass all day long. You do not need to wait until the official 3 p.m. check-in time, although your room might not be ready until after the official check-in time.
Cost Comparisons
- Staying off-property and paying for two days of Unlimited Express Passes and a hotel room: $1,502.92, plus tax
- Getting a ghost room at a Universal hotel and getting two days of complimentary Express Unlimited Passes (plus paying for their hotel off-property): $703.00, plus tax.
How much money you will save using a ghost room: $799.92
Why Not Just Stay at a Universal Hotel?
Good question. And, quite honestly, is one that I ask, too.
However, not everyone comes to Universal Studios for their entire stay in Orlando.
Many families want to check in to a hotel, condo or home and have no desire to pack everything up to leave for one night. They don’t want to be inconvenienced by moving hotels if they are only doing Universal Studios for two days.
When you have young kids with a lot of stuff, it can be easier to keep everything in one place, rather than try to move all the things for one night.
There are often long-term stay discounts at hotels where you can lock in a lower rate if you stay 7 days or more. By checking out after a few days, the cost could be more.
This is especially true if you are doing both Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando in one vacation and stay in a hotel with shuttles that get you between Disney World and Universal Studios.
Personally, I love the Universal Studios resorts and can’t imagine paying for a room there and not staying. Especially when these three properties have some of the best Universal Studios pools!
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Is Using a Ghost Room Legal?
Apparently Universal Studios does allow the use of ghost rooms. The resort definitely knows that this practice is going on.
There have been some occurrences of ghost room reservations being cancelled by Universal Studios, which proves that they are aware of what is going on.
Reservations are likely to be cancelled if you are staying at another less expensive Universal Studios hotel, such as Cabana Bay Beach Resort, and you also book a one-night reservation at one of the Premier hotels on the same night using your same name and/or credit card.
Related Post: Cabana Bay Beach Resort vs. Aventura Hotel
Is this a legal hack? Apparently.
Is it ethical or fair to others who are trying to actually stay at the hotel and can’t get a room reservation? Well, I have my thoughts on that but you will have to decide for yourself whether or not you want to book a Universal ghost room.