A theme park vacaction is expensive, so it’s always wise to find places where you dollar can go a little further. There are some great ways to extend your buck at Universal Orlando and this article will cover some of the ways to get more out of our benjamins.

Mardi Gras Food & Beverage Card

The Universal Orlando Food & Beverage Card is a prepaid food card accepted at most food booths and restaurants in the theme parks and CityWalk. All guests can purchase a card with $75 worth of dining credit for $65, and Annual Passholders can purchase a card with $150 for $120. The cards have no expiration date, and prior years’ card balances are still valid at this year’s Mardi Gras food booths. Even if you never eat at a food booth the card is a great bang for your buck and save you 14% on food.

Royal Pacific Resort Complimentary Unlimited Express

Royal Pacific Resort is one of our favorites on property. The architecture is inspired by south east Asian architecture and is more modern than the Polynesian longhouses found at WDW. Dining includes a lobby bar and sushi restaurant, American ex-pat bar and grille, south east Asian restaurant, and pool bar, and a quick service grab and go. Phew! Rooms are deluxe feeling with upscale bedding and high end furnishings and the pool area has a massive kids water play area themed to a streamliner. But the biggest benefit is the complimentary Unlimited Express included with your stay. Good on the check in and check out days, the Unlimited Express included in your stay is good at both Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure and lets you experience the rides as many times as you want per day through the Express line. Royal Pacific is often the least expensive of the Signature hotels to offer the complimentary Unlimited Express making it the best bang for your buck.

Wok Experience

Offered Fridays and Saturdays in the Islands Dining restaurant at Royal Pacific is the Wok Experience, an all-you-care-to-enjoy stir fry dining experience featuring fresh ingredients to make unique combinations. Choose from your proteins, starches, vegetables, and sauces and let one of the Islands chefs create a custom stir fry for you. We think the Wok Experience is one of the best dining deals at Universal Orlando and a must for any party with large eaters.

Pizza Moon at Epic Universe

A fan favorite with its whimsical interior and delicious pies, Pizza Moon in Epic Universe also serves up some of the largest “single serving” pizzas we’ve ever seen. Seriously, look at that monster pepperoni pizza above! Instead of ordering multiple pizzas (and getting a to-go box), grab a side salad and split the pizza between two folks to save some cash and have some delicious pizza. Pizzas range in price from $18-20 per pie.

Jacketed Potato in London at Universal Studios Florida

When you think Orlando, Florida in the summer do you think baked potatoes? No, not you in line for Minecart Madness, I mean the kind you eat. Thankfully you can pick up a hearty and well priced baked potato in the London section of Universal Studios Florida. Called jacketed potatoes at the London Taxi Stand you can get loaded potatoes with broccoli and cheese, shepherd’s pie, and a loaded option. Seating isn’t readily available, but check outside of the Hopping Pot or San Francisco Bakery Co. for open spots. Jacketed potatoes are $7.99.

Endless Summer Two-Room Suites

For groups that need a larger place to stay, the endless summer two-room suites are a great bang for the buck. These rooms offer three beds, including a locked off queen for those who want some privacy, two TVs, and a kitchenette area with seating, fridge, and microwave. Plus the rooms come with all the standard perks of staying at a Universal Orlando hotel: Early Park Admission, complimentary transportation around the resort, and more. Endless Summer two-room suites range in price from around $150 to over $400 depending on the time of your visit.

Aventura Hotel

Poor Aventura, your all-white look and sleek interior didn’t impress at opening when compared to your sister resort, Cabana Bay. But as time has progressed we’ve found ourselves enjoying Aventura’s bang for the buck. When researching this article and asking around, Aventura was suggested to me by the Sat Six Fun Squad member Nick. From his text:

Aventura might be the best bang for your buck hotel wise

If you aren’t looking for express. It is closer than Cabana, costs less than it or around the same price typically and you can walk tot he boat at SF

Plus walk to VB if you are inclined

Walking distance to Sapphire Falls also means you can experience one of the best bars at the resort, Strong Water Tavern.

Aventura Hotel has several room options available, from standard rooms with two queen beds to multi-room suites with views of the theme parks. Prices for the two queen rooms starts at $144, with pricing subject to change depending on the time of your visit.

What are your best bangs for the buck at Universal Orlando? Leave them in the comments below!