Universal Orlando Resort is known for its two exciting theme parks, water park, on-site hotels, and more. Now families can have an even easier time planning their next epic theme park vacation with Universal’s new dining-inclusive vacation package, which includes up to $1,000 towards food and drinks in the parks and at the hotels. 

The package, dubbed the “Dining Card Vacation Package” is available for residents of the United States and Canada for travel dates from November 7, 2024, through April 10, 2025. As part of the package, hotel accommodations at one of Universal’s onsite hotels and theme park admission are included. With more than 200 different venues that will accept the dining cards across Universal’s property, the culinary possibilities are truly endless. 

“Our dining offerings are continuously evolving, and we work incredibly hard to deliver memorable food experiences that offer something for everyone,” says Chef Jens Dahlmann, vice president of culinary operations at Universal Orlando Resort. “From our original dining concepts to themed food inspired by beloved stories and characters, our offerings play a significant role in the overall storytelling of our theme parks and have become as much as a must-do as our amazing collection of attractions.”

The fine (dining) print

The Dining Card Vacation Package is only available for those staying four nights or longer at an on-site Universal Orlando Resort hotel. The value of the dining card is based on what hotel and how many nights you book. Each hotel room will get one card loaded with the set amount of dining credit. The package also includes length-of-stay park tickets that include park-to-park access so you can enjoy both Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure. If you’re headed to Orlando in the warmer months, you may also want to consider adding on entry into Volcano Bay, Universal Orlando’s water park. 

Hotel levels and dining card values

The value of your dining card will largely be determined by your length of stay and which hotel you pick. 

The three hotels to stay in if you want the most money on a dining card are Loews Royal Pacific Resort, Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, and the Hard Rock Hotel. Guests who book four nights here get $800 on a dining card per room. Those who book a five-night package get $1,000 on a dining card. 

The next tier of hotels are Loews Sapphire Falls Resort and Universal Cabana Bay Beach Resort. Here, you can get $500 or $600 on a dining card for a four-night package or five-night package, respectively. 

If you stay at Universal Aventura Hotel, Universal Stella Nova Resort, or Universal Terra Luna Resort you can get $400 for a four-night stay or $500 for a five-night package stay. Just know that Stella Nova and Terra Luna do not open until January 21, 2025, and February 25, 2025, respectively. 

The last level of the package is for those staying at Universal Endless Summer Resort — either at Surfside Inn and Suites or Dockside Inn and Suites. Here, a four-night package will get you a $300 dining card while a five-night package will include a $400 dining card. 

Perks of staying at a Universal Orlando hotel

Along with the package, there’s a host of other perks that come with staying at a Universal Orlando hotel for your vacation. The biggest is the early access to both theme parks up to one hour before the park opens to regular guests. This is when you’ll want to get in line for Hagrid’s Magical Creature Motorbike Adventure when Islands of Adventure has early entry because the line for this ride can back up quickly. After zipping through the Forbidden Forest, head to one of the dining locations in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade to use some of your dining card for breakfast at the Three Broomsticks.

Other benefits include early access to Volcano Bay, complimentary transportation to and from the parks, and merchandise delivery from the parks to your hotel. Those staying at one of the Universal Signature Collection hotels also get Universal Express Unlimited, the resort’s skip-the-line pass for attractions, for each day they use a valid theme park ticket.  

With all of that dining credit that’s included in the package, whether you’re staying at a budget-friendly resort or something a little more posh, you’re sure to be well-fed around Universal Orlando Resort.