Planning a family-friendly Universal Orlando Resort vacation in 2026 offers more flexibility, more value, and more ways to customize your trip than ever before.

With new ticket options, the addition of Universal Epic Universe in 2025, and seasonal events throughout the year, Universal Orlando continues to be a great destination for families with kids of all ages.

Whether your family is excited about Mardi Gras celebrations, Halloween fun )for those brave enough), or festive holiday experiences (heyy Grinch!), planning ahead helps you choose the right dates, tickets, and resort to match your family’s pace and priorities.

A New Way for Families to Experience Universal Orlando in 2026:

Universal Orlando has introduced new 3-, 4-, and 5-day Park-to-Park ticket options that include Epic Universe, giving families more freedom to spread out their days and enjoy the parks without feeling rushed.

With these tickets, your family can visit:

• Universal Epic Universe


• Universal Studios Florida


• Universal Islands of Adventure


• Universal Volcano Bay

• Hard Rock Hotel


• Loews Portofino Bay Hotel


• Loews Royal Pacific Resort

• Universal Studios Florida


• Universal Islands of Adventure

• Available as a single- or multi-day add-on, including for Epic Universe


• Allows you to skip the regular standby line one time per attraction


• A great option for families who want shorter waits without needing unlimited rides


• Especially helpful for must-do attractions or busier park days

• Included complimentary with stays at Universal Premier Resorts or available for purchase separately


• Allows you to ride each eligible attraction as many times as you want at:
  
  
  
  • Universal Studios Florida
  
  
  • Universal Islands of Adventure
  
  
  
  




• Express Unlimited is not available at Epic Universe

• Reduce time spent waiting in lines


• Allow for easier breaks and meals


• Help prevent burnout on longer park days

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Every time I share content about Club Level at Walt Disney World, I see the same reactions pop up almost immediately.

“It does not seem worth it.”

“That is way too expensive.”

“I would never pay for that.”

And I understand why people who haven't experienced it feel that way.

Club Level is one of those Disney topics that tends to get judged quickly, often without much context. It is easy to look at the price and make a decision before understanding how it actually fits into a vacation. That is why I keep talking about it. Not because it is right for everyone, but because for the right trip and the right travel style, it can genuinely change the experience.

Different Trips Call for Different Priorities

My family spends a lot of time at Walt Disney World each year, and our trips can look very different depending on the situation.

Some trips are all-day park hopping trips, where we are moving between parks and spending very little time at the resort. For those kinds of vacations, a value or moderate resort can be an excellent fit.

Other trips are slower, with more built-in downtime, resort breaks, pool time, and intentional space to relax. On those trips, the resort itself becomes a bigger part of the vacation experience, and that is where deluxe resorts and, in some cases, Club Level can make a noticeable difference.

Disney is not one-size-fits-all. Everyone does Disney differently, and every way of doing Disney is correct.

Let’s Talk Pricing First

To put real numbers behind this conversation, I pulled pricing for a few different deluxe resorts and compared a standard Resort View room to a Resort View Club Level room.

On average, the difference came out to around $300 per night, looking at rack rates and not accounting for any available promotions. Club Level rooms are sometimes included in promotions, which can narrow that gap depending on dates and availability.

That number is usually where people immediately decide whether Club Level is “worth it” or not. And the truth is, for some guests, it simply will not be.

When Club Level Will Not Make Sense

For guests who prefer the fun, energetic vibe of Disney’s value resorts, with their bold colors, larger-than-life icons, and heavy Disney theming, Club Level is probably never going to feel justified.



The same goes for guests who plan to spend almost all of their time in the parks, who see their resort primarily as a place to sleep and shower, or who simply prefer to spend less on their vacation overall.

If value resort pricing is where you are most comfortable, jumping from that price point to a Club Level room will not feel like a logical upgrade. And that is completely okay.

When Club Level Can Make Sense

Where the conversation changes is for guests who already prefer staying at deluxe resorts.

If you gravitate toward the higher level of amenities, quieter atmosphere, and overall feel of Disney’s deluxe resorts, then looking at Club Level as an upgrade of roughly $300 per night, again depending on rack rates and any available promotions, can make a lot more sense.

At that point, the comparison is not value resort versus Club Level. It is standard deluxe versus deluxe with additional services, food offerings, and concierge support built into the stay.

For those guests, Club Level is less about luxury for the sake of luxury and more about convenience, comfort, and how it affects the overall flow of the vacation.



Club Level lounges offer food and beverage service throughout the day, including breakfast in the morning, snacks in the afternoon, and evening offerings.



In the evenings, you will typically find complimentary beer, wine, and alcoholic beverages available. In the mornings, mimosas are often offered alongside coffee, juice, and breakfast items.



That said, Club Level is not only valuable if you plan to drink alcohol. For guests who do not drink, or who only drink occasionally, there is still plenty of value in having easy access to breakfast, drinks, and snacks without needing a plan or reservation.

It is about convenience, not consumption.

One of the things guests appreciate most about Club Level is having someone available on-site to help when plans need to shift.

Whether it is a Lightning Lane question, help navigating the My Disney Experience app, dining confusion, or a small issue that comes up during your stay, concierge Cast Members are there in real time. They act as an extension of your planning team, helping handle things on the ground so issues can often be resolved quickly and efficiently.

That on-the-ground support works alongside all of the planning that you and your travel advisor have already put into your vacation, helping to curate the best experience for your family and ensuring your vacation continues to run smoothly while you are on property.

Another benefit that often gets underestimated is the lounge itself.


Club Level lounges are not just places to grab food. They function as an additional space to relax during your stay. Think of it as an extension of your room, especially helpful when you want to be indoors but do not want to be confined to your room or sitting in a busy lobby.

The lounges typically include comfortable seating, tables, televisions, and areas where kids can relax, watch something, or play games. For families, this can be a meaningful advantage.



Club Level With Kids, Not Just Older Kids

I often hear guests say they will “do Club Level when the kids are older,” but Club Level can be just as beneficial with younger children.

Having a quiet, climate-controlled space to decompress between park time, with food, drinks, and seating already available, makes midday breaks much easier. It gives families another option besides heading back to the room or staying out longer than everyone is comfortable with.

For families traveling with kids, the lounge can become a natural reset space during the day, helping everyone recharge before heading back out.

Finding the Right Fit for Your Disney Vacation

Every Disney trip is different, and the perfect fit for one family will not be the perfect fit for another.

I have personally stayed at nearly every resort on Walt Disney World property, across all resort categories, and one of my favorite things to talk about is Disney resorts and everything they have to offer. From standard rooms at value resorts to Club Level stays at deluxe resorts, each option creates a different kind of experience.

One of my favorite parts of what I do is helping families figure out which resort, room category, or level of service will truly fit the way they want to experience Disney. Where you stay matters more than many people realize, and finding the right match can make a meaningful difference in how your vacation feels.

No matter how your family chooses to do Disney, there is no wrong way to experience it. If you ever want help finding the best fit for your next Walt Disney World trip, I would love to help guide you through those options.

Hi, I am Chali, your Walt Disney World and Universal vacation specialist with Vincent Vacations. I am an out of state Annual Passholder who spends around two months a year on Disney property, and I love helping families plan magical vacations with the most up to date tips and savings. If you are looking for ways to make your next Walt Disney World vacation more affordable, this is an offer you will want to take a look at.

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This new Disney Visa Cardmember room offer includes some of my family’s favorite Disney resorts at incredible prices. Part of this promotion even falls during EPCOT Festival of the Arts, my personal favorite festival of the year, which makes these early 2026 dates even more exciting.

Before we get into the details, it is important to know that this offer is valid for both Disney Visa credit and debit cardholders. As someone who personally has a Disney Visa myself, my family has found the card benefits to be genuinely worthwhile over the years. It is not something I promote, but I always like to mention that the perks have been helpful for us during our trips.

Disney Visa Cardmember 2026 Room Offer

Disney Visa Cardmembers can save big on rooms at select Disney Resorts Collection hotels for stays of two consecutive nights or longer. The offer is valid for most Sunday through Thursday nights from January 4 through February 10 of 2026. To book, you will need a valid Disney Visa Card or Disney Rewards Redemption Card, and that same card will secure your room deposit.

Here is a breakdown of the current special pricing before tax:

• $99 per night at Disney’s All Star Sports Resort, Standard Room

• $199 per night at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, Village, Standard Location

• $299 per night at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Cars Family Suite

• $399 per night at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, Standard Savanna View

• $429 per night at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa, 1 Bedroom Villa

• $449 per night at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, Resort View

These prices are amazing on their own, but the value becomes even better when you look at options for larger families. A Cars Family Suite at Art of Animation for under 300 dollars per night is incredible for families who want extra space without paying deluxe pricing. The 1 Bedroom Villa at Saratoga Springs under 430 dollars a night is also a fantastic savings for families who want more room to spread out or who love the convenience of a kitchen and private bedroom.

This offer becomes even stronger for families with younger children, because it is combinable with Disney’s current Kids Free Dining Plan offer. Kids ages three to nine can receive a free dining plan when adults in the same room purchase a dining plan as part of their package. When you pair the already low room rates with complimentary dining for kids, it creates a huge overall savings for families who want a little more space to relax.

It is important to remember that the number of rooms available for this promotion is limited. Once they are gone, they are gone, so booking early is key.

The Perfect Christmas Gift

If you are looking for a meaningful Christmas gift this year, gifting a future Walt Disney World vacation is a beautiful way to create memories instead of adding more things to your home. A winter escape to warm Florida sunshine, the magic of Festival of the Arts, and stays at some of Disney’s most beloved resorts makes this offer perfect for surprising your family on Christmas morning.

Ready to Save on Your 2026 Walt Disney World Vacation

I love helping families find creative ways to save money while still experiencing the magic of a Walt Disney World vacation. If you want to check dates, compare resorts, or see what your family qualifies for, I would love to help you start planning.