Universal Kids Resort Begins Checking IDs for Passholder Parking

For the first time today, I was asked to show a photo ID when using my Annual Pass to park at Universal Kids Resort. I’m surprised it didn’t happen sooner.

Inside the park, Universal uses photo validation to link a picture of your face to your ticket. Guests can opt out and show a valid ID each time they enter, though most choose the much quicker snapshot on their first visit.

But photo validation might not be available at the parking plaza. For the park’s first couple of months, I simply showed my Annual Pass barcode to the Team Member in the booth. Without an ID check, that barcode could easily be shared with someone looking to avoid the $20 daily parking fee.

The Silver Annual Pass with Parking is a great deal

For APs, it’s not that expensive to add parking. Universal Kids offers a Silver Annual Pass for $129.99 before tax and a Silver Annual Pass with Parking for $164.99 before tax. The $35 upgrade pays for itself on the second visit. Still, it wouldn’t surprise me if families with multiple drivers purchased only one pass with parking and shared the barcode.

So why is Universal doing this now? This next part is purely speculation on my part. The parking scanners know which Annual Pass is being used, and the turnstiles record which passholders actually enter the park. It would be simple to flag visits when those records don’t match.

I’m not saying that’s what Universal did and why they’re now asking for IDs, but it’s exactly what I would do.

So if you’ve been sharing an Annual Pass barcode to save $35, consider upgrading before your next visit. It’ll be much less embarrassing than trying to explain yourself to a smiling Team Member while holding up traffic.

Want to learn more about Universal Kids Resort and its seven themed lands? We’ve got you covered. Visit our Universal Kids Resort hub for everything available at the new Frisco theme park.