From August 15 to September 30, Universal Orlando Resort celebrates the nation’s (and possibly the world’s) greatest holiday: Passholder Appreciation Days. To our dearest UOAPs: You are the reason for the season on Passholder Appreciation Days. That means we reward you with exclusive menu items across Universal CityWalk, Universal Studios Florida, Universal Volcano Bay, and Universal Islands of Adventure. You’re going to want to get your Annual or Seasonal Pass ready to experience these flavorful eats and treats!
Universal CityWalk
Island Fire Chicken and Waffles at Bob Marley-A Tribute to Freedom
The list of the world’s greatest combinations includes UOAPs + social media speculation and chicken + waffles. In a tribute to that, you can (and should) savor Chef Antwan Dickerson’s delicious twist on a chicken and waffles dish at Bob Marley-A Tribute to Freedom in Universal CityWalk. He says, “Conceptually, the idea behind it was that everyone loves chicken and waffles. So, how do we bring that here to Bob Marley’s?”
The dish features Jamaican flavors like mouthwatering jerk fried chicken and a crispy waffle made out of a popular Jamaican fried sweet dough called festival. The spice is balanced with a pomegranate glaze, coconut crema, pickled onions, and fresh micro cilantro. It combines beloved flavors with authentic Jamaican ones, and as Chef Antwan puts it, “The dish gives guests an opportunity to experience the flavors of Jamaica without being scared of them.”
Rocky Road Donut at Voodoo Doughnut
My relationship with my UOAP is actually the one thing in my life that I would not describe as a “rocky road.” However, I was more than happy to eat the Rocky Road Donut at Voodoo Doughnut in Universal CityWalk.
Chef Lee Santiago Bermudez’s delicious treat is a yeast ring dipped in chocolate icing and almonds, adorned with caramelized mini marshmallows, and topped with a salted caramel fudge drizzle. “I was trying to bring our UOAPs a fall flavor with this donut.” Chef Lee says. “Also, I think everybody likes rocky road.”
Triangoletti alla Vodka at VIVO Italian Kitchen
Just like our previous chefs, Chef Alexis DeMoss at VIVO Italian Kitchen created a dish based on fan-favorite flavors in a tribute to UOAPs. This time, it’s a savory combination of parmigiano reggiano stuffed pasta, roasted chicken, basil, and vodka sauce.
“We picked a dish that is requested of us on a daily basis,” Chef Alexis says. “People love vodka sauce, cheese ravioli, and chicken. It’s a special dish because we don’t typically offer vodka sauce on our menu.” This pasta was perfectly balanced and the absolute definition of a crowd-pleaser at the table!
Universal Studios Florida
Prosciutto & Arugula Pizza at Louie’s Italian Restaurant
Louie’s Italian Restaurant in Universal Studios Florida is a UOAP favorite — and it’s for a good reason. The nostalgic eatery serves up quality Italian delights all year round. During Passholder Appreciation Days, you can snag one of the tastiest meals I’ve ever had at Universal Orlando Resort in the form of a Prosciutto & Arugula Pizza. It consists of a delicious base of house-made dough, tomato sauce, ricotta, and mozzarella and is complete with pesto, onion, and roasted tomato.
The culinary team wants to offer UOAPs an elevated but nostalgic experience with this slice, and I can confidently say that they accomplished that goal. As Chef Xerxes Samadan tells us, “We don’t want to serve you your typical theme park pizza.” I guarantee you that this is no ordinary theme park pizza!
PRO TIP: Pizzas at Louie’s can be purchased by the slice or as a whole pizza!
Universal Volcano Bay
Kahuna Bowl at Kohola Reef Restaurant & Social Club
Rice bowls are one of the most beloved items at Universal Volcano Bay. Chef Vinnie Delagrange helped conceptualize a new bowl for Passholder Appreciation Days that’s bursting with flavor. “We were taking a known item with the rice bowl and making it unique,” he says.
The dish is laid on a bed of coconut rice and topped with seared glazed spam, soy egg, island slaw, cucumber and edamame salad, spicy mayo, Japanese BBQ sauce, and sliced scallions. Chef Vinnie says, “The idea was to mash together a couple different tropical flavors together. We’ve gone Polynesian with the glazed spam, but then Japanese with the soy egg, and used Korean-inspired garnishes.”
Hungry For More? Additional Exclusive Passholder Appreciation Days Offerings
Universal Studios Florida
- The Tipsy Watermelon at Chez Alcatraz
- Rum, lemonade, watermelon syrup
Universal Islands of Adventure
- 3 Cheese Bavarian Pretzel at Pizza Predattoria
- Soft pretzel, mozzarella, asiago, parmesan cheese, marinara dipping sauce
Universal CityWalk
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Explosion at The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen
- Chocolate peanut butter milkshake topped with chocolate whipped cream, Reese’s Pieces, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, and a slice of chocolate peanut butter pie
- Huarache de Chorizo at Antojitos Authentic Mexican Food
- Corn guajillo masa, refried beans, ground chorizo, roasted corn, queso fresco, chayote salad, cilantro crema
- Pork Dumplings at The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar
- Pork dumplings, sesame coconut dipping sauce, scallions
BONUS: Exclusive Passholder Nights Menu Items
At Passholder Nights at Universal Studios Florida, UOAPs have the theme park all to themselves for an after-hours party. That’s what I call exclusive.
Read here for a guest story from Passholder Nights!
At Passholder Appreciation Nights, you can purchase these exclusive menu items:
- Apple Pie Crepe at Central Park Crêpes
- Apple compote, mascarpone cheese, anglaise, grilled red apples with brown sugar crumble
- Pizza Fries at DreamWorks Imagination Café
- Classic Pizza Fries: French fries topped with marinara sauce, Mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, and sausage
- Vegan Pizza Fries: French fries topped with marinara sauce, vegan cheese, vegan pepperoni, and vegan sausage crumbles
What are you most excited to eat during Passholder Appreciation Days? Let us know in the comments below!
Must be 21 or older with valid photo ID to purchase and consume alcoholic beverages.
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