Florida theme park goers can now show their love for their favorite theme park while helping out a local nonprofit.
Universal Orlando Resort officials unveiled the design for the new license specialty plate on Tuesday, which is now available for pre-sale purchase.
Featuring the iconic Universal Orlando globe atop a galactic-inspired background, the proceeds for the specialty license plate will benefit Central Florida-based nonprofit Give Kids The World.
“We love our enthusiastic fans and Passholders at Universal Orlando and our first-ever specialtylicense plate is the perfect way to express their passion,” Karen Irwin, President and Chief Operating Officer of Universal Orlando Resort, said in a press release.
“We are so excited to build on our longstanding, treasured partnership with Give Kids The World in support of its incredible mission in this new and unique way.
Here's how you can pre-order the license plate for yourself.
What are specialty license plates?
Specialty license plates are plates for your registered vehicle that feature different artwork than the standard Florida white, orange, and green plates to let you add a colorful personal touch to your ride.
They cost extra, but proceeds from the sales go to benefit the colleges, environmental causes, sports teams, military services, and special interests behind them.
The Sunshine State currently offers over 100 different specialty license plates as of Oct. 1,according to Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, and there are 175 different specialty plates on nearly 2.2 million vehicles out there.
How much does the Universal Orlando pre-sale voucher cost?
The vouchers are $33 plus applicable state administration fees.
Where do I purchase the specialty license plate?
All of the plates can be orderedonlineor atlocal DMV offices.
What charity does the Universal Orlando Resort license plate benefit?
Give Kids The World Village is an 89-acre nonprofit resort in Kissimmee that provides weeklong, cost-free wish vacations to critically ill children and their families from around the world who want to visit Central Florida.
"A stay at the Village is much more than a vacation. During one incredible week, wish families laugh, play, and create priceless memories together away from hospital visits and medical procedures," the website reads.
Since 1986, the Give Kids The World Village has welcomed nearly 200,000 families from all 50 states and 77 countries.
According to Universal Orlando Resort, its partnership with Give Kids The World goes back more than 30years, from supporting the organization through various avenues. The local nonprofit is consistently one of the top five most popular organizations supported by Universal Orlando volunteers, with team members completing more than 4,000 volunteer hours and counting in 2024.
“We are deeply grateful that Universal Orlando Resort has chosen to partner with us on this incredible opportunity,” Pamela Landwirth, President and CEO of Give Kids The World, said.
“This specialty plate will generate tremendous awareness of our mission and also provide precious funds so that we may continue our promise to children whose one wish is to experience all the adventure that Central Florida has to offer."
How many Universal Orlando Resort license plates have sold?
According to FLHSMV data, 52 license plates have been sold as of Dec. 11.
The presale period for a new specialty license plate in Florida is24 months from the initial offering period, which opened in October of this year. If it does not meet the 3,000 requirement, refunds will be issued for the cost of the voucher only.
I pre-ordered a license plate. How will I get my specialty license plate after purchasing a voucher?
The Universal Orlando website shares that once 3,000 pre-sale vouchers are sold and the plates are in production, purchasers will need to request the plate at the time of registration renewal or as an on-demand replacement.
Requesting the plate does not require an additional cost. The voucher covers the cost of the specialty license plate for the first year of purchase, with the fee renewing annually.
Where is Universal Studios Orlando located?
Both Universal Studios Resort and Islands of Adventure are located at 6000 Universal Boulevard in Orlando. As for the upcoming Epic Universe theme park, it will be located roughly 10 to 15 minutesaway from its existing theme parks along Sand Lake Road in Orlando.
Here are theprices for a single ticketto Universal’s current three parks, as of December 2024:
- Universal Studios or Islands of Adventure: $119
- Volcano Bay: $80
There arediscounts available for Florida residentson annual and seasonal passes, as well as deals for multi-day tickets.
Contributing reporting: C. A. Bridges, USA TODAY NETWORK - Florida
