Universal Orlando Ticket Prices

[timfreeman]

I received a survey a while ago that included questions on ticket pricing. At that time I thought they were absurd and told them so in the survey. I log on to the site today to check out Disney alternatives (we normally go to Universal at least once a year), and they increased pricing by 70%!?!?!?!?! Not sure about everyone else, but no way I'm paying $170 for a 7 day ticket. I think they are taking the attendance due to the Harry Potter intro in the Spring a little too extreme. This doesn't even touch the Annual Pass increase of over $100.

 

My kids love Universal, but it looks like they priced themselves off my list.

[Homeboy23]

$170 for a 7 day ticket = $25 a day for two parks. Seems good to me.

[RCFreak]

I think they are taking the attendance due to the Harry Potter intro in the Spring a little too extreme. This doesn't even touch the Annual Pass increase of over $100.

 

My kids love Universal, but it looks like they priced themselves off my list.

 

I think they realize how many people will come to visit the parks and are adjusting there prices accordingly. Don't underestimate the power of the Harry Potter fiends.

[timfreeman]

The price last year for an advance purchase 7 day ticket was $99. Potter doesn't justify that type of price increase. They increased the price 70% which would add $300 to our price which to me is not acceptable. In reality, there's only enough to keep occupied for 4 days as 2 days at each park is more than enough. Even then, it's $145. To compare, a 3 park (Sea World, Aquatica, & Busch Gardens) ticket for 14 days is only $150. I actually thought the $150 was too expensive, which is why we haven't visited those parks in a while.

 

Maybe it's just me....

[doom1001]

Their Preferred AP renewal went from $117 to $159,it's still a pretty decent deal and I will renew it since to get new Preferred AP is well over $200 so I'm not going to let it expire,but it's been like almost 10 years that the price was $99 or $109 plus tax and now it went to $149 or $159 with tax.It used to be the deal of the AP prices and now with Potter they plan to try to catch up with Disney.

[ginzo]

Are you really going to spend 7 days at Universal? They're nice parks and all, but that seems like a whole lot of time to spend there.

 

It looks like if you buy a multi day ticket, the days are valid for 13 days after the first day used. So, if you bought a 3-day ticket for $140, you could space those visits out over 5-7 days, or something, and throw other area attractions into this mix.

 

Yes, this is a huge price increase, especially during a horrible economy. It almost seems like they've convinced themselves they opened a third gate. It'll be interesting to see how this works out for them.

[jarmor]

$170 for a 7 day ticket = $25 a day for two parks. Seems good to me.

 

Its more of the fact that it went from 100.00 for a 7 day ticket to 170.00 than the price itself...

 

I mean the parks could have been under priced but it doesnt look good to go from 1st gear to 4th...

 

this may make me buy a season pass since I do visit sometimes twice a year on different occasions.

[FeelTheFORCE]

While I agree that Homeboy's math proves that it still isn't bad at all, Jarmor is right, it's more of a "principle" thing. Harry Potter or not, that's ridiculous to increase your prices by 70%, especially in this struggling economy. I guess they are really banking on those HP lunatics to show up in packs and bus-loads.

 

I wonder if they'll have a special offer during the Super Bowl again?

[Homeboy23]

Look at it this way, at least they are adding something new when increasing the price.

 

Apartments will raise the rent each year while giving you the same apartment. Your cable company will increase the monthly rate while offering the same channels. The electric company will raise the rates while you still use the same amount of electricity.

[FeelTheFORCE]

I understand a price increase in this situation, I'm just saying that it shouldn't be so drastic. Maybe a gradual increase over the next few years. But oh well, I guess if they know that people are still going to pay it, then why not?

[kidcoaster 2]

I am sure when they notice the drop in multi day ticket purchases that they will drop prices.

[Lenaapple1974]

WOW! After reading this, I immediately ran to the Universal site. They have totally changed it! It is definitely outrageous that they increased the price by THAT MUCH! I was a huge fan of the two park/seven day ticket. I almost feel that Universal Studios will end up suffering in the end as a result, because everyone I know want to skip that to begin with, and only go to IOA. Now with these new ticket prices, those people will definitely be skipping it. I like that park, and I will probably be as well. I haven't gone to Disney as much because of their pricing. Now, Universal suffers the same fate. Sure HP will bring in the business this year. Smart on Universal's part, but in the long run...with the pricing similar now - this may chase people on over to a Disney vacation after all! Sure, you have those people that will go no matter what, but lots of people are out of jobs (for awhile), or want to save here and there. Good news (so far) is that the Flex tix prices seem relatively untouched, minus $10 that I think the 6 park pass was raised since I went in July. So the 5 park adult pass is $259+ and the 6 park pass is now $299. THAT is where you get the deals!! Hopefully, after this year's HP craze - they will have some more specials.

[FeelTheFORCE]

Could this have something to do with Comcast perhaps?

[timfreeman]

I doubt Comcast is the whole reason. The survey I saw was sent out last summer (think before Comcast) with similar pricing in their questions. I was looking at the Flex option again as it seems the best deal, but for $1200, we'd spend the extra $100 and just get Disney tickets.

 

We used the prices to justify spending more time in Orlando, not to replace WDW with Universal. So instead of staying just 10 days at WDW, we'd spend 14 days in Orlando, with 10 in WDW and 4 in Universal. Now with their costs, they won't be seeing us in the near future.

[Brad]

Are you really going to spend 7 days at Universal? They're nice parks and all, but that seems like a whole lot of time to spend there.

 

It looks like if you buy a multi day ticket, the days are valid for 13 days after the first day used. So, if you bought a 3-day ticket for $140, you could space those visits out over 5-7 days, or something, and throw other area attractions into this mix.

 

I think people are blowing this way out of proportion... and I for one know that I am 'bored' of Universal after 3 days of going to the parks. $145 for park to park access for 4 days of admission (to be used over a span of 14 days) is not unreasonable. That's $37 a day for two amazing theme parks.

 

Sure, the $99 admission was nice, but they are debuting their largest project since IOA opened, and their prices have not increased that much since then (1999). $40 will not deter me from taking a trip to Universal.