Universal Orlando Resort (USO, IOA) Discussion Thread

Yeah, that will pretty much assure that I am skipping Universal on our next Orlando visit.

I think the one-day, 2-park ticket that we bought in 2008 and 2009 was around 80-90 bucks and both times there was a promotion that made the ticket good for 5 consecutive days.

[DBruI will provide you with maximum pleasure.]

While prices continue to soar, people aren't making any more money. I don't understand this economic model.

[BeemerBoyWDW Monorail Fanatic]

"Our pricing reflects the high-quality entertainment experience we offer, while still providing great value," Universal spokesman Tom Schroder said Monday.

Will this price hike allow you to properly staff and operate such high-quality experiences as food stands on a consistent basis? *cough* Green Eggs & Ham *cough*


Honestly, I'm happy they're raising prices on a rapidly undesirable set of parks. It makes my decision to spend my money at Sea World and Discovery Cove that much easier. Thanks, Universal!!

[jedimaster1227Open Up Happiness]

^^While that may be true, it should be noted that park attendance and operating cash flow have continued to rise despite operating costs remaining on par with what they were the previous year. I've updated my original post with a new article detailing such figures.

I think the main fact to be noted from all of these ticket increases is that they are done because the parks can afford for them to be done. Every year Disney, Universal and SeaWorld increase their ticket prices, and yet their figures continue to show growth rather than loss. While I'm not defending any specific increase, I continue to look at it in this light... If people want a unique experience, they'll pay whatever the asking ticket price is. Despite each of these significant increases in pricing, people have (and will) continue to pay the price they have to pay to get the experience they want.

Think about how much the ticket prices will go up when they build the new Pottertown.

I personally don't see me spending this amount of money on these parks any time soon. The level of customer service is certainly not reflected by this ticket price.

dt

[Hilltopper39Don't make me kick you in the donkey!]

And Disney announces their ticket price increases in 3.....2......1......

It makes my decision to spend my money at Sea World and Discovery Cove that much easier. Thanks, Universal!!

This.

Seriously, I haven't been to Universal in 2 years other than Horror Nights, and at theses prices it's going to make it difficult for me to want to visit any time in the future. It's not that I can't afford it, I can, it's just getting to a point that I don't think the value from the experience those parks provide is worth the price they charge for admission. As for Horror Nights, pricing for that event is getting to the point that I'm one more average year away from skipping it altogether in favor of Halloscreams.

[PALDonkeys are my way of life!]

^I feel the same way about Disneyworld. $125 for a 1-day park hopper! The value proposition is awful for one or two day visits.

^Yeah but at least there are a ton of options with Disney so that no one HAS to buy a one or two day park hopper. We consistently bought Non-Expiring 10 Day Park hoppers with 'fun' visits, which basically brought the price down to $45 a day for a park hopping day plus totally free visits to water parks and DisneyQuest. To my knowledge, Universal does not have a comparable non-expiring option like that.

So let's start a pool. Which park will hit $100 first?

[Hilltopper39Don't make me kick you in the donkey!]

^^Exactly, and I feel like with a multi-park ticket you get more for your money at Disney than Universal, just a better overall quality of experience.

Heck, the whole reason I used to visit Universal to begin with was because it was cheaper than Disney, that and IOA used to be one of if not the best theme parks in the world. It's amazing how much damage a little wizardry can really do....