Am I the only one that cringes at ticket prices?

[keishashadow]

But you realize the Power Pass doesn't have any discounts associated with it...don't you? No free parking and no park discounts on food or merchandise. You should consider getting a Preferred AP so you can take advantage of the discounts.

quite true for many, but for the dates i've checked the AP rates @ the onsite hotel rates are waaaay higher than AAA (i hope to be eating my words & they drop like a rock). I did renew 1 AP last year when rates dropped last minute. most of PAP in park discounts apply w/AAA card. Also, for those who do stay onsite, free parking really isn't a concern...since we pay for it @ the resorts lol We'll still probably renew one PAP for the HHN discount tix perc though

I don't know if I'm missing something but I just today looked at the base ticket price for one day and nearly choked. Honestly, I don't want to go. It's my husband and oldest son that want to go. I don't feel like paying about $200 for me and my toddler (newly 3 then) to just stand around because I don't like most of the rides there and my toddler will have limited interest there. The only reason we did venture off of WDW property in the past was because it wasn't overly expensive to do so. Now???? If the employees over there made is a somewhat similar experience, then maybe, but I hate being harassed to buy timeshares (or whatever those sales people wandering around were hocking) and the employees were almost always sullen. More per day at IOA than WDW??? I don't think so. Not for us anyway. I wish I had bought an 8 day WDW ticket rather than a 7 day. I wonder if I can add on.
In short, I agree w/ you OP. It may have been cheap for a long time, BUT IMO, the draw isn't there for US to pay more to go.

safe to say if you only visited in the past because it was 'cheap' and you didn't enjoy the park, then you probably shouldn't return despite HP

I strongly disagree as to there not being enough to occupy a 3 year old Probably the best idea to let your family enjoy U while you remain @ WDW where u feel more in your element.

btw, many DVCers have felt that onsite @ U when the DVC weekend rates were ridiculously pricey was the true best kept secret. Even with the point reallocations, it's still on my wish list.

Does Universal offer the same type ticket upgrade that you can do at WDW?? About 2 months ago, I bought the special '2 parks, one day, plus transportation' pkg for my dd and myself for this coming August. But, we'll be heading to US/IoA again in April. Just wondering if there was some way to upgrade our passes to passes with more days on them.

Phantom is the expert on this subject. in my experience though all U tix are not upgradable.

I was refused the ability to upgrade ones @ the gate last July to renew a PAP. Said tix were purchased on ticketmaster, they were the 7 day variety. Yes, i did request that a supervisor be called & I received the same answer. Apparently, they were considered of the complimentary variety.I've been able to upgrade the tix ive purchased thru AAA without any issue though.

 

[Jonny_Duck]

$79 for one day is much different than $109. Still not sure I want to go but DH and DS10 might.

As a big supporter/lover of US/IoA I fully agree with this statement. Thats a lot of money imo to spend one day anywhere.

Imo you should have your hubby/son go and you should stay at Disney where you feel comfortable and happy.

To the OP....yes I feel this hike in price is insane and they overdid it.

 

[Rash]

We are DVC members with 150 points. For the last 8 years or so, we would stay at a DVC resort (Beach Club usually) Sun - Thurs nights, and then move to Portofino for 3 nights Fr-Sun.

150 points was more than enough for 5 nights at Beach Club. And we were able to get geat rates at Portofino with AAA and Loews First Platinum status.

Now - DVC has jacked up the per night point cost during the week, so 150 points isn't even enough - I have to borrow or rent points to stay now. And, Loews First is now You First and caters to mainly business travelers, so we no longer get the upgrades to suites. AAA rates are still available, but not as good as before, and it's a standard room, which is not nearly as comfortable with two young kids.

How does this relate to ticket prices? Well, we used tp pay $99 each (4 of us) for Universal tix. Now they are about $140. That's $160 more per year (we only go once/year). $160 is small potatoes compared to how much more we are paying for the hotels, not to mention airfare and car rentals. EVERYTHING has gone up substantially the last few years. The ticket price increases are probably the easiest to deal with.

 

[keishashadow]

We are DVC members with 150 points. For the last 8 years or so, we would stay at a DVC resort (Beach Club usuually) Sun - Thurs nights, and then move to Portofino for 3 nights Fr-Sun.

150 points was more than enough for 5 nights at Beach Club. And we were able to get geat rates at Portofino with AAA and Loews First Platinum status.

Now - DVC has jacked up the per night point cost during the week, so 150 points isn't even enough - I have to borrow or rent points to stay now. And, Loews First is now Your First and caters to mainly business, so we no longer get the upgrades to suites. AAA rates are still available, but not as good as before, and it's a standard room, which is not nearly as comfortable with two young kids.

How does this relate to ticket prices? Well, we used tp pay $99 each (4 of us) for Universal tix. Now they are about $140. That's $160 more per year (we only go once/year). $160 is small potatoes compared to how much more we are paying for the hotels, not to mention airfare and car rentals. EVERYTHING has gone up substantially the last few years. The ticket price increases are probably the easiest to deal with.

sounds like ur used to 1 or 2 BR units, 150 points would get u a studio anywhere for 5 nights with points leftover...we look @ the space challenged studios as enforced family togetherness lol

fyi, many folks have reported finding rates @ RPR in the range of $150 this summer for 3 night stays, check out the date & rate thread here for some examples.

im pretty sure this'll be my last year platinum...it sure was nice while it lasted. I can't recall disney ever upgrading me, not even when staying CRO.

U is just jumping on the 'trying to keep guests onsite' bus that WDW has effectively utilized for years w/the way the MYW tix are structured.As with disney APs, the best strategy is to buy 'whatever' AP & get at least 2 trips out of it...effectively a trip every 51 weeks if need be kwim?

good luck

 

[keishashadow]

As a big supporter/lover of US/IoA I fully agree with this statement. Thats a lot of money imo to spend one day anywhere.

Imo you should have your hubby/son go and you should stay at Disney where you feel comfortable and happy.

To the OP....yes I feel this hike in price is insane and they overdid it.

am i the only one who is sad to see the price hike, yet secretly hoping it may help keep the initial crowds manageable?

U is quick to adjust tix prices via sales during the past few years. If the HP faithful don't make the gate for them, various tix deals will likely be rolled out

i'd luv to see the return of the BOGO year free deal

 

[poeticdiabetic]

am i the only one who is sad to see the price hike, yet secretly hoping it may help keep the initial crowds manageable?

U is quick to adjust tix prices via sales during the past few years. If the HP faithful don't make the gate for them, various tix deals will likely be rolled out

i'd luv to see the return of the BOGO year free deal

I can almost personally guarantee that the tix prices will be reduced greatly by September of this year. And I think that they will be floating those Costco tix by Jan of next year.

But that means yet another quarter of poor performance. July will be good, but May and the beginning of June will not be. And this year is already pretty bad. That means that when they get the numbers, they may see an increase of about 10% max. With numbers being down the first two quarters so far, it will almost require a price reduction in the 3rd and 4th quarters.

Great, if I'm going there in Sept. But I'll be there the end of May- beginning of June. That means that we'll be there when WWHoP will be still in anticipation. Therefore, I'll be paying list.

 

[keishashadow]

I can almost personally guarantee that the tix prices will be reduced greatly by September of this year. And I think that they will be floating those Costco tix by Jan of next year.

But that means yet another quarter of poor performance. July will be good, but May and the beginning of June will not be. And this year is already pretty bad. That means that when they get the numbers, they may see an increase of about 10% max. With numbers being down the first two quarters so far, it will almost require a price reduction in the 3rd and 4th quarters.

Great, if I'm going there in Sept. But I'll be there the end of May- beginning of June. That means that we'll be there when WWHoP will be still in anticipation. Therefore, I'll be paying list.

im going in October, will hold u to it. I wish SAMs clubs offer good tix deals like Costco!

enjoy ur trip...keep checking the rates up until the last minute, u never know they may drop. There were a couple different onsite offers with pincodes did you check your email accounts pin # or call to see if one was sent as to good onsite rates?
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2453830&highlight=pin+code

 

[poeticdiabetic]

im going in October, will hold u to it. I wish SAMs clubs offer good tix deals like Costco!

enjoy ur trip...keep checking the rates up until the last minute, u never know they may drop. There were a couple different onsite offers with pincodes did you check your email accounts pin # or call to see if one was sent as to good onsite rates?
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2453830&highlight=pin+code

Can't stay onsite. My parents have a timeshare and we come out to make it worthwhile. We just need tickets. (But it's cool to walk past those timeshare peddlers and say that we're already staying there. Those peddlers gives US and IOA that whole "international" feel. It brings me back to when we visit poor countries and have to politely say no to the peddlers.)

 

[Rash]

sounds like ur used to 1 or 2 BR units,

Exactly right - definitely spoiled by it. Especially when my son was 2-3 years old (he's almost 5 now). That dude NEEDED a separate room. Not so bad now. As a matter of fact, we just got back in April and we had a Deluxe room at Portofino (Gold status upgrade) - basically a bigger standard room. It worked out fine, but it was only 3 nights. I wouldn't want to do it for all 8, Thank god for the 1 bedroom DVC rooms, even though I need more points now.

Point is - I'm willing to pay more for better/bigger rooms, so $160 more in tickets is not outrageous after all these years without a price hike. Geez, if I didn't have Emerald Club, I would have paid about $500 for our rental minivan. (is there a DOH! smiley?) In that case, I would have just crammed us all into a mid-size!

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

I wish I had bought an 8 day WDW ticket rather than a 7 day. I wonder if I can add on.

You can upgrade anytime within 14 days of the first use of your ticket. It will cost about $3 per ticket to add the eighth day.

I Why not let your husband and older chilld come alone if they want, and stay at WDW with the younger?

I took our kids when they were 3 and 7. My then 3-year old loved Seuss Landing and the Curious George play area. Other than that, she wasn't interested in much. We spent a lot of time waiting for DH and my then 7-year old (even staying onsite), until we walked from US to IOA to do Seuss Landing again. We are taking them this summer (they will be 11 and 7). DD11 and I really want to see WWOHP, and DH is a huge US/IOA fan, although not a Harry Potter fan. DD7 isn't all that excited, but I think she will find enough to be happy.

At 3, she would have been just as happy to hang out by the pool, although Seuss Landing really is incredibly themed and very enjoyable.

Phantom is the expert on this subject. in my experience though all U tix are not upgradable.

I was refused the ability to upgrade ones @ the gate last July to renew a PAP. Said tix were purchased on ticketmaster, they were the 7 day variety. Yes, i did request that a supervisor be called & I received the same answer. Apparently, they were considered of the complimentary variety.I've been able to upgrade the tix ive purchased thru AAA without any issue though.

I have the Costco tickets for our trip this summer. I was told that I could upgrade them to APs, even though the Costco tickets don't seem to exist anymore. Hope that is right - I booked our room at an AP discount.

When I re-read your post, it sounds like you are saying that not all Universal tickets are upgradeable, not that all Universal tickets are not upgradeable. The first time I read it, I took it to mean that you can't upgrade any tickets, but it sounds like that's not what you meant since you said you could upgrade your AAA tickets.

 

[ppony]

safe to say if you only visited in the past because it was 'cheap' and you didn't enjoy the park, then you probably shouldn't return despite HP

I strongly disagree as to there not being enough to occupy a 3 year old Probably the best idea to let your family enjoy U while you remain @ WDW where u feel more in your element

You're making an awful lot of assumptions.
It is not safe to say I didn't enjoy the park and only went because it's cheap. I actually did enjoy the park, when I fit into the rides prior to having my kids. Now I don't for most of my favorite ones. So, I'll not be doing much of what my family will be doing. AND it wasn't all about me either. My DH loves that park. Not US just IoA, so I went for him too. I'd be standing around minding the stroller an toddler. And yes, truth me told, I find Disney themeing and characters far more appealing. Though I'll live vicariously through my DH in taking pix of the HP stuff.

As to what will occupy a 3 year old, well, not all 3 years olds are created equal. Even within their own family genetics. My DS2 has got quite a few special needs. He's autistic, not talking yet and we are working through a whole bunch of issues. I know him. Quite well. We took my oldest there when he was 6. He enjoyed it well enough but of course, now that he's big enough to get on almost everything, he's really excited. Both are 2 entirely different children. WDW was difficult last year when we all went. We went on 2 rides and that was all I could do w/ my youngest and our DCL cruise was really NOT enjoyable with him, but we thankfully had wonderful accommodations so the time I spent in there was wonderful. I'm sure you're asking yourself "How does that matter if you're planning on WDW for several days but won't take him to IoA for one?" We've had a lot of therapy since then and are more hopeful about this trip. But the good thing is, should he not deal well again, or just need breaks (and the IoA day is scheduled on day 7 of our trip), I can go back to my resort with him while others stay. That last bit is probably the crux.

I'm planning on probably staying behind and WDW and either adding a day onto his and my tickets or just enjoying our resort.

 

[keishashadow]

You're making an awful lot of assumptions.
It is not safe to say I didn't enjoy the park and only went because it's cheap...............

I'm planning on probably staying behind and WDW and either adding a day onto his and my tickets or just enjoying our resort.

no assumptions made, inference perhaps, just responding to what you postedas highlighted below(it's ur trip, enjoy it however u decide):

I don't know if I'm missing something but I just today looked at the base ticket price for one day and nearly choked. Honestly, I don't want to go. It's my husband and oldest son that want to go. I don't feel like paying about $200 for me and my toddler (newly 3 then) to just stand around because I don't like most of the rides there and my toddler will have limited interest there. The only reason we did venture off of WDW property in the past was because it wasn't overly expensive to do so. Now???? If the employees over there made is a somewhat similar experience, then maybe, but I hate being harassed to buy timeshares (or whatever those sales people wandering around were hocking) and the employees were almost always sullen. More per day at IOA than WDW??? I don't think so. Not for us anyway. I wish I had bought an 8 day WDW ticket rather than a 7 day. I wonder if I can add on.
In short, I agree w/ you OP. It may have been cheap for a long time, BUT IMO, the draw isn't there for US to pay more to go.

clarification re tickets being upgraded:

*i've been able to upgrade multiday tix bought thru local AAA (even the FL AAA) several times to a PAP @ the park gates

*i was refused PAP upgrade on multiday tix bought thru ticketmaster last July, reason given was they were promotion tickets.

 

[ppony]

no assumptions made, inference perhaps, just responding to what you postedas highlighted below(it's ur trip, enjoy it however u decide):



clarification re tickets being upgraded:

*i've been able to upgrade multiday tix bought thru local AAA (even the FL AAA) several times to a PAP @ the park gates

*i was refused PAP upgrade on multiday tix bought thru ticketmaster last July, reason given was they were promotion tickets.

Ah, I can see what you thought. I had initially been making cost comparisons between the WDW base ticket price and the U multi-park tickets. They liste the multi day one first and Disney lists the base first. So it wasn't a apples to apples comparison. My apologies too, I was over-simplifying. I get $80 a day, I was shocked at $110 a day.

Peace.

 

[keishashadow]

Ah, I can see what you thought. I had initially been making cost comparisons between the WDW base ticket price and the U multi-park tickets. They liste the multi day one first and Disney lists the base first. So it wasn't a apples to apples comparison. My apologies too, I was over-simplifying. I get $80 a day, I was shocked at $110 a day.

Peace.

it's all good noticed ur making 1st trip home to kidani, what a great choice for a home resort!

 

[kathy884]

We'll be doing one day a IOA to see the Harry Potter stuff. A one day one park ticket is $80 pp (pretty pricey), given that we probably won't be there that long.

In our seven night / six day stay though, overall it will be a pretty reasonably priced vacation. We'll be in a condo (RCI trade) that my parents are doing. For our six days, we'll do two at Sea World (We have two year season passes, so no extra expense), one day at Typhoon Lagoon $40 pp, and two resort days, so our IOA day will be our most expensive one. Usually we do a trip similar to this one, but skip Universal/IOA and do one day at one of the Disney parks. This year, though, we want to go to IOA -- too curious about the HP theming. My son and I both want to see this.

Except for the Harry Potter stuff which includes Dueling Dragons, the only other things we'll do are the Hulk and the Jurrasic Park Discovery Center. My 14 year old is just not that crazy about Universal/IOA (He's been on everything there at least once from another trip, so knows what he's interested in), and I let him devise our touring plan. We went though every attraction, there wasn't anything he wanted to do at Universal (hence the one day / one park ticket which does save some money), and except for Harry Potter there were just these two things that he was interested in doing a second time at IOA. He's not too into simulaton rides, though, and I believe that this type of ride is pretty common here. I know Forbidden Journey is a simulation ride, but he does want to check this out at least once. He is very interested in checking out all the HP theming, castle, gift shops, etc., and that's definately the reason we are going.

 

[damo]

We'll be doing one day a IOA to see the Harry Potter stuff. A one day one park ticket is $80 pp (pretty pricey), given that we probably won't be there that long.

In our seven night / six day stay though, overall it will be a pretty reasonably priced vacation. We'll be in a condo (RCI trade) that my parents are doing. For our six days, we'll do two at Sea World (We have two year season passes, so no extra expense), one day at Typhoon Lagoon $40 pp, and two resort days, so our IOA day will be our most expensive one. Usually we do a trip similar to this one, but skip Universal/IOA and do one day at one of the Disney parks. This year, though, we want to go to IOA -- too curious about the HP theming. My son and I both want to see this.

Except for the Harry Potter stuff which includes Dueling Dragons, the only other things we'll do are the Hulk and the Jurrasic Park Discovery Center. My 14 year old is just not that crazy about Universal/IOA (He's been on everything there at least once from another trip, so knows what he's interested in), and I let him devise our touring plan. We went though every attraction, there wasn't anything he wanted to do at Universal (hence the one day / one park ticket which does save some money), and except for Harry Potter there were just these two things that he was interested in doing a second time at IOA. He's not too into simulaton rides, though, and I believe that this type of ride is pretty common here. I know Forbidden Journey is a simulation ride, but he does want to check this out at least once. He is very interested in checking out all the HP theming, castle, gift shops, etc., and that's definately the reason we are going.

I wouldn't really say that any rides at IOA are typical simulators. You could call Spiderman a simulator ride but it is moving on a track through different scenes with the 3D projections going on all around you. Forbidden Journey is also not really a simulator ride. You will be riding on robotic arms and you will travel through 11 different scenes on some sort of track. There will be some stuff projected but also lots of animatronics and normal scenery.

When I think of simulator rides, I think of stationary seats. The IOA simulators are really dark rides with some simulated effects. Universal does have its fair share of simulators though. Simpsons, Shrek and Jimmy Neutron are definitely simulators.

 

[bubba's mom]

We'll be doing one day a IOA to see the Harry Potter stuff. A one day one park ticket is $80 pp (pretty pricey), given that we probably won't be there that long.

Oddly enuf, that's the same price for a day at Disney...where, my family feels about Disney like you do about IOA. Not much we are interested in.

That said...you only live once and our children are only little for so long. If my son wanted to go to Disney, I probably would too. It's just what we parents do.

If you & your son like Potter, no doubt you'll enjoy the new land. Does he know they added Rockit to the Studios? And BTTF is now Simpsons and Earthquake is now Disaster! (waaay better!)?

 

[cheetara]

I can almost personally guarantee that the tix prices will be reduced greatly by September of this year. And I think that they will be floating those Costco tix by Jan of next year.

But that means yet another quarter of poor performance. July will be good, but May and the beginning of June will not be. And this year is already pretty bad. That means that when they get the numbers, they may see an increase of about 10% max. With numbers being down the first two quarters so far, it will almost require a price reduction in the 3rd and 4th quarters.

Great, if I'm going there in Sept. But I'll be there the end of May- beginning of June. That means that we'll be there when WWHoP will be still in anticipation. Therefore, I'll be paying list.

I so hope the above is true in thiscase. We haven't been back to US/IOA since 2008 and my son really wants to go back since we had a blast the last time. He's finally tall enough to go on the Hulk and DD! But we started looking at going back this year the ticket prices scared me so much especially since we're on a tight budget vacation wise with the economic recession from last year. I so hated to disappoint my son and we'll save and hope that the pricing comes down and go next year. But honestly the prices are a little steep for us and really bummed about it.

 

[damo]

Here is the price comparison between Disney and Universal for tickets. What does everyone think Universal prices should be?

Disney and Universal are both around $80 for a 1 day no hopper pass.

Disney 1 day hopper --131
Universal 1 day hopper -- 109

Disney 2 day hopper --208
Universal 2 day hopper -- 135

Disney 3 day hopper --271
Universal 3 day hopper --140

Disney 4 day hopper --277
Universal 4 day hopper --145

Disney 7 day hopper --286
Universal 7 day hopper --170

Disney Annual Pass 489 Renewal Rate 449
Universal Annual Pass 219 Renewal Rate 149

SeaWorld --- $68.95 online, $78.95 at the gate
Busch Gardens in Tampa --- $74.95
Busch Gardens in Williamsburg ---$61.95

 

[bubba's mom]

Thanks for putting that out there damo.

I too was wondering why everyone was complaining how much more Universal tickets were than Disney

Disney is more expensive than Universal...even with the current ticket increase.

I knew as soon as Universal announced Harry Potter-land the ticket prices were going up. Why would anyone think they wouldn't?

I've always told my friends & clients...If you can afford to vacation at Disney, you can absolutely afford a vacation at Universal.