Annual Pass Changes???

[winstoda]

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/trav...ss-changes-20160829-story.html#nt=oft03a-1la1

Uh-oh. We were going to wait until arriving in November and upgrading UT tickets but now I'm wondering if I should buy passes today to try to lock-in the current prices/passes...

 

[damo]

Figured they would be reorganizing since the water park is going to be coming on board soon too.

 

[cmarsh31]

Uggg. Same thing. We're upgrading at least one UT ticket in early October. Now what to do...

 

[tinkerpea]

We was upgrading end of September and completely don't know what to do lol

 

[macraven]

If you upgrade before a new system is out in place, the pass you upgrade to will be valid for the year I assume

 

[Grumpy92]

I was planning to upgrade to the Preferred next week. Will wait and see what the details are.
It sounds like the following:
Premium - same
Preferred - same
Power - blocking summer and adding free parking
Seasonal - Blocking summer, spring and xmas

 

[Mom3girls]

Can someone tell me what the blackout dates for the Power Pass were before they lifted the summer dates?

 

[cmarsh31]

The free parking is complicated, though, right? It's not good the first time you get the AP? So if we're there 10/1-10/4 and I get the Power Pass and it's the new one (so I pay more $ for it, I'm assuming...but maybe we'll get lucky? hahaha...) the free parking won't apply to our hotel that weekend? (before I get all excited that we'd be able to save the cost of parking)

 

[georgina]

I didn't see a proposed date for the changes? I am also planning to upgrade my 3 day UT ticket to a Power Pass in mid-September, have an APH rate booked already, planning to return in Nov also.

It's really too late to go back to the SMSM rate for Sept, the 3 night stay would cost me another $200, so I guess I will have to stick with my plan and get an AP whatever it costs.

 

[georgina]

The free parking is complicated, though, right? It's not good the first time you get the AP? So if we're there 10/1-10/4 and I get the Power Pass and it's the new one (so I pay more $ for it, I'm assuming...but maybe we'll get lucky? hahaha...) the free parking won't apply to our hotel that weekend? (before I get all excited that we'd be able to save the cost of parking)

The website says this about free parking - ‡Free self-parking is not valid on your first visit to the theme parks. Valid at Universal Orlando® parking garages only. Not valid for parking at any Universal Orlando® Resort on-site hotel. Subject to availability. Additional restrictions may apply and benefits are subject to change without notice.

 

[cmarsh31]

The website says this about free parking - ‡Free self-parking is not valid on your first visit to the theme parks. Valid at Universal Orlando® parking garages only. Not valid for parking at any Universal Orlando® Resort on-site hotel. Subject to availability. Additional restrictions may apply and benefits are subject to change without notice.

Oh sigh. I got lost in the first visit part the last time I read it and never saw the on-site. Well, doesn't matter anyway. It'll be our first visit and our rental car will be at the on-site hotel. Guess I just hope that the $ increase isn't too much bc we have the AP rate booked for our hotel!

 

[georgina]

Oh sigh. I got lost in the first visit part the last time I read it and never saw the on-site. Well, doesn't matter anyway. It'll be our first visit and our rental car will be at the on-site hotel. Guess I just hope that the $ increase isn't too much bc we have the AP rate booked for our hotel!

yeah, me too!

 

[1983DisneyFanatic]

If I buy a preferred pass today, will it include access to the waterpark opening in 2017? What about the preferred pass after the changes? I was planning on buying a power pass for me and a preferred pass for my husband for our early December trip. Now I'm trying to decide if I should buy now to avoid a price increase or wait and hope they don't increase too much.

 

[squirrel]

Oh, no! Just when I'm about to arrive this change will be happening. I wonder how much more this is going to cost me.

 

[Rags]

I have to renew my preferred in October. Should I just go online and do it now before the price hike?

 

[go2grl]

From the OP's link: "Universal's changes would also include allowing people buying more expensive passes to get early theme park admission."

I wonder how much that will increase EE crowds?

 

[avic77]

Uggg i was planning to get 4 Power Passes in October. If I order and pay now I will have that level pass when i pick it up in Oct? Even if new levels come out or the level pass i buy goes up in $?

 

[pigletto]

We were also planning to upgrade our 3 day tickets to Power Passes in the end of October. Let's hope the increase isn't too steep. I don't have an APH rate booked for my room, so if it does go up too much I may just add a day or two to the tickets and not bother with Power Passes. We had planned to come back in August 2017 for a few nights after our Disney trip, but we don't have to.
My guess is if they are lifting the summer blackout and adding parking, the price is going to jump. Just a guess, but logic says that with increased benefit we will see higher prices.

 

[damo]

Uggg i was planning to get 4 Power Passes in October. If I order and pay now I will have that level pass when i pick it up in Oct? Even if new levels come out or the level pass i buy goes up in $?

Hard to tell. They change the blackout dates every year, so if you buy in 2016, the blackout dates of 2016 will not be in effect for 2017. That said, they won't bump your price.

 

[EvilDrPorkchop21]

All of the passes are still a steal if you ask me, theyre easily undervalued, I wouldnt be suprised at a price increase, especially given the disparity in pricing with Disney AP's