Help me understand these ticket prices

[gregf71]

My family and I are planning on an extended Orlando visit after a business conference in June 2016. We want to visit Universal for 2 days and I am looking at their website to evaluate ticket options. I ran into something that I think is bizarre, but maybe one of you can help me see what I am missing:

We are looking at June 28 and 29, 2016
Two day park to park passes for 3 adults (it is so weird that our then 10 year old is considered an adult)

With Express Unlimited Passes - $1134.21
With Express Passes - $1230.00

How can the tickets with the more restrictive Express passes be more expensive?

Did I do something wrong on their site or is that just what it is?

 

[VacaPlanner2012]

You did nothing wrong, it is a bundle price vs. a la carte. Here is another idea:

3 adult 2 day park to park through Undercover tourist + one night at Royal Pacific = $1,004.13

PS. It's only weird if your 10 year old is short and cannot ride some of the rides. My 8 year old just reached 56 inches and can ride anything anywhere, so the value is the same. I thought it was crazy for my now 11 year old to be considered an adult for food plans, but now he eats more than me, so we just roll with it.

 

[JustCallMeMommy]

From what I understand, the EP pass price changes depending on how many have been sold, so the unlimited may not have had an increase yet while the other has. I'm surprised that Universal wouldn't run the increases from a combined computation though.

 

[johde]

Also, the Ticket + Unlimited Express is priced based on your "first day of visit". If your second day is in a more expensive season that could also change the price.

 

[bumbershoot]

Here is another idea:

3 adult 2 day park to park through Undercover tourist + one night at Royal Pacific = $1,004.13

That's my favorite idea.

 

[gregf71]

That's my favorite idea.

Sounds nice, but we already have the free timeshare booked, so really only need tickets.

 

[thr33boys]

Sounds nice, but we already have the free timeshare booked, so really only need tickets.

It's still your most economical option whether you choose to use the room or not. You may even enjoy having somewhere close to just take a daytime break. Or you may decide to spend the night so you're close for early entry the next day.

 

[bumbershoot]

It's still your most economical option whether you choose to use the room or not.

Exactly. If it's the cheapest option, do it anyway!

We kept our room at Universal even while staying a night at AOA before the year's January Half...

 

[VacaPlanner2012]

It completely freaked me out the first time we did it - You mean you want to pay for two hotel rooms on the same night!!!! You have to be out of your mind!!!!!

But it is cheaper...IF YOU ARE GOING TO BUY EXPRESS PASS ANYWAY. We have now done this four times. We pack an overnight bag, put the do not disturb thing on our off-site room, and enjoy the onsite amenities. It gives us an opportunity to enjoy Blue Man or City Walk, or both, without a late night trip back to our off site location.