HUGE announcement from Universal

[Lulu's Mom]

This is a fantastic deal... and I would take advantage of it if my DD was older and if I was not pregnant.

IMHO Universal Studios and IOA are great parks. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE Disney but IOA is themed really cool and they have some fantatstic rides.

I would not compare US and IOA to Six Flags, I think that US and IOA are much nicer, cleaner and themed much better than SIx Flags.

 

[Gonz Of Lancashire]

We got the kids go free tickets early on this year with the extra three days free. That was five days for four people at around $200 which was a good deal. This deal, however, isn't that appealing to me. It's going to be pushing $400 now for a park for which you get two, three at a stretch, days entertainment. Don't forget to add the Express Plus tickets on top too, which for seven days would be around $420 for the four of us.

For a seven day hopper pass with the four visits to either the water parks, World Of Sports or Disney Quest is $1062 for two adults and two kids. The cost for Universal for seven days with the Express Plus is at least $820. The deal doesn't look as great when put like that. I can find enough to do at Disney for the seven days too.

 

[DizzKneeGeek]

It smacks of desperation to me!!

Bingo!!

 

[PrincessTiff]

Are you missing something? You can do both Universal and IOA in a day and a half, tops. And there's not much you'd want to go back and see, either.

Plus it's not that good. We're going to both on our 14 day trip, although I must admit I'm not sure why.

It smacks of desperation to me!!

I completely agree!

 

[Dznefreek]

It smacks of desperation to me!!

Who cares! A good deal is a good deal.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

It's a great deal if you don't have kids. The other deal with the free kids tickets was better for us. UGH I should have bought them!

Those that passed up the buy a year AP get a second year free are saying D'Oh!!! along with you. Just call me Homer. To me, that was a HUGE offer. This one is good but much like Zebra Domes and Dole Whips, isn't quite up to the hype.

Are you missing something? You can do both Universal and IOA in a day and a half, tops. And there's not much you'd want to go back and see, either.

I generously would give it two days or maybe even 3 if you want to browse slowly. But no more than that. I figured it out at the price of about 1/3 of a Disney with hopper for 7 days. But the Disney with hopper includes fastpass. I assume these Universal tix would still require a hotel stay or an upcharge for FOTL? IMO that's about where a Universal ticket should be priced.

It smacks of desperation to me!!

Consider Universal's dilemna. They aren't a major destination unto themselves. Put it this way. I'm not going all the way to Orlando just for a Universal trip. If I go, it's going to be part of a Disney trip, no doubt about it. Consider also this. You're going on an 8 day trip. Do you get 6 day hoppers at disney, then spend 2 over at Universal for $89 plus pay for FOTL? Or do you buy the fun and more over at Disney for $50. And/or do you pay $2 to add the day to your Disney ticket? So you see that's what Universal is really competing against. And they're finding it tough going.

 

[java]

ooh maybe we can do another florida trip this year. I have been too cheap to do it- now if I can get a deal on the rooms........

 

[Conan the Librarian]

We have two passes to Universal. They are good until 2030. Maybe by then I'll think about going.


Until then, It's just the Mouse!

 

[FanOfStitch]

One question. What is a Universal, and, why would I want to do that?

 

[Shir Kahn]

Disney is definitely not going to match this because they know the vast majority of the people who head to Universal are doing it on an off-day from Disney itself!

 

[FayeW]

Are you missing something? You can do both Universal and IOA in a day and a half, tops. And there's not much you'd want to go back and see, either.

Plus it's not that good. We're going to both on our 14 day trip, although I must admit I'm not sure why.

It smacks of desperation to me!!

For many families, mine included, US/IOA is the destination, not WDW! I love everything about the Universal parks and I am delighted with this new ticket pricing.

I find it interesting that when WDW changes their pricing structure, it's genius, and when US does it, it's desparate!

 

[MartDM]

Are you missing something? You can do both Universal and IOA in a day and a half, tops. And there's not much you'd want to go back and see, either.

Plus it's not that good. We're going to both on our 14 day trip, although I must admit I'm not sure why.

It smacks of desperation to me!!

You're certainly entitled to your opinion but, although you find it not to be worthwhile, we love the Universal parks and visit them regularly. We devote a whole day to each park and then usually another day to go back and hit our favorite attractions again. Plus, the front of the line access provided to onsite guests is invaluable - something I doubt we'll ever see from WDW.

I agree that it's great marketing more so than desperation. Provide a good deal & people will come. I hope it causes the other parks, particularly those at WDW, to take a cue from this & provide some discounts in order to compete. That way those of us who aren't 100% devoted to WDW and who like all the wonderful attractions the Orlando area has to offer will win all the way around!

 

[chrisn]

I'm a born and bred Disney girl but my parents didn't just expose me to ONLY Disney. They spread the love and they immersed us in all the fun and different experiences. We were all about Sea World, Knotts, Magic Mountain, Universal, etc. I LOVE them ALL! Do I think that Disney is special? Absolutely! Do I think Universal is special? Most definitely. Sea World also holds a special place in my heart. If I flew clear across the country to visit WDW and didn't visit Universal, I'd feel like I was missing something. Mickey is the bomb, but Universal is a big part of our experience. FWIW, IOA is beautifully themed. Not Disney, but a different kind of magic. I hate missing any of them. We've been to WDW 5 times in 7 years and each time we've hit them all including Sea World. I had to cut Sea World from this coming up December trip and I'm still messed up about it. IMHO, they all have something great to offer. It's all good!

 

[SnwflkCts]

Wow, this is exciting news. Does anyone know the normal length of time for promotions like this? I am not going until Oct 2007 (WDW & US/IOA) ... but hope I get this good deal closer to that time. Hate to get it now and then something comes up ... like I put a curse on myself!

 

[Cool-Beans]

If I want unthemed rollercoasters and dirty parks I can go to my local Six Flags! I don't think Universal quite got that.

Unthemed?? Dirty??

You have obviously never been to Universal. The theming is as good as (if not better than) Disney's. And I used to say the bathrooms were as clean, but the last year or two, Disney's bathrooms get progressively more gross, so I'm giving Universal the nod on Bathroom Cleanliness.

I don't need 7 days to do two parks at WDW or Universal. But to say you could do both Universal parks in a day and a half is the equivalent of saying you could do the Magic Kingdom and MGM in a day in a half. Sure, you could visit for that long, but know way you could do everything they have to offer.

If you don't try the Universal parks, you're missing out. They are great parks. Liking Epcot or Islands of Adventure doesn't mean that I don't like the Magic Kingdom. A park is a park. Doesn't matter who runs it, if it is fun. I like them all!

 

[bstnsprts]

It smacks of desperation to me!!

Next thing you know they'll be offering free dining and free round trip transportation from the airport. I bet Disney would never get that desperate.




OH.................Never mind.

 

[ChrisFL]

Somehow this just seems like Universal is slipping further into the "second-tier" status when compared with Disney. Back when IOA first popped up, I would have considered Universal and Disney to be comparable in status, if not scale, since Disney has always been the giant in total number of rides, shows, etc.

If I want unthemed rollercoasters and dirty parks I can go to my local Six Flags! I don't think Universal quite got that.

Why don't you try visiting the parks before bashing them? An educated opinion will make it seem like you are actually knowledgable on the subject.

I agree with the others, BTW Universal's attendance last quarter was UP compared to last year so they're not as desperate as some would make it seem.

Disney is trying its hardest to keep people from ever seeing anything outside, so Universal is stepping up to the challenge.

BTW, I've been an AP holder at Universal almost every year since IOA opened and I NEVER get tired of it

 

[PlutoLuvr]

Next thing you know they'll be offering free dining and free round trip transportation from the airport. I bet Disney would never get that desperate.




OH.................Never mind.

My thoughts exactly when I read about "desperation."

The parks are dead this time of year, all of them. I just clicked on a thread in this section showing pics of Epcot yesterday. There's like a dozen people in these pics on the massive walkways that are meant to hold hundreds of people. Theme parks are doing whatever they can to entice visitors to come.

And I'm thilled about it

 

[DJ Disney Kid]

Disney never has to worry, they have one thing Universal can never have:

The most beloved cartoon characters in the world.

 

[FayeW]

Disney never has to worry, they have one thing Universal can never have:

The most beloved cartoon characters in the world.

Spiderman, Spiderman
Does whatever a spider can
Spins a web any size
Catches thieves just like flies
LOOK OUT
Here comes the Spiderman!