HUGE announcement from Universal

[hniki234]

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.

You're right. When its put that way, it doesn't sound like much of a deal.

I've been to Universal a couple of times, but it just doesn't do it for me like WDW. Everyone has a different opinion, though. IMO, the roller coasters at Universal are pretty much the equivalent of the rides at Six Flags. Universal has other rides that set it apart from Six Flags...like Spiderman.

If Universal's new pricing gets people there, then it is good marketing. I don't think Universal is competing with WDW. They can't. They're just trying to keep people taking a few days off of WDW to visit Universal.

 

[FayeW]

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.

The one big flaw in your math is that you don't HAVE to buy the Express Plus feature, that is entirely optional! Depending on the time of year that you go, it isn't required. We have been there the last week of October, and the 2nd week of December, and pretty much walked on everything with little or no wait. If you go during a peak time, you have the option of staying onsite for FOTL access, so you don't actually have to spend the additional $420 unless youi want to!

 

[ChrisFL]

You're right. When its put that way, it doesn't sound like much of a deal.

I've been to Universal a couple of times, but it just doesn't do it for me like WDW. Everyone has a different opinion, though. IMO, the roller coasters at Universal are pretty much the equivalent of the rides at Six Flags. Universal has other rides that set it apart from Six Flags...like Spiderman.

If Universal's new pricing gets people there, then it is good marketing. I don't think Universal is competing with WDW. They can't. They're just trying to keep people taking a few days off of WDW to visit Universal.

I really dont get the "six flags" comments, it's like the lowest standard in most parks. Six Flags are AMUSEMENT PARKS, Universal and IOA are THEME PARKS.

Ok, so they have 3 rollercoasters outside, but the queues are some of the best themed with a full storyline and even the coaster cars are themed, especially the Dueling dragons ones. Not to mention that they each offer unique elements you won't find at any other park.

Besides that, there is NOTHING at all that you can compare the parks to Six Flags about.

I mean when you consider how many other parks are out there like Hersheypark and Busch Gardens, those are higher on the quality and theming list than Six Flags and even they are well below Universal overall. IOA especially has an immersive experience where every land is themed perfectly and completely.

It just get tiring after a while, as Im sure people used to hear about AK being nothing better than the local zoo.

But Im sure the Six Flags comments will never stop. Why say something worth while when you can just throw that in there?

 

[The Mick]

I couldn't care less about Universal, but this is good news for us Disney World lovers.

Universal is competition for Disney, and if Disney sees even a LITTLE dent in their customer base occur after this, they might look at actually lowering their ticket prices - or getting more creative in what they can offer for cheaper prices. Or, at the very least, it might preclude Disney from raising prices any time soon. Hopefully.

This can actually be a blessing in disguise for us.

 

[blondeheroine]

But is there really enough to do in those two parks to keep you busy for 7 days? I think not.

Exactly. That's the problem. You can offer us 7 days, but we'll be doing the same thing over and over again. They have two parks and with the exception of Spider-Man, their attractions are, IMO, a lot less stellar. So really: is it that much of a bargain when you're basically offering your guests the opportunity to sit in the same two parks and do either the same thing over and over again or just sit around and watch the other guests do the same thing over and over again.

Yes. It is about $15 a day, but Disney offers four parks with multiple, varied attractions.

And their food is atrocious. Again - just my opinion. And don't get me started on the theming.

Yes. I'm jaded. I thought Universal was really going to hit it out of the park with IOA. I'm just a little disappointed, but really: Disney keeps me plenty busy.

 

[blondeheroine]

I really dont get the "six flags" comments, it's like the lowest standard in most parks. Six Flags are AMUSEMENT PARKS, Universal and IOA are THEME PARKS.

Ok, so they have 3 rollercoasters outside, but the queues are some of the best themed with a full storyline and even the coaster cars are themed, especially the Dueling dragons ones. Not to mention that they each offer unique elements you won't find at any other park.

Besides that, there is NOTHING at all that you can compare the parks to Six Flags about.

I mean when you consider how many other parks are out there like Hersheypark and Busch Gardens, those are higher on the quality and theming list than Six Flags and even they are well below Universal overall. IOA especially has an immersive experience where every land is themed perfectly and completely.

It just get tiring after a while, as Im sure people used to hear about AK being nothing better than the local zoo.

But Im sure the Six Flags comments will never stop. Why say something worth while when you can just throw that in there?

Honestly, I completely see where you're coming from and I think, if they really put their heads in there, they could have an amazing theme park.

My biggest fault with IOA is the way they've thrown carnival style games into almost every land and really cheapened the theming. For instance, last time I was there - when we were in the Lost Continent - the area is supposed to be Medieval themed, right? Then why did they have "Push It" by Salt N Pepa blasting from the game while the announcer yelled at passer bys to try the game?

It's just bad management and thinking. I think they can improve. They've got the basis of a great park. They just haven't really stepped up to the plate.

 

[ChrisFL]

Luckily the opinion of the experts say that Universal has some of the best theme park food in the world

As for theming, I've posted about this, to help those who have never been to Universal and are wondering if truly is as good as many say it is:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1140797

 

[ChrisFL]

Honestly, I completely see where you're coming from and I think, if they really put their heads in there, they could have an amazing theme park.

My biggest fault with IOA is the way they've thrown carnival style games into almost every land and really cheapened the theming. For instance, last time I was there - when we were in the Lost Continent - the area is supposed to be Medieval themed, right? Then why did they have "Push It" by Salt N Pepa blasting from the game while the announcer yelled at passer bys to try the game?

IMO they do have an amazing theme park, I dont see where it's lacking really except in maybe some slower dark rides.

I dont know, I've never heard that when I was there. I HAVE heard MC Hammer around the MIB area and that irks me, but other than that, no I haven't heard anything at IOA like that. Was it during Spring Break by any chance?

 

[blondeheroine]

IMO they do have an amazing theme park, I dont see where it's lacking really except in maybe some slower dark rides.

I dont know, I've never heard that when I was there. I HAVE heard MC Hammer around the MIB area and that irks me, but other than that, no I haven't heard anything at IOA like that. Was it during Spring Break by any chance?

During late May - I'd say around May 26.

And regarding what experts say about the food, I was merely stating my opinion (IMO - I think I put that there). Neither myself nor my family cared for the food. Again that's my opinion. You'll notice that there are a lot of different ones around here. Just because my opinion differs from yours doesn't mean it is wrong.

 

[ChrisFL]

During late May - I'd say around May 26.

And regarding what experts say about the food, I was merely stating my opinion (IMO - I think I put that there). Neither myself nor my family cared for the food. Again that's my opinion. You'll notice that there are a lot of different ones around here. Just because my opinion differs from yours doesn't mean it is wrong.

Agreed, however I have had bad meals at Disney as well, but I dont bring them up whenever someone says something postive about Disney.

The bashing of Universal has been around on these boards ever since IOA opened and I just never understood it. It took all of 2 replies in this thread for it to begin

Yes, I used to work at Universal, and my mother did as well. My father helped to open Epcot and worked on the rides so Im a part of it all.

I prefer Universal's recent past in many ways to Disney's, with the closing of many of the best Disney rides and sub-par replacements or no replacements at all.

 

[blondeheroine]

Agreed, however I have had bad meals at Disney as well, but I dont bring them up whenever someone says something postive about Disney.

So, I shouldn't bring up the food? Okay. Noted.

I LOVED Universal. Even really liked IOA. Then they just - well, messed up. The last time I was on the Jurassic Park River Adventure, the skin on one of the dinos was in need of repairs and I could see the wire (or steel rod - whatever) beneath the skin. Though that still wasn't as big a deal as either that thing that I apparently shouldn't mention or the holes in theming.

They took out Kong - which I loved. I can deal with that. Mummy is actually a great ride (and I wish they had more like it instead of stuff like Dueling Dragons and Hulk). However, they seem to be wanting to strip the parks of all their flagship attractions like Back to the Future and Kong and put in flavor of the month type attractions (don't get me wrong - Disney has done this too and I have been more than vocal about and gotten about the same reception when I said something about it). The problem is, those flagship attractions ARE Universal. IMO taking Kong out would be like the Magic Kingdom removing Peter Pan's Flight, Space Mountain or Pirates. Kong was on just about every brochure, billboard or piece of promotion for years. Than poof! Gone.

Now they are talking about removing Back to the Future. Instead of updating it, let's just take out the whole deal and put in Simpsons or whatever.

I'm waiting for E.T. to go. It will break my heart, but I'm waiting. At least I'm prepared.

IMO, they should reinstate the original Universal Monsters - I miss them. They were what Universal was originally about - what makes Hollywood mythic and great when you strip away anorexic actresses and broken dreams and looked only at the ideas and imagination that makes movies great. But the most Universal gives us of these classic characters is a marquee above a restaurant.

I'm not saying Universal is horrible, but if they want to give us discounts, don't expect us to stay in the parks for 7 days in order to get those discounts when there isn't enough to keep most people (except maybe diehard fans?) occupied for those 7 days. Instead, discount the one day tickets to a price that would cause us to taxi over to the parks.

That being said, if they get rid of those carnival games in The Lost Continent, that is one of the best themed areas of IOA and Universal as a whole. I love that theme and just wish they wouldn't cheapen it with that sort of thing. I also wish they would do something more with the Poseidian attraction and really bring out all the potential that the myth and folklore that LC is centered around has to offer.

 

[Amity 3]

once again, another sickening display of mouse fans who don't know anything exists outside of WDW or refuses to acknowledge it.

 

[blondeheroine]

once again, another sickening display of mouse fans who don't know anything exists outside of WDW or refuses to acknowledge it.

What is your problem?

Can someone not have a different opinion than you? Why do you feel the need to be so nasty?

 

[Amity 3]

What is your problem?

Can someone not have a different opinion than you? Why do you feel the need to be so nasty?

it's not nasty, it's an opinion.

 

[Jon99]

In the end, after considering how many days I can spend at WDW and how many days I can enjoy Universal, Disney is still a better bargain per day...

Disney is the king in Orlando, they went the MYW route to apply pressure on Universal, to keep their customers in their parks for a longer time...

I am guessing a lot of people will buy these tickets when they see such a low price for "7 days" of fun, but will de disappointed when they realize they spent the amount they did for 2 days..

 

[blondeheroine]

it's not nasty, it's an opinion.

Referring to my post as a "sickening display" is pretty nasty, IMO. Not really an opinion, persay, as just wanting to lash out out someone for their own opinion.

 

[Amity 3]

Referring to my post as a "sickening display" is pretty nasty, IMO.

the world doesn't revolve around you.

I was referring to all that had posted negative remarks about Universal Orlando. several of those who have obviously never visited the parks or the resorts or Citywalk.

 

[blondeheroine]

the world doesn't revolve around you.

I was referring to all that had posted negative remarks about Universal Orlando. several of those who have obviously never visited the parks or the resorts or Citywalk.

Well, I assumed since your reply came right under mine that you were replying to me. If I was wrong, I apologize.

And I'm aware the world doesn't revolve around me. But if you look back up at the thread, you can see that your post fell right under mine and looked as if you were posting in response to me. Again, if that was not your intention, I apologize.

 

[HollisterSweetie]

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.

They should. I love how Disney actually cares about it's guest, Universal should take notes as they clearly aren't doing something right.

 

[flortlebap]

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.

There are some MAJOR differences between the two, though.

10 years ago, before AK opened and when IOA had just opened, I honestly loved both places. Universal had kept with the times, and IOA was a brand new, fantastically themed park for thrill seekers and children alike.

Unfortunately, they are not now quite so cutting edge. Disney move with the times, they update, keep old attractions looking new etc. Take for example when we last saw BTTF, the theatre was dirty, the ride was rusty, the film was terrible quality and actually looked damaged. And you can see every other simulator car in there (and granted, I know it's going now).

Everything in Universal seems to be so... old! Up until a couple of years ago, Kong was still there, Earthquake, Jaws, ET, BTTF - all 80s films that kids today won't have a clue about. And the rides looked in desperate need of repair. Even the more recent ones like Twister are already dated, because they're films that have completely lost their success. They're not classics, which is why Disney can get away with having older themed movies - because they're timeless! Men in Black and the Mummy were great additions, though. But even the MIB ride is a mimic of Buzz at Disney...

Plus you're all forgetting one more thing - Disney have 6 theme parks, golf courses, shopping complexes... etc etc. Universal have 2, and a brief strip of bars, restuarants and shops in between. There is MUCH more to see and do at Disney, and they KNOW they're monopolising the market. Universal and IOA remain empty in comparison - so when Disney are offering great deals, it's to keep people coming back and enjoying themselves, and making life easier for them with free dining and transportation. For Universal, it's offering cut price tickets to what can only be described as a cut price theme park...

But I do like IOA more than Universal. It wouldn't kill me to miss Universal, but I love some of the rides at IOA. Spiderman is just awe inspiring, there isn't another ride like it. But there are more rides at Disney that strike a chord with me