HUGE announcement from Universal

[Bob P]

Just released this afternoon:

NEW UNIVERSAL ORLANDO "EARLYBIRD EXCLUSIVES"

TICKET PROGRAM AND VACATION PACKAGES OFFER GREATER VALUE FOR EVERYONE BOOKING IN ADVANCE



Up To Seven Days Unlimited Admission for Less Than A

One-Day Disney Park Hopper



ORLANDO, Fla. - Universal Orlando announced a powerful new ticket program today that offers consumers greater value and more flexibility than ever before.



Called EarlyBird Exclusives, the new program includes significant advance-purchase savings on everything from single-day tickets to a nfmewly created multi-day ticket to vacation packages. And consumers can take advantage of the new program whether they buy from Universal's website (www.universalorlando.com), other online sites, AAA locations or other professional travel agencies and tour operators.



The centerpiece of the EarlyBird Exclusives program is a powerful, new multi-day ticket. The new ticket - which becomes Universal's primary advance-purchase multi-day ticket - allows all consumers up to seven days unlimited admission to both Universal Studios and Universal's Islands of Adventure for $85. That means everyone has the flexibility to come and go as they please to both Universal theme parks for up to seven days - for less than the price of a one-day Walt Disney World ticket with a Park Hopper option.

 

[damo]

Excellent, I'm going to be needing a few of them. I sure wish Disney would lower their park hopper prices. Wow!

 

[Cinderella822]

Well, I sure am mad at myself now! Just a few days ago, I bought the 5 day ticket for $99 for my next vacation because it was such a good deal. I wish I had waited just a few more days. Oh well.

 

[BrerMama]

I'm correct in thinking there's no expiration date, right? Should I buy now for our trip next June? Do the deals get any better than this?

 

[Fan2CSkr]

I'm correct in thinking there's no expiration date, right? Should I buy now for our trip next June? Do the deals get any better than this?

I dont see anything stating that these tickets expire. You can look at the details on the website.
http://www.universalorlando.com/tickets.html

 

[SnwflkCts]

Yeah, I was wondering how long promotions like this last? Anyone have any history on such a thing? I am not going until Oct 2007 and feel like it is too early to buy ... I don't want to put a curse on myself!

 

[despina]

Its 85.00 all ages....great deal if you are going all week. I just wanted 2 days...so my great deal was buy 1 adt tkt for 2days, get 3days free, plus one free child tkt ages 3-9...it cost me for 2 adt and 2chd 198.00 ......up to five days for universal and IOA..use you AAA card for the discount.

 

[Foladar]

It's a decent deal, but I don't know about "huge"

 

[Fan2CSkr]

It's a decent deal, but I don't know about "huge"

7 days entrance into both parks for $85 is a whole lotta entertainment value in my book. What do ya want free?

 

[agnes!]

I haven't seen where the tickets expire before first-use, but they are only good for seven consecutive days including the day of first-use.

agnes!

 

[ADP]

Although these prices are fantastic they are a little higher than the deal Universal offered before.

Buy one adult ticket for $99 (5 days of admission) and get a child's ticket free.

The newly announced promotion makes everyone (even children) pay $85 dollars; however, you are getting 2 additional days. I also believe I did see somewhere that these tickets expire 7 days after first use.

So, for a family of 4 it would cost more than the previous promotion. This is a good marketing stunt by the Universal Execs.

Again, I'm not complaining because you can't beat these prices with a stick. It is still an unbelievable value, it's just that they are making this new ticket promotion sound so much better than the previous promotion.

 

[carpediem]

Are any of the previous deals still available?

We have gone to USF/IOA several times, and have stayed at a Loews property each time. We just decided to go again in November. We are a family of 4 with 2 adults, 1 9 year old and 1 almost 12 year old.

I called Loews and they quoted me a AAA rate which was decent. They also quoted me a stay for 4 get 2 admissions free which was alright.

However, the new ticket structure has us paying more due to buying 3 adult tickets and a full price child ticket. Several times in the past we bought the adult/free kid combo and came out ahead. Not a deal breaker.

Just trying to figure out the best overall deal. Are the adult/kid free offers still around?

Thanks.

 

[Fan2CSkr]

Are any of the previous deals still available?

We have gone to USF/IOA several times, and have stayed at a Loews property each time. We just decided to go again in November. We are a family of 4 with 2 adults, 1 9 year old and 1 almost 12 year old.

I called Loews and they quoted me a AAA rate which was decent. They also quoted me a stay for 4 get 2 admissions free which was alright.

However, the new ticket structure has us paying more due to buying 3 adult tickets and a full price child ticket. Several times in the past we bought the adult/free kid combo and came out ahead. Not a deal breaker.

Just trying to figure out the best overall deal. Are the adult/kid free offers still around?

Thanks.

How many days will you be going?

 

[carpediem]

How many days will you be going?

We will be staying 4 nights at either RPR or HRH, which works out to us visiting the parks for 4 days as well. Unless, my kids choose to do Discovery Cove, but would still choose to purchase 4 days, as they may want to visit USF/IOA in the evening of the DC visit.

 

[karla63]

Wow what a great price. We are going next June (8 of us) for either 2 or 3 days and that would be a great savings for us. Just sent an email to my AAA TA to go ahead and buy them

Karla

 

[kenban]

The price is good but I don't see how this is a HUGE announcement. Its really not that differant from other deals they have offered in the past. For a individual the ticket is less expensive then many other deals. But for familys it is more expensive then what was offered only a month ago.

I just see this as a replacement for the promo that they have been running for several months now in which you purchased an adult ticket and received a child ticket for free. I am sure that in a few months we will see another new marketing campign and special ticket deal.

 

[Daisy06492]

Actually this deal seems to work out better for us...we are a family of 4...two kids 15 and 13....so it seems to me 4 tickets x $85 plus tax for 7 days is still cheaper than $99 plus tax each for 2 days (3 free). Plus now we can pick whatever day we want to go to Seaworld and not worry about a five day consecutive ticket.

Going in July and can't wait already!

 

[nerdboyrockstar]

I was just going to say how it's definitely a better deal for families with older kids but Daisy proved my point.

I still think it's a great deal and lightyears cheaper than Disney.

 

[taimgxe]

I was really upset when I read about the new promotion especially since I hadn't bought our tickets yet. I was planning on buying them just before we left on our trip at the end of Sept. I thought I was out of luck because the promotion had been replaced on the website with this new $85 adult or child price. I would have preferred to buy the $85 tickets if we were staying the 7 days, but we are only in town for 3 days.

I called Universal's ticket office 407-227-7840 to inquire. The guy I spoke with said that the promotion had indeed been removed and was no longer running. However, he said that they will sell the tickets over the phone until Friday of this week. I received my email confirmation even before we finished our phone call.

So if you were wanting to buy the 2-day adult/free child tickets, you better hurry.

 

[bubba's mom]

7 days entrance into both parks for $85 is a whole lotta entertainment value in my book. What do ya want free?

Got me the Bealls buy 1 year get 1 free deal....I'm pretty happy with that!