Increase in prices?

[Akdar]

Sometime last year, I finally removed the Universal room keys that I'd acquired over the past few years from my AP lanyard! I think there were a total of 4 room keys. Of course, I've stored them away in a junk drawer.

I too have a hard time throwing away room keys, or my EPs and tix from past HHNs. I still had all that in my lanyard and suitcase 2 weeks ago when we went, from our October 2008 trip.
One smart thing I have done, is NOT to lose my plastic AP with my picture on it. My wife and son both lost theirs and had to get the new regular ticket looking APs, and both have since found their plastic ones, that are now useless

 

[NewEnglandCamper]

Thats a big savings... If your family enjoys thrill rides I would say its a good alternative. I personally have not been there in about 8 years but I used to love Busch Gardens. Looking over the prices I am going to include it in my vacation this year, its worth it imo. I dont think you will be cheating your family by going the cheaper route here assuming the rides at Busch interest you.



This would be nice. Considering how much money the stuff inside the parks cost you would think it would make sense to do whatever it takes to get ppl through the door. Not sure it will happen but one can hope.

I actually prefer Busch Gardens over Universal and I believe the crowds are probably much less. I'm not an expert on that though. I did want to give Universal another shot and check out their latest attractions.

 

[patster734]

I too have a hard time throwing away room keys, or my EPs and tix from past HHNs. I still had all that in my lanyard and suitcase 2 weeks ago when we went, from our October 2008 trip.
One smart thing I have done, is NOT to lose my plastic AP with my picture on it. My wife and son both lost theirs and had to get the new regular ticket looking APs, and both have since found their plastic ones, that are now useless

That's a bummer! I wonder if you could take both AP tickets to guest services and have them transfer the AP info back onto the plastic one?

 

[macraven]

That's a bummer! I wonder if you could take both AP tickets to guest services and have them transfer the AP info back onto the plastic one?

i wish that were possible but it isn't.

if you have the older AP cards with your picture on it, they are not replaceable in the same style if you lose them.

you can get them replaced but like it was said by Akdar, they are the regular ap tickets w/o the pics.

as long as you renew your AP on time, those old ones will always be valid.

 

[macraven]

I actually prefer Busch Gardens over Universal and I believe the crowds are probably much less. I'm not an expert on that though. I did want to give Universal another shot and check out their latest attractions.

i have only been to Busch Gardens in february and during the summer.
it's a kewl park to go to for sure!


I'm completely and totally addicted to Universal's HHN.......
there is no way i can ever pass that trip up each fall.....


i do the motherland and the darkside each year.
just haven't gotten back to BG in sometime.

if you like that park then you will have a blast there.

You could buy the special 14 day passes that are valid for wet & wild, Sea World, Universal and Busch Gardens.

wow......that would be a kewl trip!


if you feel BG crowds are less than universal's, try to go to universal in september. crowds are low and the hotel rates are in low season.

 

[damo]

There is a big difference between Busch Gardens and Universal/IOA. We went when Sheikra came out. We'll go back when they get a new coaster.

 

[ChisJo]

There is a big difference between Busch Gardens and Universal/IOA. We went when Sheikra came out. We'll go back when they get a new coaster.

I really like Busch Gardens too. I think they have some great attractions and rides. However, I have to agree....there is a huge difference between IOA/USO and BG. No comparison. It can be really busy at USO and I don't feel it...however, when its busy at BG, you can feel it (as I got to experience when we went on Science Day for ALL the local high schools - this was NOT advertised on their website!). I like the many benefits of staying onsite at IOA/USO, I don't get that with the motherland or BG. Rides can run smoothly and queues can move quickly at USO/IOA...however, when I was waiting 1.5 hours for a ride at BG, and I could see the front of the line the entire time, I was starting to get a little perterbed (and no, there was nothing wrong with the ride). I also feel like the professionalism is far superior at IOA/USO, like workers actually want to be there (even if they don't). At BG last year, the staff operating the rides were texting on their cell phones, were not directing people, etc. I feel if you want to go to an amusement park, BG is perfect. But, if you want to go to a theme park, IOA/USO is the place to go. I will still go to BG, but it doesn't call me back like USO/IOA does.

 

[ChisJo]

As for the increase in prices, I think the prices are amazing still, considering that for a week, the only price I have to shell out for a ticket is $99. I remember the buy 2 get 3 more deal, and I thought it was more than the current deal. Last year (or maybe the year before - I don't keep my receipts like Macraven does) I remember they had an online deal of $89 for the tickets. I think this is the best deal all around...

 

[macraven]

i prefer the darkside when i am in florida.

the op stated he enjoyed Busch Gardens a lot and it was cheaper for them.
he also mentioned less crowds at BG than UO when he went.

it sounded like to me the op was already sold on doing BG again on the vacation.

I'm not one to argue with people on message boards so i tried to think of some positive things to say and wish him a great vacation.

just because i love universal doesn't mean everyone else will.
i find lots of things to do when i stay on site at universal.
i am easily entertained.

some people want only the rides, while i like the parks, hotels and city walk.

i could do a week there and still find things i missed doing.

 

[patster734]

i prefer the darkside when i am in florida.

the op stated he enjoyed Busch Gardens a lot and it was cheaper for them.
he also mentioned less crowds at BG than UO when he went.

it sounded like to me the op was already sold on doing BG again on the vacation.

I'm not one to argue with people on message boards so i tried to think of some positive things to say and wish him a great vacation.

just because i love universal doesn't mean everyone else will.
i find lots of things to do when i stay on site at universal.
i am easily entertained.

some people want only the rides, while i like the parks, hotels and city walk.

i could do a week there and still find things i missed doing.

I totally agree!

 

[Sleepy]

i'm looking at old receipts i saved.

in 05, i bought the 5 day pass for universal.
with tax it was $120.40


for 06, the UO bonus pass ticket for 5 days was $106.45 with tax


started buying the preferred annual pass in late 06 then.


i save my receipts for my trips.
i still have the old hhn ones.........


man, i need to clean house....

I save my receipts too, but they are packed away from the last time I moved. Wow, I had no idea the tickets were that expensive. I was thinking close to $100, but even then thought it seemed high since you can now get 7 days for $100 and about a year ago they were as cheap as $80.

 

[macraven]

I save my receipts too, but they are packed away from the last time I moved. Wow, I had no idea the tickets were that expensive. I was thinking close to $100, but even then thought it seemed high since you can now get 7 days for $100 and about a year ago they were as cheap as $80.

i keep my receipts and park guide maps from each trip.
when i start to plan the next one, i can estimate how much i have to save based on my receipts.

on my park guide maps, i write down the time and date i do a ride, and various notes. i stick the park map and a pencil in my pocket and then hands free for the day.
i do that as i make a journal when i get home and this gives me accuracy on what i did each day.

i thought in 05 that was a good deal based on what tickets were at that year and the previous ones.

5 days, unlimited admission for $120.40
then the next year, ticket sales dropped in price for those passes.
that also was the year (06) that the BOGO for AP's went to the public.

(remember the threads with the special code to use to get the AP's that year?

$99 plus tax........i also bought the Bealls / Beals deal that year for that ap.)

we have it good with universal prices..........

 

[Sleepy]

I just found my old box of stuff. All the receipts are now blank. The print has disappeared.

 

[patster734]

I just found my old box of stuff. All the receipts are now blank. The print has disappeared.

I've had the same thing happen to me.

 

[macraven]

on the back of my really old receipts of 91-92, i rewrite everything on them.



it's like my hobby.

 

[*LittleMermaid*]

I usually keep receipts and ticket stubs as memory also. But recently I started cleaning out all of my stuff. Now it just feels like junk.

 

[shafke]

I save my receipts too, but they are packed away from the last time I moved. Wow, I had no idea the tickets were that expensive. I was thinking close to $100, but even then thought it seemed high since you can now get 7 days for $100 and about a year ago they were as cheap as $80.

I purchased ticket for out Feb 09 trip in April 08. The ticket were 80.98 (86.25 after tax) for the 7-day, 2-park tickets. I think there were two $10 shortly there to $99 (about $105 after tax).

I still have the email receipt for the ticket and the PDF file to print the tickets.