Kids can get into Universal/IOA free (wow!)

[Jason71]

From local channel 6:

Universal To Allow Kids In Free With purchase Of Multipark Pass

POSTED: 4:37 pm EST January 29, 2006

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Universal Orlando plans to throw down the latest gauntlet in the area's theme park wars on Monday when it officially starts offering free admission to children under the age of 9 whose parents buy a two-day multipark pass over the Internet.

The offer comes amid heightened competition in Orlando theme park deals and as Universal tries to overcome a disappointing 2005. Universal's two parks in Orlando, Universal Studios and Islands of Adventures, each saw declines of 8 1/2 percent, according to Amusement Business, the trade publication.

The deal is limited to one child per adult ticket purchased online for $99.95 for the theme park resort, home to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. It also provides three extra days at the park with no extra charge. A children's ticket for a two-day multipark pass previously had cost $99.95, the same as an adult ticket.

The theme park resort had been testing the concept for the past two months on its Web site but makes the deal official on Monday with a multimillion dollar advertising campaign to back it up.

 

[Jason71]

My two cents...not sure if this is brilliant marketing, desperation to increase attendance numbers, or a little of both.

 

[macraven]

jason, so this is the new big news??

for sometime now, kids get the free 5 day pass when an adult buys one thru the website.

i was expecting some other type of new release today.
read somewhere a new promo was beginning today.

 

[Jason71]

Being reported as news, I hadn't heard about it before. Apparently they are going to start promoting this heavily, as well. I still think it's a pretty big deal.

 

[Laurabearz]

I just saw a KIDS stay, play and eat for free comerical here in Chicago...

 

[macraven]

hey laura, i am in chgo area, i missed that.............

i read about it on the online ticket store and for the vacation packages.

 

[Laurabearz]

It was on Channel 7 (either during the morning show or Oprah lol)

 

[robvia]

It was on the local TV news, and mentioned on a local radio talk show.
So USF/IOA got some free publicity out of it.

"Giving away the gate" is never thought of as a good thing, because it brings the wrong type of people to the parks. But in this case, it may work out, because the people who will use it, are parents with kids.
They are clearly going after the Disney crowd. How long they do this for is the big question. The minute they take this away, fans will go right back to Disney in protest. I'd say they need to keep it going thru the entire year, and tell fans when this offer will end well in advance.

What they really need is a new thrill ride at IOA. They keep taking projects off the board, and the attendance numbers show the result.

 

[wovenwonder]

The kids stay, play and eat free offer is now on the Universal website.

 

[FayeW]

They are clearly going after the Disney crowd. How long they do this for is the big question. The minute they take this away, fans will go right back to Disney in protest. QUOTE]

I'm sure that some of the Disney diehards will come check it out, just because it's free, but I'm also sure that many will love it so much, they will be happy to pay to come back when the promotion ends. We were lucky this time, and got the 2 kids' tickets free, but we had always planned on going. My conversation with hubby went something like 'How can I justify paying $400 for ticket to US/IOA when for just $13. I can add 3 days to our Disney tickets?" He said " Very easy, 'cause I'm going to Universal!"

 

[robvia]

It would also be Universal's answer to Everest at AK. IOA will open the driving machines, but that won't be much compared to the media attention Everest will get when it officially opens.
It's good they made the announcement early in the season.

 

[Sylvester McBean]

WDW diehards don't even think of driving past UO. except for a minority, UO isn't a destination year after year for familes. they'll take whatever spillage from Orlando they can get. the commercial I saw today was hilarious " I can only hug so many princesses before I want to hurl".