New Premier Annual Pass

[phamton]

Universal has just announced a new annual pass. It is a two-park Premier Annual pass for $275.95 plus tax.

The new pass has no blackout dates and features:

Citywalk Club access

Preferred self parking or Free valet parking

Unlimited after 4 PM Universal Express Plus

One non-peak Halloween Horror Nights ticket

Total of 8 bottles of water per year

Citywalk Club access for passholder (valid on Friday and Saturday nights) and Passholder and one guest (valid Sunday through Thursday)

Early Park admission

Priority restuarant seating by callind 407 224-DINE

Onsite Resort Benefits

Not available with Flexpay and is available only as a new purchase only and is not valid on discounted tickets, renewals, or upgrades. For more information call 407 224-5720 or visit www.oniversalorlando.com

 

[Sylvester McBean]

interesting, phamton. there's nothing on the UO website about it yet, I haven't checked the passholder site yet. any word on a renewal price?

 

[damo]

Nothing there that would make me pay the extra $100. But I guess if you aren't staying onsite, there would be advantages.

 

[phamton]

No word on renewal rate yet because they just started offering this pass 2 days ago. I know there isn't anything on the website yet but this was an annoucement sent to all employees. It is for sale as of now either by phone or at the parks although it's not on the website yet. Give it a couple of days for the website to get it up.

 

[Sylvester McBean]

the 8 bottles of water seems a bit odd to me as does no flexpay option. you would think on a more expensive pass you could flexpay as well. I'm sure it has a market, but I'm not giving up my renewal rate.

 

[MsDisney]

Well, it's interesting to say the least, I'm sure since it's new they'll tweak the benefits along the way...the after 4 Express is a nice perk, but I don't get to go to CityWalk enough for that to count, in fact, I never really get to go to CityWalk come to think of it... tho I could see where for some that would be a good benefit! Now, change the water into wine (well, actually beer) and it would be something to think about!

It's funny, I mentioned the other day that perhaps they could offer Express as a perk sometimes to AP holders, but I meant those of US, that already had them!

I'm with McBean tho...once you have the $99 renewal rate, it seems even sillier to go with this one for $175 more...maybe that's something they'll offer at some point tho...a better deal for current AP holders or specials at certain times. I don't think the response will be THAT overwhelming...so I guess we'll see! My kids and I pretty much just got our AP's anyway.

Thanks for the info Phamton! It's good to see they're thinkin'!

Karen / MsDis

 

[phamton]

It's funny, I mentioned the other day that perhaps they could offer Express as a perk sometimes to AP holders, but I meant those of US, that already had them!

They must have been reading here.

It wouldn't be something I would buy but you have to admit, it's still cheaper than Disney's AP with much more benefits.

 

[Sylvester McBean]

the early entry and the EP's are a nich touch, but I'm too lazy to get up any earlier than I do now. and we're usually leaving the parks around 4:30 or 5 for dinner and to head home. my wife won't let me into the citywalk clubs because I stare at women. it's still a better deal than WDW.

 

[MsDisney]

They must have been reading here.

It wouldn't be something I would buy but you have to admit, it's still cheaper than Disney's AP with much more benefits.

Oh yeah, cuz I think they actually do a search for my posts specifically since I'm so smart and have SUCH great thoughts! To think, I had THAT thought at 1am and that was, IMO, the best perk! I'll keep bumping the thread to have the beer idea always close to the surface!

Now maybe the fact that Bob Gault sidled up next to me and reached sort of over me for something at Margaritaville Friday was more than a coincidence... perhaps he was just trying to listen in on my conversation for ideas!

Oh, and yeah, it's still a MUCH better deal than Disney's...I just hope it's not their way of changing the AP choices over time....

Karen / MsDis

 

[MsDisney]

my wife won't let me into the citywalk clubs because I stare at women.

I've seen more than enough flesh at IOA thanks largely to the water attractions, so I'm sure you do allright anyway! I really don't know who decided it was OK to wear nothing but a bikini top (um, with shorts) all day at theme parks...and why is it the only men who walk around with no shirts on are all very large and very hairy??? That's definitely NOT ok!
Even just a loose tank over the bikini top would be fine...but I'm sure McBean will disagree!
I guess that's Sorry! I guess the Citywalk comment made me realize how scantily clad people are in general at the parks...we won't tell your wife tho!

I guess Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon are definitely out!

I wonder if they'll make an adjustment to the resort perks tho and let them in early too...I can't imagine it will go over well for people staying onsite to have the parks open before they get in...tho I'm sure it will be awhile before many have this AP anyway where it would even be noticed..that's a tricky one, IMO tho.

Karen / MsDis

 

[Sylvester McBean]

we were talking about this at the hospitality house at BG yesterday (of course, free beer). it's not like Jessica Alba is walking around the parks in a bikini top. we saw a woman pushing a stroller wearing just a bikini, and it wasn't good. the girls that should be scantily dressed aren't, and the ones that don't own mirrors are.

 

[Slacking]

If I had the cash, I'd probably go for it. I think the perks sound fairly interesting for me.

 

[MsDisney]

we were talking about this at the hospitality house at BG yesterday (of course, free beer). it's not like Jessica Alba is walking around the parks in a bikini top. we saw a woman pushing a stroller wearing just a bikini, and it wasn't good. the girls that should be scantily dressed aren't, and the ones that don't own mirrors are.

LOL yeah, true...tho I've seen more hot women who were scantily clad then hot guys!

But you certainly have to wonder how people can walk around the way they do sometimes! Of course, I should talk after my recent unveiling at Mardi Gras... But, that was completely innocent and unintentional!

I spend most of my days people watching...I really enjoy it!


Now, Shakira was pretty scantily dressed...but then, I didn't see her touring the parks!

Karen / MsDis

 

[disneyfreakk]

Thanks for the info Phantom! This is an interesting pass... it wouldnt really do us any good, but I would imagine that this is geared more towards FL residents. Although If the resort discounts were back to 30% off instead of the "discounts" they are offering us APH people, I would jump on this pass like white on rice!


Sylvester McBean : "we were talking about this at the hospitality house at BG yesterday (of course, free beer). it's not like Jessica Alba is walking around the parks in a bikini top. we saw a woman pushing a stroller wearing just a bikini, and it wasn't good. the girls that should be scantily dressed aren't, and the ones that don't own mirrors are. "

You are a funny man! I think I married your brother

 

[Motherfletcher]

I'm interested too in the upgrade. I have 3 unused PAP's with no expiration date.
Did they hint as to what "Early entry" really means? Our last visit they tried to open at 8:45 but only had Shrek and Jimmy operational.
Will these passes have better deals than current APH for onsite hotels?
Free valet is nice.
CityWalk Club access means very little.
After 4 express would require changing current touring plans.
With attendance down 11% I guess NBC is trying to squeeze a little more out of it's regulars?

 

[AlexandNessa]

I've seen more than enough flesh at IOA thanks largely to the water attractions, so I'm sure you do allright anyway! I really don't know who decided it was OK to wear nothing but a bikini top (um, with shorts) all day at theme parks...and why is it the only men who walk around with no shirts on are all very large and very hairy??? That's definitely NOT ok!
Even just a loose tank over the bikini top would be fine...but I'm sure McBean will disagree!
I guess that's Sorry! I guess the Citywalk comment made me realize how scantily clad people are in general at the parks...we won't tell your wife tho!

I guess Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon are definitely out!

I wonder if they'll make an adjustment to the resort perks tho and let them in early too...I can't imagine it will go over well for people staying onsite to have the parks open before they get in...tho I'm sure it will be awhile before many have this AP anyway where it would even be noticed..that's a tricky one, IMO tho.

Karen / MsDis

MsDis, your post made me laugh! Hubby and I ALWAYS get to play "Who needs a friend" at the parks (doesn't matter which park; they're at every one!). You know the game: a real friend would never let you leave the house dressed like that!

Whatever happened to modesty? Or having the smallest bit of pride in your appearance? I guess that goes out the window when you're at a theme park?!

So, now if you see a 30-something, childfree couple taking a breather somewhere, and you hear one of them mutter "friend!" to the other, take a peak around to see if you can tell who we're talking about!

Back to the Premier AP, which will be confusing given that the Preferred AP is already "PAP," this probably isn't a good value to us as we always stay on site and got a boatload of CW party passes for $6, shipping and tax included from Ticketmania.

I just hope that the Premier AP doesn't signify the elimination of the Preferred AP, or diminish its current benefits. For example, I would hate to have to spend the extra $ if now the only hotel discount you get is with the new Premier pass.

 

[phamton]

I'm interested too in the upgrade. I have 3 unused PAP's with no expiration date.
Did they hint as to what "Early entry" really means?

Not a clue on what the early entry will mean. As far as an uprade, it is excluded. You could get a refund on your PAPs that are unsed and use that money to purchase the Premier AP though.

 

[Motherfletcher]

Did they provide an implementation date?

 

[Figment22]

Oh, and yeah, it's still a MUCH better deal than Disney's...I just hope it's not their way of changing the AP choices over time....

This was my first thought when I opened this thread--a big Uh Oh. I hope that's not the case but I'd find it hard to believe otherwise. I have a feeling that $99 renewals on PAPs may go the way of the dinosaurs. I sure hope I'm wrong.

 

[johde]

Thanks Phantom for the information. Not sure if the pass is right for me but I definately think there will be a market for it.