Ticket/AP questions - 1st timer to Universal

[mieuxmew]

We are going to Orlando May and October. We need 4 tickets (adult) to Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure. Looking to make the most of our vacation dollars.

Currently, gate price for a 2 day park-to-park ticket (tax included) is $229
Current price for a 2 day+1day free park-to-park ticket Undercover Tourist is $196.21 (no expire).
Current gate price for Power Pass is $229.

Is my thinking correct that if I purchase the tickets above from Undercover Tourist I can then upgrade to the Power Pass at the park for no additional money? (I checked black out dates on the Power Pass and our dates are ok). Just use the ticket the first day then go to guest relations to upgrade?

Gate price of Preferred Pass is $314.16. Is it worth it for one adult to upgrade to this pass for the free parking/other discounts?

Is there any benefit to purchasing the Power Pass directly? Are the prices of the AP prices likely to increase before May 2nd? Are there any discounts on the Power Pass for non-Florida residents?

Thanks!!!!

 

[HM]

Yes, I believe that would happen.
We upgraded a 4 day ticket to a Power Pass on March 10, and it was a straight swap (the original cost of our 4 day ticket was $196.71 at UT).

In December we upgraded a 3 day ticket (2+1 no expiration) to a Preferred Pass for about $95.

 

[mieuxmew]

Thank you! When upgrading tickets to APs, does Universal give you credit for the ticket's gate price or the discounted Undercover Tourist price?

 

[damo]

Thank you! When upgrading tickets to APs, does Universal give you credit for the ticket's gate price or the discounted Undercover Tourist price?

Lately, it seems to be gate price.

 

[HM]

When we upgraded the 4 day ticket, she originally said it came up as an even swap, but after she put in the passholder addr/etc info, it said we owed $25, but she didn't think that was right and changed it to even exchange in the system, so we had to wait while she redid the whole thing. So, even though it looked like Gate Price to begin with, it may have converted to Purchase Price somehow in the system half way through our transaction.

In December, with the 3 day ticket, I had paid $176.99 for one and upgraded to the Preferred Pass for around $95. It looks like I saved about $5. So, that time it looks like it was on Purchase Price rather than Gate price (which would have been higher than my ticket price).

I don't think you'll truly know until you try it. To me, it was worth buying the discounted tickets and then doing an upgrade transaction hoping you'll get a savings, but being ok with it if it's not.