Universal Studios Tickets?

[blizzard]

Due to illness in the family, our plans have changed for our upcoming trip, and we might be interested in visiting Islands of Adventure or Universal Studios this trip now. Our trip is only a month away, so I'm trying to nail down some details.

Are there any good deals out there for Canadians (or in FL) for tickets? Do they still do 2 for 1's ever?

 

[BLBCB]

Depending on how many in your party, and how long you want to be there for, there can be some good deals. On the Universal website you can get a 5 day pass for less than the price of 2 days. If you have a MasterCard, you can buy 5 of those tickets for the price of 4 ($380 US). If you can, stay on property so that you have the front of the line access. We did this, and there is a seperate entrance you use, and there wasn't a limit to how often you did it, like there is with the FastPass. You just swiped your room key and walked right onto the ride.

Hope this helps.

 

[spewey]

On our many trips to U.S./IOA the wife and I have always purchased our tickets through the local CAA travel office. They carry (last time we went, back in May) three-day, both-park passes for around $115 (taxes in). This is the best deal I've come across for a three-day stay (which is long as we ever go); there may be better ones - on a per-day basis - for longer stays, especially with the strong CDN dollar. We also like the convenience of having tickets in hand when we arrive ...

 

[BLBCB]

I guess I didn't explain. The tickets are total $380 for 5, which makes it about $76 US per person. These tickets are for both parks, for 5 days. You buy it over the website, and bring your receipt to the park. There is a computer type thing there that you punch in your receipt number and insert your credit card to verify who you are (they don't put any extra charge on it), and they print the tickets. No standing in line at the ticket window. I didn't have to worry about leaving the tickets at home either.

 

[blizzard]

BLBCB,
Are the 5 day tickets good for multiple trips? We will probably be doing max 2 days at Universal this trip, but will be back. We are DVC members and stay on site at Disney, so won't be staying at Universal.

spewey,
Do the CAA unused days expire?

Thanks for your help.

Carol

 

[BLBCB]

I'm not sure if the tickets are good for multiple trips or not. You can read all about them on the Universal Website. Sometimes there are deals on the annual passes, you can get two years for the price of one. The discounts that come with the annual passes can really make them a cheap option too, especially if you go often. You can get hotel deals with an annual pass too. I don't know if I'd ever do Universal again without staying on property. Remember, the fun begins with all the planning!

 

[blizzard]

Checked the websites...

Universals 5 day for the price of 2 ticket must be used on 5 consecutive days. No carryover.

Universal has a 2 day ticket that doesn't expire for about $100 US. Site doesn't indicate whether it includes tax.

CAA (checked on AMA website) has 1 day tickets for $55 US. The site doesn't indicate whether it includes tax.

Ticketmania has 2 day passes for $96 US. Includes tax.

Anyone know of any better offers?

 

[Sandyincanada]

We went with the annual power pass, its 109.00 plus tax with a few blackout dates:

Benefits of Annual Power Pass:



Valid for admission for 365 days (with the exception of the blackout dates listed below) to both Universal Studios® and Islands of Adventure
Park-to-Park Access
Blackout dates:
Christmas 2004 December 24, 2004 - January 1, 2005
Easter/Spring Break 2005 March 20 - April 2
Summer Weekends 2005 June 25 & 26

July 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24, 30, 31

August 6 & 7
Christmas 2005 December 23, 2005 - January 1, 2006

Self-Parking NOT included
NO Discounts on food, merchandise or on-site hotels
Not valid for hard ticket events such as Rock the Universe and Halloween Horror Nights®
10% savings on 1-Day 1-Park Universal Orlando tickets (up to six [6] people, must be purchased at the front gate)

For us, this was a great deal.


https://tickets.universalstudios.com/USRG/us_store_secure2.jsp?merchant=UO

 

[spewey]

BLBCB - no, your explanation was very clear. I was just offering an alternative for those (like us) who: a) do not have Mastercards, and b) won't be travelling in a group of five.

The power pass is great, but we always seem to travel on a blackout date. As for the CAA rates - I'll check my local office tomorrow. I haven't heard of the $55- US dealy; I'll see if they're still offering that three day/two park special ...

 

[Bonnie40]

The 3-day CAA park pass never expires. We've purchased it a couple of times and have days left from this year for next year. I've found it to be the most affordable option...

 

[filet1970]

Suggestion: Check with CAA.
From waht DM told me, when she went to pick up our traveller's checks last week (no charge,better rate), they offered Universal tickets at par (US$=CAN$)...think that might the best deal...

 

[blizzard]

Originally posted by filet1970
Suggestion: Check with CAA.
From waht DM told me, when she went to pick up our traveller's checks last week (no charge,better rate), they offered Universal tickets at par (US$=CAN$)...think that might the best deal...

OK, I only checked the Alberta website and the one day was the only Universal pass listed. They may have other deals if you actually go in. I'll try to do that before I buy anything if we do decide to go to Universal.

Thanks everyone for your help!

Carol

 

[spewey]

Oh my ... After all that, I called my local CAA here in Toronto, and was informed that they no longer carry the three day/two park tix(it was for $119 CDN). They said Universal had ended that deal a few months back - at least in Ontario - and now were only giving them one and two-day tickets, in U.S. funds. Maybe it's different out West.

So now it looks like we're in the same boat - looking for a new great deal for our trip in december ...

 

[BLBCB]

The five day two park pass I mentioned before is available to anyone, you don't have to have a MasterCard to purchase them. They are also available individually, it's just that you can get a free one if you buy 4. The individual price is around $95 US. They do expire though, but if you are getting the extra days for cheaper than paying for 2 days, I figure as long as you go for 2 days, you've paid for the ticket anyway, so the days that expire don't matter. All the info is on their website, and the ticket is called Universal Orlando Bonus Pass. Here is the link https://tickets.universalstudios.com/USRG/us_store_secure2.jsp?merchant=UO

The MasterCard deal is explained here https://tickets.universalstudios.com/USRG/us_store_secure2.jsp?merchant=mastercard

Hope this helps. Like spewey said, it's great to have lots of alternatives when making plans.