Universal Tickets - best place to buy?

[sonofanarchy]

I could be wrong but I think the Universal prices do not include tax, UT price includes tax and shipping

Yeah, so I guess you might save a couple of dollars there.

Everything I have heard about UT is fine. It's just different strokes for different folks. Sort of like booking a hotel directly through the resort or booking it through Expedia. I'd always feel better going direct. I can't tell you the number of times we've been at guest relations and overheard someone freaking out because their park tickets are no good. When asked where they bought them, it's always a ticket broker. For a few bucks, it just doesn't seem like it's worth the risk.

 

[Metro West]

The main thing is to have your tickets in hand before arriving at the park to save lots of time by not waiting in the ticket window lines. Buy the tickets from wherever you want but Universal does have print at home and Will Call pick up options to allow you to skip the ticket lines. Either of these could be a good option especially if you are leaving soon.

 

[RMulieri]

UT include tax and shipping.The UniversalOrlando site does not..So if I can save some money I do..

 

[mominlv]

tried the link above to the usssd site. No more tickets available, not for 2 day park to park anyhow. Rats, guess I'll either use the universal Orlando site or the Undercover tourist. The differences are mostly 1)coupon book for people who get it on Universal's site, plus I have an American express card, and it says if you use your AX card, you can use their lounge in the USF park, and while it doesn't really matter that much, it might be nice to take a break in the middle of the park, grab a free drink and snacks, acc to website. And you get $10% off certain souvineers over $50, 15% off $75. Hmm, with a teenager, I think I can hit the $75 mark pretty easy in one shot. I wonder if you can use it on the wands??? Have to get 3 wands, so I could definitely go for 15% off if it works. Does anyone know?

 

[smidgy]

Yeah, so I guess you might save a couple of dollars there.

Everything I have heard about UT is fine. It's just different strokes for different folks. Sort of like booking a hotel directly through the resort or booking it through Expedia. I'd always feel better going direct. I can't tell you the number of times we've been at guest relations and overheard someone freaking out because their park tickets are no good. When asked where they bought them, it's always a ticket broker. For a few bucks, it just doesn't seem like it's worth the risk.

well. there IS NO RISK..
you cna uy wherever you can get the best price. there might be some unreputable dealers. I would be wary.. especialy from those brokers on 192 or International drive.

but undercover tourist there is NO risk at all. I have no skin in this game at all, just speaking from experience. (and NEVER buy tickets on ebay or craigs list)

 

[macraven]

Maple Leaf is another legit ticket seller.

mousesavers has a special link at the 15th of the month for members to use a special link to get more of a discount off of UT tickets.

maple leaf has a connection with another of the motherland sites for darkside special link discounted tickets

 

[damo]

tried the link above to the usssd site. No more tickets available, not for 2 day park to park anyhow. Rats, guess I'll either use the universal Orlando site or the Undercover tourist. The differences are mostly 1)coupon book for people who get it on Universal's site, plus I have an American express card, and it says if you use your AX card, you can use their lounge in the USF park, and while it doesn't really matter that much, it might be nice to take a break in the middle of the park, grab a free drink and snacks, acc to website. And you get $10% off certain souvineers over $50, 15% off $75. Hmm, with a teenager, I think I can hit the $75 mark pretty easy in one shot. I wonder if you can use it on the wands??? Have to get 3 wands, so I could definitely go for 15% off if it works. Does anyone know?

Used to be that the only souvenirs that couldn't be discounted were the really expensive collectibles. Wands should be fine.

 

[sonofanarchy]

well. there IS NO RISK..
you cna uy wherever you can get the best price. there might be some unreputable dealers. I would be wary.. especialy from those brokers on 192 or International drive.

but undercover tourist there is NO risk at all. I have no skin in this game at all, just speaking from experience. (and NEVER buy tickets on ebay or craigs list)

Whenever you buy from anywhere besides Disney or Universal, there is ALWAYS a risk. I guess it depends on what your definition of risk is, but for me, risk is showing up at the park and the ticket not working. Sure, UT may offer you a refund or a new ticket, but that is the last thing I want to waste time with on my vacation.

 

[bumbershoot]

Whenever you buy from anywhere besides Disney or Universal, there is ALWAYS a risk. I guess it depends on what your definition of risk is, but for me, risk is showing up at the park and the ticket not working. Sure, UT may offer you a refund or a new ticket, but that is the last thing I want to waste time with on my vacation.

I consider UCT to be no risk like the other poster. I have never read of a problem with tickets at universal at all. And the issues that have come up at WDW were solely wdw's fault, and were unravelled BY UCT.

I also bought at maple leaf, and no zero issues. With those places you have tickets in hand. This is different than some ways of purchasing through universal, where you might have to hold a full page paper printout for your whole trip etc.

 

[BelleBeautyandtheBeast]

Updated sonofanarchy's pricing post...

1 day park-to-park
UCT - $140.29 ($139.29 with MS newsletter link)
Universal - $136.00 + tax = $144.84
Potential savings of $5.55/ticket

2 day park-to-park
UCT - $177.99 ($175.99 with MS newsletter link)
Universal - $175.99 + tax = $208.73
Potential savings of $32.75/ticket

3 day park-to-park
UCT - $189.07 ($187.07 with MS newsletter link)
Universal - $185.99 + Tax = 219.38
Potential savings of $32.31/ticket

4 day park-to-park
UCT - $203.71 ($202.71 with MS newsletter link)
Universal - $195.99 + tax = $230.03
Potential savings of $27.32/ticket

I've used UCT several times in the past with great results. I need 5 tickets so a savings of $30ish per ticket adds up, if we buy the 2 day park-to-park I save $163.75 by using UCT.

I wasted a nice little chunk of my vacation last year at Universal due to their error. We bought tickets on the Universal website and opted for Will Call. Will Call couldn't find them. Thankfully I had a screen shot of the confirmation on my iPhone and after a very long wait the lady helping us was able to access the tickets and print them. Does that mean I will never buy tickets from them again? Nope, if they have a good deal I certainly will. Errors and issues can pop anytime no matter how you obtain your tickets.

 

[huey duey & luey]

I will also buy my Universal Tickets from UT. I have used them for years to buy my WDW and have never had any problems and I always get them sooner then stated. I would definitely recommend them

 

[damo]

Updated sonofanarchy's pricing post...

1 day park-to-park
UCT - $140.29 ($139.29 with MS newsletter link)
Universal - $136.00 + tax = $144.84
Potential savings of $5.55/ticket

2 day park-to-park
UCT - $177.99 ($175.99 with MS newsletter link)
Universal - $175.99 + tax = $208.73
Potential savings of $32.75/ticket

3 day park-to-park
UCT - $189.07 ($187.07 with MS newsletter link)
Universal - $185.99 + Tax = 219.38
Potential savings of $32.31/ticket

4 day park-to-park
UCT - $203.71 ($202.71 with MS newsletter link)
Universal - $195.99 + tax = $230.03
Potential savings of $27.32/ticket

I've used UCT several times in the past with great results. I need 5 tickets so a savings of $30ish per ticket adds up, if we buy the 2 day park-to-park I save $163.75 by using UCT.

I wasted a nice little chunk of my vacation last year at Universal due to their error. We bought tickets on the Universal website and opted for Will Call. Will Call couldn't find them. Thankfully I had a screen shot of the confirmation on my iPhone and after a very long wait the lady helping us was able to access the tickets and print them. Does that mean I will never buy tickets from them again? Nope, if they have a good deal I certainly will. Errors and issues can pop anytime no matter how you obtain your tickets.

Here are the prices I get from the Universal Website that include tax and use pick up kiosk or print at home:

2 day park to park: $187.43
3 day park to park: $198.08
4 day park to park: $208.73

We had time wasted at Universal too because an AP renewal that had been done the week before wasn't showing up in the system. For some reason, the actual AP got sent to willcall. So, time can be wasted dealing with the universal website too.

 

[soxyes]

Are there complications if you buy the tickets from a broker and also stay onsite at one of the deluxe resorts? It's been a few years since we've been to Universal, and I can't recall how we showed that we were onsite for the Express lines. Maybe it was our hotel key?

TIA!

 

[macraven]

Are there complications if you buy the tickets from a broker and also stay onsite at one of the deluxe resorts? It's been a few years since we've been to Universal, and I can't recall how we showed that we were onsite for the Express lines. Maybe it was our hotel key?

TIA!

if it is an authorized broker for UO, no problem.
you show your photo id express card to use the express lines.
this is a hotel perk from the hotel and has been in effective going on 2 years.

your park ticket gets you into the park.

 

[BurleyGirl]

You can see if these tickets will work for you: http://store.usssa.com/Products/121-disney-world-theme-park-tickets.aspx

Be careful of expiry dates.[/QUOTE

Thanks for this link!! These prices are great! I need tickets for November and their tickets expire 9/30, so I'm going to keep checking to see if they offer November tickets.

And, their prices for Disney tickets are great, too! A savings of $70/ticket for the Hopper/WP tickets! Anyone know of any issues linking these Disney tickets to your MDE account?

 

[BadgerGirl84]

You can see if these tickets will work for you: http://store.usssa.com/Products/121-disney-world-theme-park-tickets.aspx

Be careful of expiry dates.[/QUOTE

Thanks for this link!! These prices are great! I need tickets for November and their tickets expire 9/30, so I'm going to keep checking to see if they offer November tickets.

And, their prices for Disney tickets are great, too! A savings of $70/ticket for the Hopper/WP tickets! Anyone know of any issues linking these Disney tickets to your MDE account?

I'm wondering this too--are these the RFID tickets (the same as what you get if you buy from UCT?

 

[BurleyGirl]

Trying to do my due diligence, so I sent them this e-mail yesterday:
"Before I purchase them, can you confirm that your tickets will be compatible with the new Disney technology (RFID) so that we can link them to our Disney account and be able to utilize their new FastPass reservation system?"

And, they replied: "These tickets can be added to the My Disney Experience app and you can plan your trip."

Wish someone else had some experience to throw our way...

 

[Metro West]

Trying to do my due diligence, so I sent them this e-mail yesterday:
"Before I purchase them, can you confirm that your tickets will be compatible with the new Disney technology (RFID) so that we can link them to our Disney account and be able to utilize their new FastPass reservation system?"

And, they replied: "These tickets can be added to the My Disney Experience app and you can plan your trip."

Wish someone else had some experience to throw our way...

Are you asking about Disney tickets or Universal tickets? You are on the Universal boards.

 

[BurleyGirl]

Are you asking about Disney tickets or Universal tickets? You are on the Universal boards.

I had inquired/am inquiring about their Disney tickets. Moderator, I'm so sorry if I should not have done so on this thread!!

 

[Metro West]

I had inquired/am inquiring about their Disney tickets. Moderator, I'm so sorry if I should not have done so on this thread!!

That's OK...but we need to keep the Disney stuff away from the Universal side so we aren't confusing people...like me.

All is forgiven.