Universal's new ticket structure!

[damo]

I'd check the print on your tickets. You never know who you're talking to on the phone and TMs and CMs are probably the single most unreliable sources of information from Universal and Disney, respectively. If your tickets didn't state a specific expiration date upon purchase, I would bet good money that they do not expire. I've never once seen any theme park retroactively put expiration dates on any tickets. Ever.

I agree. I've never seen Universal arbitrarily add an expiry date to something. I would call again and make sure you explain your situation clearly. I have always found them to be very fair when dealing with things like this.

 

[MonkeyDishwasher]

I see that now. It looks as if they expect to open HP shortly after March 19th, so they won't extend the discount for those specific tickets.

Is there a source for that date?

 

[torinsmom]

Someone had posted a picture of the Kroger ticket/card. I can't find that thread now, but would someone mind taking a picture of one, so I know what I'm looking for?

 

[Rip]

Is there a source for that date?

Nope, that's just when those tickets expire. I was told by a reservationist that they plan to have it open by the end of March, but you know how unreliable they can be for information.

 

[twooley2]

Rip,
That is my point. Every time I call I get a different answer. It worries me too much to take the risk. I can't imagine standing there and being denied admission with my kids disappointment too. With 5 of us going thats a difference in price of 54X5 vs 79X5 and the loss of money in the purchase of the original ticket

 

[Rip]

Rip,
That is my point. Every time I call I get a different answer. It worries me too much to take the risk. I can't imagine standing there and being denied admission with my kids disaapointment too. With 5 of us going thats a differnce in price of 54X5 vs 79X5 and the loss of money in the purchase of the origninal ticket

I understand, but if they didn't/don't state an explicit expiry date when you purchased them, then they're going to honor them. Obviously the ones currently for sale expire, but that is stated up front. I'm assuming you have your tickets in hand if you're considering selling them on Ebay, so just check them for an expiration date.

I'm not a Florida resident, so I never look at that part of the site, but there just isn't any way they are going to retroactively put an expiration date on something that didn't have one when purchased. Universal has always been far and away the most customer friendly theme park with respect to ticketing issues.

 

[twooley2]

no expiration date on em.. So Who knows...

 

[Mad Hattered]

When you click on the $99 link at the top of the page it now directs you to Universal's home page so that deal is over.

 

[mvansear]

Wow to the DIS boards. You should have seen me running to the bank with my cash today to run back home to buy those 99.00 tickets. They are printed and in hand. I still feel frustrated that I missed buying the annual pass by 2 days. I was for sure coming back in October because I was going to buy the AP. Now the October thing is a wait and see. Oh well I will be at Disney in 6 days and Universal in 13.

 

[Mad Hattered]

I just checked my AAA site to try to pick up a couple more 7 day passes for $105 including tax and I noticed it stated this:

Prices subject to change without notice and are good for the current season.

 

[mvansear]

I just checked if you go directly to DU website it is still showing the 99.00 ticket.

 

[La2kw]

It may be inside IOA...but it is 20 acres in size. The is close to the size of Epcot. That is indeed another park.

It's not an entire new park, they merely tore down a section of the existing park and are rebuilding it with a new theme. They also added one more ride, a few more shops, and replaced a restaurant. Hardly the size of Epcot.

 

[phamton]

Tickets that have expiration have it printed on the ticket itself. Some comp tickets have expiration and some special conference tickets have one also. If you bought the tickets before an expiration was added to the Florida resident tickets then they should be good. Call 407-224-4233, and choose option 2. Do not choose the options for "tickets." Option 2 will get you a Guest Service coordinator. You will get accurate information from them. Let them know that you bought the tickets before the FL resident tickets had an expiration. They will want to know the barcode on the back of the tickets so have the tickets ready. They may even have you fax a copy of the back of the ticket.

 

[twooley2]

wow thanks I will indeed do this in the A.M.

 

[Purseval]

Someone had posted a picture of the Kroger ticket/card. I can't find that thread now, but would someone mind taking a picture of one, so I know what I'm looking for?

 

[TastefullyChris]

I freaked out, too...leaving tomorrow for a conference and planned to extend my trip to include Universal. Procrastinator that I am, I waited until tonight to buy/print my $99 ticket. My heart sunk when I logged on to the Universal website!

I was able to get a ticked ordered from Undercover Tourist for $108 (including tax). This is the 7 day unlimited 2-parks ticket, and I can pick it up down there on Friday. They will also ship for free if you are not in a hurry (like me!) Get 'em while they last, folks!

Thanks to whoever posted the info on Undercover Tourist!!!

BTW...this is my first trip to Universal, but I already think the new pricing is TOO HIGH!!! I know Disney is more, but they seem to have SO MUCH MORE to offer for the money! I have been to Disney many times and still not seen everything! I will reserve judgement on Universal until my return...

 

[Purseval]

Universal hasn't raised their $99 prices in at least 4 years although they have added many more attractions. Their parks were worth more each time but they didn't change that price. Time to catch up.

Universal has raised the price of their single day ticket every time WDW has, the $99 promotion has been around so long because they couldn't get people in the park at that price. It's also a good gimmick because it gets them in the park and few people actually use the 7 days. Same thing with extra years on APs and lower prices. They charge because they have to.

Even with the lower prices regulars here can think about how many times they have been able to walk into rides due to light crowds. And all of a sudden they think that people are going to fill both parks at almost double the price (in a shaky economy, no less) because they added 1 attraction.
Good luck to them. If it works we'll get even more new stuff. If it doesn't then expect the promotions to be back real soon.

 

[keishashadow]

I'd check the print on your tickets. You never know who you're talking to on the phone and TMs and CMs are probably the single most unreliable sources of information from Universal and Disney, respectively. If your tickets didn't state a specific expiration date upon purchase, I would bet good money that they do not expire. I've never once seen any theme park retroactively put expiration dates on any tickets. Ever.

based upon my 'personal' experiences i have found U's guest relations staff @ Universal parks to be a notch above that @ Disney (an OT shout out to those in 1st aid @ Studios @ U too for the fine care they provided to my son this summer)

Tickets that have expiration have it printed on the ticket itself. Some comp tickets have expiration and some special conference tickets have one also. If you bought the tickets before an expiration was added to the Florida resident tickets then they should be good. Call 407-224-4233, and choose option 2. Do not choose the options for "tickets." Option 2 will get you a Guest Service coordinator. You will get accurate information from them. Let them know that you bought the tickets before the FL resident tickets had an expiration. They will want to know the barcode on the back of the tickets so have the tickets ready. They may even have you fax a copy of the back of the ticket.

i bought tickets thru ticketmaster before July trip last year thru link provided by affinity group & was surprised to find out they were considered 'complimentary' and both non-upgradeable (towards an PAP) & expired Dec '09. Ticketmaster CS i spoke to indicated there was no expiration date or restrictions...live & learn.

i just worry re the tix (expired, FL resident, etc.) that will be palmed off on ebay to unsuspecting peeps. What a mess for the TMs to hash out.

 

[MIChessGuy]

I still have an unused admission ticket that I bought from Ticketmaster last spring, for a late summer '09 trip that I had to postpone. Universal customer service told me on the phone that the ticket did not expire and would still work in 2010. I'll know for sure in a few days. They'll get me with the old one-two if the ticket turns out to be expired and I have to purchase a new ticket under the new pricing scheme.

 

[twooley2]

A Florida resident ticket shouldn't be a problem as these are sold to Residents and they can give them to whom they want, family or friends, as it is my understanding.