Robert Niles
Editor
Robert Niles

Universal Orlando sees Disneyland's price increase; raises

May 29, 2012, 10:13 AM · Universal Orlando has raised its ticket prices, following the price increase at its west-coast "twin," the Disneyland Resort, last week. Universal's increase on one-day, one-park tickets tops Disneyland's by a buck - $88 to Disneyland's new $87 price. Universal's old one-day, one-park ticket price was $85.

Spongebob Squarepants in Universal's Superstar Parade
Universal's Superstar Parade is one of the new things you'll get for the extra admission price at Universal Orlando theme parks this summer.

But - and this is where sharp readers should pay close attention - Universal Orlando kept its discount on multi-day admission tickets sold through Universal Orlando's website. The online price for a two-day, park-to-park ticket is $139.99 online, compared to $159.99 at the gate. (The old front-gate price was $154.99.)

Industry group TEA reported last week that Universal Orlando's attendance surged in 2011 - accounting for half of all the industry-wide increase in attendance in the United States last year. Since demand drives prices, it shouldn't be a surprise that Universal Orlando moved to raise its prices in advance of the busy summer season.

And with Disneyland and Universal Orlando raising prices, all eyes now turn to Walt Disney World in expectation of a price increase there, too. So if you're thinking about a trip to the Walt Disney World Resort, it might be a good time to buy now, and lock in your price. (And if you're a frequent visitor to WDW, go for a 10-day ticket with the "no expire" option to lock in your price on visits for years to come.)

Replies (7)

vrodgers
Vickie OConnor
May 29, 2012 at 10:22 AM · I think it sucks. The prices they are charging are ridiculous.
anonymous
66.18.129.152
May 29, 2012 at 11:08 AM · The prices are way past ridiculous! As I have heard before, Walt had a vision. It was a vision of a place where children and parents could have fun together. I had read a lot about him and I never read one time that he opened Disneyland to just make money. For him, that was just a bonus. He wanted families to be able to afford a day of fun together, not get ripped off! I love Disney, and I used to have an annual pass. I no longer do. I don't know that I will ever again. God forbid I have children and want to take them there. I would have to take out a loan!
CentralFloridian99
Dominick D
May 29, 2012 at 12:09 PM · Wow. This is riddikulus ( Get it? ), no way I'm paying almost $90 to get in there. Hopefully this won't raise AAA prices too much.
elerico
Eric Malone
May 29, 2012 at 1:56 PM · I live about two and a half hours from Orlando, and even I can't afford that, in spite of being in a good place financially. I'm disappointed. Gonna be months of saving just to visit a single day.
robert
Editor
Robert Niles
May 29, 2012 at 2:21 PM · For Florida residents, prices remain the same. (Don't know them off the top of my head - I'm a California resident, but the Sentinel said that they didn't change.)
anonymous
76.101.35.249
May 30, 2012 at 7:28 AM · They could probably raise it even higher and make more money. When I lived in Tampa I had an AP I'd go all the time but I didn't really spend much money in the parks. When my family from overseas visited they spent thousands on top of tickets and hotel, thats their target customer. I own a restaurant and the cost of everything has gone way up; it all adds up but I can control it without raising prices. For Disney if something goes up $1 its probably costing them millions, and believe me every company is tacking on extra gas fees now. But you can still get a Florida Resident AP for $27 a month on the monthly plan which is cheaper than a dumb gym membership. ;-)
brynmelyndavid
David Brown
May 30, 2012 at 8:43 AM · What staggers me about these prices is the discrepancy between one day access tickets and advance purchase tickets, especially for folks like me who are based in the UK.

My wife and I are heading to Orlando this November and have purchased all our tickets in advance. The Disney tickets were added to our Disney World booking and we got Ultimate 14 Day tickets for £235 each, (approx $375). We also purchased Orlando Flex Plus Tickets, giving us 14 days unlimited access to Universal Orlando, Islands of Adventure, Sea World Orlando, Busch Gardens Tampa, Aquatica and Wet 'n' Wild for £199 each, (approx $320). As both tickets are effectively 'park hoppers' we think that gives us pretty good value for money.
It seems that theme park tickets are pretty much like rail tickets over here:- buy well in advance and get terrific value; buy on the day and pay through the nose. It was ever the way....

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