Robert Niles
Editor
Robert Niles

Universal Orlando Raises Parking Prices, Too - Now $20

October 6, 2015, 9:53 AM · Universal Orlando Resort this week matched Walt Disney World's parking-price increase, now charging $20 per vehicle per day to park at the resort.

Universal Orlando Resort

Many publications also are reporting that Universal has increased its annual pass prices as well, but the prices posted today on Universal Orlando's website today are the same the prices that were posted earlier this week when I was researching an earlier post on Disney's AP price increases. Some Universal fans have reported on Twitter that Universal told some passholders in August about the impending price increase, so it is unclear to us whether the prices went up before or after Disney's increase. (Help in the comments, please?)

Unlike Disney, Universal made no substantial changes to the format of its annual pass program with this price increase. The new prices represent a $25 per pass increase on Power Passes from February's last price increase and a $40 per pass increase on Preferred Passes, which have no blockout dates and include self-parking.


The new prices are:

$239.99 plus tax for the Power Pass, with blockout days. Florida residents pay $214.99.

$334.99 for the Preferred Pass, with no blockout days. That's $299.99 for Florida residents.

The old prices, which had gone up in February, were:

$214.99 for the Power Pass, $189.99 for Florida residents

$294.99 for the Preferred Pass, $259.99 for Florida residents.

For comparison, Walt Disney World's no-blockout annual pass costs for its four theme parks costs $749 plus tax, or $649 plus tax for Florida residents. Disneyland's no-blockout annual pass costs $1,049 for its two parks, with no local-resident discount. Universal Studios Hollywood is not currently selling 12-month annual passes.

Update: Let's do the math:

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Replies (10)

robert
Editor
Robert Niles
October 6, 2015 at 10:11 AM · So if Universal Studios Hollywood priced its (now non-existent) annual pass at the same ratio to Disneyland's no-blockout pass as Universal Orlando charges to Walt Disney World's no-blockout pass, on a per park basis, USH's annual pass should cost $469.

I'd bet the under on that. ;^)

danheaton
Writer
Dan Heaton
October 6, 2015 at 11:00 AM · I'm glad to see that Universal didn't make a huge increase, but I am still frustrated by other parks' need to match Disney's price hikes. Wouldn't it make sense for Universal to charge less for parking and other fees?
anonymous
85.150.173.168
October 6, 2015 at 11:29 AM · @Dan Universal doesn't want to be known as a lesser value then Disney. So they have to follow prices otherwise the regular public would think that.
I think parking at Universal always had a higher value because your car is in the shade and out of the rain.
Russtinator
Writer
Russell Meyer
October 6, 2015 at 1:44 PM · Universal Orlando is already positioned as the "cheaper" option to WDW, and so parking an AP price increases can move in lockstep with the competition. The question now is when Sea World raises its prices.
Rock-Blazer12
James Trexen
October 6, 2015 at 1:49 PM · ^Considering that Sea World's attendance is dropping pretty badly, they have no option but to *lower* their prices.
Randyman29
Randy Keith
October 6, 2015 at 3:39 PM · Universal and other theme parks are in the same business as Disney. As bad as Disney's price hikes are, the competition doesn't want to be seen as bargain theme parks. They also want to charge as much as they can without hurting attendance, and make as much as possible. The problem is when they raise prices like clockwork, don't raise wages, and decrease attractions and overall quality. Universal is now almost as expensive as as Disney, and just as overpriced. They've done a great job in recent years, but despite raising the experience, they have raised their prices even more. As much as I hate to say it Cedar Fair and Six Flags now have the best parks for the money, even if they have a lot to be desired. If only Cedar Fair buying Knotts would have improved Cedar Fair's parks instead of them cheapening Knott's. Still better then Knotts being one of the most overpriced places on earth. ??
fredroy
Fred Roy
October 7, 2015 at 6:07 AM · Universal does give a big discount for renewals of their annual pass. I have the Preferred pass and my last renewal was $159.
anonymous
66.87.123.2
October 7, 2015 at 6:21 AM · Meanwhile, at Universal Creative HQ...

Ok, everyone, we've got a dark ride where you shoot aliens, a flume ride starring classic cartoon characters, a Rollercoaster where you listen to music as you ride, and an outdoor shopping district...what else can we rip off of Disney?

How about their parking prices?

BRILLIANT!!!

anonymous
97.104.219.66
October 7, 2015 at 7:31 AM · Randy, Universal is building powerhouse new attractions in both coasts (Potter then probably a year off for the West coast; Revamped Hulk, Kong, The Fast and the Furious on the East coast), raising minimum wages at its parks to $10/hr next year, and working on a new waterpark for Orlando (that will be more connected to the resort as a whole, and will probably introduce a new pass level, whereas Wet N Wild had its own price structure). Disney is growing, too, but you can't deny Universal is finally expanding and growing like they should have been during the GE/Blackstone days.
anonymous
203.218.77.233
October 7, 2015 at 9:14 PM · Has anyone else noticed a post on screamscap stating 400 acres east of Universal Blvd and north of the convention center is being put up for sale Nov 18th.

it would not be a surprise if universal was interested in this prime parcel of land

It even might part of the 2000 acres they sold off in 2002.

If they were to buy this property and subsequently raise tickets as a result, it would be justified unlike Disney's recent cash grabs.

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