Universal Orlando Raises Ticket Prices - June 2011

After Walt Disney World's ticket prices increase, it is time for Universal to make the move. Indeed, the Orlando Sentinel reports that Universal has followed Disney in this ever-going race to increase the admission prices of their theme parks. Read more, from the Orlando Sentinel's article:

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Universal Orlando raises ticket prices, matches Disney World's 1-day admission

... Universal Orlando on Monday sharply raised most ticket prices – but it left some key prices for Florida residents unchanged.

     A little more than a week after Walt Disney World raised most ticket prices, Universal matched the larger resort by boosting the gate price of a one-day, one park ticket from $82 to $85, an increase of 3.7 percent.

     Universal made even steeper increases to other ticket options. Gate prices jumped between 7.1 percent and 11.4 percent for two-, three- and four-day tickets. The steepest increase was for a three-day basic ticket – which include admission to only one of Universal's two theme parks per day – which climbed from $139.99 to $155.99.

.... At the same time, however, Universal also doubled the size of the discount it offers for tickets purchased online – from $10 to $20 – in a bid to steer more visitors into buying their tickets through Universal's website,  rather than at the gate.

     And Universal also opted not to raise some key ticket options that are popular with locals. The price of a one-day, one-park Florida resident ticket that is purchased online will remain at $73.99. All annual pass prices will remain the same, as well.

.... As part of the price changes, Universal eliminated a seven-day ticket option. Instead, the resort will sell a 14-day pass offering unlimited admission to both of the resort's theme parks — Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure — as well as the Wet 'n Wild water park on International Drive, which is also owned by NBCUniversal. The gate price for the two-week ticket is $194.99.

A look at Universal Orlando's price increases:

Basic tickets (admission to one theme park per day):

•One-day: $82 to $85 (3.7 percent)

•Two-day: $124.99 to $135.99 (+8.8 percent)

•Three-day: $139.99 to $155.99 (+11.4 percent)

•Four-day: $149.99 to $165.99 (+10.7 percent)

Two-park tickets:

•One-day: $112 to $120 (+7.1 percent)

•Two-day: $144.99 to $155.99 (+7.6 percent)

•Three-day: $154.99 to $170.99 (+10.3 percent)

•Four-day: $159.99 to $175.99 (+10 percent)

•Fourteen-day*: $194.99 (New ticket)

Annual passes (all prices unchanged):

Power Pass: $159.99

Preferred Pass: $219.99

Premier Pass: $349.99

NOTE: All prices are for adults. Visitors can get $20 discounts on multiday tickets by purchasing online.

*Includes admission to Wet 'n Wild 

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For us Florida Residents, this is neither good nor bad news, as prices for our passes have not changed, but many visitors from all over the United States and the rest of the world may be disappointed, especially because the prices are increasing each and every year. Will we have to pay more than $100 per day to visit an Orlando theme park by 2015? We sure hope not, but it would not be a surprise. What do you think?

The aforementioned info are subject to the copyright of the Orlando Sentinel. Copyright © 2011, Orlando Sentinel, a Tribune newspaper.