USH Price Increase!

[Freak]

I would GLADLY pay an add on for parking, even if it is a bit steep. I just loathe the idea of paying nearly $20 every single time to get in. I HATE that. Even Disney, the "stingiest" of the market, offers free parking to premium holders.

I don't think this will last. Even with Potter, I think they will offer some sort of parking add-on. People are not going to take this very well.  

 

[Allen The Actor]

Hopefully they'll introduce some grandfathered policy for existing Premium members, the sudden switch must be painful for them, and I can't imagine how I'd feel if I didn't think ahead and buy two ahead of time!

There will 100% be price increases before Potter opens, but I just hope that it'll also include a better program, even if it's more expensive.

 

[Miss Betty Juice]

See at least Disney eliminated parking on the lower tiers but offered the chance to renew it once more if you renew your pass. This has changed the game. It's a very foolish move by a consistently foolish annual pass department.

 

[Allen The Actor]

See at least Disney eliminated parking on the lower tiers but offered the chance to renew it once more if you renew your pass. This has changed the game. It's a very foolish move by a consistently Facebook annual pass department.

Exactly. And when they make changes, at least it slowly changes. And if it's a significant change, like removing a pass or removing a parking option, they at least grandfather their loyal existing customers. It's just extremely shady.

 

[Freak]

I've seen Universal do this before. For example, they eliminating the Frequent Fear Pass for HHN and then bringing it back in lesser form. I think they are doing something similar to this. Eliminating this after a time, and offering a compromise of some sort. Either way, it's a n00b move and this will spark a LOT of outrage. 

 

[Allen The Actor]

I'll tell you all this though. Once Wizarding World opens, there will be a LOT of new astronomically priced vacation packages, ticket types, and annual passes. I was in a panel that previewed some "potential" pricing and perk schemes, and it's only going to get more expensive from here.

 

[RyanTTD]

The Annual Pass will be back.   They are just phasing out the cheap Annual Passes.

I bet Annual Passes to return in August with new higher prices.

 

[Allen The Actor]

It'll definitely be nice to see some sort of proper replacement for the Premium annual pass that's actually a full year pass, no black out dates, discounts, and perks. I know they're definitely considering some different types.

 

[Armadillo4]

I agree with most of the above posts. I bet Universal will introduce new passes at higher prices--it's just a matter of when and how much. And it wouldn't surprise me if there are further changes to the existing season passes and buy a day promos. The park infrastructure won't be able to support the crowds if they leave those pass prices and programs in place. They know they've got an in-demand property in Potter and they'll take advantage of it.

Given a day to absorb this news, I actually think the decision to eliminate the Premium Star Pass right now is probably a smart thing for Universal--although it hurts goodwill with passholders (or potential passholders) in the short-term. If and when a new "Premium" pass is introduced at $OMG.00, the story won't be about how the price of the "Premium Star Pass" jumped by over $OMG (e.g. "Universal raises prices for annual passes by 120%"), because it's a whole new pass type(s). I'm anxiously waiting to see how high they're willing to set prices.

 

[Miss Betty Juice]

My biggest fear is that they'll try to match Disney prices without nearly the same value. I love USH, I really do, but there's no way in hell that they are worth the same pass price as Disneyland (And they have DCA included with that). Even with Potter and Springfield.

 

[transfo]

I think we'll see attendance numbers drop for 2015 because of this, even with all the F&F hype, and Springfield.

 

[Red Carpet]

The switch from annual pass to season pass messes up my whole strategy for when to buy my next pass.

 

[Freak]

This may sound extreme, but do you think its possible Uni might try to completely do away with passes entirely? Like Betty Juice mentioned, they realize the demand they're going to have with Potter.

 

[Red Carpet]

Potter did not cause Universal Orlando to stop having passes.

 

[Freak]

^They have two good-sized the parks in a more isolated location. Over here, its a tiny park with a gazillion neighborhoods surrounding it.

 

[transfo]

This may sound extreme, but do you think its possible Uni might try to completely do away with passes entirely? Like Betty Juice mentioned, they realize the demand they're going to have with Potter.

No.... I think that'd decrease profits overall actually.

 

[William]

I think we'll see attendance numbers drop for 2015 because of this, even with all the F&F hype, and Springfield.

I'd say quite the contrary, actually. All of these additions for the 50th Anniversary will have crowds flocking to the park.

This may sound extreme, but do you think its possible Uni might try to completely do away with passes entirely? Like Betty Juice mentioned, they realize the demand they're going to have with Potter.

If they know the demand they'll get for Potter, they'll simply raise prices. It'd make no sense for them to completely cut off the annual pass system.

 

[transfo]

I'd say quite the contrary, actually. All of these additions for the 50th Anniversary will have crowds flocking to the park.

Guess we'll see in a year!

 

[Jon Fu]

Potter did not cause Universal Orlando to stop having passes.

I agree, and I understand Hollywood's dilemma. Having said that, not having an alternative option (at whatever price) reflects poor planning on Universal's part, and a willingness to alienate the highest tier of pass holders.


Again, it's Universal right to do whatever they wish, but this doesn't create a lot of goodwill towards the company.

 

[Allen The Actor]

I'd say quite the contrary, actually. All of these additions for the 50th Anniversary will have crowds flocking to the park.

If they know the demand they'll get for Potter, they'll simply raise prices. It'd make no sense for them to completely cut off the annual pass system.

Yeah, the crowds will be chaotic this year. They're still offering the "Get 2015 Free" pass in Costco and other places. That, and with all the new things for the anniversary this year PLUS the usual peak season crowds, it will be crazy. It will only keep getting crazier.

As for the AP Program, I think they'll reintroduce a top tier Annual Pass next year when Potter opens that will be astronomically more expensive than any recent pass in recent history. They're contemplating a few different options, but the common connector between all of the proposed new passes is the massive price increases coming. I think this was all strategically planned, even though it's extremely lousy.

Like, I totally understand what they're doing and why, but I agree with Jon, they're alienating their most loyal and dedicated fans in the process. Shows that they kind of don't care, and are just doing a general "We're changing the program, suck it up."