USH Price Increase!

[DonRaf]

http://www.universalstudioshollywood.com/annual-pass/

They are up, $299 gold pass NO PARKING.....just wow.

Also it comes with black out days.....

 

[Freak]

http://www.universalstudioshollywood.com/annual-pass/

They are up, $299 gold pass NO PARKING.....just wow.

Oh wow. You suck Universal. I guess I better make the Metro my friend then. At least it's cheaper than I thought. But still I think they're stiffing a lot of people by having the most premium pass WITH blackout dates and no parking. Uni is the only park in the market to do this.

Really sad to think the no blackout I currently have is a better value than what's being offered for me. I guess I'll wait until February when it expires. MAYBE they'll come to their senses and offer parking but I doubt it. Going to use the Metro.

 

[DonRaf]

Mind you that universal studios florida is $334.99 and comes with PARKING and TWO parks....PLUS NO BLACKOUT DAYS.

WTF

JUST CHARGE MORE FOR A REAL PASS WTF ARE YOU DOING UNIVERSAL?!?!

The no parking kills the pass for locals who stop by after work or school, as we need to get at least $17 value plus what we already paid on the pass....

 

[Freak]

From all of the money they'll get from parking, at least they'll make the passes plastic cards again...

...right?

The no parking kills the pass for locals who stop by after work or school, as we need to get at least $17 value plus what we already paid on the pass....

Unfortunately, that's exactly their point. They're trying to shoo away the locals as much as they can to accommodate the tourists who will spend more. Shoot, now that I think about it, I might be able to save on gas. Metro may not be so bad.

 

[DonRaf]

Unfortunately, that's exactly their point. They're trying to shoo away the locals as much as they can to accommodate the tourists who will spend more.

Shoot, now that I think about it, I might be able to save on gas. Metro may not be so bad.

Funny thing is some locals spend lots in the park, and want high end passes with more benefits.

I eat and drink in the park spending lots of cash on ice-cream, beer, snacks, and dinner or lunch, all while spending less then 3 hours in the park....

Bah I guess we will never have it as good as Florida...two steps back, one step forward the universal way!

Thanks for being a good shoulder to cry on Freak, I feel like we lost a good friend today LOL 

I hope they hear the outrage and add options for parking, and a non black out pass.....if you build it we will PAY...

 

[Freak]

Funny thing is some locals spend lots in the park, and want high end passes with more benefits.

I eat and drink in the park spending lots of cash on ice-cream, beer, snacks, and dinner or lunch, all while spending less then 3 hours in the park....

Bah I guess we will never have it as good as Florida...two steps back, one step forward the universal way!

Thanks for being a good shoulder to cry on Freak, I feel like we lost a good friend today LOL 

I hope they hear the outrage and add options for parking, and a non black out pass.....if you build it we will PAY...

Where I come from, it's the same distance. So I'm not saving much on gass. Oh well. Plus, one way for both to and from, it'd be about $3.50. I'd rather have free parking but it's freaking better than $18.

But yeah, I'm equally as disappointed. Universal is looking really bad in front of people now.

 

[DonRaf]

All this does is push me to put my cash at disney for an annual pass, and visit universal once or twice a year now, once my pass expires.

I went from always getting the highest tier pass, too now not wanting to give universal my annual pass money.

Black out days AND no parking on a GOLD tier pass, yea i'l take a PASS on that annual pass thanks!

I get anxiety on public trans no metro for me

If they are short on parking they should sell parking passes first come first served, have a waiting list something!

 

[Park Journey]

Here's some thoughts on this for now: 

1 - Yes, we the fans pretty much saved USH after 9/11 with the Buy a Day Get a year passes and supporting the part, that is undeniable. 
2 - The amount of attractions added in the last 3 or 4 years of the park is staggering, to not expect this kind of increase is to not understand the business

3 - Potter is, without question the largest single addition to this park ... EVER. And also represents the first time the parks boundaries have been expanded since ... I honestly can't even remember the last time the parks boundaries were expanded. Everything that's been built has taken up existing park space. Maybe Backdraft? 

4 - According to rumors we'd heard, this is probably the best we were going to get. We'd heard everything from no AP's at all to very expensive passes to get therm through the first 2/3 of the year. So the fact that we still have AP's is a good thing. 

5 - The parking sucks, totally. But it's time to look at the Red Line and plan your trips now. For me that's going to be dropping off my family at the park, driving to the NoHo station, taking the red line to the Universal station. It's a pain, but better than paying $18. 

6 - WE ARE GETTING HARRY POTTER!!! Nuff said. 

7 - I'd imagine that the parking pass will eventually come back once the road up from Lankershim is done (have you seen it, it's not going to be done anytime soon) and they see just how big the parking impact is. So maybe Sept/Oct of 2016. 

$299 or $199 (as we are most likely all locals and will get that one) is still a VERY good deal for this park. Let's just take a step back, let the park figure out their growing pains and deal with it. Remember, this isn't the end of the park expansions, we are still very much at the beginning of them. 

- Gregg 

 

[Jon Fu]

4 - According to rumors we'd heard, this is probably the best we were going to get. We'd heard everything from no AP's at all to very expensive passes to get therm through the first 2/3 of the year. So the fact that we still have AP's is a good thing.

I'm not sure where you've heard this, but I've (and I'd wager, our community) never heard of the possibility that Universal Studios Hollywood would eliminate passes entirely. Our estimates of $300 for the highest tier and no parking turned out to be correct. In the end, we need to remember that Universal Studios Hollywood has competitors - the biggest of which is the Disneyland Resort. Once you start treading into their pricing category, you better start offering the same consistent experiences. This includes - but is not limited to - customer service and additions.

In my opinion, Universal isn't at their level. Not even close.

 

[RyanTTD]

Not having a pass with No Blackout Dates and Parking is a HUGE mistake!   They should follow Disney's lead and at the very least offer a pass with both those options.

$299 for a pass with no parking and most weekends blocked out is a rip off.  

I'm sooo glad I bought a No Blackout Pass voucher in March. Maybe next December they will come to their senses and offer a true Gold pass.

 

[Jon Fu]

Not having a pass with No Blackout Dates and Parking is a HUGE mistake!   They should follow Disney's lead and at the very least offer a pass with both those options.

Comparing Universal and Disney, Universal's per-park price of $300 is equivalent to the Disney Deluxe Passport.


https://disneyland.disney.go.com/passes/


Suffice to say, Universal is not at Disney's level.

 

[Armadillo4]

Now that I've had a few hours to digest the news, I realize that I have a different reaction to the new AP program:

1. Blockout Dates: this is actually my biggest complaint with the new system. I can come to grips with the lack of any parking-included pass benefit, but the amount of blockout dates on the Gold Pass is crazy--especially the Summer weekends. I work a stereotypical Mon-Fri schedule, so my park visits are 99% on the weekends. With the Gold Pass, EVERY WEEKEND (both Saturday and Sunday) is blocked out from June 25 to August 20. That's not a "Gold" pass, that's like a Bronze pass. I'd actually be willing to spend more money for a true No-Blackout Annual Pass, even if I have to pay for parking (or take the Metro) on each trip.
2. I don't think any of the regular members of this forum are surprised about the price increase. It's actually in line with some of the guesses posted previously. From one of my earlier posts in a different thread. 

This is a very interesting question. For reference, I looked at Universal Florida's passes and I'd like to pay a bit less than the price of a Universal Orlando Premier Pass. The Premier Pass has the equivalent benefits: no blockout days and free parking and costs $335 for non-Florida residents. The big difference with Universal Orlando is that your pass gets you access to TWO theme parks. But here, in California, if I'm paying a pass for USH and only ONE theme park, I'd want to pay less than a Florida pass.

That's my long-winded answer to say I'd pay $300 for a new version of the Premium Star Pass.

 

So the new Gold Pass came in at exactly what I said I was willing to pay for the highest tier pass. But I didn't figure the pass would include blockout dates.

 

3. I get why Universal implemented this strategy. They are clearly taking a hard line and discouraging repeat visits from locals once Harry Potter opens. Potter will draw the crowds regardless of ticket or pass prices. It's about how many times those guests come. They hope you come, visit Wizarding World, buy lots of souvenirs, drink Butterbeer to your heart's content, and feel that you've had your fill of Harry Potter for the entire year. They've got a huge operational challenge ahead of them with regards to crowds. This is one strategy to mitigate it. I don't have to like it, but I get it.

 

[RyanTTD]

Universal also changed their Blackout day upgrade policy. They no longer require you to upgrade your pass to the highest tier to get in on a blackout day.

There are two ways a Pass Member can revisit on a Black-Out date:

• Purchase a 1-day park upgrade for $75, available at any ticket booth.*
• Upgrade to a higher level Annual Pass, available at any ticket booth.

*Based on availability. Additional restrictions may apply. Prices are subject to change without prior notice.

With this new policy, it is possible now to get up to 3 "free" blackout days out of Universal.

For those California residents planning on buying the Gold AP, you should start with buying the California AP first.  Activate your pass on a blackout day, then make two visits on blackout days, upgrading to the next AP tier on each visit.

 

[Wesker69]

Okay... after flipping a few tables & putting a few holes in the walls... Here are my thoughts on this whole thing.. I'm sure what I am going to say has already been said, so I apologize for that in advance lol

Back when I was in high school I had a Universal AP & would play at the parks for a bit after school for a few hours each week. Now as for more recently, having lived in Orlando from fall 2006-summer 2014, I've only had a Universal AP once during that entire time. I mostly only went to Universal during the special events (Mardi Gras, HHN, Grinchmas/Macys)... and when it came to Mardi Gras & Grinchmas/Macys, I'd get a comp ticket from one of my employee friends (they get a lot more than USH employees do). So I rarely went to the parks during the year, but it was fine. Then in 2013, I gave in & got an AP (should've done it in 2012 but eh) mostly because they had more to offer (and Transformers was going to soft open lol). I got the Power Pass... I had no need for parking & the blockout dates totaled up to roughly only 1 month. I believe I paid around $200 or something for it. So it was a very good deal for 2 parks.

As for this crap here... I'm sorry but no. I love Universal, I really do... but even with Transformers, Despicable Me, Springfield & Potter (sorry, Kong & Supercharged don't count) having been added to the park, it still doesn't justify these new prices. Hump Universal's leg all you want & say that the new stuff makes it worth it, but in reality it does not. USH needs to add A LOT more than one new ride or dining/retail to the park each year to justify the drastic price increase. It isn't Disney, it will never be Disney... Now Disney is far from perfect & Universal has the ability to strongly challenge the rat down the street, but they don't. Potter will be a great addition for the west coast, sure.. and I'm looking forward to having Butterbeer again, BUT its the 3rd one being built so it isn't exactly something "new" for the company, its just an updated clone (no offense to those excited, but its true). My point is... Universal has lost touch with reality, even as a business, especially for USH (just look at HHN this year).. Thanks Comcast.

Its great to see the park transforming into something wonderful, but it feels like some of these things should've already have happened. And whats funny is, they seem to be rushing around in a panic trying to give the park a major facelift all because of Potter. That isn't a bad thing at all because as I said, the park is looking great... Orlando did the same thing with the Studios park before Diagon Alley opened (refurbished facades, repaved streets...badly). These park upgrades don't exactly justify the price increase. And neither does the newer rides/attractions (or Potter)... a slight increase is fine, but what they're doing is asinine.

Charging more money is not going to entice people to come to your park. Especially when they can go elsewhere for less money & have more being offered. That is one of my main issues with this whole thing. While I can easily spend an entire day open-close at the park easily, I'm also riding the same 6 rides multiple times (again not a problem, but still)... Sorry, but the park needs A LOT more to offer guests. It needs more rides. It needs more characters around the park. It needs more shows/entertainment offerings. It is only one park and its trying to charge people the price of 2+ parks. Its ridiculous.

Now that I've helped beat this dead horse, who wants to go play at Universal? haha

 

[Freak]

^This thread already has hit most of the flaws with this new system. It's now us just venting about it haha.

Although mentioned previously, there are two major flaws with this: 1) PARKING. We've already said everything that needs to be said about it so I'll leave it as is. 2) Lack of VALUE. Hey, Universal. I get you are trying to control crowds. I get you want to maximize the experience of the out-of-towners. But to think you can price Gold the same as a Disney Deluxe is pretty laughable. Disney has two parks with a lot of high quality rides. Universal, you have two top notch dark rides, but a poorly maintained boat ride, a mediocre indoor coaster leftover from the GE era, and a bunch of motion simulators. You're arrogant enough to think your value is that of Disney and get rid of parking for the guests?

At least Universal in Florida seems more buisness-minded. USH is just getting REALLY cocky here. Your customers will see the value difference and take their business elsewhere. They're not dumb.

 

[chris.g]

Honestly, the deluxe pass isn't worth it, I'm thinking about getting the California resident Pass of $199, but this still seems like such a damn rip off to me. The perks don't even make up for this. Universal better step up their game if they feel they're pompous enough to have prices for AP's THAT high.

 

[Armadillo4]

Inside Universal updated their AP article today to include the official press release from NBCUniversal about the new annual passes. The third paragraph included this gem (bold mine):

Each new Annual Pass member will embark on an exciting journey with Universal Studios Hollywood receiving regular newsletter updates, exclusive preview event invitations, discounts on food and merchandise, eligibility for sweepstakes opportunities that include the chance to win tickets to coveted Hollywood red carpet movie premieres, and more.

Stop the presses! Annual Pass members will get regular NEWSLETTER UPDATES. Seriously. That's in the official press release as a benefit for being an Annual Pass member. Those newsletters better be sent via mail on high-quality glossy print with gold leaf-embossed lettering.   

 

[Goatmilk]

It's all about crowd control

I don't blame them honestly

The crowds are going to be ridiculous. They arent ready and are just being really conservative as this is something they've never dealt with

If it means shutting off the local game for a few years, so be it

Honestly didn't think there would be a pass that was $139. I thought the lowest would be a bit higher

But half the year is blacked out still lol and pretty much every weekend too

 

[Wesker69]

So about these blackout dates... I think it is incredibly stupid to NOT have an annual pass option that provides a 365 day NO-BLACKOUT DATE option. It honestly makes no sense, even from a crowd control point of view. Obviously none of us are going to go all 365 days out of the year, but dammit... "WE" should have the option of what days we may or may not want to go to the park, NOT Universal. Excluding us from this option only makes them lose out on money. So from a business standpoint, its dumb.

Also... the new blackout dates suck because I can't go to Universal on April 9th for my bday <_< , which has kinda been a tradition for the past few years (although I didn't go this year but not the point lol).. Guess I could just..... you know.. go to Disney, Knotts, or Magic Mountain instead h34r:

To elaborate a little more on the "Lack of Value", the one point I forgot to elaborate upon with the "USH needs more" thing was special events. We already have HHN, which is great (for the most part). We have Grinchmas, again great (for the most part). But we don't have Mardi Gras... for obvious reasons, BUT it is not entirely out of the realm of impossible (ask me to elaborate in an appropriate thread or shoot me a message sometime). Hell, we could throw in Orlando's Potter Celebration event too as a possibility, even if it'd be somewhat small-scale compared to HHN. Now I was very impressed to see the Chinese New Year mini event this year. It was something very cool, even for being on such a small scale. The park really could benefit from more things like this. Yea, I've seen a few of you mention that USH & special events don't exactly work out, but were those actual in-park events created by an Art & Design team like HHN or Grinchmas?..

My point with this is, if USH actually had different events throughout the year, along with HHN, Grinchmas & the Chinese New Year celebration... THEN the price increase would be only a little more justifiable.

 

[Ryan]

It's all about crowd control

I don't blame them honestly

The crowds are going to be ridiculous. They arent ready and are just being really conservative as this is something they've never dealt with

If it means shutting off the local game for a few years, so be it

Honestly didn't think there would be a pass that was $139. I thought the lowest would be a bit higher

But half the year is blacked out still lol and pretty much every weekend too

It's a mediocre short term solution, horrifically dumb long term solution.

They couldn't even include a parking ADD ON?! Are you serious?!?!

Do they really think the locals will be like, "Well I guess we gotta take the Metro to get to USH or just take the year off!" Uh... no. People like consistency, and they're not going to keep up on AP updates in pricing. Universal has just crossed the Disney line and beyond, flipping off the LA market.

"You can either catch a plane to Florida or pay for parking, screw you!"

This is all because Universal, at this current moment, has zero clue of what the hell to do. They don't know what to expect, they don't know how to handle it and clearly they thought they knew what they were doing, but they don't.

Here's an idea, Universal management: spend some money and grow some BALLS. Take risks and create new, lively entertainment. Try some out-of-the-box stuff, make your park manageable so you don't have to resort to such dumb extremes for fear of crowd control. You have plenty of places to eat and shop now, so add something else. It's amazing, they've known about this for over five years.

If you can't come up with a better solution for putting Harry Potter in the literal middle of your tiny park, then maybe you shouldn't have done that? I can't defend USH for this like I did Disney, because this is the result of something that they could've avoided, and now they're punishing the consumers for that.

Awful.