USH Price Increase!

[Allen The Actor]

I find it interesting that they didn't increase the annual pass pricing at the same time! Think they'll increase the annual pass pricing on a separate day before F&F opens...?

 

[Red Carpet]

I would assume that annual pass prices will go up before it gets to be within a year of the opening of Harry Potter.

 

[sickle_claw]

I honestly wonder why the price is now this high. The park is obviously trying to pay for Potter and the other things they are adding is my guess.

 

[Allen The Actor]

^ Price increase doesn't exactly "pay" for any new additions. I mean, I personally like to think of it that way, but that's not how they recoup investment. Well, not entirely that is.

I can say this though: think it's high right now? This ain't nothing compared to the future prices in the next half year to year. Especially for annual passes.

 

[...]

As a business economics major, I know every dollar point helps incremental revenues increase dramatically when looking at a business with such volume in terms of their customer base. This is the park trying to raise revenues in order to pay for their capital investments along with trying to control its elastic customers who are not willing to pay as much for admission.

 

[sickle_claw]

As a business economics major, I know every dollar point helps incremental revenues increase dramatically when looking at a business with such volume in terms of their customer base. This is the park trying to raise revenues in order to pay for their capital investments along with trying to control its elastic customers who are not willing to pay as much for admission.

I do not think price will go over 100 until Disney's does though.

 

[Allen The Actor]

Yeah, or they can make an absolute ton off of food, merchandise, and parking....

I'm not saying this increase doesn't help boost their revenue, but as someone who has also dabbled in more than acting, I know that this increase is pennies compared to what they make off of food, merchandise and parking. They don't do this to "pay" for their projects...that's not how they figure it in. They'll recoup their investment even more over once the attractions open and more people come, simply from how much more people will come and spend on merchandise and food.

 

[...]

Problem: Majority of the LA local population does not eat at the park: lost revenue. Much of the LA local population takes the Red Line: lost revenue. Majority of the LA population does not buy merchandise: lost revenue. Ticket prices make a difference and its aimed to absorb more of the local population's spending rather than affect tourists who will pay for all of the aforementioned items.

Addition: Also, I'm not arguing that the price increase is to singlehandedly absorb the costs of these capital expenditures, but rather that it is aiming to absorb revenues from a market that would not necessarily consume food, merchandise, or parking.

 

[sickle_claw]

Problem: Majority of the LA local population does not eat at the park: lost revenue. Much of the LA local population takes the Red Line: lost revenue. Majority of the LA population does not buy merchandise: lost revenue. Ticket prices make a difference and its aimed to absorb more of the local population's spending rather than affect tourists who will pay for all of the aforementioned items.

1. True. I dont often eat at the park...if I do, it probably is at subway in citywalk or wherever I can get cheapest food.


2. Yes, I have taken the red line a bunch of times to get to the park, a bit more time consuming but saves on parking.


3. I've only bought merchandise a few times...May change in the future but times I was most inclined to buy things, I had to take the red line back and didn't want to lug stuff through the subway.

 

[Red Carpet]

If I eat in Citywalk, does Universal get a percentage of what I spend?

 

[...]

If it runs anyway similar to a mall, your revenue is indirectly earned by Universal in the tenant rental fee.

 

[Ryan]

In July I'll be heading to California for Disneyland's 60th, but I'll have some extra time on the way down. I'd probably hit the area around Universal around noon, but Springfield and F&F aren't worth $95 to me if I'm not going to also get Potter next year along with it. What's strange is that I coincidentally, in the process of trying to use every last penny, I still have about a hundred dollars left in my vacation fund. I just... can't justify the cost to go there for six hours for those two things. If F&F blows everybody's minds, maybe.

But that's still $95. Ouch.

 

[Allen The Actor]

^ if I were you, I'd use that money to get a No Black Out Dates annual pass for USH. Get it now, and then activate it by December so you can come back anytime once Potter opens, and get to see F&F and Springfield fully finished as well, and all while taking advantage of the (still current) 2014 pricing.

 

[Ryan]

I'd do it more if I was fully confident I'd be heading to USH in 2016, but I'm not so much. (I know, I know)

I guess I'll just play it safe. After all there is no way even Potter will skyrocket the price over $100, as Disney hasn't gotten that far in California yet.

 

[RyanTTD]

I'd do it more if I was fully confident I'd be heading to USH in 2016, but I'm not so much. (I know, I know)

I guess I'll just play it safe. After all there is no way even Potter will skyrocket the price over $100, as Disney hasn't gotten that far in California yet.

Disneyland is currently at $99 for one-day and Magic Kingdom in Florida is at $105 for one-day. Universal Orlando is at $102 for one-day.   USH is currently at $95, with another price increase probably coming before FF opens up. And since Disney rarely goes a full year without increasing prices, I expect Disneyland to break the $100 barrier before the Christmas season.

There is no doubt in my mind when Potter opens both Disneyland and USH will be over $100 for a 1-day ticket.

  When Minion Mayhem opened up USH increased the price for a 1-day ticket by $8. I expect the same, if not a larger increase for Potter, putting it well into the $100 price range.

 

[Ryan]

Hmmm I disagree, I don't see it going higher than $99, but that's just me.

 

[Allen The Actor]

One thing is for sure though. Annual Passes will be astronomically more expensive come Potter. So if you can financially afford an annual pass now that you can save till December, I'd recommend it wholeheartedly.

 

[Allen The Actor]

In other news, Annual Pass program discontinued. Premium Pass (with free parking and studio tour Gate A) completely eliminated, and the remaining passes are now "Season Pass", including the No Black Out Date pass, which is valid from now until March 18, 2016. Not even a full year.

This is only the beginning folks...major price hikes in the coming year. I think it's a massive blow to loyal fans of USH. Yes, all the new additions are fantastic, but to no longer offer any type of annual pass program is unfortunate. All probably in time for Potter, when they'll probably introduce an entirely new annual pass program and pricing scheme. 

I thank the Universal gods that I purchased TWO premium annual passes while I could, so I secured myself an amazing pass for the opening of Wizarding World.

 

[Freak]

This sucks big time. I now have to pay $17 a pop to get into Universal. I realize they have to take steps to curb the crowds, but this is, by FAR the noobish move on Uni's part. Could they at least offer discounted parking or something?

Well, as of April 10th, gone will be the days I can go to Uni right before work. Guess I'll have to spend two dollars on the subway to Uni and that will eat a LOT of time. Ugh. I CANNOT spend $17 a pop and then go to Springfield. I just CAN'T.

 

[William]

I sincerely hope this removal was preparation for a bigger change/introduction. Very poor decision.