Heh, who didn't see this comming... next should be SeaWorld and Busch Gardens 
On the heels of Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando increased its basic, one-day, one-park adult ticket price to $67, starting Saturday.
Universal announced a host of ticket price changes this afternoon, keeping most of their prices in line with Disney's, which went up on Sunday. Previously, Universal's one-day ticket cost $63. Universal runs two theme parks, Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure.
However, Universal spokesman Tom Schroder said his company is not changing the price on the ticket deal he said is the company's most popular: a two-day, two-park ticket available over the Internet that offers three free days, and allows children ages 9 and under to get in free. That ticket remains at $99.95.
Schroder said very few people buy one-day, one-park tickets anymore, because of all of the other options, particularly those available over the Internet.
He would not comment on whether Universal was trying to keep up with Disney, except to say that the new prices are "about remaining competitive in the marketplace."
"We've adjusted our basic pricing so that it stays in line with the marketplace," he said. "But at the same time, we've worked to provide great value for those people who represent the majority of our business: Florida residents and people who buy online, in advance and people who are looking for great multi-day values."
Universal's standard one-day, one-park price for Florida residents goes up to $60.30, from $56.70. However, Universal is offering a special promotion, selling such tickets over the Internet to Florida residents for $49.95.
Standard tickets for children also went up, as did most two-park tickets and most Internet deals. However, Universal is still offering a promotion in which people can buy a one-day, one-park ticket over the Internet for $63 and receive four free days.
Universal's price increases follow a historic trend in which Central Florida's theme parks all have raised their ticket prices at about the same time, to about the same levels. Universal last raised its prices in January, same as Disney. SeaWorld, which sells its basic ticket at $61.95, last raised its price in December, and has not given any indication that it intends to raise prices again anytime soon.
Unlike Disney World, Universal has struggled in recent times with attendance. On Wednesday, Disney reported a 7 percent increase in attendance at Disney World during the third quarter of 2006, which ended July 2. The resort also has reported steadily-increasing attendance in previous quarters, Universal second-quarter attendance figures, for the period ending July 2, are due out next week; but previous reports showed steadily declining attendance.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/busi...-bk-universal081106,0,4909752.story?track=rss
On the heels of Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando increased its basic, one-day, one-park adult ticket price to $67, starting Saturday.
Universal announced a host of ticket price changes this afternoon, keeping most of their prices in line with Disney's, which went up on Sunday. Previously, Universal's one-day ticket cost $63. Universal runs two theme parks, Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure.
However, Universal spokesman Tom Schroder said his company is not changing the price on the ticket deal he said is the company's most popular: a two-day, two-park ticket available over the Internet that offers three free days, and allows children ages 9 and under to get in free. That ticket remains at $99.95.
Schroder said very few people buy one-day, one-park tickets anymore, because of all of the other options, particularly those available over the Internet.
He would not comment on whether Universal was trying to keep up with Disney, except to say that the new prices are "about remaining competitive in the marketplace."
"We've adjusted our basic pricing so that it stays in line with the marketplace," he said. "But at the same time, we've worked to provide great value for those people who represent the majority of our business: Florida residents and people who buy online, in advance and people who are looking for great multi-day values."
Universal's standard one-day, one-park price for Florida residents goes up to $60.30, from $56.70. However, Universal is offering a special promotion, selling such tickets over the Internet to Florida residents for $49.95.
Standard tickets for children also went up, as did most two-park tickets and most Internet deals. However, Universal is still offering a promotion in which people can buy a one-day, one-park ticket over the Internet for $63 and receive four free days.
Universal's price increases follow a historic trend in which Central Florida's theme parks all have raised their ticket prices at about the same time, to about the same levels. Universal last raised its prices in January, same as Disney. SeaWorld, which sells its basic ticket at $61.95, last raised its price in December, and has not given any indication that it intends to raise prices again anytime soon.
Unlike Disney World, Universal has struggled in recent times with attendance. On Wednesday, Disney reported a 7 percent increase in attendance at Disney World during the third quarter of 2006, which ended July 2. The resort also has reported steadily-increasing attendance in previous quarters, Universal second-quarter attendance figures, for the period ending July 2, are due out next week; but previous reports showed steadily declining attendance.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/busi...-bk-universal081106,0,4909752.story?track=rss
