Necessary to pre-buy tickets or not?

[susustudios]

Can't find it on the site, so was wondering if it's necessary to buy tickets to reserve for a day at Universal, or can you buy them at the park on the day?

 

[mamapenguin]

There is a discount if you buy them online vs. at the park. No reservations needed. Ticket booth lines were ugly when we were there a couple of weeks ago. I would avoid that if at all possible.

 

[tony67]

Id agree with the PP - you dont want to wait in line for the tickets

 

[mamamelody2]

I agree with PPs. You DO NOT want to wait in the ticket booth lines. They were nuts when we were there in June. Buy your tickets online.

 

[laughinplace199]

I have to go to the ticket window next week on my first park day to pick up my AP. While I'm there, I will use my AP discount to buy a ticket for DS.

 

[serenitygr]

I have to go to the ticket window next week on my first park day to pick up my AP. While I'm there, I will use my AP discount to buy a ticket for DS.

I'm trying to learn more about this for our upcoming trip. I'm considering buying an annual pass, and wondering if I can get a discount on the tickets for my other three family members if I do so?

 

[laughinplace199]

I think the info was on Universal's website, but it took me a while to find it. I bought a seasonal AP to get a discount on our hotel room. Somewhere in the fine print, it states that there's a 10% discount on multiple day ticket purchases. I'm not sure if the other levels of AP's offer larger discounts or not.

 

[serenitygr]

I think the info was on Universal's website, but it took me a while to find it. I bought a seasonal AP to get a discount on our hotel room. Somewhere in the fine print, it states that there's a 10% discount on multiple day ticket purchases. I'm not sure if the other levels of AP's offer larger discounts or not.

Reading the fine print on the passholder benefit page- I did read about the 10% off multi day tickets. My question is what does this mean....

• 10% off Multi-Day theme park tickets purchased at the front gate (up to six tickets per transaction; not valid on 3-Park Unlimited tickets, Universal Express passes or tickets with Universal Express)

What exactly is tickets with Universal Express? Because we are staying at a hotel that includes the express pass- does that mean our tickets are considered "tickets with Universal Express: so thus we would not get a discount?

 

[CAPSLOCK]

No, you are all set using this discount along with your hotel EP. EP is generally a separate purchase, not connected to the tickets per se.

But they do sell tickets including EP, those are what they're excluding I believe. I think those types of tickets are pretty unusual.

Note that the online price you see is cheaper than the gate price, so 10% off gate price could end up being less or more than buying online.

 

[serenitygr]

No, you are all set using this discount along with your hotel EP. EP is generally a separate purchase, not connected to the tickets per se.

But they do sell tickets including EP, those are what they're excluding I believe. I think those types of tickets are pretty unusual.

Note that the online price you see is cheaper than the gate price, so 10% off gate price could end up being less or more than buying online.

Thats a really good point! I can find the online price easily, but how do I find what the gate price is? That way I can figure out which way is better!

 

[Kenziema]

Gate price is usually bout $20 more than online price. I did the math for my upcoming trip and it’s cheaper to buy at the gate with the AP discount.

 

[serenitygr]

Gate price is usually bout $20 more than online price. I did the math for my upcoming trip and it’s cheaper to buy at the gate with the AP discount.

Thanks! Is there a site to check gate prices for different days?

 

[Kenziema]

I just checked the dated ticket price online and added the $20 since that’s what the site says I save by purchasing online. I couldn’t find a site that listed the gate price. On Universal’s website the APH discount on multi day tickets is listed at 15% if you have preferred or premier off gate price, 10% off for seasonal or power pass.