JOHN RAOUX, ORLANDO SENTINELFountain in front of the Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Studios on Nov. 8, 2001.
JOE BURBANK/ORLANDO SENTINELScenes from the grand opening ceremony of the Despicable Me Minion Mayhem attraction at Universal Studios Orlando, Monday, July 2, 2012.
Joe Burbank / Orlando SentinelThe Hogwarts Express prepares to depart from Diagon Alley to Hogsmeade during the media preview at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Diagon Alley - Thursday, June 19, 2014, at Universal Studios Florida in Orlando. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel) B583808825Z.1
JOE BURBANK, ORLANDO SENTINELNo. 34 on Dewayne Bevil's Top 50 Orlando Theme Park Attractions. Disaster!, Universal Studios. Revamp of Earthquake attraction includes comic turn by Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and a hologram-esque image of Christopher Walken.
RED HUBER, ORLANDO SENTINELThousands of guests arrive Friday, June 18, 2010 for the grand opening of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal's Islands of Adventure. Gates to the theme park were opened at 6 a.m., as a line of faithful fans snaked as far back as the Hard Rock Cafe at Universal CityWalk.
ROBERTO GONZALEZ, ORLANDO SENTINELMaria Ortiz, 22, of Sanford, FL, gets close to Zorro a new Universal Studios character on January, 30, 2006. Universal Orlando last week told several actors that the studio is getting rid of their characters in favor of others at the park.
JESSICA MANN, ORLANDO SENTINELJeffrey Brody falls off the "logs" into a pool of water during the last day's challenge, Sunday afternoon. Spike TV taped the first ever American version of "Most Extreme Elimination Challenge" this weekend at Universal Studios. Sunday, March 28, 2004 was the last day, wrapping up with UCF student volunteers who wore exotic costumes to compete in sometimes painful physical challenges.
DEWAYNE BEVIL/ORLANDO SENTINELGuests at Universal Studios enter the first drop of Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit during its "technical rehearsal" Sunday, August 16, 2009.
GARY BOGDON, ORLANDO SENTINELWorkers are dwarfed by the size of the 32-foot NBA "Logoman" as he is lowered by crane into position in front of the NBA City site at Universal Studios CityWalk on July 20, 1999. The 3-story structure, (which was made in Gainesville) weighs 8,000 lbs., and is made of a foam, fiberglass shell covered in a bronze patina, with steel structure inside.
JOE BURBANK, ORLANDO SENTINELStephanie Mazer, 14, takes a snapshot of Melissa Hamer, 15, both of Orlando, in front of the Universal Studios globe at the main entrance to the park June 21, 2001.
ROBERTO GONZALEZ, ORLANDO SENTINELVisitors to Universal Orlando Resort walk through the Univeral Studios turnstiles, as smoke from wild fires spreads through the air throughout Central Florida on May 9, 2007.
GEORGE SKENE, ORLANDO SENTINELStudents learn to walk on stilts at Universal Studio Florida.
CHICAGO TRIBUNEThe main strip at Universal Studios Florida in Orlando.
GARY BOGDON, ORLANDO SENTINELPainter Ike Aguilar works on a piece of a giant Mardi Gras float at Universal Studios in Orlando.
JOE BURBANK, ORLANDO SENTINELDon Featherstone, the creator of the iconic pink flamingo lawn ornament, places some of the 500 of the plastic birds that were displayed in front of Universal Studios Florida on Aug. 25, 1997, as a part of the flamingo's 40th anniversary celebration.
JOHN RAOUX, ORLANDO SENTINELNatalie Reinsel (left) who performs as the 'Snow Queen' at Halloween Horror Nights walks out to the park with other scary characters at Universal Orlando on October 23, 2003.
SHOUN A. HILL, ORLANDO SENTINELSome of the Curious George merchandise that is being sold at Universal Studios on July 13, 2001.
ANGELA PETERSON, ORLANDO SENTINELUniversal City Florida surrounds Universal Studios Florida. Park visitors will procede from the toll plaza onto ramps now being built into the garage.
ANGELA PETERSON, ORLANDO SENTINELUniversal City Florida surrounds Universal Studios Florida. Visitors will pass through a cylindrical hub with domed roof en route to the gateway to the two theme parks.
GEORGE SKENE, ORLANDO SENTINELSix-year-old Skye Uragallo, of Zephyrhills, splashes at the play area at Universal's CityWalk in Orlando on April 9, 1999.
JOE BURBANK/ORLANDO SENTINELScenes from Universal's new Superstar Parade --featuring popular characters from Universal's animated television and film releases-- during it's first-ever performance for park guests, Saturday, May 5, 2012.
FRANK RIVERA, ORLANDO SENTINELNo. 42 on Dewayne Bevil's Top 50 Orlando Theme Park Attractions. Cat in the Hat, Islands of Adventure. Colorful, spinning romp through Dr. Seuss tale.
RED HUBER, ORLANDO SENTINELNo. 28 on Dewayne Bevil's Top 50 Orlando Theme Park Attractions. Popeye & Bluto's Bilge-Rat Barges, Islands of Adventure. Cartoonish trip with surprisingly steep and boisterous rapids. Oh yeah, you will get wet.
RED HUBER, ORLANDO SENTINELForty-nine firefighters and their families from New York's Engine 9/Ladder 6 participate in a special version of the Mardi Gras parade at Universal Studios on Feb. 19, 2002.
ROBERTO GONZALEZ, ORLANDO SENTINELNo. 37 on Dewayne Bevil's Top 50 Orlando Theme Park Attractions. Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls, Islands of Adventure. Log-flume ride floats through Canadian Mountie storyline culminates with dramatic drop and roll.
JOHN RAOUX, ASSOCIATED PRESSDorothy Hughes, right, of Seattle, takes a spin on the Simpsons Ride with granddaughters, Makensie, 7, center, and Alexis, 11, left, at Universal Studios in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, May 1, 2008.
Joe Burbank / Orlando SentinelHappy fans inside the lobby of Gringotts Bank at Diagon Alley during the grand opening at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter expansion, at Universal Studios Florida, in Orlando, Tuesday, July 8, 2014. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel) B583850553Z.1
JOHN RAOUX, ORLANDO SENTINELTourists wait in line to buy tickets at Universal Studios Florida on February 9, 2001.
Joe Burbank / Orlando SentinelThe fire-breathing dragon, perched on top of Diagon Alley, as seen during the grand opening at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter expansion, at Universal Studios Florida, in Orlando, Tuesday, July 8, 2014. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel) B583850553Z.1
JOHN RAOUX, ORLANDO SENTINELExterior of the Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Studios on Nov. 8, 2001.
ANGELA PETERSON, ORLANDO SENTINELThe new Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Studios of Florida on January 16, 2001.
JOE BURBANK, ORLANDO SENTINELGuests walk past the iconic Universal globe at the entrance to Universal Studios Florida in Orlando on Oct. 8, 2003.
JOE BURBANK/ORLANDO SENTINELScenes from Universal's Cinematic Spectacular lagoon projection show featuring fountains, fireworks and 100 years of Universal movie scenes shown on a state-of-the-art "waterfall screens," at Universal Studios in Orlando, Fla., Saturday, May 5, 2012.
Stephen M. Dowell, Orlando SentinelThe Wizarding World of Harry Potter section is under construction at Island of Adventures at Universal Orlando on Wednesday, July 1, 2009.
JOE BURBANK, ORLANDO SENTINELConfetti falls as guests enter the Men In Black attraction during the grand opening ceremony at Universal Studios Florida on April 18, 2000.
JESSICA MANN, ORLANDO SENTINELTony Hawk (right with MXC shirt) and other members of the "Geek" team react to the "Greek" challenges. Center in the blue, as the "Blue Bullet" was a favorite, Matthew Flood. Spike TV taped the first ever American version of "Most Extreme Elimination Challenge" this weekend at Universal Studios. March 28, 2004 was the last day, wrapping up with UCF student volunteers who wore exotic costumes to compete in sometimes painful physical challenges.
Joe Burbank / Orlando SentinelCheering fans react to being welcomed into a confetti-filled Diagon Alley during the grand opening at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter expansion, at Universal Studios Florida, in Orlando, Tuesday, July 8, 2014. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel) B583850553Z.1
Joe Burbank / Orlando SentinelThe dragon spews fire during the media preview at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Diagon Alley - Thursday, June 19, 2014, at Universal Studios Florida in Orlando. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel) B583808825Z.1
Gary W. Green, Orlando SentinelNo. 8 on Dewayne Bevil's Top 50 Orlando Theme Park Attractions. Repeatability is an important factor, but I make a slight exception for Hulk. It's too intense to take back-to-back trips. It rattles our nerves, in a good way. And that first step is a doozy, right?
Joe Burbank / Orlando SentinelThis first-look at Diagon Alley shows the fire-breathing dragon during the red carpet VIP preview ceremony at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Diagon Alley - Wednesday night, June 18, 2014, at Universal Studios Florida in Orlando. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel) B583808824Z.1
DEWAYNE BEVIL, ORLANDO SENTINELA new bridge at Islands of Adventure connects Lost Continent and Jurassic Park and bypasses some of the construction for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter set to open in 2010.
JOE BURBANK, ORLANDO SENTINELA rippled curtain of water creates an artistic view of 9-year-old Anthony Thomas from Birmingham, England, as he plays at the Curious George Goes To Town attraction at Universal Studios in 2000.
ANGELA PETERSON, ORLANDO SENTINELRobots like this were among the stars of the Terminator attraction at Universal Studios in Orlando.
TOM BURTON, ORLANDO SENTINELEric Slopey of the Quakes falls to the rink as other skaters race past during a filming of 'RollerJam', a weekly roller derby TV series for TNN, at Universal Studios Florida.
FRANK RIVERA, ORLANDO SENTINELMarc Churchill of England competes on Dec. 8, 1997, in the World Snakeboarding Championships at Universal Studios Florida.
ROBERTO GONZALEZ, ORLANDO SENTINELBergeta Loiseau has her bag checked by Gloria Baines as she arrives at Universal Studios Orlando the day after terrorist attacks in New York and Washington D.C..
Joe Burbank / Orlando SentinelAn animatronic goblin welcomes guests in the lobby of Gringotts Wizarding Bank, during the media preview at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Diagon Alley - Thursday, June 19, 2014, at Universal Studios Florida in Orlando. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel) B583808825Z.1
GARY BOGDON, ORLANDO SENTINELShaquille O'Neal, formerly of the Orlando Magic, packed a big punch in 'Shaq's Mama Said Knock You Out' celebrity boxing event at Universal Studios Florida. Shaq lost a decision to former champion Sugar Ray Leonard, but it was for a good cause - charity.
SPECIAL TO THE SENTINELFormer Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino and son Daniel, 13, enjoy a ride on Woody Woodpecker's Nuthouse Coaster during a visit to Universal Studios Florida on March 2, 2000.
<a href="http://www.orlandosentinel.com/photo">RICARDO RAMIREZ BUXEDA</a>, ORLANDO SENTINELTwo models hold the door open for "The King" to welcome patrons during the opening ceremony of the first-ever Whopper Bar -- a variation on Burger King -- at Universal CityWalk in Orlando. It's one of three fast-service casual restaurants coming, the others are Moe's and Panda Express. More Whopper Bar photos
GEORGE SKENE, ORLANDO SENTINELTravis Wolf, 16, of Matshfield, Wis., sets the stilt walking record at Universal Studios Florida on March 11, 1998. The new mark he set is 40 feet 10 inches high.
RICK FOWLER, ASSOCIATED PRESSSix-year-old Elian Gonzalez, second from left, walks with family members around around Universal Studios Florida on Dec. 13, 1999. Elian was found Nov. 25, clinging to an inner tube off the coast of Fort Lauderdale. after a boat accident that killed his mother and 10 others. Elian was eventually returned to his father in Cuba.
Red Huber, Orlando SentinelHuge crowds enter Diagon Alley at Universal Orlando Tuesday, July 8, 2014.
RICK FOWLER, ASSOCIATED PRESSSandra Daniels holds her daughter Ashley, as she visits with Barney at Universal Studios Florida on Aug. 10, 1997. In June, Ashley, 5, became the youngest person in Florida to receive a double lung transplant. In addition, she has already faced multiple bone marrow transplants in her battle against luekemia.
Red Huber, Orlando SentinelAerial view of official opening of Diagon Alley at Universal Orlando Tuesday, July 8, 2014.
KRYSTEN MARLETTE/SPECIAL TO THE SENTINELKelly Clarkson performs during Mardi Gras at Universal Studios Orlando on Saturday, March 28, 2009.
JOE BURBANK, ORLANDO SENTINELWorkers emplace an 18-foot-tall cyborg skull into the waiting hand of the Arnold Schwarzenegger character painted on a billboard promoting the 3-D Terminator 2 attraction at Universal Studios Florida.
JOHN RAOUX, ORLANDO SENTINELFans at Universal Studios cheer during a Christian rock music concert by the group Mukala in 1999.
SHOUN A. HILL, ORLANDO SENTINELSarah Hayes performs as "Chiquita Bonita" at Universal Studios on Feb. 11, 2002.
TOM BURTON, ORLANDO SENTINELThe tourist traffic was light on Hollywood Boulevard at Universal Studios Florida near 11 a.m. on Sept. 16, 2001. Crowds have been thin at local tourist attractions since the terrorist attacks on New York City and Washington, D.C. on September 11, 2001.
JOHN RAOUX, ORLANDO SENTINELDisplay with and Elvis guitar and costume. In the foreground is a custom made guitar for Judas Priest inside a coffee table in the lobby of the Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Studios on Nov. 8, 2001.
JOE BURBANK, ORLANDO SENTINELGary Yelle, of Cinnabar speciality construction Co., reaches out to position the 1,000 pound E.T. face as it is installed on the Universal Studios Orlando billboard near Fairbanks Avenue on westbound I-4 in 2000. The face, along with matching 550-pound fingers, has been reconditioned after several years of being weathered by the elements. The fiberglass figure was first installed at the I-4 location in early 1989.
TOM BURTON, ORLANDO SENTINELThe normally bustling streets of Universal Studios Florida were barren September 14 2000, after the park closed due to Hurricane Floyd.
Joe Burbank / Orlando SentinelThe dragon spews fire during the media preview at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Diagon Alley - Thursday, June 19, 2014, at Universal Studios Florida in Orlando. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel) B583808825Z.1
JOE BURBANK/ORLANDO SENTINELScenes from Universal's new Superstar Parade --featuring popular characters from Universal's animated television and film releases-- during it's first-ever performance for park guests, Saturday, May 5, 2012.
Orlando SentinelLL Cool J performs at Universal Orlando on June 20, 2009 as part of the park's Summer Concert Series. (Nick Masuda/Orlando Sentinel)
RICARDO RAMIREZ BUXEDA, ORLANDO SENTINELGroup interview during the casting for "The Apprentice" shows at Universal Studios The Groove at City Walk on February 26, 2005.
ANGELA PETERSON, ORLANDO SENTINELTourists make their way around Universal Studios Florida on January 2, 1998.
Joe Burbank, Orlando Sentinel FileGuests in pairs travel 17 stories up ride after they board Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit roller coaster at Universal Studios.
ROBERTO GONZALEZ, ORLANDO SENTINELA two story statue of Anubis, god of the dead ,stands inside Revenge of the Mummy-The Ride at Universal Studios, which was going through technical rehearsals on March 29, 2004.
JULIE FLETCHER, ORLANDO SENTINELThe old Hard Rock Cafe at Universal Studios Florida.
JOE BURBANK/ORLANDO SENTINELScenes from the grand opening ceremony of the Despicable Me Minion Mayhem attraction at Universal Studios Orlando, Monday, July 2, 2012.
Roberto Gonzalez, Orlando SentinelNo. 22 on Dewayne Bevil's Top 50 Orlando Theme Park Attractions. The Simpsons Ride, Universal Studios. Disorienting simulator romps through Springfield and incorporates many characters and locations from the long-running animated series. Be sure to vote for your favorite...
JOE BURBANK, ORLANDO SENTINELBlue Man Group performs during a media preview showing off the new updates to the avante-garde, interactive stage show.
JOHN RAOUX, ORLANDO SENTINEL
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Fountain in front of the Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Studios on Nov. 8, 2001.
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By Jason Garcia
PUBLISHED: | UPDATED:
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
Universal Orlando raised ticket prices once again over the weekend, becoming the first of Orlando’s big theme-park operators to lift base prices above $90.
The price of a one-day, one-park Universal ticket is now $92, before tax. That’s a 3.4 percent increase from the previous price of $89.
Single-day tickets that cover admission to both of Universal’s theme parks — Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure — rose 3.2 percent, from $124 to $128.
Some other ticket options rose by slightly larger margins. The price for a two-day, two-park ticket jumped 4.4 percent, from $159.99 to $166.99.
This is the second consecutive year that Universal has jumped out in front of its larger rival, Walt Disney World, with a round of price increases. Universal has been able to take advantage of strong pricing power afforded by the popularity of its Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Universal will also open a major new ride next month based on the Transformers toy and film franchise.
One-day, one-park prices remain $89 at both Disney and SeaWorld Orlando. But if history is any guide, the other parks will follow soon with price hikes. Neither Disney nor SeaWorld would say Monday whether they intend to raise prices in the near future.
“We set our prices to reflect the value of the entertainment experience we offer,” Universal spokesman Tom Schroder said. “Our guests continue to tell us we offer great entertainment at great value. Our new pricing has options as low as about $42 per day. And we will continue to offer a variety of value-driven, multi-day vacation packages for guests and their families.”
jrgarcia@tribune.com or 407-420-5414
