Why You'll Have To Spend A Little More On Tickets To Universal Orlando

If you're a Universal fan, you may want to take another glance at your family budget for any upcoming vacations, as Universal recently announced a series of price increases across all three parks in Florida. Day tickets to Universal Studios, Universal Islands of Adventure, and Universal Volcano Bay will now cost $10 more for adults and children alike.

The price increase comes ahead of a planned 750-acre park expansion, which Universal Orlando hopes will encourage tourists to stay longer, extending the average stay from three or four days to an entire week. The fourth theme park, Epic Universe, is slated to open by summer of 2025. Though much of the park's construction and features are shrouded in mystery, we do know that it will contain four "lands," including Super Nintendo World.

The ticket increase at the existing theme parks and water park reflect the world-class entertainment offered by Universal, said the company in a statement. For those concerned about price, Universal encourages visitors to use the date-based variable pricing model to figure out the best time to visit, as prices fluctuate throughout the year.

Moving forward, the cost for one-day admission to Universal Studios or Islands of Adventure will cost between $119 and $179 per person, up from $109 to $159 respectively. The price is subject to change depending on when you decide to visit. Keep in mind that the two parks have separate admission fees, so you'll need a two-park pass to enjoy both. The two-park, one-day pass ranges from $174 to $234. As of this posting, there's no bundle that includes water park admission, so expect to pay $80 for a one-day pass to Volcano Bay.

Visitors can save $20 by purchasing tickets online instead of in-person, says the park's ticket page. If you're a Florida resident, you're eligible for the "Buy a day, get a second day free" policy when you purchase a two-park pass. You'll also be able to enjoy a slight discount on the Volcano Bay water park, paying $70 instead of $80. For everyone else, keep your eyes peeled for discounts on the park's ticket website or vacation packages that include a stay at one of Universal's hotels. You can also check out Undercover Tourist or Costco Travel, both of which are authorized retailers. With Black Friday coming up, you might just get lucky and snag a great deal.