Advice for Seaworld/Universal tickets
 

Hi folks.

We are 2 families totalling 5 adults and 2 children for tickets purposes, visiting Orlando in August.

We have already purchased multi ticket packages for Disney parks on-line, but also want to buy tickets for Seaworld and Universal - we are not doing Islands Of Adventure.

We have heard that if we wait until we arrive you can buy from various ticket booths at reasonable prices - my question is, would it be cheaper and less hassle to buy them on-line before we go or is it better to buy from these ticket booths.

I'm not sure if you are planning to swim with the dolpins at Discovery Cove, but at the time I did it the ticket to DC included a 7 day pass to Sea World. I went to Sea World two more times just to see the Shamu show (I absolutely love it!). Discovery Cove is pricey, but a great way to spend the day. While you are waiting for your designated time to swim with the dolphins you can spend the day hanging out at "the beach" and snorkeling in the lagoon with lots of fish. The pass includes a very good lunch.

If you are a AAA member, you may be able to get discounted tix through them.

Two mistakes early this morning.

That would be "dolphins" and I think AAA offers discounts on Universal tix.

Thanks starsville, but we are not going to Discovery Cove.

We just want to know whether it is advantageous to buy from ticket booths or pre-buy on line before we go.

This is for the following parks only - Seaworld and Universal.

You don't say how long you will be visiting Universal's parks. The Universal website offers a "bonus pass".
You get five days for the price of a two day ticket. I believe it's $99 for a two park ticket that is good for five days from the first day of use. Even if you don't go all five days, it could be your best bet. Go to Universal's website and click on tickets to see what kind of deals they have.
Also, go to www.disboards.com and scroll down to the Universal Discussion Forums.

Because Seaworld is one of the Busch theme parks, I believe you might find some local deals at the time of your travel in August much the same as Busch Gardens does in Tampa. They have ticket discounts in conjunction with other area vendors that they co-advertise with. So for instance, right now if you go to a Taco Bell, you can pick up a coupon for $5 or $10 off each ticket to Busch Gardens (I can't remember which it is). And in the past we've taken advantage of their deal with Coke where you could get dollars off your ticket by bringing in an empty can from a Coke-related product. As August is a slow-season in Florida, that is generally when they have these promotions. I'd say there's a 100% chance that they will have one going on, the question though is whether you will save more through another discount such as AAA. I can't tell you that but I'd venture to guess the savings will be similar. Seaworld also has some discounted passes available on line, as you may know.

I know nothing about Universal, which is not a Busch park.

Okay then. So sorry. I just thought it might be helpful to know that you may not have to buy Sea World tix if you also planned to go to DC.

Also sorry that the AAA discount wasn't helpful I traveled Orlando monthly for years and never bought from ticket booths or stopped at the places advertised on billboard along the interstate. Didn't trust them but have nothing to back that up.

Buying them at a discount from AAA before you do may be "cheaper and less hassle" but evidently isn't an option you want to consider. Sorry 'bout that.

Starsville.

Thanks for your AAA suggestion - the only problme is, I am British and therefore not a member of the AAA.

As far as Universal is concerned - we only wish to spend 1 day at Universal Studios and will not be visiting Islands Of Adventure.

Therefore, I repeat, has anybody outthere got any really good deals by purchasing tickets for Seaworld and/or Universal Orlando at a ticket booth or elsewhere in Orlando.

Tandoori Girl - thanks for your suggestion - I will certainly bear your comments in mind.

Hello,

From reading your post I am not sure if you are talking about the various "tourist information" booths found all over as "various ticket booths". These so called information booths or ticket resellers are often a hassle. They get you in by offering tickets at a huge discount only to find out that the discount isn't that large AND you have to either buy something else or spend 90 mintues to 3 hours of your vacation sitting and watching a presentation trying to get you to buy a timeshare etc.

Personally, I would spend the extra $10 to buy the tickets at the theme park (or online) than spend valuable vacation time to save so little!

BTW, Kevey, I noticed that you are British. My husband is British but lives here in Orlando with me. His family comes over quite often and I get to be the family tour guide! I have learned many tips and tricks over the past 5 or so years. So if you need any help just message me back and I will do my best!

Jerilyn