Anyone have any suggestions for discounted or "cheaper" tickets? Best price I found was $81 [regular price is $85]. Thanks!

All the parks are getting expensive. I don't think you're going to find much cheaper one-day tickets (at least not significantly cheaper). AAA used to sell WDW tickets at a 10% discount, so if you are a member, check with them.

You might also save overall if you buy a package that includes both hotels and park tickets. But finding a good package is really dependent on timing. You don't say when you're going, so it's hard to say if you'll save much that way.

The way to save on the theme parks is to buy a multi-day pass; then the daily rate goes down, though the passes are still pretty expensive.

I should also add that, historically, Universal has offered better deals and discounts than Disney, which just doesn't offer real discounts on their ticket prices. But I can't tell you a specific source. I can say that this is the going rate for theme park tickets in Orlando these days.

Thanks Doug; it is for my step-daughter. She is going September 8, 2011. I wonder if there are any "time share" presentation deals she can endure to get these tickets?? We did that ages ago for WDW tickets, 90 long minutes but free tickets.

Another advantage to a package with tickets and a Universal hotel is that you get early entry into the park and front of the line passes to many attractions (but NOT Harry Potter Forbidden Journey ride, which is why early entry is great - you can ride HPFJ before the lines get long).

Unless your step-daughter is old enough to buy a time-share herself, she won't qualify. If she's a teenager or college student, I really doubt she'll be able to attend. But I'm not sure the cut-off is 18 or 21. Either way, it seems kind of stupid to do that, in my opinion. If she can't afford to go to the park, then perhaps she shouldn't go.

She is over 30 so she would qualify. It was just a thought I had, not her idea. Trying to work my travel magic, but it doesn't look like it's going to happen this time.