Purchasing Universal tickets question

[tinksmom02]

I just booked the ACY-MCO leg of our August trip, so all that's really left is to purchase the Universal tickets and arrange transportation from Hard Rock to airport.

I know there are tickets stores I can purchase from--I know Intercot has a sponsor that does that, and I know of another place as well. My question is not which vendor to use but...the Universal site offers a "coupon book worth $150" with ticket purchase. Has anyone gotten this book before? Would it be worth the extra cost to purchase from Universal (I think it's only about $20 more)? It will be me & DD10, so if the coupons are for entry to the clubs and stuff it wouldn't be a savings, but it does say that there are kids eat free and merchandise coupons, which might help.

Thanks!!

[MizMissy]

Last year, we purchased our tickets on-line from Universal. I did not look around comparing prices, but I know we saved money by purchasing on-line instead of at the gate. Our tickets came with the coupon booklet, but I forgot to pick mine up (my friend gave me grief about it). However, our friends did have their coupons and I know there were lots of % off coupons at most of the restuarants in the parks, the shops and City Walk area. They used the coupons a lot (but we were there four days).

I did have an All Access pass for Hard Rock though. I'm not sure how to find one other than my husband asked for an upgrade and they were sold out, so the lady at the desk gave us pins and other things for the kids and the All Access pass. The All Access pass saved us 10-20% at Hard Rock, the restaurants in the hotel and the gift shop in the hotel.

[NJGIRL]

Always always forget to pick mine up too. I wish they would just mail them to you with the tickets.

[tinksmom02]

Always always forget to pick mine up too. I wish they would just mail them to you with the tickets.

So the coupon book has to be picked up? Hmmm...where? Would we have to enter the park to pick it up? We're coming from WDW and could theoretically pick it up when we arrive at Universal, but not if we have to be IN a park to get it.

Not sure, still. It would be $17 more for me to order the tickets from Universal, and get the coupon book...

[NJGIRL]

IMO if you are talking about $17 more per ticket I wouldn't worry about getting the coupon book. Me....I never remember to pick it up....even when I have coupons I forget to use them.......alot of times coupons are not for exactly what you want or the amount you want.

It says on the ticket receipt (you MUST print the voucher and remember to take that too!) to pick up the coupon book at the Universal Studio Store in the park or IOA Trading Company Store. So the answer is yes, you can only pick it up in one of the parks.

[tinksmom02]

Meh, I might skip it then, sounds like way too much stuff to remember. Although, the difference in cost is $17 total, not per ticket.

[MizMissy]

$17 total? I think the coupon booklet would be worth it if you plan to eat more than a couple meals in and around Universal.

Also, I've never purchased from other ticket outlets, but do they have shipping charges or require you to go somewhere to pick up the tickets in Orlando? That might make the savings a bit of a wash too.

When we purchased our tickets, we did it will call instead of printing from home. I liked will call because there is a self-serve kiosk outside of the park where you pick up your ticket (maybe need confirmation and credit card you purchased with) and we had real tickets instead of carrying around the paper 8 1/2 X 11 email that my friends carried around - this was a big issue because we were there 4 days and were in and out of the parks multiple times per day.

Also, for the coupon book, it really just is a few steps inside the park once you are inside. I think my friends picked up their books while we were inside the gates waiting for 15-20 minutes for the park for official early opening of HP.

[tinksmom02]

Thanks! Yeah, I think it's less than $20 for both, taxes & shipping included, and this place will mail them to me. I've never ordered from an outside vendor before, so maybe that extra $17 will give me peace of mind.

[NJGIRL]

We have been printing our tickets at home and those big pieces of paper are a pain to carry around. We are only going for one day this time and it will only be the two of us so it shouldn't be so bad.