[Park Hopper]

Universal Orlando has just announced the biggest discount deal in its history. For those who are interested, here are the details:

By Jerry W. Jackson | Sentinel Staff Writer
Posted October 9, 2003

Universal Orlando announced Wednesday the largest discount deal in the park's history -- a seven-day free pass to its theme parks in return for four nights at a hotel on Universal property.

"For a couple, the savings would be over $700 if they take full advantage of it," said Gretchen Hofmann, senior vice president of marketing in Orlando.

The Stay and Play package goes on sale Oct. 13 through January 2, for travel to Orlando from Jan. 2 through June 19.

Guests who pay at least $114 per adult per night at one of the three on-site hotels -- Portofino Bay, Hard Rock Hotel or Royal Pacific Resort -- get seven consecutive days of admission to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure.

Regular admission to the parks is $51.95, for a savings of $363.65 per person.

Hofmann said Universal has had discounts for hotel and theme-park admission in the past "but this is the biggest, by far. As far as we know, our guests won't find a value like this anywhere."

Universal does not disclose park attendance or hotel occupancy levels, Hofmann said, but she described both as good and improving.

Occupancy at the three hotels, she said, has been running at least 10 percentage points better than most hotels in Central Florida, and the parks "have had a good summer, and we expect a good fall."

Other theme parks, including Walt Disney World, have offered a blizzard of different types of discounts in the past year, with more likely to come. Industry analysts have said the theme-park industry in general is not only dealing with the ongoing weak national economy but also increasing signs of maturity, or saturation, that could put continued pressure on revenue.

Hofmann said Universal is using the Stay and Play package as a way to attract visitors who have never been to Universal's parks, chock full of new rides in recent years, or have not been in a while. "We're trying to get people to take notice and come here," Hofmann said, and the promotion coincides to some extent with next spring's planned opening of Universal's new Mummy ride.

[LRTJS]

I really like Universal but 7 consecutive days might be a little too much. :dazed

[wdwspider]

Thing I don't get... if you only book 4 nights, you cannot use 7 days in the first place. I agree though... even at an ultra leisure trip to only Universal parks I could only see 4 days as the max you would need to stay to do everything and eat most everywhere. Typically I find two days plenty. :p