Universal Orlando Price Increases (General)

[Rhian]

The rate in which the price increased is a tad head spinning. I think there was some even within a year or so once they realized how popular it was.

 

[Mad Dog]

Insane, but in-line with the inflation of real beer in the parks.

Unfortunately, theme and regional coaster parks live on a much higher inflation index than just about everything else. Hence, a major reason that most theme and regional coaster parks attendance is down from the 2017/2018 period. Greed seems to begat more greed.

 

[Jake S]

There's also less sticker shock (well, there was) for expensive food and drink items. Is a $15 beer absurd? Sure. But it's only $15. That's an easier pill to swallow than increasing the price on an already very expensive theme park ticket. I imagine that's at least part of the reason we see food and drink price increases more regularly than other areas.

 

[JohnHammondsCane]

Ya, that may cross my usual 2-3 frozen butterbeers per trip off the list. At some point, gotta put your foot down as a consumer and I've hit that point on Butterbeer. Really good, but $10? Not worth it

 

[Rhian]

Ya, that may cross my usual 2-3 frozen butterbeers per trip off the list. At some point, gotta put your foot down as a consumer and I've hit that point on Butterbeer. Really good, but $10? Not worth it

Ha! I hit that point about 5 years ago. I’ll get Butterbeer as an occasional treat but I’m not chugging them down like I used to.

 

[JohnHammondsCane]

Ha! I hit that point about 5 years ago. I’ll get Butterbeer as an occasional treat but I’m not chugging them down like I used to.

Great point. Seeing that they used to be $3.99 was jarring. Granted, it was 15 years ago, but the cost of ingredients/machines/upkeep hasn't gone up 300%

 

[Jerroddragon]

I like butterbear but you can make it at home pretty easily...so thats what I do

Cream soda is cheap and the other parts are as well, you can spend 10 bucks to make like 8+ at home plus have extra for next time

Edit: I'll say 15-20 bucks depending on where you live with inflation but you can easily keep most of the items for a long time and have butterbear for weeks

 

[Parkscope Joe]

I like butterbear but you can make it at home pretty easily...so thats what I do

Cream soda is cheap and the other parts are as well, you can spend 10 bucks to make like 8+ at home plus have extra for next time

What recipe do you use?

 

[Jerroddragon]

What recipe do you use?

Harry Potter Butterbeer

Our recipe for Harry Potter Butterbeer tastes just like what they sell at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. A no-cook method that is SO easy!

www.favfamilyrecipes.com

That the full list but I just use Butterscotch Topping, Butter Extract, Caramel Extract with cream soda (the generic brand at most Vons or Ralphs)

 

[greendude33]

I've always wondered what are the actual machines used to make and dispense the butterbeer and foam. Are they just modified slushie and soft serve machines? Or were they something bespoke for the butterbeer recipe? Anybody know who produces them?

 

[Mad Dog]

Alene and I always split one, just like we do with Coke at the parks, so the price doesn't seem so extreme to us. An entire drink
is really too much for either of us.......Well, maybe they'll make enough of a profit to put a good E ticket dark ride in USF....or decent raises for the hardworking TM's.......Who am I kidding
...that's profit to go in the Executive management year end bonus pool. If you have eight straight flat revenue quarters for IOA and USF, the bonus money has to come from somewhere.

 

[UNIrd]

#ThanksEpicUniverse

Kidding. That won't stop me from treating myself to a lil Butterbeer. And a lil Butterbeer ice cream. And a lil Butterbeer crepes. And a lil...

 

[fryoj]

There's also less sticker shock (well, there was) for expensive food and drink items. Is a $15 beer absurd? Sure. But it's only $15. That's an easier pill to swallow than increasing the price on an already very expensive theme park ticket. I imagine that's at least part of the reason we see food and drink price increases more regularly than other areas.

No one looks at the food and bev prices when booking a trip. And once you are there....