From 24.129.76.174 on June 14, 2010 at 11:09 AM
That is awesome.

From Nick Dakuginow on June 14, 2010 at 11:10 AM
That truly is awesome, hundreds of free Universal Studios tickets, wow.

From Domenik Jost on June 14, 2010 at 12:31 PM
Wow what a deal Universal had back then. Did they have more money then too?

Universal did announce their 20th Anniversary via Twitter for sure and usually what appears on their Twitter is also on Facebook. So it hasn't been totally forgotten about.

From Anthony Murphy on June 14, 2010 at 4:02 PM
Great Story! They get better and better!

An intersting note: Disneyland Cast Members (or Cast Members who go to Company D) get a reduced price ticket to USH. Interesting that competitors will give discounts to each other! Of course, CA is a whole different animal than their FL cousin!

As for annnouncements, I really think Disney dropped the ball (no pun intended) on EPCOT's 25th

From Robert Niles on June 14, 2010 at 4:13 PM
I missed the USF announcement, then.

Lew Wasserman was still alive back then, when Universal Studios Florida was owned by MCA and Rank Organisation (before Universal went through its Vivendi, uh, adventure on its way to NBC and before Blackstone Group emerged and obtained Rank's assets). But I doubt that Universal had much more money then - the park had just opened and had little income.

No, Universal needed a bold move to save face and win back some customers. Giving out free tickets didn't cost them any cash up front and probably ended up exposing the park to some fresh customers in the long run, thanks to people like me handing out free tickets left and right!

From Frank Forrester on June 14, 2010 at 4:55 PM
I was able to go to the park in 1991 and a few more times in the the 1990s. I went once in 92, 94, 97, 98 & 99. In 1992 they were offering a second day free good for after 5pm. I believe they also offered a second day free in 1994 and 8n 1998 they offered a 2nd day free. I still have my used tickets from 1991, 1992 including the second day ticket, 1998 & 1999.

From 24.90.249.214 on June 14, 2010 at 6:21 PM
Cool storey I have a story like that. I am a carnival fanatic! if a carnival is in town I MUST GO no matter how busey I am. THe shopping mall by me does a good size one every year. I go everyday and by the second year I knew everyone and Everyone knew me who was working their. If i would hit it on a good day FREE tickets from the booth and FREE cotton candy. Even if I hit it on a bad day I still got free rides. I even know the game operators and I get free games! This story reminded me of this!

From duncan henny on June 15, 2010 at 5:21 AM
wow i still have 4 tickets somewhere didnt think i could still use them il need to find them probably not use them though

From James Koehl on June 16, 2010 at 2:58 AM
Back in the mid-70's (yes, I'm old) Geauga Lake Amusement Park gave away free admission tickets in newspapers in our area. We are about 2-3 hours away from Geuaga Lake and had never been there, but the free tickets inspired us to make a road trip. We gathered a handful of these free tickets, more than the of us needed, and when we got there we passed them out to families we saw approaching the front gate. We made sure that they had small children because we figured that they could use the extra cash. It was interesting to see the reaction of people- mostly disbelief, a few actually refused them, thinking it was some kind of trick. The tickets were honored at the gate with no questions, and we had a great time (and several other families found themselves with plenty of extra cash).
Now if only Cedar Point would do that!

From Susan Jackson on June 16, 2010 at 6:27 PM
I remember going to school every day at Dr Phillips (across the street) and watching USF being built. After it was built, after school was a great time to go over to the park. I don't ever remember having to pay to get in, so I am thinking that I was using those free tickets that were handed out for my high school career.