Stupid question? Newbie here? Do they offer packages like Disney??

[vacation_junkie]

We are all Disney'd out!
We are thinking of coming and doing Universal , Sea world and the other stuff non-disney!

We usually book hotel , meal package and such at Disney.

Is there such thing available @ Universal???

thanks for your answers

[damo]

There are but you are better off doing them individually. The meal deal is for counter service only.

[macraven]

compare the packages to what you can set up separately. (room, tickets)
you'll see the difference.

go to the website and then to the hotel sections.
no comparison.

[ready4mouse]

compare the packages to what you can set up separately. (room, tickets)
you'll see the difference.

go to the website and then to the hotel sections.
no comparison.

By "no comparison" do you mean it's cheaper to purchase seperately? I'm hoping to go through AAA and stay at PBH and purchase 1 week tickets. Would there be any advantage to buying a package? If not, I wonder why they even have them!

[damo]

It is cheaper to purchase separately. It is also better because rates change often and you can change your rate right up to 5 days before your trip if you see something cheaper.

There isn't an advantage to buying a package. It is just that some people like to have everything done for them or at one time. Buying separately take some time because you have to do the work yourself and keep track of changing rates and what is the best for you depending on what discounts (AAA, AP, Florida Resident, Supersaver (staying 3 days or more, etc.)

[patster734]

There are instances where packages will be cheaper if brought through an airline's website. I saw this last year when a poster asked if they had a good price that they found through an airline's website. The reason being because airlines will sometimes discount their airfare when purchased with a package. Sometimes, these airline packages will include the hotel discounts normally available only by booking separately, such as the Super Saver Rate.

My advice is to price everything separately: Airline tickets, park tickets (check both AAA and Universal's website), hotel rate (AAA and Super Saver; call to get the best rates) and transportation. Then check the prices of the various packages to compare.

As for meals, as the previous posters mentioned, there is a dining plan but it only incorporates counter service. Soft drinks aren't included in the basic dining plan, but a soft drink plan can be added to the basic plan. My advice is to skip the dining plan because there a many great restaurants you would have to skip, such as Mythos at IOA and Finnegan's at USF. And be sure to have your AAA card with you as AAA discounts are available at many restaurants and stores in both parks as well as at Citywalk.

[SNylund]

I've always just bought the 7 day park hopper tickets for around $100 give or take. And I just book hotels onsite seperately. Usually get the Royal Pacific for around $160 a night give or take.

[ky07]

There are instances where packages will be cheaper if brought through an airline's website. I saw this last year when a poster asked if they had a good price that they found through an airline's website. The reason being because airlines will sometimes discount their airfare when purchased with a package. Sometimes, these airline packages will include the hotel discounts normally available only by booking separately, such as the Super Saver Rate.

My advice is to price everything separately: Airline tickets, park tickets (check both AAA and Universal's website), hotel rate (AAA and Super Saver; call to get the best rates) and transportation. Then check the prices of the various packages to compare.

As for meals, as the previous posters mentioned, there is a dining plan but it only incorporates counter service. Soft drinks aren't included in the basic dining plan, but a soft drink plan can be added to the basic plan. My advice is to skip the dining plan because there a many great restaurants you would have to skip, such as Mythos at IOA and Finnegan's at USF. And be sure to have your AAA card with you as AAA discounts are available at many restaurants and stores in both parks as well as at Citywalk.
Great advise cause thats what I do every year thanks to Mac and the other homies turning me onto it and looking into doing it for next year the same way and keeping my fingers crossed that they will have good deals for onsite hotels :thumbsup2

[macraven]

in over 30 stays at the hotels, i have only booked a UO package once.
it was years ago and beat buying everything separate.

it was a rare find.


you don't have to go thru AAA to book a room.
i book with AAA for the discount myself.

i always ask the TM is any specials are on the horizon or if there is a deal out there being offered that beats AAA room discounts.
The AP rates usually don't drop until closer to my dates on the rooms.
i can use either card for my discount, but have been using the AAA one for years.

they will let you know.
and they will tell you how to modify your room rate.

you can order your tickets from AAA or the UO website.
there is a slight discount from AAA, very slight.

i still suggest you check out the prices yourself and then book each separately.

if you are an employee of NBC, you can also get a room discount for the hotels.

[FloridaFanatic]

Great thread. Does it still hold for this year?

[macraven]

Great thread. Does it still hold for this year?

i'm not sure what you mean.
do you mean the way to book with the best rates that have been mentioned in this thread?

if so, yes, it is always like that.

check out the UO website and go to the hotel section.
you can usually find any promo that is out there currently on it.

[maburke]

What are the AP hotel discounts like? We are planning to go President's weekend in February, so I know the hotels will be crowded, and I already can't get a AAA rate on the Universal website. But I'm thinking about getting AP's so we can pop in for a day or two in May, when we'll be at WDW, and Harry Potter might be open. But if there are no AAA discounts for the holiday weekend, will there be no AP discounts? Is there any way of finding out if it's available before buying the AP?

Thanks!

[francie57]

We book through AAA and find it to be cheaper to do room and tickets separately. We booked a package through them a few years ago and it was much more expensive and the only extra you got was a free picture that they take on some of the rides. You can buy the week tickets through AAA at your local office. At our office here in CT they are $99 including any tax and fees.