Good Bye to Onsite at Universal [Archive] - The DIS Discussion Forums

mainelyj

01-10-2005, 12:39 PM

As annual passholders to USF/IOA, we were hoping to get a good room rate for our August trip. I booked at the Royal Pacific for 3 nights, got a rate of $210 (standard) per night. This is the AAA rate. NO AP, Ent or other specials available. However yesterday I booked us for 3 nights at Disney's All Star Sports, for the cost of 1 night at the Royal Pacific. I got a AAA rate.

Plus, they are throwing free pick up and drop off at the airport. I figured we save an additional 4 days of car rental expense. We are having Disney pick us up on our arrival, they will then bring one of us back to MCO to pick up our car (no charge).

We will visit Universal and will miss the front of the line access. But we are good at using FAst Passes and Express Passes and this will be enough for us. :charac2:

If Universal monitors this board, I would like to say boo hoo to them. They should treat their AP holders better than they do now. They are too greedy, when it comes to their hotels. Also, I have noticed on the Loews site recently, that the Orlando hotels are exempt from many special promotions.

That is all I have to say. :earboy2: Donna from Maine

robvia

01-10-2005, 01:59 PM

That free shuttle from MCO to Disney seems to be a hit with getting people away from USF.

I found the same $210 AAA rate for my dates of July 6-8. APH and FLO codes don't do anything. And if I enter my Loews member number it brings up regular rates.

Well, I just called 1-800-BE A STAR and booked a room. The girl on the phone was able to give me the AAA rate of $210 for 2 nights, and enter my Loews number into the computer.

I asked about the entertainment rate, but she said they don't know anything about it.

I'll pay the extra money because we're bringing our Lab with us.

Immelman

01-10-2005, 02:59 PM

I wonder how much of the quation is loews and how much is UO. either way, now that tourism is picking back up, they're in a position and sit back try to make up the 50 some million they lost last year. UO has a finite amount of rooms on property, it's about squeezing every dime you can out of them. abundant AP and FLO codes may be the thing of the past.

gschmerl

01-10-2005, 06:58 PM

I don't really think it's fair to compare a rate at the All Star Resort with the rate at the RPR. RPR is more equivalent to a WDW deluxe hotel. The new service WDW in offering with the airport pick up is GREAT. The fact that they handle all the luggage is wonderful. I wonder how long it will remain free.

Carlnne

01-10-2005, 10:09 PM

We are having Disney pick us up on our arrival, they will then bring one of us back to MCO to pick up our car (no charge).

Great idea- I didnt think of doing that!

I am waiting for HRH but if discounts dont happen we will stay at disney instead of our usual Dis/US split vacation. I wont even mind staying at All Stars- Im glad I didnt buy a Universal AP.

phamton

01-11-2005, 12:44 AM

d4est

01-11-2005, 05:31 AM

There will probably be discounts. Just this week we received information on discounts for January and February for AP holders in our newsletter.

RP for $119
HR for $139
PBH for $149

Just because there are no discounts offered right now for August doesn't mean there won't be any. Even WDW doesn't have their AP codes for August yet.
Did that newsletter give you dates for Feb? Cause we are going week of 2/19 and I can't get AP rates to show up. Only seasonal rate of 234 for RPR. If I put in 2/23-2/28, I get an AP rate of 210.60. Not even close to what I was hoping.

Right now I am paying rack for 2/21 and paying 198.90 (stay four or more days, save up to 25%) for 2/22-2/26. This is the "best" they have to offer! I want to see something closer to what you posted (119).

magicmouse2

01-11-2005, 05:56 AM

We are having Disney pick us up on our arrival, they will then bring one of us back to MCO to pick up our car (no charge).

How does this benefit you if you have a hire car to collect at MCO...Why not just collect it at the airport when you arrive ?

Dont get me wrong I dont want to sound like I am flaming you, I just think that this service was set up mainly for people who dont venture offsite during their stay at WDW so dont book hire cars. :confused:

damo

01-11-2005, 09:09 AM

Universal is not going to compete with the budget priced hotels at Disney and it isn't fair to expect them to do so. If the deluxe disney hotels were offering rooms for cheaper than Universal with the same perks then there is reason for comparison. Add onto that the price of the Disney AP compared to the Universal AP.

phamton

01-11-2005, 11:07 AM

Did that newsletter give you dates for Feb? Cause we are going week of 2/19 and I can't get AP rates to show up. Only seasonal rate of 234 for RPR. If I put in 2/23-2/28, I get an AP rate of 210.60. Not even close to what I was hoping.

Right now I am paying rack for 2/21 and paying 198.90 (stay four or more days, save up to 25%) for 2/22-2/26. This is the "best" they have to offer! I want to see something closer to what you posted (119).

The dates are Jan. 9-Feb.17 and include a complimentary room upgrade.

Beanie

01-11-2005, 12:09 PM

I agree with everyone who is staying you can't compare the two. I have stayed at All-stars before and to be honest, I wouldn't stay there again, but that is my opinion. I would rather pay a little more money and stay at Portofino Bay or Royal Pacific, but we are all Universal Nuts now, so Disney is 2nd to anything else! LOL

mainelyj

01-11-2005, 12:51 PM

We are in florida for 12 days. Hence we need to rent a car for 12 days. By staying at Disney for the first 4 days of our trip, we save on car rental while we are there.

Of note, I like National and this board has literally saved us hundreds of dollars on our vacations. National is onsite at Disney and disney would bring us there for free too. But it costs almost $50 more to pick up there and return at MCO. VS picking up at MCO and dropping off at MCO.

Yes, the All Star Sports does not compare at all the Univeral hotels. However, don't we all just sleep, shower and nap in our rooms? Luxury is nice, but you usually have to pay for it. I have enjoyed or stays at the RPR and HRH - usually we stay club level too. I am just asking for the AP benefit. They should not wait until last minute to release these rates in hopes of filling up empty rooms.

I will be watch prices between now and August, and yes they may go down, or they may not.

It used to be that the early bird gets the worm, or something like that. But not any more. I like to preplan as much as ahead of time.

I guess I will take my $500 in savings to spend elsewhere. I am sorry I am not willing to give it too Loews, at this point in time.

Donna in Maine

mar915

01-11-2005, 09:20 PM

I agree the Disney hotels of Mod or value don't compare to the Universal ( at least hard rock where I stayed). That is why we are going 7 night to Disney at the Dolphin or Caribbean Beach Resort and then switching to HRH for 3 nights. I have little kids so it is great not to wait in line, but they get more out of Disney at there age, Universal for us big kids. The transportatin is great at Disney to airport but you do have to cover the cost to Universal.

We figured it is good since we don't get a car, take free transp. from Disney then a cab to HRH and back to the airport.

MAry

Immelman

01-11-2005, 10:50 PM

mainelyj makes a very good point. I can understand having an AP and having to sweat out rates. what's the point of planning and budgeting for a trip?

Bonnie40

01-12-2005, 10:23 PM

I'm also foregoing our usual 2 night minimum stay at RPR this March and extending our stay at POR at Disney. We will go to Universal for the day. Like many other people, I can't justify the cost!

SnowWitch

01-13-2005, 03:27 PM

We have stayed at all of US/IOA resorts and although the RPR is nice and on both trips we stayed club level- I would compare the room size to a moderate or WL. The HRH and the PBR are very much comparable to the Disney deluxes. With that being said we own at DVC and stay in one and two bedrooms and personally I would not pay rack rate for any of Loews choices. And with the possibililty of FOTL access being suspended or limited during your stay with no notification.....Sorry, nope!

We purchased AP's last year with the hope of returning this summer. But with the rates looking like they are its unlikely we will return- we got 6 days off the AP's last year so no money lost. My kids could go and go and go to IOA and ride coasters the whole time but my DH and I have no ago tired of the 2 park offerings. That being said Disney is starting to get dull also. You can only go so much! :guilty: And when perks go or get scaled back due to what ever reason then my $$ will go somewhere else.

loribell

01-13-2005, 09:10 PM

Plus, they are throwing free pick up and drop off at the airport. I figured we save an additional 4 days of car rental expense. We are having Disney pick us up on our arrival, they will then bring one of us back to MCO to pick up our car (no charge).

Donna you don't have to go back to the airport to get a rental car. You can pick one up at a couple of onsite hotels at Disney. I believe the Alamo location is either the Swan or Dolphin and you can get a car from Dollar at one of the Downtown Disney area hotels (the Courtyard I think). And if you rent from those locations you can return it at the airport for no additional charge.

Hope this helps some,
Lori

P.S. I too am upset about the Universal hotels rates and what seems to be an extreme lack of discounts. I was considering getting AP's but no way if they aren't going to give AP holders better rates than other guests. Combine that with the fact that they started limiting FOL during peak periods and there is no way I'm willing to pay those rates. Who knows if they are going to decide the first part of June is busy enough to limit it.

NUHuskies#1

01-14-2005, 04:59 PM

I have to say, I've been looking at this thread for a couple of days and am really starting to agree with the consensus. Right now we have ressies at our beloved HRH for two nights in August, then on to BCV for five days as we are DVC members. But I think I will be canceling and rebooking at an All Stars for three nights and just traveling over to UO/IOA and getting some express passes. We are APHs at UO but so far there are no discounts like last year when we bought them. The costs over at Universal for room rates as well as dining just doesn't compare to the money I would save by staying over at Disney and buying some express passes and eating at the food court.

Sorry UO and Loews- you just lost over $500 of my money!

cool1guy1me

01-14-2005, 06:28 PM

We are going in June and had planned to split our visit between WDW and UO (like the past 2 trips) but there is 6 of us and we would need 2 rooms at UO. We are staying in a 2 bdrm villa at OKW for 4 nights. I refuse to pay more for 2 rooms at RPH for 3 nights than the villa for 4 nights, so no UO this trip if there are no deals by March or April. We will add the last 3 nights at WDW.

TaurusSES_Sport

01-14-2005, 11:29 PM

There is a "FREE" shuttle from MCO to Disney??? We always pay for MEARS! Please tell me what im missing?

Immelman

01-14-2005, 11:37 PM

there is now. disney's 'magical express'. it's brand new in 05.

Cass

01-14-2005, 11:42 PM

you should get 10 nights at an allstar for every one night you give up at a Universal resort :) they cannot compare.

TaurusSES_Sport

01-14-2005, 11:55 PM

there is now. disney's 'magical express'. it's brand new in 05.

I thought that didn't start until May 5th...?

http://sev.prnewswire.com/entertainment/20041228/FLTU00728122004-1.html

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/041228/fltu007_1.html

klfrech

01-15-2005, 08:45 AM

I couldn't agree more!! Universal is going to lose alot of business because their onsite hotels are too expensive. I will definitely be staying offsite this trip, but, having never done that before, I need to know the ins and outs of still having FOLT using express passes. Can anyone fill me in? Any other tips (will be staying at Disney also and traveling to US) will be greatly appreciated!

Immelman

01-15-2005, 09:21 AM

I thought that didn't start until May 5th...?
]

my bad, I didn't know they were timing that with the rest of the 50th celebration. that's pretty stupid, IMHO.

Immelman

01-15-2005, 09:31 AM

Universal is going to lose alot of business because their onsite hotels are too expensive. I will definitely be staying offsite this trip, but, having never done that before, I need to know the ins and outs of still having FOLT using express passes. Can anyone fill me in? Any other tips (will be staying at Disney also and traveling to US) will be greatly appreciated!

UO's resorts are not expensive when you factor in you're staying in at least a AAA 4 diamond resort, with the FOTL as an added perk. they're obviously doing something right, when you look at how disney is responding with their new resort perks. during peak times at WDW, whatever park is open late is still going to be mobbed. how many resort rooms does disney have compared to UO? :D

as far as the express passes, they work much like a fastpass. swipe your ticket, pick your time, and return during that one hour window.

NUHuskies#1

01-15-2005, 12:51 PM

you should get 10 nights at an allstar for every one night you give up at a Universal resort :) they cannot compare.

Don't need ten nights at the All Star, as we have a 2 brd Villa at BC booked for five nights the second leg of the trip through DVC. To me, THAT is no comparison to the HRH. Why would I need TWO deluxe resorts when I can save ton of cash by staying over WDW for a couple of nights and driving over to UO/IOA and buying an express pass?

EEyorelover22

01-15-2005, 03:02 PM

They seem to be filling up even at full price. I tried for 2 dates in June at HRH and there were no rooms available. The room I have booked at HRH is the same price as a poolview at AKL. I'm pretty sure though that I will get a code for AKL...I'm thinking I won't for HRH at this point though.

MickeyMagic

01-15-2005, 09:24 PM

Well, I'm jumping on the bandwagon! A couple years ago, we were attracted to USO by the buy one year, get one free AP deal. We were able to reserve rooms at the onsite resorts for a decent price using our APs or ENT cards. So we split our vacations between Disney and Universal, even though we are Disney Vacation club members. It was working well, UNTIL NOW!!

We have a couple trips planned to Orlando before our USO AP's expire in Auguts. We had every intent of renewing them, but unless something changes, we'll probably let them lapse. I was hoping to get an AP rate for RPR or HRH and split our stay between Disney and Universal in March and again in June. Now, besides the high price of onsite accomodations at USO, I need to factor in the fact that I can get free transfers to/from Disney. I think Disney is winning the race!!

Furthermore, we feel we won't enjoy USO without the FOTL benefits that we have come to love, so we might skip USO altogether!! I do not like this new method of releasing AP rates at the last minute. I need to have my plans finalized long before that!!

Oh well, it was fun while it lasted. Our vacations may actually be more relaxing if we don't try to split them up. So it may turn into a good thing.

Bonnie40

01-15-2005, 10:19 PM

I think that the fact that the resorts are showing full is not quite accurate. I think alot of people have made reservations at rack rate and are waiting to see if better rates appear. UO is going to find that alot of people cancel their reservations when nothing better appears! Empty rooms and last minute deals for those who can take advantage of them. We will visit UO for the day, but Disney's got the room and I can't believe that's how it's turned out!

themepark

01-15-2005, 10:37 PM

Our APs expire in August and I honestly don't know if we will make it back. If we do and the rates stay as high as they are, we will only book one night to get FOTL for 2 days. UO will be losing alot of my business as we do EVERYTHING onsite (eat all meals, souvenirs, etc..) when we stay at RPR for 4-5 days. In Orlando, I can get a 3* hotel which suits our needs on Priceline for $32-$40 a night or a 4* for $60-$75. We LOVE Universal and really enjoy staying at RPR but cannot afford to pay double what we paid last year to stay there.

gschmerl

01-15-2005, 10:39 PM

Disney.
Furthermore, we feel we won't enjoy USO without the FOTL benefits that we have come to love, so we might skip USO altogether!!.
If you can still enjoy WDW using FastPass, then you can still enjoy Universl using the Express Pass machines. I know I wait WAY longer in lines at WDW than I do at Universal.

FeeFeeWhite

01-16-2005, 02:11 PM

The best thing I see happening is that USO will probably start to feel these DW changes and adjust their pricing also. Wow I can't wait to start getting those Loew's deals like we used to see!

mainelyj

01-16-2005, 07:25 PM

Thanks for the comment from Lori about renting onsite at Disney for a car rental vs going back to the airport to rent our car. However, at this time, to rent a car on the same day and same time and picking up onsite Disney cost about $30 more - go figure, this is for the same rental company. I will continue to watch prices, as we all know, these decrease as you get closer to our trip.

Thanks though. Any more insight would be appreciated.

Donna in Maine

Mainebound

01-17-2005, 07:58 AM

The best thing I see happening is that USO will probably start to feel these DW changes and adjust their pricing also. Wow I can't wait to start getting those Loew's deals like we used to see!
I can only hope you are right. For sure, the changes at WDw had the effect of taking us offsite at Universal (Wilderness Lodge was $800 cheaper than Hard Rock with my AP rate for two rooms), cutting our planned days at USF from 5 to 2, and extending our planned days at WDW from 5 to 7.

DisneyMomx7

01-17-2005, 10:01 AM

Count us in as one of the people who will probably be cancelling our HRH reservations. We have APs for Disney and with the AAA rate of $336 per night it would simply be cheaper for add more Disney nights on than to pay that price and pay for the tickets. Originally we thought we would buy APs for US also this year but there doesn't seem to be any incentive. I don't think we would do US/IOA without FOTL access in July so Universal will not only lose the hotel money also all the souveniers and restaurants. I hope they will turn around for next year. I really like the HRH too, it seems a shame.

NUHuskies#1

01-17-2005, 02:16 PM

I did it! Cut my HRH ressies from 2 nights to 1 night (still 2 days FOTL) and added 3 nights at WDW. Considering the cost it is to stay onsite at UO/IOA with food and souveniers it was just way too much. We had those 1/2 price GCs for Citywalk Restaurants last year, which helped out considerably and the way things are going, I just don't see Universal being the good deal that WDW is this year. I added 3 nights at the ASM, 3 days of dining (which a portion of can be used for character dining each day) and 5 days of WDW parks for about $1400 for the five of us. The other nights will be spent at our DVC.

d4est

01-19-2005, 05:08 AM

What is ASM?

Motherfletcher

01-19-2005, 06:22 AM

All Star Music? Another shoddy motel? :rolleyes:

robvia

01-19-2005, 07:39 AM

I'd rent the car from the airport for the entire stay. The convience of having it is really nice in terms of freedom. I wouldn't cancel the visit to IOA/USF just because of the FOTL. Instead, you wake up early on those mornings, get to the parking garage by 8am, take a lap, then go back to Disney for the evening.

As to USF turning it around for next year, they need to build that 4th hotel next to the RPR, and make it a budget property like the All Star resorts.

damo

01-19-2005, 09:02 AM

d4est

01-19-2005, 02:25 PM

I don't think a budget hotel should get FOTL. If express passes are being sold for $25+/person, then charging $59/night for a budget hotel would basically be giving away two express passes and getting the hotel for free. I don't like that idea at all. FOTL is worth more than that.
I would prefer to see the RPR quit being a convention hotel and cater only to park guests.
Ok, so $59/night would be too cheap. As it stands, RPR is your best shot, as far as lowest price... but at over $200/night, it is still pretty steep in my book. (I am there 2/21-2/26, rate of 198.90...stay 4 or more nights discount).

Instead of budget, how about moderate? Going for something like $99-150/night and no more??? Would that seem better?? Cause as of now, I don't feel that the rate is great, even with the perk of FOTL.

robvia

01-19-2005, 02:37 PM

ASM is about $109 a night, and that's the rate people used to get a few years ago with the entertainment book. I think anything from $109-$129 is what people are looking for. But I agree, over $200 is making people go back to the All Star resorts where they can save a couple hundred and use it for souvineers and food.

The other thing is the thrill of getting a great rate is gone now that the entertainment rate has vanished. People seemed to get all excited when they booked a room with that rate, like they had won something. Now the only rate that does anything is AAA, and that's only a slight discount.

Rootskate

01-24-2005, 06:09 AM

We had also hoped to stay at one of the Universal resorts for our Honeymoon in May. When it became pretty evident that the AAA price was the best we could do, we ended up booking a moderate at Disney instead. (Much more affordable for us).

markey

01-24-2005, 09:01 AM

We just stayed at Pop Century at WDW in early December for $49 a night. Sure it's no Universal Hotel, have stayed at all three, but with our AP we got free parking at Universal and with the park crowds you did not need FOTL. Only had a 15 minute wait at the Mummy which was the longest. Now we are going again in August and I really hope we can get a good rate because we really want to stay at Universal, but they have to realize there are cheaper places and the people will find ways to work around the high prices.

damo

01-24-2005, 09:17 AM

I wonder how long it will be before Loews feels the backlash of their higher prices?

dgaston

01-24-2005, 10:24 AM

We are staying one night at RPR after our Eastern Cruise. We let DS16 choose an extra day at Cocoa or Universal. He opted for Universal. The AAA rate I've paid for that night is the most I've ever spent on a hotel room ($210 before taxes). We're there at the end of NE Feb vacation, so there just aren't any more discounts available. I have to say I like my AP discounts on food and souvenirs at Universal, and I know we'll have fun on the coasters. This could be our last on-site stay, or we'll just be doing it for one night to get two days of FOTL.

d4est

01-24-2005, 04:31 PM

The AAA rate I've paid for that night is the most I've ever spent on a hotel room ($210 before taxes). We're there at the end of NE Feb vacation, so there just aren't any more discounts available.
I am pretty sure it's not that there "aren't any more discounts available. I don't think the discounts for this time were ever any better. I was quoted 210.60 for APH for 2/22-2/26, the same rate as AAA. This was going back to when AP rates were first available for that time. (RPR)

daywalker

01-24-2005, 05:29 PM

I wonder how long it will be before Loews feels the backlash of their higher prices?

As I posted elsewhere - what makes you think they will feel any backlash?
They must be selling out at the higher rates (people have been reporting they're filling up), therefore they're still filling rooms and those who stay will spend at Universal.
If they stop filling rooms I'm sure you'll see good AP rates again.

Mainebound

01-24-2005, 08:32 PM

I am pretty sure it's not that there "aren't any more discounts available. I don't think the discounts for this time were ever any better. I was quoted 210.60 for APH for 2/22-2/26, the same rate as AAA. This was going back to when AP rates were first available for that time. (RPR)

I don't know about AP rates, but our dates the first week of March 2004 for HRH the rate was $160 via Hotel Kingdom (with Expedia offering a similar rate). This year the rate for those dates in 2005 has been $264 and has not budged. Personally, I cannot bring myself to pay $200 more per night (we need two rooms) to stay in the exact same hotel the exact same week we stayed last year.

Mad4Dizne

01-26-2005, 02:40 PM

We love HRH, we even were able to upgrade to concierge last trip for extra $50/night. We will really miss it if we can't get a good rate. But we will certainly take advantage of the Disney discounts!!!

Aisling

01-29-2005, 07:56 PM

The other thing is the thrill of getting a great rate is gone now that the entertainment rate has vanished.

I've been away from the Universal boards for a while, focusing on Disney, and so am confused about the Ent rate! There's no more Ent rate?? I saved a ton of money a couple of years ago with that rate! I'm planning my 2006 UO trip and I NEED the Ent rate! Someone, please fill me in. When did they stop giving out rate?
Thanks!

tycon07

01-30-2005, 01:03 AM

Well, I would say that if you are looking for the Ent. rate, you will be SOL just like me. I am trying to book Jul 11-14 and so far there are absolutely no rates except for AAA or RAck rate. WIthout the Entertainment rate, I find it quite hard to pay $300 for a room I am in for 8 hours MAX! Supposedly Universal Orlando is still negotiating with Entertainment Inc., but I really think that Loews and Universal are just flat out screwing their prospective customers. They have got to be making about a 75% profit off each night we stay there. I think it is absolutely riduclous. Anyway, hope this helps.....Tyler

I've been away from the Universal boards for a while, focusing on Disney, and so am confused about the Ent rate! There's no more Ent rate?? I saved a ton of money a couple of years ago with that rate! I'm planning my 2006 UO trip and I NEED the Ent rate! Someone, please fill me in. When did they stop giving out rate?
Thanks!

EEyorelover22

01-31-2005, 09:17 PM

I just put in my date for June and it would seem that there are some annual pass rates now, but it's less than $30 off so $237 instead of $264. I'm not familiar enough with the other room rates to know if the other rates for HRH are any good. It's not worth it to buy an annual pass for this rate.