Is 5 for 3 really a good deal??

[Miniefan]

I have only been to Universal once, last year using the 7 day consecutive ticket, but we stayed at a Disney hotel. We had a good time and would like to go back so when I saw the 5/3 deal they were advertising I thought that it sounded like a good deal. I started checking into it further and after doing the math, realized that there wasn't much of a real savings for us. AAA is offering a seasonal pass for 96.95 plus tax and after figuring the price of that ticket for 4 and off site hotel the price was still cheaper than the price they quoted for a 7 day ticket and the same hotel. Am I missing something? I also noticed that the Universal hotels were starting out at 1100 or something like that but having never priced or stayed there not sure if that was a good deal either. Any thoughts??

Thanks
Kim

 

[ky07]

I have only been to Universal once, last year using the 7 day consecutive ticket, but we stayed at a Disney hotel. We had a good time and would like to go back so when I saw the 5/3 deal they were advertising I thought that it sounded like a good deal. I started checking into it further and after doing the math, realized that there wasn't much of a real savings for us. AAA is offering a seasonal pass for 96.95 plus tax and after figuring the price of that ticket for 4 and off site hotel the price was still cheaper than the price they quoted for a 7 day ticket and the same hotel. Am I missing something? I also noticed that the Universal hotels were starting out at 1100 or something like that but having never priced or stayed there not sure if that was a good deal either. Any thoughts??

Thanks
Kim

I stil think its a good deal cause not only do you get a cheaper rate on the hotels which can run from $238 to $369 and plus you get the unlimited front of the line passes so with that I think its a good deal

 

[Miniefan]

I stil think its a good deal cause not only do you get a cheaper rate on the hotels which can run from $238 to $369 and plus you get the unlimited front of the line passes so with that I think its a good deal

How much is FOTL pass?

I would not be able to spend the $200-300 on a Uni hotel, so we were looking at the offsite hotels but it ended up being cheaper priced out with us purchasing the seasonal passes and hotel instead of the 5/3 deal.

with the 5/3 deal we were getting Hampton Inn and 7 day consecutive pass for 838.53

For the same hotel and seasonal passes is 798.02.- Then we have the seasonal pass to use for our Dec trip too!

You can't get fotl when staying at offsite unless you buy it right?

Kim

 

[Bluer101]

Would help to know your dates of travel and how many people and ages.

 

[Miniefan]

4/1/09 thru 4/6/09 2 adults and 2 kids ages 11, 8

The seasonal passes thru AAA are just 96.95 for adults and kids.

Kim

 

[damo]

April is spring break time with big crowds. You can purchase FOTL but it only gives you express ride access to each ride ONCE per day. The express passes vary in price while you are there with the midweek ones being $30 each. That is $120 extra minimum each day that you would pay if you chose to purchse them. So at least $600 in passes to ride each ride once.

IMHO, it is better to stay onsite. You save so much time from being able to walk everywhere and not wait in line that you can spend a lot of great relaxing time at the beautiful resorts. The other thing to remember is that the hotels are all deluxe hotels.

 

[Bluer101]

4/1/09 thru 4/6/09 2 adults and 2 kids ages 11, 8

The seasonal passes thru AAA are just 96.95 for adults and kids.

Kim

I think the seasonal pass is the annual power pass and has blackout dates. These are the blackout dates for that pass.


2009 Dates: 2010 Dates:
January 1 January 1-2
April 5-12 (9:00am-5:00pm on the 11th)
June 28-July 5
December 20-31

So if thats what the pass is then 5-6 you cannot go to the parks. Thats is spring break week for Universal. Expensive, crowded week and would be worth staying onsite but it is expensive. The 5 for 3 deal is a good deal but maybe not that week.

 

[Miniefan]

I think the seasonal pass is the annual power pass and has blackout dates. These are the blackout dates for that pass.


2009 Dates: 2010 Dates:
January 1 January 1-2
April 5-12 (9:00am-5:00pm on the 11th)
June 28-July 5
December 20-31

So if thats what the pass is then 5-6 you cannot go to the parks. Thats is spring break week for Universal. Expensive, crowded week and would be worth staying onsite but it is expensive. The 5 for 3 deal is a good deal but maybe not that week.

I knew about the black out dates, I was planning on doing a few days at Disney too, but I was really not sure about the dates. We have only been to Universal the one time and are not really up to speed on the crowded times there (I'm guessing probably around the same times for wdw) But, I did want to buy that ticket because we are doing a large trip at the beginning of December this year and the seasonal pass is good until Dec. 19. I am also thinking of the second weekend in May too.

Thanks
Kim

 

[Metro West]

I am also thinking of the second weekend in May too.

Thanks
Kim

I think you would be wise to go in May because the crowds aren't that big then...nothing like spring break week.

 

[Bluer101]

I knew about the black out dates, I was planning on doing a few days at Disney too, but I was really not sure about the dates. We have only been to Universal the one time and are not really up to speed on the crowded times there (I'm guessing probably around the same times for wdw) But, I did want to buy that ticket because we are doing a large trip at the beginning of December this year and the seasonal pass is good until Dec. 19. I am also thinking of the second weekend in May too.

Thanks
Kim

The hotel is probally alot cheaper too then.

 

[GuestServicesMonkey]

the seasonal pass and the AAA pass that runs through dec19 are NOT power passes. They are like power passes that do not include parking but they have more blackout dates. The pass running thru dec19 includes a full 1 and 1/2 month blackout period in the summer. A quick seach online did not yield these blackout dates, just be forewarned.

And the funny of the day I saw on my search on the AAA website:

Guests will use a newly created bridge to walk between Lost Continent and Jurassic Park. The Flying Unicorn attraction, the Enchanted Oak restaurant and The Dragon`s Keep store are temporarily closed. Dueling Dragons will remain open.

This is a picture of the Enchanted Oak restaurant before being 'temporarily" closed.

This is a picture of the Enchanted Oak restaurant right now!

Just closed it down for a dab of paint and a retile.

 

[donaldduck352]

the seasonal pass and the AAA pass that runs through dec19 are NOT power passes. They are like power passes that do not include parking but they have more blackout dates. The pass running thru dec19 includes a full 1 and 1/2 month blackout period in the summer. A quick seach online did not yield these blackout dates, just be forewarned.

And the funny of the day I saw on my search on the AAA website:


This is a picture of the Enchanted Oak restaurant before being 'temporarily" closed.

This is a picture of the Enchanted Oak restaurant right now!

Just closed it down for a dab of paint and a retile.

Tho's pictures hurt

!!!!

 

[Miniefan]

the seasonal pass and the AAA pass that runs through dec19 are NOT power passes. They are like power passes that do not include parking but they have more blackout dates. The pass running thru dec19 includes a full 1 and 1/2 month blackout period in the summer. A quick seach online did not yield these blackout dates, just be forewarned.

And the funny of the day I saw on my search on the AAA website:


This is a picture of the Enchanted Oak restaurant before being 'temporarily" closed.

This is a picture of the Enchanted Oak restaurant right now!

Just closed it down for a dab of paint and a retile.

Is this restaurant closed for good? I think this is where we ate when we went there last May. They served ribs and chicken with baked potatoes right? It was good, I hope they are just refurbing.

And, about those blackout dates during the summer, that is ok, we usually don't travel to Orlando during the summer.

Kim

 

[ky07]

Is this restaurant closed for good? I think this is where we ate when we went there last May. They served ribs and chicken with baked potatoes right? It was good, I hope they are just refurbing.

And, about those blackout dates during the summer, that is ok, we usually don't travel to Orlando during the summer.

Kim

Yes it was and as you can see by the last pic it was torn down completly to make way for Harry Potter

 

[Metro West]

Is this restaurant closed for good? I think this is where we ate when we went there last May. They served ribs and chicken with baked potatoes right? It was good, I hope they are just refurbing.

Nope...it's gone forever.