Universal Discounts

[zoemurr]

Right now there is the 3rd day/4th night free promotion with travel until 6/30. We are plannig to go the very end of August. I realize there may not be a promo over the summer, but last Aug is not usually considered peak time.

Any idea when a promotion for those dates would come out? I assume if I book now they will change it if it goes down?

Thanks!

 

[Metro West]

Right now there is the 3rd day/4th night free promotion with travel until 6/30. We are plannig to go the very end of August. I realize there may not be a promo over the summer, but last Aug is not usually considered peak time.

Any idea when a promotion for those dates would come out? I assume if I book now they will change it if it goes down?

Thanks!

This belongs on the Universal resorts board...moving there now.

 

[dvcdisney]

I wish this included the onsite resorts.

 

[Lynne G]

Right now there is the 3rd day/4th night free promotion with travel until 6/30. We are plannig to go the very end of August. I realize there may not be a promo over the summer, but last Aug is not usually considered peak time.

Any idea when a promotion for those dates would come out? I assume if I book now they will change it if it goes down?

Thanks!

I think they are still running the SMSM promotion - the more nights you stay, the better the discount. AP rates will pop up for that time of month too. We always vacation at the end of August. Portofino 2 years ago, and last year, the RPH. Liked both hotels. First year, I used the SMSM promo, second time, the AP. Yep, I bought the AP, and with the discount on the rooms and the discounts in the stores/restaurants, it financially was almost the same if I had bought a ticket and used the SMSM code.

You can always put in the code APH to see if any AP rates are there, and then do the math. Only 1 AP is needed to get the rate.

Also, yes, you can always call and get a better rate change. I first reserved with the SMSM last year, but then when I saw the AP rates, did the math, I called and they changed the rate. The hotels seem really good with ajdustments. You can also call them and ask them what discounts they have. They will tell you.

With the opening of Transformers this summer, I am not sure how the crowds will be this end of August. We found the best way to see how crowded USO is expecting, is to see when the park is closing. If early (other when closing for a private function) the less crowded USO is expecting. We thought the crowds were managable the last 2 ends of August.

I hope you have a great vacation whatever you decide. My kids are at an age that thrill rides are what we enjoy, so we enjoy 3 or 4 days to lounge and stroll through the USO parks. With the hotel's express pass, my kids so enjoy riding Spiderman over and over and over, and just being able to stand in a shorter line most of the time. Plus, early entry to IOA for Harry Potterland and pool hopping at the other hotels. We always stay onsite.

 

[zoemurr]

I think they are still running the SMSM promotion - the more nights you stay, the better the discount. AP rates will pop up for that time of month too. We always vacation at the end of August. Portofino 2 years ago, and last year, the RPH. Liked both hotels. First year, I used the SMSM promo, second time, the AP. Yep, I bought the AP, and with the discount on the rooms and the discounts in the stores/restaurants, it financially was almost the same if I had bought a ticket and used the SMSM code.

You can always put in the code APH to see if any AP rates are there, and then do the math. Only 1 AP is needed to get the rate.

Also, yes, you can always call and get a better rate change. I first reserved with the SMSM last year, but then when I saw the AP rates, did the math, I called and they changed the rate. The hotels seem really good with ajdustments. You can also call them and ask them what discounts they have. They will tell you.

With the opening of Transformers this summer, I am not sure how the crowds will be this end of August. We found the best way to see how crowded USO is expecting, is to see when the park is closing. If early (other when closing for a private function) the less crowded USO is expecting. We thought the crowds were managable the last 2 ends of August.

I hope you have a great vacation whatever you decide. My kids are at an age that thrill rides are what we enjoy, so we enjoy 3 or 4 days to lounge and stroll through the USO parks. With the hotel's express pass, my kids so enjoy riding Spiderman over and over and over, and just being able to stand in a shorter line most of the time. Plus, early entry to IOA for Harry Potterland and pool hopping at the other hotels. We always stay onsite.

My TA did call for me and I think all we got was a small AAA discount. The nights/day free promo ends 6/30.

We are going on a Dis Cruise on the 25th and wanted to go to Universal for a few days ahead. DD is a HP nut. We want to stay onsite mainly for the FOTL perk. I don't think the schedule for hours were out for Aug either. Because of the cruise we are not flexible with dates, so we'll make it work.

 

[Lynne G]

My TA did call for me and I think all we got was a small AAA discount. The nights/day free promo ends 6/30.

We are going on a Dis Cruise on the 25th and wanted to go to Universal for a few days ahead. DD is a HP nut. We want to stay onsite mainly for the FOTL perk. I don't think the schedule for hours were out for Aug either. Because of the cruise we are not flexible with dates, so we'll make it work.

Zoemurr,
Not sure why you would say it ends in june. Just checked their website here: http://www.loewshotels.com/en/specials/promotions/stayandsave2. It says the promotion is good as follows, and is in effect until the end of the year:

Choose from the dates below - Save 30%*:
January 1 – February 14, 2013;
April 21 - June 6, 2013
August 18 - October 3, 2013
November 11 - December 19, 2013

Stay 3 nights – save up to 10%
Stay 4 nights – save up to 20%
Stay 5 & 6 nights – save up to 25%
Stay 7 nights – save up to 30%

So unless you are not staying 3 nights or more, you should be able to get this rate. I would call the hotel directly. I have found their staff very helpful.

 

[damo]

Zoemurr,
Not sure why you would say it ends in june. Just checked their website here: http://www.loewshotels.com/en/specials/promotions/stayandsave2. It says the promotion is good as follows, and is in effect until the end of the year:

Choose from the dates below - Save 30%*:
January 1 – February 14, 2013;
April 21 - June 6, 2013
August 18 - October 3, 2013
November 11 - December 19, 2013

Stay 3 nights – save up to 10%
Stay 4 nights – save up to 20%
Stay 5 & 6 nights – save up to 25%
Stay 7 nights – save up to 30%

So unless you are not staying 3 nights or more, you should be able to get this rate. I would call the hotel directly. I have found their staff very helpful.

I think the OP must be referring to this offsite special...

http://www.universalorlando.com/Vacation-Packages/nf/Family-Vacation-Package.aspx That is the only stay 3 get one night free special that there is.

OP, there is no onsite special that is stay 3 get one night free. I have never seen an onsite special where you stay 3 nights and get 1 free. There are just the stay more save more deals which probably work out to be a stay 3 get one free but aren't advertised as such. You should be able to get quite a good rate for the end of August.

 

[zoemurr]

I think the OP must be referring to this offsite special...

http://www.universalorlando.com/Vacation-Packages/nf/Family-Vacation-Package.aspx That is the only stay 3 get one night free special that there is.

OP, there is no onsite special that is stay 3 get one night free. I have never seen an onsite special where you stay 3 nights and get 1 free. There are just the stay more save more deals which probably work out to be a stay 3 get one free but aren't advertised as such. You should be able to get quite a good rate for the end of August.

Disney is so much easier.. I understand how that all works. Totally new to this.. Yes, that must be what I saw.

PPs.. should I try to book a "package" or just do the room/tix separately? We really want the FOTL pass. I got $210 a night on the Universal site, but $187 for the same nights on the Lowe's website. I tried calling the hotel but their lines were down.

 

[damo]

Disney is so much easier.. I understand how that all works. Totally new to this.. Yes, that must be what I saw.

PPs.. should I try to book a "package" or just do the room/tix separately? We really want the FOTL pass. I got $210 a night on the Universal site, but $187 for the same nights on the Lowe's website. I tried calling the hotel but their lines were down.

We don't recommend a package. There are so many hassles with charges for changes and whatever. Do the room and tix separately. Get tickets from undercovertourist.com

You can book your hotel directly online here... http://www.loewshotels.com/en/booking/uo?hotel=UEPBH,UEHRH,UERPR but you can only get AAA rates by calling the reservation line. Just keep calling...it is a toll free number!!!!

Please just ask if you have any questions. We are more than willing to help you with every step!!! What are your exact dates?

If you stay for 4 nights, your rate drops by about $30/night.

 

[zoemurr]

We don't recommend a package. There are so many hassles with charges for changes and whatever. Do the room and tix separately. Get tickets from undercovertourist.com

You can book your hotel directly online here... http://www.loewshotels.com/en/booking/uo?hotel=UEPBH,UEHRH,UERPR but you can only get AAA rates by calling the reservation line. Just keep calling...it is a toll free number!!!!

Please just ask if you have any questions. We are more than willing to help you with every step!!! What are your exact dates?

If you stay for 4 nights, your rate drops by about $30/night.

I got through.. looks like AAA is cheapest at $187.. we are going 8/21-8/25.. not sure if we want 2 or 3 day tix or hoppers.. would really like to go to Discovery Cove for a day.

 

[damo]

I got through.. looks like AAA is cheapest at $187.. we are going 8/21-8/25.. not sure if we want 2 or 3 day tix or hoppers.. would really like to go to Discovery Cove for a day.

$187 is a good price. You have to remember that you can easily walk to the parks and you get early admission and unlimited express. That is huge and really cuts down on your wasted time.

I'd get 3 day hoppers. Even if you have a couple of half days, you can really do a lot at the parks with your express access.

 

[bumbershoot]

I got through.. looks like AAA is cheapest at $187.. we are going 8/21-8/25.. not sure if we want 2 or 3 day tix or hoppers.. would really like to go to Discovery Cove for a day.

FWIW, I get 187.20 base rate for Royal Pacific (standard view, king or 2 queen, room) when I go to the website given in this thread. It doesn't seem that that's a AAA rate, but a Stay More Save More rate.

And it really is a good rate IMO.

Before I became an annual passholder, I bought tickets from places like Maple Leaf Tickets and UnderCoverTickets for a discount.

 

[motraveler]

I've been playing around with Loew's website to check prices and it seems a little quirky, but I'm sure its just me. I have a family of 5 (2A, 3C) and I entered the dates of 4/24-4/29 and want to stay at HRH or PBH. I could get the APH rate to show...but everytime I enter SMSM it tells me the promotion isn't valid or there are no rooms. I've tried changing dates and tried it for a family of 4 b/c I know its sometimes hard to find rooms to accomodate 5 but no go. What exacly do I put in to see SMSM rates? Do I choose "Best Rate" or "promotion" in the drop down box?
Thanks for any help!
Julie

 

[damo]

I've been playing around with Loew's website to check prices and it seems a little quirky, but I'm sure its just me. I have a family of 5 (2A, 3C) and I entered the dates of 4/24-4/29 and want to stay at HRH or PBH. I could get the APH rate to show...but everytime I enter SMSM it tells me the promotion isn't valid or there are no rooms. I've tried changing dates and tried it for a family of 4 b/c I know its sometimes hard to find rooms to accomodate 5 but no go. What exacly do I put in to see SMSM rates? Do I choose "Best Rate" or "promotion" in the drop down box?
Thanks for any help!
Julie

SMSM comes up automatically if it is available. You don't enter anything in the code for it.

 

[motraveler]

Thanks! When I look at the rates during that time SMSM is showing up..I figured it was something stupid I was doing. thanks for your help!

 

[HarleyGirl514]

FWIW, I get 187.20 base rate for Royal Pacific (standard view, king or 2 queen, room) when I go to the website given in this thread. It doesn't seem that that's a AAA rate, but a Stay More Save More rate.

And it really is a good rate IMO.

Before I became an annual passholder, I bought tickets from places like Maple Leaf Tickets and UnderCoverTickets for a discount.

Is that rate just for the dates in August that were mentioned? I went on to check for my dates of 6/17-6/22 and the rate was $237. I would MUCH rather pay $187!! I have to get two rooms, so that would make a huge difference! Am I doing something wrong? If getting a AAA membership would save us some money I would do that!

 

[zoemurr]

Is that rate just for the dates in August that were mentioned? I went on to check for my dates of 6/17-6/22 and the rate was $237. I would MUCH rather pay $187!! I have to get two rooms, so that would make a huge difference! Am I doing something wrong? If getting a AAA membership would save us some money I would do that!

Those are mid-week rates for the end of August..

 

[1andrea]

Great thread! I'm looking for a one night stay mid week towards the end of August on maybe the 21st or 22nd. We have an annual pass but when we type in APH the rate stays the same at $234 for Royal Pacific Resirt. Can anyone tell me when the annual pass rates are usually released please?

Thanks
Andrea :0)