Preferred pass & hotel benefits

Toddhart · Aug 4, 2015

Hi, everyone. First post here. Went to Universal for the first time recently and loved it, especially the innovative rides and '90s nostalgia factor (Terminator 2 & Twister!). Would like to take the family again next summer. As Virginia residents, we really can't go all that often.

My question is, can anyone tell me if it would decisively be worth getting one preferred annual pass (and then four, say, three-day passes through Undercover Tourist) for the hotel benefits? We would like to stay at one of the deluxe on-site hotels for proximity and Express Pass benefits, but those hotels ain't cheap.

I couldn't just go with a Power Pass because we'd likely be limited to blackout dates for our visit. Additionally, it would be very probable that we only make it to the park once within the life of the annual pass.

Thanks in advance for your advice!

damo · Aug 4, 2015

You can always update one of the tickets from UT to an annual pass if you find an annual pass rate that makes it worth your while. Use the code APH to check. Rates won't be out yet for next summer but you can check the date and rate thread for this year to see what kind of discounts were gotten.

People are also getting great rates through hotels.com and cheaptickets.com when they come out with the discount codes.

Lynne G · Aug 4, 2015

You can always do the math. Use the APH code in the website of the hotels or ask for the annual passholder discounted rate if calling the hotel directly. Sometimes the APH rate is good, but sometimes the stay more, save more, that is available to all, is a better rate. Also, check Orbitz and Cheaptickets when they have bonus rates, as they can be the lowest price at times. Generally, the APH rate doesn't come out until a few months or later, so if you don't see it, try looking for it a little later, or if all sold out at that rate, you won't see the APH rate. You don't need an annual pass to book the hotel. I'd have it ready to present sometime during your stay. Sometimes they ask, sometimes not, but I'd have it at the time you are there, so you don't get charged the going rate.

And in summer, the hotels are not cheap, as it's high season. However, all 3 are very nice hotels, and depending on your party, having the unlimited express pass from the day you check in through the day you check out is a great perk. Plus walking or taking a boat to the parks in a few minutes is awesome. And, if staying several days, you can send purchases back to your room, and they'll be in your room a little later that day.

If you'd like to save money, spend most of your time at Cabana Bay, at least there you get early entry, and still a close hotel. Maybe do a split stay, with some night(s) at the 3 hotels on site, and the rest at CB.

I always stay onsite, as I want to be able to straggle back to my hotel in minutes and enjoy the unlimited express pass. When it's hot, it's nice to be able to go back to the hotel to relax or swim, and then refreshed, head to the parks later in the day.

Toddhart · Aug 4, 2015

Thanks for the responses. If one makes reservations at an unremarkable rate and then sees a better deal down the road (Travelocity, etc), what is the procedure? Call the hotel and say "I'm looking at a better deal right now, would you match it?"

damo · Aug 4, 2015

If a better rate comes up on the UO website, just call and they will adjust it. They won't price match third party rates. You can cancel your reservation, though, without any penalty up to 6 days before arrival.

Toddhart · Aug 4, 2015

damo said:
If a better rate comes up on the UO website, just call and they will adjust it. They won't price match third party rates. You can cancel your reservation, though, without any penalty up to 6 days before arrival.

Ah, got it - thanks.

Do you know if Express Passes are included for all members of a party? Say, two adults and three kids?

And (this should be my last question), if we were to stay Sunday night, Monday night, and Tuesday night at the hotel while attending the park Mon-Wed, does that mean we're on our own for buying Express Passes Wednesday at the park, since we checked out of the hotel that morning?

webcreatrix · Aug 4, 2015

You get Express passes for your check-in and check-out days, so you would have it Sunday through Wednesday.

Toddhart · Aug 4, 2015

webcreatrix said:
You get Express passes for your check-in and check-out days, so you would have it Sunday through Wednesday.

Very nice. Thanks!

damo · Aug 5, 2015

Toddhart said:
Ah, got it - thanks.

Do you know if Express Passes are included for all members of a party? Say, two adults and three kids?

And (this should be my last question), if we were to stay Sunday night, Monday night, and Tuesday night at the hotel while attending the park Mon-Wed, does that mean we're on our own for buying Express Passes Wednesday at the park, since we checked out of the hotel that morning?

As long as you don't have more than the room occupancy number of guests in the room, everyone gets express passes for the day they arrive and day they leave and all days in between.

macraven · Aug 6, 2015

hotel guests receive the perk of unlimited usage of the express lines the during their stay and and also on check out day from the hotel.

you stay tuesday night, check out on wednesday, your express photo id card is valid all day wednesday.

Toddhart · Aug 6, 2015

I'm definitely aiming to get the most out of that during my next stay...which unfortunately looks to be 2016.

In the meantime I'll just live vicariously through the posts on this board!

webcreatrix · Aug 7, 2015

Now, I have a related question. Can you use the pools after checkout?

damo · Aug 7, 2015

webcreatrix said:
Now, I have a related question. Can you use the pools after checkout?

Yes.

webcreatrix · Aug 7, 2015

Great, thank you!

Preferred pass & hotel benefits

Toddhart

Earning My Ears

damo

Proud Redhead

Lynne G

DIS Veteran

Toddhart

Earning My Ears

damo

Proud Redhead

Toddhart

Earning My Ears

webcreatrix

DIS Veteran

Toddhart

Earning My Ears

damo

Proud Redhead

macraven

Proud Redhead

Toddhart

Earning My Ears

webcreatrix

DIS Veteran

damo

Proud Redhead

webcreatrix

DIS Veteran

Share this page

DIS NEWS & UPDATES

New DISboards Threads

Latest posts