getting around minimum stay?

2vets

Addicted since 1971

Joined

Dec 28, 2001

• Aug 27, 2015

• #1

Hi, all -

I have not been to Universal in years. We will be in the area for a conference in November, and we want to add 2 days/nights (Sat and Sun, leaving Monday) onto our trip for some quick rides and fun. I have stayed at PBR, HRH, and RPR and greatly prefer PBR - but it seems that because our stay overlaps a Sat night, staying there is not an option unless I also stay Friday night. RPR is an option, but I am not a fan.

Is there a way to get around the 3 day min stay requirement, even if I book a nicer room?

Thanks much in advance!

 

HMANSION LOVER

PIN TRADER

Joined

Oct 26, 2012

• Aug 27, 2015

• #2

I am no expert but I believe NO! From what I have read here on the DIS, and please anyone who is absolutely sure correct me please, Universal has instituted this policy because of the popularity of HHN. Everyone wants to come for the party so they are going to use this opportunity to make you spend more at the hotels. Like it, don't like it but I assure you those hotels will be full.

 

damo

Proud Redhead

Joined

Jan 1, 2001

• Aug 27, 2015

• #3

Can't get around it. You'll be charged if you leave early.

 

M

macraven

Proud Redhead

Moderator

Joined

Apr 21, 2003

• Aug 28, 2015

• #4

if your plans are for sat oct 31 and sun nov 1st, yes, you'll need to include friday in order to get that saturday / sunday booked.

when hhn is over, it will not be an issue to book a sat/sun stay onsite.

 

R

RMulieri

DIS Veteran

Joined

Jul 5, 2001

• Aug 28, 2015

• #5

No way to get around it this time of year.They do it because of the popularity of HHN .

 

2vets

Addicted since 1971

Joined

Dec 28, 2001

• Aug 28, 2015

• #6

All,

Actually, our visit would start the week after HHN is over - Nov 7-9. Perhaps they are anticipating people for the entire week that aren't departing until Sunday the 8th, or perhaps it was easier for them to keep the policy in effect indefinitely or through the holidays. Who knows? And I don't blame them for doing this during HHN, when I would fully anticipate things being full and insane (probably far more congested now than the times I went over a decade ago), so don't get me wrong.

All that said, I was able to book the 2 nights we wanted, but only by going through United Vacations - odd, as this wasn't available via Universal, Orbitz, Cheap Tix, Priceline, etc. But I am deposited, and it seems like a valid reservation. I just had to add an extra day to our park tickets - darn, I guess that means I'll have to hop at least one ride in during the hour before closing on the 7th .

Really looking forward to seeing all the changes - especially Harry Potter! I may have to re-read some of the books before we go.

Many thanks for your replies.

 

HM

My tag from the Tag Fairy is now too long to use.

Joined

Mar 8, 2001

• Aug 28, 2015

• #7

Glad you found a solution.
That is weird about the dates though.

 

2vets

Addicted since 1971

Joined

Dec 28, 2001

• Aug 28, 2015

• #8

And I am super-paranoid, because I just found a trip advisor review in which a man says that a HRH reservation booked via Jet Blue was not in the system when he arrived. I just looked on United Vacations, and the dates are coming up as unavailable. I wonder if mine was a mistake? Fine - if it can be honored. But I had better check it out later today.

 

damo

Proud Redhead

Joined

Jan 1, 2001

• Aug 28, 2015

• #9

You can call the hotel and ask if your reservation is there.


It may not be that there is a minimum. It may just be that the hotel is booked. Generally, the minimum holds true for all the hotels I tried adding the Monday and still couldn't get the HRH. With the Friday, all I could get were rooms on club level.

 

Last edited: Aug 28, 2015

2vets

Addicted since 1971

Joined

Dec 28, 2001

• Aug 28, 2015

• #10

We'd have taken the club level - it wasn't coming up at all. On the united vacations site, our choices were 2 queens standard or king deluxe, and we went for the latter. I am going to see if they send me the e-documents, which should arrive in the next day or so - once I have those, I'll follow up. Anyways, thanks so much to everyone for your replies. I appreciate them!

 

keishashadow

Proud Redhead...yes, I have some bananas!

Joined

Dec 30, 2004

• Aug 28, 2015

• #11

2vets said:

We'd have taken the club level - it wasn't coming up at all. On the united vacations site, our choices were 2 queens standard or king deluxe, and we went for the latter. I am going to see if they send me the e-documents, which should arrive in the next day or so - once I have those, I'll follow up. Anyways, thanks so much to everyone for your replies. I appreciate them!

Click to expand...

That weekend is the Disney half marathon & jersey week, Universal will have their share of split trips or those looking to avoid the congestion.

I had no issue booking a single night reservation two weeks ago. Initially, had the Friday, then switched to Thursday. Keep checking, things change.

 

Last edited: Aug 28, 2015

2vets

Addicted since 1971

Joined

Dec 28, 2001

• Aug 29, 2015

• #12

Well, even though I can't make a HRH reservation for Saturday the 7th without the prior Friday now (even on United Vacations' site), I called Universal, and they confirmed that we are, indeed, booked for Sat and Sunday nights, Nov 7 and 8. Might have been a temporary glitch, but it seems to have resulted in a real reservation. Thanks to all of you for your replies!

 

rlduvall

DIS Veteran

Joined

May 7, 2002

• Aug 31, 2015

• #13

I almost had this issue with an early December trip. I only need the night of 12/5 and was just holding off because I thought it wouldn't be an issue. When I finally checked about a month ago, I initially wasn't able to get only 1 night, but 2 nights was available almost everywhere. I seriously don't know how it happened, but all of a sudden 1 night came up at RPR with an AP rate and I grabbed it. Since then no availability anywhere for just the 1 night, but add a 2nd or 3rd night and available greatly increases.