1 Night @ Universal for FOLP

[higgy66]

We're thinking about booking in at a Universal hotel to take advantage of the FOLP's.

Can somebody advise the best way of going about this and who I book with?? Also are there just 2 hotels - Hard Rock and Royal Pacific?

It would be for October 2012 and we would be flexible with which ever night worked out the cheapest.

We found Disney much busier this October and had to make use of Fast Passes much more so thought staying in a Universal hotel for 1 night would be a great way to see Universal for the first time with the girls

How does the FOLP work - is it for ALL rides or just the headliners. The girls are not that sure about the bigger rides so not 100% sure they would do the "big ones" anyway so dojn't want it to be a waste of time getting them, however if it's for all rides that would be a bonus as usually when they do a ride for the first time and it's a hit they want to go straight back on!

Any suggestions/help would be very much appreciated

Many thanks

 

[wayneg]

There are 3 hotels http://www.universalorlando.com/Hotels/Three-World-Class-Hotels.aspx
Most people book direct but don't rule out other sites, a deal can show anywhere. Main benefit for booking direct os flexibilty, if you see a lower rate you can get it applied to your reservation, usually using an agent you are tied to your original price (but not always)
1 night is always the most expensive way to go, just looked for a random date next Oct it showed cheapest room $254 + tax, stay 3 nights and it comes down to $228 + tax/nt
We went into Universal & IOA Wednesday last week, most rides were walk on ie Hulk, Mummy, Spiderman was 10 mins. Busy in WWoHP, staying in a Uni hotel would get you in there early but you need to be at the gate for opening to be of any benefit.

We have stayed onsite for 3 nights in August when really busy, many love FOTL but we didn't think it was worth the money, Oct I certainly wouldn't pay it.

It gets you to FOTL for many things but not everything, list here
Universal Studios Florida•Universal Horror Make-Up Show
•TERMINATOR 2®: 3-D
•Animal Actors on LocationSM
•A Day In The Park with Barney™
•Woody Woodpecker's Nuthouse Coaster®
•E.T. Adventure®
•MEN IN BLACK ™ Alien Attack™
•Beetlejuice's Graveyard Revue™
•JAWS®
•TWISTER…Ride It Out®
•Revenge of the Mummy®
•Shrek 4-D™
•Factor Live
•Disaster!SM A Major Motion Picture Ride...Starring YOU
•The Simpsons Ride™
Universal's Islands of Adventure

•The Cat In The Hat™
•One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish™
•Caro-Seuss-el™
•Poseidon's Fury®
•The Eighth Voyage of Sindbad®
•Dragon Challenge™
•Jurassic Park River Adventure®
•Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls®
•Popeye & Bluto's Bilge-Rat Barges®
•The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man®
•Doctor Doom's Fearfall®
•Storm Force Accelatron®
•Incredible Hulk Coaster®
•Flight of the Hippogriff™

 

[ChipnDaleRule]

We stayed at Royal Pacific last year in June and took full advantage of the FOTLP and it was well worth it. Saying that though in October I'm not so sure it will be as busy as it was for us in June. The biggest queues were for The Hulk, Harry Potter, The Mummy, Spiderman and Ripsaw Falls, the other ride wait times were fine.

If memory serves me correctly you can buy FOTL passes without staying at one of the hotels but it only entitles you to one go on each ride.
Wait time at Universal/IOA are nowhere near as bad as Disney.

 

[Cyrano]

We have stayed at both the Hard Rock Hotel and Royal Pacific and would always aim for a stay at Universal hotels. Mind you we go in July and the room rate is cheaper than paying for express passes.

Good think about your room key which gives you FOTL is that it is valid for two days for a 1 night stay.
Therefore aim to get to your hotel early. We got there at 7.15am Your room will most probably not be ready but you can leave bags with bell services. You will get your room keys which have your names on them and can get straight to WWoHP for opening

 

[dixonsontour]

We did universal and I of Adventure over 3 days this half term. Thought it was fine, very manageable. Harry potter area was very busy - all the people in I of A were in there! - walked on spiderman, jurassic park.

Suess landing was quiet all day - we spent a few hours in there one afternoon - all rides walk on or five min wait. DD went on each several times.

 

[General Panic]

Stayed at all 3. My fav is the Potifino but it makes no difference which of the 3 you use to get the FOLP. Royal Pacific we stayed at last year which is the cheapest of the 3 and an easy walk to the parks or short boat ride.

We usually go in September or early October and TBH most of the rides are not that busy to make the pass really useful. We stay there for the convenince of the location more than anything else. Saying that we do use the pass where ever possible

Unless it's changed since last year the only main ride not available on the pass is the big Harry Potter one , Forbidden Forrest.

Edit. Saying it's not available on the HP ride was a nuisence as even if the parks not too busy that ride always was. The other benefit with staying on site is you get early access to Islands from 8am so thats the time to jump on that ride a couple of times or do Olivanders Wand shop as it is much quieter for that hour.

 

[wayneg]

Unless it's changed since last year the only main ride not available on the pass is the big Harry Potter one , Forbidden Forrest.

Also Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, not sure if any more.

 

[higgy66]

Thanks for the info - I think I'll price up one night to gain 2 days FOLP and see what it comes out at.

As we're not bothering hiring a car we thought we would only have 1 return taxi to get rather than 2 if we visited on 2 occasions so this will also offset against the room cost


Feeling a bit happier about crowds for October half term now that some of you have mentioned they're not too bad.