1st Family Vacation-NEED experienced advice on hotel

[MOMandSONvacation]

All,

I am planning the first ever family vacation for me and my 9 year old son. I've spent countless hours researching, and reading these forums. I could likely swing (after a generous Christmas bonus) a 7 night stay at the Royal Pacific. But it really is very expensive. I am looking to stay Tuesday, October 16th through Tuesday, October 23rd. The best average room rate I can find right now is $182 for a basic room. Staying elsewhere sounds appealing, as I am a single parent with one income. I want this vacation to be something my son remembers forever.

Since we are going in October, is the fast pass benefit from staying onsite still worth the added cost? What is the average wait time for rides still? I am also hoping to spend some time at Lego Land, a day at Wet N Wild, and another day at Discovery Cove. Would it be wise to stay a few nights at Royal Pacific, and then elsewhere the balance?

I deeply appreciate any feedback anybody can provide.

 

[JessicaR]

Look into an annual pass. You are staying a week. This will save you lots of $ on your hotel rate (APH) as well as food and merchandise in the parks and citywalk. My rate at RPR is $144 a night with the AP rate.

 

[Jenny3]

From my understanding (and I'm still learning!) October/November are slower times to go. So an Express Pass may be a waste of money and not really needed. The only thing that may change that is the HHN at Universal, but that might just be in the evening..?

Depending on what you're looking for in a hotel, I've heard nice things about Hilton Orlando if you want more of a resort experience with things to do at the hotel. Price wise, that may be comparable to Royal Pacific though.

We are most likely going to book The Pointe Orlando Resort for our trip. Its a mile from Universal and across the street from Wet & Wild. Everything else is accessible by the I-Ride Trolley. They have a Fall deal going on right now where you can get a 1 bedroom suite for $89/night. Reviews seem pretty good as well.

 

[disneyred]

Look into an annual pass. You are staying a week. This will save you lots of $ on your hotel rate (APH) as well as food and merchandise in the parks and citywalk. My rate at RPR is $144 a night with the AP rate.

where did you buy your AP?? do you have a link to this .. I could read up on?

 

[pixeegrl]

where did you buy your AP?? do you have a link to this .. I could read up on?

Here is a link to the Non resident annual pass, http://www.universalorlando.com/Theme-Park-Tickets/Annual-Passes/Non-FL-Annual-Passes.aspx

 

[disneywithfive]

Sometimes we go on the weekend (Friday and Saturday). We arrive on Thursday and leave Sunday. Recently, we will only stay at an onsite hotel Friday night. There are five of us so it can get expensive fast. But we love the FOTL benefit. Can't comment on the crowds in Oct. to tell you if staying onsite for the FOTL benefits is something you must do but we love RPH and have to spend at least one night there on a short trip. If it were me, I'd group the visits to the other locations together and stay offsite but go onsite when you go to UO and IOA. Having quick access to your hotel is great.

 

[Nickarooney]

I am a single mother of a son, too, and I highly recommend staying onsite for two or three nights if you can swing it. I took my son on his first Uni vacation at 11 (he's a little fella and it was the first year he was finally tall enough to ride the coasters ). We've been both when it was not very crowded (a week before WWoHP opened...most people moved their vacations to after the opening) and when it was slammed (Christmas) and it still makes a difference even in the slower times as to your overall experience. The ability to walk back and forth from your hotel whenever you want and to loop around and ride favorite rides over and over will make it a memorable vacation - or at least it did for us.

2 nights at a Universal hotel gets you 3 days of Express Pass and that really is time to have a great experience, then you can move offsite to go to the other places you want to visit.

Hope you have as much fun and make as many as good memories as my son and I did!

 

[bumbershoot]

Before deciding to buy the AP, make sure there's an AP rate for your dates.

Check here to see all 3 hotels at once. Put APH into the code box to check for AP rates. It will show the lowest rate, so if the AP rate isn't there, then there is no AP rate for those dates *at that time*. Check back!

You can book at one rate now, then if a lower rate comes up, you can change it.

Only after booking the AP rate should you buy the AP, if hotel rates are your only reason to buy the AP.

 

[mlamanna1701]

Before deciding to buy the AP, make sure there's an AP rate for your dates.

Check here to see all 3 hotels at once. Put APH into the code box to check for AP rates. It will show the lowest rate, so if the AP rate isn't there, then there is no AP rate for those dates *at that time*. Check back!

You can book at one rate now, then if a lower rate comes up, you can change it.

Only after booking the AP rate should you buy the AP, if hotel rates are your only reason to buy the AP.

I just looked up APH rates and they are higher than if I booked using the stay more save more discount. Is that to be expected?

 

[pixeegrl]

Sometimes if you have a longer stay stay the SMSM rate will be your best bet

 

[mlamanna1701]

Sometimes if you have a longer stay stay the SMSM rate will be your best bet

Thanks. This is good to know. I will definitely look into this before considering the annual pass. If the SMSM discount is better, then it probably wouldn't pay for me to get the Preferred Pass. If I got an annual pass, I would stick with the basic--the Power Pass. Are the other discounts offered with the Preferred Pass worth it to get if the pass is not used for a room discount? I am probably staying 5 nights.

By the way, does anyone know whether Universal offers 5-day tickets? I only see a 4-day ticket or the annual pass.

 

[KristinFromMN]

If I did stay on-site at Universal for a night or two, how do I easily transfer hotels? Any thoughts?

 

[macraven]

probably taxi or private car service from the UO hotels to an offsite hotel.

 

[bumbershoot]

Thanks. This is good to know. I will definitely look into this before considering the annual pass. If the SMSM discount is better, then it probably wouldn't pay for me to get the Preferred Pass. If I got an annual pass, I would stick with the basic--the Power Pass. Are the other discounts offered with the Preferred Pass worth it to get if the pass is not used for a room discount? I am probably staying 5 nights.

I mentioned before to keep on checking, just in case the AP rate comes up later. Book whatever shows up for you and you can afford now, if you choose, because you can change it later IF the AP rate shows up.

The Preferred pass gives you discounts on food and merchandise, which is a nice bonus. The Power pass doesn't give discounts, as far as I know.

 

[macraven]

correct.
no discounts with the power pass.

 

[mlamanna1701]

I mentioned before to keep on checking, just in case the AP rate comes up later. Book whatever shows up for you and you can afford now, if you choose, because you can change it later IF the AP rate shows up.
.

I have not called Universal yet. I didn't even think about reserving now and changing it later. I know that you can add a promotion to your reservation with WDW If one comes out. I did not even think I could do the same at Universal. Is this for any promotion that is offered (including the SMSM discount) or only the AP discount?

Thanks.

 

[pixeegrl]

yes, good for any

 

[mlamanna1701]

yes, good for any

Thanks. I saw this morning there is a SMSM discount at the HRH. It is only 10%, but it is better than nothing. Can you offer any advice whether it is better to book the room-only directly with the hotel or call general reservations to book a room-only and/or book a package. I will most like be purchasing an annual power pass, unless a room discount is offered and then I will get the Preferred Pass. I will be staying for 5 nights and do not see a 5-day pass being offered; a 4-day pass is the maximum # of days I am seeing. If I book a room-only with the hotel and a package comes out, can I switch to a package? I am not sure whether the packages are worth it and whether you are limited to the number of park days or whether an annual pass can be added to a package. I have never been to Universal and this is all new to me. Thanks for any advice and information you can provide.

 

[pixeegrl]

Most of us do not recommend purchasing a package. It is generally NOT cheaper and there are fees associated with any changes you want to make. This is my favorite site for checking prices on all three onsite hotels at once. For your dates you can get a standard room at RPR for only $177. I know you mentioned the HRH but it's nearly $100 more a night. Don't forget you are allowed to pool hop Don't remember if I posted this either but here is a great site for viewing all the hotel photos http://www.oyster.com/search/?qa=+location:universal-orlando-orlando-295 your cheapest place if you decide to just purchase 4 day tickets will be here http://www.undercovertourist.com/orlando/attractions/tickets.html?pid=savings in case you decide to not get the AP

 

[mlamanna1701]

Most of us do not recommend purchasing a package. It is generally NOT cheaper and there are fees associated with any changes you want to make. This is my favorite site for checking prices on all three onsite hotels at once. For your dates you can get a standard room at RPR for only $177. I know you mentioned the HRH but it's nearly $100 more a night. Don't forget you are allowed to pool hop Don't remember if I posted this either but here is a great site for viewing all the hotel photos http://www.oyster.com/search/?qa=+location:universal-orlando-orlando-295 your cheapest place if you decide to just purchase 4 day tickets will be here http://www.undercovertourist.com/orlando/attractions/tickets.html?pid=savings in case you decide to not get the AP

Thanks. I would want tickets for 5 days, so I think my best option would be to get the annual pass. Do you know if Universal offers a 5-day?

I just checked out www.oyster.com for the photos. Thank you very much for this site. The pictures are great. I have been looking for detailed pictures like this. I don't know if it is just the angle of the pictures, b ut the std room at the RPH does not seem so much smaller than the std room at the HRH. I personnally prefer the furniture and decor of the HRH, but the price at the RPH is nice. I will have to show the pictures to my wife and see what her thoughts are. Thanks again for the websites and all the information.