AAA Discounts vs. Annual Pass

[disneydeed]

Hi everyone,

We are planning our first on-site Universal vacation and I am trying to decide whether it is worth it to purchase one annual pass. The hotel savings alone will not offset the extra cost of tickets. Are there merchandise/dining discounts that I can get with an annual pass that I cannot get with my AAA card?

Another question: I understand that I can get a 20% discount on Blue Man Group tickets with an annual pass, but I would need to wait to purchase the tickets until I activate my pass. Does BMG sell out? Will there only be not so good seats left? Our trip dates are August 18-22.

Thanks for your help!!

 

[quadaunt]

I also just went to US / IOA for the first time a few weeks ago with my 13yo nephew. I sprang for an AP for the room discount as I did the math and saw that with room, food, and merchandise discounts I was going to break even compared to buying just 2-day/2-park tickets for the two of us. I had already bought our 2-day/2-park tickets at a discount from Undercover Tourist so upgraded the one to an AP during my first day at the parks. I was pleased to find that my discounted ticket was considered full price in Universal's system, so by buying a discounted ticket ahead of time and then having it upgraded gave me a discount on my AP. Since I do plan on returning to US / IOA at least once within the year the decision to upgrade to an AP made even more sense.

I am also a AAA member and was surprised to learn that the AP doesn't afford you any better discount on most things at US / IOA other than a 15% discount on multi-day tickets and, as you said, a discount on Blue Man Group. You can't get the 15% discount on multi-day tickets online, so if you do go the AP route wait until you arrive to purchase your tickets at the kiosk outside the parks. When we were there on June 17 and 18 Blue Man Group tickets were still available for those days (although we didn't attend). Not sure if purchasing Blue Man Group tickets online is the same as reserving a room at one of the Universal onsite hotels in that you only need show your AP when checking in to receive the discounted rate.

 

[damo]

Before you get the AP you need to call hotel reservations and see if the AAA discount is as good as the APH discount and do the math.

 

[disneydeed]

Thanks for the replies. I had already done the math. I just wanted to be sure that I would not be missing out on additional dining and shopping discounts that the AAA card will not provide. I guess I will stick with the Stay more play more rate for my dates.

 

[elgerber]

Before you get the AP you need to call hotel reservations and see if the AAA discount is as good as the APH discount and do the math.

Sorry to hijack this thread, but do you call the hotel to find AAA discounts, or AAA?

Also do you get the ap rate with either the preferred premier ap?

Thanks!

 

[quadaunt]

Before you get the AP you need to call hotel reservations and see if the AAA discount is as good as the APH discount and do the math.

When I was there a few weeks ago the AP discount was $60 less than the AAA discount at the RPR. I know that will vary by season.

 

[quadaunt]

Sorry to hijack this thread, but do you call the hotel to find AAA discounts, or AAA?

The hotel

Also do you get the ap rate with either the preferred premier ap?

Yes

 

[elgerber]

The hotel

Yes

Thank you!