AAA rates and more rooms opening up

[goheels81]

Okay, I haven't seen this addressed. I have been looking at three days/two nights at Universal for this July after a cruise. I am a AAA member. We have two adults and three teenagers, and I have been checking the rates the past few months. I was actually ready to book today, and the only on-site hotel now available with AAA rates is Portofino Bay. I had decided on the Hard Rock, since I will be bringing a 15-year-old and two 17-year-olds. I called AAA, and she said she doubted if any more rooms would open up with the lower AAA rates. But I went ahead and reserved the PBH, and the AAA TA said she would check daily to see if, indeed, any more rooms at the HRH become available with the AAA discount.

My question is, has anyone else been in this situation, and, if so, have you been able to eventually get your first choice on-site hotel with AAA rates?

Thanks!
Pam

 

[PavelB]

Just about this time last year I found we could take a july vacation to Orlando. We decided to try a universal hotel for the first time.
At first I could not get a AAA or Entertainment rate. I was upset. After trying several times I first got a AAA rate and then later got an even better Entertainment rate. (- I don't think there are any Ent rates this year.)
I wish I had gotten an annual pass last year. This year I am going earlier in July! The AAA rate is still much higher than I paid last year. I am hoping that an APH rate becomes available.
Good luck! I can't wait to go - July seems so far away!

 

[hapandpam]

When I started looking at early July rates (5-8) back in October, AAA were available for all 3 resorts. (HRH was available with AAA for $237 w/o tax, and RPR at $210 w/o tax.) As an AP holder, I was hoping for an APH rate, but after several months of checking I became worried that they would never be released and I booked the RPR in January at the AAA rate ($234 inc. tax.). By this time the AAA rate for HRH had disappeared.

In early February, an APH rate became available at RPR, about $1.00 more per night than AAA. I changed my reservation (so I could use my APH and not have to join AAA). HRH still wasn't available with either discount.

On March 3, I was checking the website and there was an APH rate available for the HRH- $237/night (AAA also became available). I called and cancelled my PRP reservation and booked the HRH.

My advice, keeping checking the rates daily. They do seem to come and go and perhaps you will be able to get HRH with a AAA rate. I would do this myself, and not rely on my TA. Your discount could become available on a day he/she isn't working. Hope this helps.

 

[goheels81]

Thanks for the replies. My AAA TA said she would check daily, but I also am checking. I figured we need a deluxe room since there are five of us (can't afford two rooms, as we are taking a week-long Carnival cruise before this visit), and the AAA rate for the deluxe room at PBH is currently less than the regular room rate (with no discount) at HRH. If we end up keeping the PBH room, will it be okay with the teenagers? I am concerned about some other posts that said the PBH is showing wear and tear. When you're paying over $250 a night for a bloody hotel room, it should be in decent shape.
Pam

 

[tortoni]

You should definitely keep checking, especially as you get closer to July. We often go in July or early August and usually get a good rate. Try the AP rate and call both Universal and Loews--sometimes they have different rates. Can't comment on the HR rooms, we stay at PB and love the Deluxe Rooms overlooking the quiet pool. Make sure you get a Loews card, too.

 

[goheels81]

From reading in the Universal Orlando book I bought, it seems like the PBH Deluxe room will be the best bet for us, mainly because the room is larger than those at HRH and Royal Pacific. Tortoni, are all Deluxe rooms in the Villa Wing or are they also in the west and east wings, too? I've read here that the West wing is closer to beach pool and water taxi, so I was going to request that if there are Deluxe rooms in that wing.
BTW, I did sign up for the Loews card.
Thanks,
Pam

 

[jennat]

Could you give me an example of a room rate with the entertainment book? I know it says half price but is it literally half ....for example....if the website says 324.00 and AAA says 183.00 is it 162.00.....or close? If so, it seems it would be worth buying the book (or I know you can pay for a month and download coupons). Any info would be great.

Also, why are there no more AAA rates...I have never heard of that and it is freakin' me out We are going in Sept...do you think we need to worry?

 

[grumpyandbashful]

Just booked it today for my DH and DS! Rates are still higher than I'd like to pay, though - $234.82 with tax for a standard room !! Asked about AP rate and it was the same, and was available. Will keep calling to see if by chance an Entertainment rate room opens up??..
AAA rate for a GV HRH room for the same time was $264.92 after tax !

 

[goheels81]

I read somewhere else on this board that Universal is no longer affiliated with the Entertainment Book.

I just checked the AAA site, and it still shows only discounted rooms for PBH. Our dates are July 16-18. I think I will just keep the PBH deluxe room, though, since we will have three teenagers with us, and the deluxe room is 600 square feet, while the deluxe roome at HRH is only 400 square feet.

 

[macraven]

yes that is true.
i called and was told that the three hotels have pulled out of the entertainment program. they no longer need that promo as the rooms stay pretty booked up.
i loved those rates.......$125 for hrh !!!
too bad those days are now long gone.

 

[mcefalo]

I just got back from Orlando last week after staying at the HRH for 3 nights. While there we visited the PBH and the RPR in the evening. While I only saw the outside I would think the PBH would be a very nice place to stay if I had older kids. Especially if they are females. I thought that there were alot of younger kids at HRH - alot of very young kids in the hot tubs. When we visited PBH there was this nice quiet pool (actually no one was there at that time since it was a chilly night) and they had these really nice thick cushions on those chairs. They also seemed like they had a few more shops. If I had the money I think I would stay at this resort.

 

[goheels81]

Thanks for the replies. I have a 15-year-old son, 17-year-old daughter and her 17-year-old friend. We have decided to keep the PBH room for the size and the theme (we've been to Italy twice and love the idea of a little piece of Italy in the middle of a theme park!). I think we will enjoy it very much -- can't wait for July! Now if I could just decide what to do at the ports during our cruise...
Pam

 

[Katy]

We got 4 nights - Garden View for $183.00 (without tax). It was cheaper than the APH discount $206.00 (without tax). We're pretty happy with this rate. We're going the end of August.