Adding Universal days

[mhochman]

I couldn't decide which forum this would be best placed in...feel free to move if you think it is better somewhere else.

Quick background on our situation: We are DVC member and our annual passes for WDW expire 8/5 and we will not be renewing them this year. The earliest we can arrive to WDW is 7/30. We normally like to stay a little longer, but don't want to buy tickets to extend the stay. We are also planning on a couple of nights at one of the beach resorts after we are done at the parks. Anyway, we are thinking of surprising the kids with our first trip to Universal.We likely won't get back to Universal for a few years, but we also can only spend a maximum of two days. My son is a huge Harry Potter fan, so we obviously want to do all of that. Since we won't be back to Universal any time soon, we want to do as much of the parks as possible. I can use some opinions about the following:

-I know there is a great perk staying on Universal property with which you can skip the lines of all but the HP rides. Since we want to do as much of the rest of the parks as possible, this seems beneficial.

-Budget is a concern. I'm getting quoted 329 a night to stay on US property. That seems like a good rate, but we wouldn't be able to do more than two nights at that rate, and I know we need two full days. I'm wondering if it makes sense to stay on points at our DVC and leave early the next morning (checked out), check in at the universal hotel, spend all of that day in the park using the above mentioned benefit, spending the night at the US hotel, then day two at the other US park. We would likely spend one last night at the universal hotel then head to the beach hotel in the morning.

-To save money, is it realistic to stay at DVC the entire time we are Universal? Driving back and forth doesn't seem overly appealing, though I know it's not terrible. I'd really be more concerned with losing the line skipping benefit.

Anything I'm not thinking of?
Thanks.

 

[thepops]

For the Front of the line benefit, you get it the day you check in and the day you check out, so staying 1 night will get you the 2 days of admission. Also it gets you 1 hour early access (so you can get into the HP stuff early which helps since they are NOT on the front of line benefit.) Your room does not need to be ready, you just need to check in. The newest Universal resort is NOT part of that deal.
We did this last year about the same time, and the FOL pass pricing depends on the estimated crowd levels, and they were about $35/person/day! So we compared the price of the passes for the 5 of us for 2 days vs. the cost staying at the hotel and getting that for free and it was a no brainer. (one might say a better deal than free dining ) Your plan of staying onsite sounds like it might be a good one (depending on how many people are going).

 

[supersnoop]

There's a whole Universal section where you'd probably get better information. http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=8

I believe the new "moderate" resort at Universal still gets early park access, just not the front-of-the-line pass.

 

[mhochman]

There's a whole Universal section where you'd probably get better information. http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=8

I saw the new section. I kept it here because I specifically want DVC members to chime in with their opinion on staying at WDW on points or going to US for the front of the line benefit. I will continue to browse those boards too, however. Thanks!

 

[chalee94]

I saw the new section. I kept it here because I specifically want DVC members to chime in with their opinion on staying at WDW on points or going to US for the front of the line benefit. I will continue to browse those boards too, however. Thanks!

generally, onsite at wdw (including DVC) is only worth the premium to me if i am using disney transportation and taking advantage of disney park perks (like EMH).

but if you'd rather spend the points than cash to stay at wdw and drive to universal, that's not a problem.

i tend to visit orlando at non-peak times, so i usually stay offsite at a marriott or sheraton timeshare...so i'm useless at evaluating the FOTL benefit of a universal onsite stay...

 

[bumbershoot]

-I know there is a great perk staying on Universal property with which you can skip the lines of all but the HP rides. Since we want to do as much of the rest of the parks as possible, this seems beneficial.

-Budget is a concern. I'm getting quoted 329 a night to stay on US property. That seems like a good rate, but we wouldn't be able to do more than two nights at that rate, and I know we need two full days. I'm wondering if it makes sense to stay on points at our DVC and leave early the next morning (checked out), check in at the universal hotel, spend all of that day in the park using the above mentioned benefit, spending the night at the US hotel, then day two at the other US park. We would likely spend one last night at the universal hotel then head to the beach hotel in the morning.

-To save money, is it realistic to stay at DVC the entire time we are Universal? Driving back and forth doesn't seem overly appealing, though I know it's not terrible. I'd really be more concerned with losing the line skipping benefit.

The idea of staying at WDW for a Universal stay makes my family cry. The benefits of staying onsite at one of the Deluxe resorts are just TOO good.

YOu are looking at prices WAY too early. Don't get me wrong; book something if you can handle that rate. But don't book a package and do not book something you cannot change or cancel.

Just stop looking wherever you're looking and go here: http://uo.loewshotels.com/en/booking/uo?hotel=UEPBH,UEHRH,UERPR

Choose the option to look at all 4 resorts, but ignore Cabana Bay because that doesn't get you Unlimited Express Pass . (side note: don't think of it as front of the line. No such thing unless you're on a Wish trip. there can ALWAYS be a line in front of you, because there might be others from the resorts or who bought the limited EPs or UEPs)

It will show you the best option available at the time you're looking at, at the time you're looking.

Right now, for next summer, you're seeing what's available now, but things will change and prices will change as time goes on. So book there, and then keep checking back.

Royal Pacific Resort has the smallest rooms, so if you're coming from a villa like OKW that is going to feel very very tiny. I don't recommend going from OKW to RPR. Trust me.

Hard Rock is "cool" but my family personally really didn't like it. The room was very boring, the beds were on rollers and kept coming away from the walls, and the bed was so poorly made from the mattress up DH and I had to strip the bed and re-place the egg crate on the mattress (sad skinny mattress) and padding and everything. And there were sugar ants in the bathroom. Quickly taken care of once we called maintenance, but still, ick.

Portofino Bay is big and lovely and our favorite.

All three are in walking distance if you don't have walking limitations. There are also boats that go from each hotel. (and shuttles, but don't take those; they take you over to the citywalk parking garage, and you might as well just walk from your resort if you're going to do that). Also bike jitneys that work solely for tips.

Pool-hopping between the deluxe resorts is allowed and encouraged.

Getting a room for ONE night, as long as you do the checkin very early, gets you the perks for checkin and checkout days. So you could get two FULL days in the parks, with early entrance and UEP for both days, with just one night there. Or if you stay 2 nights you could get those perks for 3 days if you bought a 3 day ticket.

Express Pass DOES cover Flight of the Hippogriff and Dragon Challenge. So the two proper coasters in Wizarding World are covered. It's Ollivander's wand show, Hogwarts Express (you must have a park to park ticket to ride that, by the way), Forbidden Journey, and Gringott's that aren't covered by Express Pass.

Budget some extra souvenir money. Seriously. They have great stuff. Budget more than you think you should, then add some more.



ETA: don't get a package because it generally isn't going to give you the best total price, you get all the perks like early entry and UEP by booking room-only, and it has limitations and charges on changing things. Booking room-only through Universal allows you to change things around, rebook, put new codes onto the rate if it brings it down. Then you buy your ticket through Universal or undercovertourist or maple leaf tickets, etc etc, whatever yields the best price.

 

[wildforgoofy]

The idea of staying at WDW for a Universal stay makes my family cry. The benefits of staying onsite at one of the Deluxe resorts are just TOO good. YOu are looking at prices WAY too early. Don't get me wrong; book something if you can handle that rate. But don't book a package and do not book something you cannot change or cancel. Just stop looking wherever you're looking and go here: http://uo.loewshotels.com/en/booking/uo?hotel=UEPBH,UEHRH,UERPR Choose the option to look at all 4 resorts, but ignore Cabana Bay because that doesn't get you Unlimited Express Pass . (side note: don't think of it as front of the line. No such thing unless you're on a Wish trip. there can ALWAYS be a line in front of you, because there might be others from the resorts or who bought the limited EPs or UEPs) It will show you the best option available at the time you're looking at, at the time you're looking. Right now, for next summer, you're seeing what's available now, but things will change and prices will change as time goes on. So book there, and then keep checking back. Royal Pacific Resort has the smallest rooms, so if you're coming from a villa like OKW that is going to feel very very tiny. I don't recommend going from OKW to RPR. Trust me. Hard Rock is "cool" but my family personally really didn't like it. The room was very boring, the beds were on rollers and kept coming away from the walls, and the bed was so poorly made from the mattress up DH and I had to strip the bed and re-place the egg crate on the mattress (sad skinny mattress) and padding and everything. And there were sugar ants in the bathroom. Quickly taken care of once we called maintenance, but still, ick. Portofino Bay is big and lovely and our favorite. All three are in walking distance if you don't have walking limitations. There are also boats that go from each hotel. (and shuttles, but don't take those; they take you over to the citywalk parking garage, and you might as well just walk from your resort if you're going to do that). Also bike jitneys that work solely for tips. Pool-hopping between the deluxe resorts is allowed and encouraged. Getting a room for ONE night, as long as you do the checkin very early, gets you the perks for checkin and checkout days. So you could get two FULL days in the parks, with early entrance and UEP for both days, with just one night there. Or if you stay 2 nights you could get those perks for 3 days if you bought a 3 day ticket. Express Pass DOES cover Flight of the Hippogriff and Dragon Challenge. So the two proper coasters in Wizarding World are covered. It's Ollivander's wand show, Hogwarts Express (you must have a park to park ticket to ride that, by the way), Forbidden Journey, and Gringott's that aren't covered by Express Pass. Budget some extra souvenir money. Seriously. They have great stuff. Budget more than you think you should, then add some more. ETA: don't get a package because it generally isn't going to give you the best total price, you get all the perks like early entry and UEP by booking room-only, and it has limitations and charges on changing things. Booking room-only through Universal allows you to change things around, rebook, put new codes onto the rate if it brings it down. Then you buy your ticket through Universal or undercovertourist or maple leaf tickets, etc etc, whatever yields the best price.

Awesome information! We're also planning on hitting US while we're at WDW in May. This just made my planning so much easier!

 

[bumbershoot]

Awesome information! We're also planning on hitting US while we're at WDW in May. This just made my planning so much easier!

I'm very glad to help. We adore Universal.

The instant Universal makes a timeshare that's a deluxe-type resort with the same benefits as current deluxe hotels there, that's the instant before we put our DVC up for sale. We'll happily stay Value or at POR at WDW if we had a timeshare with the same benefits as the hotels at Universal...

 

[wergoin2camouse]

Buy one AP for universal to get the AP discount on the room!! Significant savings even on a one nights stay . You can check the rates by using the code APH (can even book with the code , and just show it when you arrive). If the codes are not posted for those dates yet... Just compare a different month. ( they are pretty consistant). AP's at universal are very reasonable too, and you can pay monthly

 

[crisi]

ETA: don't get a package because it generally isn't going to give you the best total price, you get all the perks like early entry and UEP by booking room-only, and it has limitations and charges on changing things. Booking room-only through Universal allows you to change things around, rebook, put new codes onto the rate if it brings it down. Then you buy your ticket through Universal or undercovertourist or maple leaf tickets, etc etc, whatever yields the best price.

The expedia/ebate deal can be pretty good. ebates will run a deal from time to time where they give you some rather large rebate on expedia. That was by far the best deal for tickets last time we went, but I don't know if its active now.

And I wouldn't bother with Universal without FOTL unless I was going at a down time and had plenty of park time. The parks are doable in two days (although with your plan, if you stay two nights and there is a buy two get third day free ticket special - you could head to the beach at 1 or 2 and fit in an extra morning worth of Wizarding.

It can be a bother to change your paper tickets to Universal tickets - plan on the whole ticket thing taking an hour in the morning - you'll need to check in to the hotel, get FOTL passes, then go to guest services in the parks and trade your paper receipts (bring EVERYTHING and the credit card you used to buy them) for tickets. And if you buy through Expedia this needs to be done at the window. Its a pain in the butt compared to Disney.

Note that the Forbidden Journey is motion sickness inducing. In a huge way. Bonine might not be a bad idea.

 

[MinnieGi]

We just did our first ever trip to Universal the weekend before Thanksgiving and then moved onto DVC for our Disney portion. As others have said, staying on-site for FOTL express pass is the way to go!!! My kids who are so used to FP, couldn't believe that we could use the express pass for almost EVERY ride!! LOL!!!

The early entry privilege really was not as useful so I would not bother staying at Cabana Bay. For our weekend since only the Harry Potter stuff at US was open for early entry everyone went to Gringotts and the line got awfully long fast. We found the last hour of the park's hours actually offered the shortest waits. We waited 10 minutes for Gringotts at the end of the day whereas during the day it was an hour and a half and even at early entry the line quickly built and we waited 45 minutes because EVERYONE is going to that one ride as that is all that is open! After we got off the line was 90 minutes. Same with Forbidden Journey waited about 30 minutes right at park opening, we walked on at the end of another day. I will say though especially for FJ, I liked waiting in the 30 minute line because the castle was just wonderful to see the inside!!!!

You will be able to do the parks in two days. We knew the parks were smaller, but we were surprised at how much smaller they are than Disney! With FOTL pass we completed the parks easily with many duplicate rides for favorites in two days. Now having three days did allow us to spend mega time in Diagon Alley which was just amazing for any big HP fan. My DD is a huge fan and she had so much fun in that area. I bought her a wand from Ollivander's and she just loved it and she's 14!! She was like a little kid with it!! But it was so cool to see quite a few adults in HP robes and holding wands too. My DS isn't as big of a HP fan so he didn't really want to spend hours there and DH took him back to the pool at Hard Rock where we were staying and he had a blast there.

So in short I definitely think its worth spending the night at a US hotel. We stayed at Hard Rock and had a very nice visit. The kids loved their pool especially my 10 yo DS. They played pool games and had a ping pong table and bean bag throw that he found a buddy and played. Their other hotels looked really nice too. The walk from Hard Rock was so easy. The whole place is so compact compared to Disney!

Start hanging out on the US/IOA board too, found great info there too.

 

[mhochman]

Thanks for all the great info. Definitely seems like it pays to stay on site at US.

 

[bumbershoot]

It can be a bother to change your paper tickets to Universal tickets - plan on the whole ticket thing taking an hour in the morning - you'll need to check in to the hotel, get FOTL passes, then go to guest services in the parks and trade your paper receipts (bring EVERYTHING and the credit card you used to buy them) for tickets. And if you buy through Expedia this needs to be done at the window. Its a pain in the butt compared to Disney.

Sounds like a pain, that's for sure!

We bought tickets from maple leaf our first trip; an AMAZING deal that was a special thing. They shipped the actual tickets.

Second time I got an AP online for Will Call pickup, and DS and DS got undercovertourist tickets shipped. I looked at the Will Call line and chose the kiosk, hoping it would work. It did. LOVE the kiosks for picking up Will Call stuff, and they have kiosks at the hotels, too.

Hardest thing about checkin was making sure the camera was angled correctly when making our Unlimited Express Pass cards.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Buy one AP for universal to get the AP discount on the room!! Significant savings even on a one nights stay . You can check the rates by using the code APH (can even book with the code , and just show it when you arrive). If the codes are not posted for those dates yet... Just compare a different month. ( they are pretty consistant). AP's at universal are very reasonable too, and you can pay monthly

Thank you for this! I had been looking on their website a few days ago for a link or something for AP holders for room discounts and hadn't had any luck yet. I never had much luck getting the numbers to work to stay at Universal vs using our DVC but the rates I saw now may mean a night there.

OP - I've stayed onsite a couple of times over the years and the front of the line pass is nice but I'd guess it's been 7+ years since we've done that. Otherwise we just stay at WDW and head over from there. We do go at slower times than you are looking at - early Dec and May will be trips we'll do some Universal days and I really haven't regretted not having the FOTL access. But I have the AP and get free parking and the drive really isn't all that much. Just an FYI but the resorts do charge for guest parking at the hotels so plan that in the budget. In your situation, during the summer and being that you don't regularly visit Universal, I'd most likely do the single night stay and take advantage of both days that you'll have the FOTL pass.

bumbershoot - I had some inside information several years ago that Universal at least had an interest in taking a look to see if they could manage some sort of timeshare set up like Disney. With the building of Cabana Bay I'm guessing that they decided against that though. Maybe further down the line?

 

[keishashadow]

I will continue to browse those boards too, however. Thanks[/B]!

Make sure to use the search feature for general questions on the Universal boards. Those boards aren't as active and informative posts tend to roll off quickly but can be easily retrieved.

Save your points and book onsite at Universal. PBH, RPH & HRH are true deluxe resorts. Just make sure to book this component of your trip last or you will find yourself standing in line @ WDW yearning for FOTL perc.

Even when we don't renew our WDW APs, we keep our Universal PAPs (Preferred Annual Passes) going @ Universal since the renewal rate is comparable to a multi day park to park ticket and Power Pass with blockout dates. Since we are not Florida residents, haven't been able to use the monthly payment plan. The Power Pass' blockout dates should be listed on the Universal website by now.

Unless a short trip to WDW, we rarely visit MCO without adding a few days onsite at universal. Loews Youfirst reward program is top notch among hotel reward programs. .

other onsite discounts to check:

For multi-day stays, a SMSM (Stay More, Save More) rate offers discounts. I have yet to find vacation packages offered to beat paying for the components separately using discounts

AAA rates at approx. 10%, limited in number usually loaded into the rate schedule early in the year. Haven't read confirmation they will be offered next year.

Orbitz offers varying discount codes we've used for non-DVC stays @ WDW, not sure if they are currently applicable to Universal properties, you'd have to check. Their discount codes are out thru June currently.

Note that Loew's youfirst program doesn't apply, i.e. count these third party bookings (other than AAA) towards your # of qualifying dates to keep your reward status. Also, HRH stays aren't qualifying either.