Admission question

[Vacation_Commander]

I want to thank everyone for all of the help so far. I haven't been here in so long, things have changed.

If we are staying at the RPR for 7 nights, but only have a 4 day park pass, does that mean we can only enter the parks on 4 separate days?

Example, we are slated to arrive around 6pm on our first night, but I wouldn't want to go to the parks that night correct? That would use up one of my days and be a waste at that point in the day.
In my head, I had it that we would spread out the park visits on day 2, 4, 5, and 7...or something like that. Then spend the other 2 days poolside or whatever.

I do have park-to-park, so we can bounce around on those 4 day though.

Thanks in advance!

 

[shawthorne44]

How much is the price difference to the cheapest season pass that doesn't have your days blacked out? It is probably minimal.

When we went the first time Feb 2020, 4-day ticket was basically the same price as a pass.

But, yes, with that ticket you can only go for 4 days but they can be spread out with rest days between. But it would be a shame to waste Express Pass days by not being able to go to the park.

 

[shawthorne44]

Since you will be so close, I'd have swimming pool afternoons and go to the parks in the mornings and evenings.

The express pass will come in handy for the train. They only seat one group in each car and there is no way to add Plexi-glass to increase capacity.

 

[Erica Ladd]

We got seasonal APs and they were barely more expensive than a day based ticket

 

[CAPSLOCK]

I 3rd the idea of looking into APs. They are surprisingly affordable. And higher level APs also will give you discounts which might come in rather handy over 7 days.

Otherwise, you are correct regarding your current tickets.

You can also buy Volcano Bay tickets separately if you want to go just one day; a 1 day ticket can be cheaper than upgrading to the 3 park ticket/pass.

 

[puffkin]

I fourth the idea of AP's. For instance we had B2G2 free promo tickets and upgraded them to Seasonal passes for only $10 more. I upgraded just mine to the Preferred for $100 more, but that gets us access to all the dining/merchandise discounts and free parking. so for $130 difference we all have 15 month annual passes (the promotion at the time). Over the course of a week, it will give you so much more flexibility, give you park to park access, and give you access to AP room discounts if there are any for your date. Universal is so walkable, its easy and nice to just pop into a park for a few hours and not worry about using a ticket day. I would suggest really looking into it. They are a GREAT deal.

 

[Vacation_Commander]

Man... I didn't think about using them while I was down there this time, I was more concerned about the probability of returning to use them again to make it worth it.

I got 4 day park-to-park to use over my 7 days, so it's not terrible, but I can see the benefit of being able to come and go for the entire 7 days.

Thanks again to everyone and thier suggestions!

 

[Erica Ladd]

you can always upgrade! We decided even if we didn't return it was worth it. DH and I went back for a quick weekend and the APs have more than paid for themselves

 

[cfoxga]

Man... I didn't think about using them while I was down there this time, I was more concerned about the probability of returning to use them again to make it worth it.

I got 4 day park-to-park to use over my 7 days, so it's not terrible, but I can see the benefit of being able to come and go for the entire 7 days.

Thanks again to everyone and thier suggestions!

You definitely need to look into getting at least 1 Annual Pass to get access to APH rates. With a 7 night stay at RPR, you could save several hundred dollars with that rate. Take a look at https://www.disboards.com/threads/how-i-plan-a-universal-trip.3794121/

 

[nkereina]

Man... I didn't think about using them while I was down there this time, I was more concerned about the probability of returning to use them again to make it worth it.

I got 4 day park-to-park to use over my 7 days, so it's not terrible, but I can see the benefit of being able to come and go for the entire 7 days.

Thanks again to everyone and thier suggestions!

I agree with PP that you should look into the option of upgrading. In addition to having the flexibility to visit the parks as you please over your 7 days, an AP also makes you eligible for AP rate at RPR. This is dependent on availability, but assuming there is availability when you go, the savings can sometimes be significant. When you factor in the hotel savings against the cost of upgrading, sometimes the seasonal AP will work out cheaper.

 

[ClapYourHands]

In your case, I agree that getting APs is probably the way to go. Seasonal APs will probably pay for themselves (and then some) if you can get hotel discounts.

BUT I can also see the value in doing 4 park days interspersed with resort days. RPR is a beautiful resort, and by not having tickets for all the days, it sort of forces you to chill out and take a vacation by the pool.

I feel this keenly with Disney. We take short trips, so we are all go-go-go at the parks. I've always wanted to stay at the Poly, but I haven't because I know that I'd be torn between enjoying the beautiful and expensive resort and wanting to take advantage of its proximity to the Magic Kingdom. Someday I will get in a trip that's more than 3-5 days, and maybe I'll convince myself to stay somewhere that I can have serious resort time.