Advice on staying on-site for FOTL in May

[DisneyGoblin]

Hi everyone. I plan to be in the Orlando area for a second trip after spending 7 nights at Disney World last July. I currently have 4 nights at the Pop Century and 4 nights at the Royal Pacific. I just noticed that I would save over $400 if I stay at the Pop Century for all 8 nights (including buying tickets to Universal). Since this is my first time to Universal I was wondering if I should stay on site to get the unlimited front of the line pass. The FOTL is the main reason I'd want to stay at Universal but if the parks aren't all that busy and I can ride everything multiple times over in just 2 or 3 visits with purchased Express Passes I think it might be worth it if I can save $400.

Any ideas for the May 14-22 timeframe? I realize the Royal Pacific is a much nicer hotel than Pop Century and it would be more convenient than driving from Disney World but it's just so much more expensive! I would be a bit disappointed if I could have ridden all the rides multiple times without having to stay on-site. I have read that the crowds shouldn't be too bad before school is let out... how long might the lines be for the most popular rides?

Thanks for any info.

 

[JessicaR]

You didnt mention your rate but they are showing an APH rate available for your dates. $139 weekdays and $159 weekends (fri & sat). You would only need to buy 1 AP and in turn would be entitled to the cheaper room as well as park discounts on merchandise and food as well as other promotions they may be running.

If you can swing it staying on-site adds so much more to the experience. If not I dont think the parks should be so crazy those dates that you would need FOTL. Good luck making a decision!

 

[cocowum]

I've read several post about people staying offsite, buying express passes and using the express passes over and over again during non-busy periods. I guess no one was checking the rides off on the cards.

 

[DisneyGoblin]

I was thinking about the $224/night deal where you stay for 4 nights and get the tickets for free. Do you know if there is tax charged for the annual pass? I see it's $179.95 but their online site seems to want a credit card # before showing you the grand total.

 

[highlander447]

I have found they usually tell u if tax is incl

 

[robvia]

Most kids are still in school those dates, Orlando gets out May 25th, Broward is June 2nd, and the others are about the same. You are basically going the week before school gets out and the crowds will be light.

Many are frustrated with the higher rates of the onsite hotels and are doing the same thing you are talking about.

You will easily be able to see everything without FOLT. It just comes down to whether you want to "feel" like you are part of the action by staying onsite. If you drive up, visit the park, then drive back, you'll have fun, but the RPR will be a splurge and make the experience much more enjoyable.

I'd spend at least 2 nights onsite. That would give you 3 days of FOTL. I'd visit SWF (Seaworld) driving up and back from the Disney hotel near the end of that stay.

And rent the car even if it means paying parking fees and gas.

 

[Aimeedyan]

We went that time last year, and used FOTL and felt it was well worth the money - there were lines.

The FOTL is active the day you check in and the day you check out. We, too, stayed Pop first, transferred to Royal Pacific for one night, got FOTL for our 2 days at Universal, and checked out of Royal Pacific after that one night and moved to an offsite hotel to save money. Though Royal Pacific was the most expensive hotel we stayed at, it was by far the nicest and a real treat to stay at, which we could afford to stay there more nights! It was gorgeous.

I encourage you to consider doing that, even, just to get the onsite perks and have the convenience of being so close that you can take an afternoon nap under the palm trees (which is what I did!)

=)

 

[ribbitribbit]

Hi,

I have reservations for the HRH from May 10-15 ($296 AAA). I'm constantly trying to check the rates. I hear about all these people that get discounts for this and that, so I always try to check. Needless to say, I never find anything.

But anyway, while checking on Orange vacations, they said they couldn't confirm over the internet Blah Blah Blah. So I thought that was strange and I called and they told me there were a few conventions going on at that time. While at a AAA show they tried to check for a deluxe room and they didn't have any for that weekend. They checked something on their computer and said there was some kind of cheerleading thing during that time.

People on this site have said not to worry about it, that there's always conventions going on. But I'm kind of worried the parks (even more worried about the restaurants) will be very crowded that week and part of the next. I never hear anything about anybody having gone in May. I wish I could get some reliable info.

If anyone has info, or knows where I can get info, I'd REALLY appreciate it

Thanks

 

[johnvree]

We went last year first two weeks of May. We stayed at the RPR for four days. First, RPR is a wonderful resort. It is equivalent to Disney's deluxes and well worth the price. Of course, if the resrort is not a big concern, then save the money and don't worry about the lines. We found that there were no lines between 9:00 and 11:00. By 11:00, it was noticeably busier and some of the popular attractions had waits as long as 40 minutes. So, just make sure you get there early.

 

[zaxmom]

Fridays and Saturdays in May can be bad if they are having "Grad Night" type things. Lots and Lots of teenagers. That is the first and only time I have been there without FOTL and will never do it again.

 

[lovetheparks]

Hi,

I have reservations for the HRH from May 10-15 ($296 AAA). I'm constantly trying to check the rates. I hear about all these people that get discounts for this and that, so I always try to check. Needless to say, I never find anything.

Hard Rock is the most popular of the three onsite hotels. Up until this year you would see rates just $10-20 above RPR but not this year. No good rates that I have seen at all. This hotel stays full no matter what the rate. So it looks like there well be very little discounting done for HRH.

 

[tricky1]

Hi,

I have reservations for the HRH from May 10-15 ($296 AAA). I'm constantly trying to check the rates. I hear about all these people that get discounts for this and that, so I always try to check. Needless to say, I never find anything.

But anyway, while checking on Orange vacations, they said they couldn't confirm over the internet Blah Blah Blah. So I thought that was strange and I called and they told me there were a few conventions going on at that time. While at a AAA show they tried to check for a deluxe room and they didn't have any for that weekend. They checked something on their computer and said there was some kind of cheerleading thing during that time.

People on this site have said not to worry about it, that there's always conventions going on. But I'm kind of worried the parks (even more worried about the restaurants) will be very crowded that week and part of the next. I never hear anything about anybody having gone in May. I wish I could get some reliable info.

If anyone has info, or knows where I can get info, I'd REALLY appreciate it

Thanks

go to universal resorts & hotel section at the top of this page , very helpful!

 

[damo]

Keep watching for discount rates. As you get closer to your vacation time, things tend to pop up. May 10-15 should not be very busy as USF, so keep watching.