Advice on Universal Hotels please!

[OrlandoMagic]

Im thinking of booking one night at a Universal hotel as a little suprise for my GF when we go away this year. The plan is to do US on one day, sleep the night onsite then do IoA the following day.

Ok, here are some questions...

Is it just the 3 onsite hotels that give you the express pass for the parks?

Which of the hotels is cheapest and is it nice to stay at?

If we are staying one night will I get the express pass to use for both days? I read that you use your hotel key for this but what time can I get the key from on the first day, and do you get 2 keys so both of us can use the express pass?

Anyone know where the best place is to book?

Sorry for all the questions and thanks in advance!

 

[penlanspice]

We stayed at the Royal Pacific last year, this place is the cheapest of the three and yes these are the only hotels you can get the front of line passes at.

The hotel was quite nice nothing special really, but it was nice to jump on the boat and head over to the parks. the FOL pass is especially great if the park is busy.

You can check-in in the morning when ever you want, your room wouldn't be ready but they would give you your key card so you could use it at the park. Everyone in the room gets their own key card to use for the ride access.

And yes it is good for the 2 days.

 

[stephensmum]

Following advice from here & US bit, we are doing that in August. Going to book 1 night at RPR, this is the cheaper one of the 3. We get FOTL passes for both days. If you register (free) with loewes & book with them you will get a welcome gift (we chose cookies & milk) & chance of an upgrade, if available at check in.

 

[Neoshoegal]

Following advice from here & US bit, we are doing that in August. Going to book 1 night at RPR, this is the cheaper one of the 3. We get FOTL passes for both days. If you register (free) with loewes & book with them you will get a welcome gift (we chose cookies & milk) & chance of an upgrade, if available at check in.

do you have a website for loewes?

 

[OrlandoMagic]

do you have a website for loewes?

http://www.loewshotels.com/en/default.aspx

Thanks for the replies so far!

 

[Jakey Rowling]

Im thinking of booking one night at a Universal hotel as a little suprise for my GF when we go away this year. The plan is to do US on one day, sleep the night onsite then do IoA the following day.

Ok, here are some questions...

Is it just the 3 onsite hotels that give you the express pass for the parks?
You get FOTL passes from the hotel, unlimited front of the line access, express passes are single ride options and available separately.

Which of the hotels is cheapest and is it nice to stay at?
RPR is usually the cheapest by about $40 per night, I don't think thee is much between them, especially for one night.
They are all "Delux" properties.

If we are staying one night will I get the express pass to use for both days? I read that you use your hotel key for this but what time can I get the key from on the first day, and do you get 2 keys so both of us can use the express pass?

You can check in from 7 am I think, certainly in time for park opening.
Each person gets a room key with the dates of stay on it.
These are the FOTL passes.
You can use them on the day you check out until park closes if you wish.

Anyone know where the best place is to book?
As well as the link above, try the universal site here

http://www.universalorlando.com/ht_how_to_book.html

If you are an AA member you can get the AAA discount price applied if its available.
This can be done retrospectively if the rate drops, phone them.

Also try the usual hotel sites, these can come in cheaper then booking it direct sometimes.[/COLOR]

 

[Neoshoegal]

http://www.loewshotels.com/en/default.aspx

Thanks for the replies so far!

 

[stephensmum]

Is it just the 3 onsite hotels that give you the express pass for the parks?
You get FOTL passes from the hotel, unlimited front of the line access, express passes are single ride options and available separately.

Which of the hotels is cheapest and is it nice to stay at?
RPR is usually the cheapest by about $40 per night, I don't think thee is much between them, especially for one night.
They are all "Delux" properties.

If we are staying one night will I get the express pass to use for both days? I read that you use your hotel key for this but what time can I get the key from on the first day, and do you get 2 keys so both of us can use the express pass?

You can check in from 7 am I think, certainly in time for park opening.
Each person gets a room key with the dates of stay on it.
These are the FOTL passes.
You can use them on the day you check out until park closes if you wish.

Anyone know where the best place is to book?
As well as the link above, try the universal site here

http://www.universalorlando.com/ht_how_to_book.html

If you are an AA member you can get the AAA discount price applied if its available.
This can be done retrospectively if the rate drops, phone them.

Also try the usual hotel sites, these can come in cheaper then booking it direct sometimes.[/COLOR]

$40 for RPR is that per person? Or perharps with discounts.Price we have is $214 per room.

 

[OrlandoMagic]

$40 for RPR is that per person? Or perharps with discounts.Price we have is $214 per room.

I think JR was saying that RPR is about $40 cheaper per night than the other hotels.

 

[Jakey Rowling]

I think JR was saying that RPR is about $40 cheaper per night than the other hotels.

Indeed

 

[wayneg]

We have never stayed in any of the Uni hotels, never been bothered over FOL, had AP's for about 5 years and go a lot, thankfully never had many lines to need them. Except Xmas when we dont do the rides much anyway.

Just posted to say if you have AP they offer good rates at times.
Not worth it for 1 night stay but a few nights it can be worth buying AP for the room discount.
recent email I got.
• Royal Pacific Resort,
A Loews Hotel from $134
• Hard Rock Hotel® from $154
• Portofino Bay Hotel,
A Loews Hotel from $164

 

[Boss Hogg]

Another vote for RPR from me. We are doing this in November in fact (but for 2 nights). As people have said, you get FOTL every day you are there. We are paying around $230 a night in November, but it is still cheaper that HRH and PB.

What no-one has mentioned yet is that RPR is the closest one to Margaritaville - surely the most important factor!!

What better way to relax after the parks, than with a Cheeseburger in Paradise and a Margarita?? I certainly cannot think of one.

 

[wayneg]

What no-one has mentioned yet is that RPR is the closest one to Margaritaville - surely the most important factor!!

What better way to relax after the parks, than with a Cheeseburger in Paradise and a Margarita?? I certainly cannot think of one.

Its only people with a drink problem that would think of that

Personally would rather have a nice Ice cream Sundae in Ghiridellis.
Might have a drink on the Disney Wonder at Easter but never drink in Orlando.

 

[Boss Hogg]

Personally would rather have a nice Ice cream Sundae in Ghiridellis.

NICE ICE CREAM!! Think you're the one with the drink problem there Wayne

Only problem with drink I've got, is that I'm not sat in Margaritaville!

 

[UKDEB]

We've stayed at all three Universal Resorts and we've had AP rates as low as $139 for RPR in the past. We're having to pay $233 a night in November, which I think is a bit steep, but it's cheaper than the other two.

If you're just going to stay for one night, it's really not worth paying extra for HRH or PBH. The likelihood is, you'll spend hardly any time at all at the hotel - it really will be just a room for the night.

 

[rpbert1]

This year will be our third stay at RPR, the staff and service is excellent , have stayed at PBH ,but as yet not at HRH. We much prefer the theming at RPR, it is the cheapest but its the resort we prefer not the price, all 3 resorts are excellent

 

[stephensmum]

I think JR was saying that RPR is about $40 cheaper per night than the other hotels.

Sorry, misunderstood. All excited there for the minute.

 

[timallen]

sorry to jump in with a question but thought it relavent I cant seem to find a price for buying the room and park tickets together can you do that to save money or just get them seperatly will only be staying one night with two days in the park thanks

 

[fluffy bunny]

We have stayed in the HRH on our last three visits. Not the cheapest, but we like it. We have upgraded to the club floors and made the most of the breakfast and early evening beer and wine. It was a god send in 05 when we got caught in the hotel as huricane Wilma came through. (I think it was Wilma?) Last year we had two rooms, so I got myself an Annual Pass and got enough discount on the room to make it worth while, as well as saving money in all the gift shops. Well worth checking to see if it is worth while.

Have not bothered with the other two hotels, as the kids enjoy the HRH and it's pool.

 

[rpbert1]

sorry to jump in with a question but thought it relavent I cant seem to find a price for buying the room and park tickets together can you do that to save money or just get them seperatly will only be staying one night with two days in the park thanks

Usually better buying tickets separately. They are doing the 7 day 2park tickets for approx $86 +tax at the minute.