Advice on Universal Hotels please!

[mickey mouse]

HRH is a great hotel. It is a real treat staying so close to the parks and the FOTL benefit saves a lot of hassle. I seem to remember the last time I was in IOA and US you could buy FOTL passes once you are in these parks. It may be worth checking if this is still possible.

 

[timallen]

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

thanks will probably buy the tickets now as thats cheaper than we paid a few years ago cant book the hotel yet as its too far away (not the hotel but the holiday ) hears looking forward

 

[rpbert1]

The problem with buying Fastpass tickets at the park is, you are only allowed to use the express pass lane ONCE for each ride, whereas staying onsite you can go as many times as you like.

HRH is a great hotel. It is a real treat staying so close to the parks and the FOTL benefit saves a lot of hassle. I seem to remember the last time I was in IOA and US you could buy FOTL passes once you are in these parks. It may be worth checking if this is still possible.

 

[Frances999]

We've never stayed at RPR, but prefer HRH to PBH - closer to the parks and a better pool area. Definitely worth looking at the AAA rates: even if you aren't an AA member it might be worth signing up just to secure the lower rates.

 

[kevin harrison]

I had a AAA rate of $215 but now have a supersaver rate of $183 per night with a Loews platinum upgrade to a deluxe room thrown in.

 

[rpbert1]

Why did you not get the free suite upgrade with Platinum, was there none available.

 

[kevin harrison]

Why did you not get the free suite upgrade with Platinum, was there none available.

Because there is four of us and they told me that it is better to have a deluxe room than a suite for that reason.

We had a suite upgrade last time.

 

[rpbert1]

just wondering.

 

[OrlandoMagic]

Decided to go ahead and book RPR when I have the money. I am looking to book for 1 night on the 4th June, should I book well in advance or will I be ok booking about a month before?

Thanks.

 

[OrlandoMagic]

Decided to go ahead and book RPR when I have the money. I am looking to book for 1 night on the 4th June, should I book well in advance or will I be ok booking about a month before?

Thanks.

Anyone?

 

[LeCras]

We spent two nights in PBH on our second to last trip. Nice hotel - nothing spectacular but we were pleased enough until the afternoon when we were leaving.

We spent the morning at one of the Universal parks, and then came back to the hotel to have a couple of quiet hours before leaving for the airport. What better way to wind down than to sit down in the sunshine with a cold beer! Wrong. Every bar in the hotel had a sign directing you to another bar. We thought this must surely be a mistake, so asked the staff. Nope. You really couldn't get a drink between 1pm and 5pm. The only options were 1) room service (but we had checked out that morning), 2) restaurant (but we weren't eating; this was just after lunch) and 3) go back to the CityWalk area (where we'd just come from).

Although the stay at PBH was pleasant enough I doubt we'd go back in a hurry. Just can't see how a five star hotel can have no bar service at all for an entire afternoon. It's not the fact that they weren't serving alcohol - we would have been in the same situation if we'd wanted a Coke or a lemonade. Not good enough.

We'll be trying HRH next time - closer to the action and hopefully more convenient in terms of opening hours.

Oh, we have also stayed at RPR - room was pretty small but perfectly ok, and the onsite restaurants (read: Tchoup Chop) were very good indeed!

Charlotte

 

[rpbert1]

If you are definetly going ,why not just book it. I do not see any problems at this time, but i think the school hols start around this time.

Anyone?

 

[OrlandoMagic]

If you are definetly going ,why not just book it. I do not see any problems at this time, but i think the school hols start around this time.

I really want to book now but im waiting for some money to come in but its not 100% at the moment. Suppose I could cancel if I couldn't afford it...

 

[WiganTony]

This seems as ggod a place as any to ask how long in advance can you book the Universal Hotels?

We aren't going until Easter 2009, and having priced up the Fastpass Tickets based on 2008 prices, it looks as if it will be as cheap to stay for one night with the benefit of Front of Line passes.

However, having been on the Universal website, it keeps coming up with dates (06/04/09) unavailable - I assume not all rooms have been sold yet

I also assume that if you book through one of the hotel search websites you still receive the Front of Line passes?

Thanks

 

[Frances999]

Just can't see how a five star hotel can have no bar service at all for an entire afternoon. It's not the fact that they weren't serving alcohol - we would have been in the same situation if we'd wanted a Coke or a lemonade. Not good enough.

Couldn't you have sat by the pool and got a drink from the poolside bar? They do some awesome smoothies and lots of other great drinks. They are definitely open during the day.

We prefer HRH - sure you will have a wonderful stay there.

 

[rpbert1]

When we have booked with the hotel reservations, they have usually opened about 10 or 11 months before our date, you could phone and ask.
It does not matter who you book with, although if you book through a 3rd party i.e TA it will not count towards a stay on your Loews First if you have one, but its your Room Key that you show when going in the express line, so does not matter who you book with as long as your are staying in one of the hotels.

This seems as ggod a place as any to ask how long in advance can you book the Universal Hotels?

We aren't going until Easter 2009, and having priced up the Fastpass Tickets based on 2008 prices, it looks as if it will be as cheap to stay for one night with the benefit of Front of Line passes.

However, having been on the Universal website, it keeps coming up with dates (06/04/09) unavailable - I assume not all rooms have been sold yet

I also assume that if you book through one of the hotel search websites you still receive the Front of Line passes?

Thanks

 

[kevin harrison]

Why did you not get the free suite upgrade with Platinum, was there none available.

I contacted Loews Direct and they have now given me a Pool View King Suite for $183 per night. At that price an utter bargain.

 

[rpbert1]

We have a King Suite also at RPR, our favourite resort.