Annual Pass question for the experts

[diskids2]

Basically I have been playing around with numbers and benefits and noticed that the Premium Annual Pass gives you FOTL after 4 pm.

Tell me what you think about touring US and IOA from 4 pm to closing. We are going in the summer when the park is open later (at least 9 pm). We have never been to either park and are willing to experience everything. We'll be in Orlando for 9 nights and have the possibility of doing this four times.

I know if I stay onsite I can get FOTL for free....but I got a nice price (I think it is) for the Crowne Plaza Universal (any thoughts???) Executive Club Level for $173 per night. And, I need two rooms. At the moment the least expensive price I could find for HRH was $298 for a standard room.

 

[Metro West]

Basically I have been playing around with numbers and benefits and noticed that the Premium Annual Pass gives you FOTL after 4 pm.

Tell me what you think about touring US and IOA from 4 pm to closing. We are going in the summer when the park is open later (at least 9 pm). We have never been to either park and are willing to experience everything. We'll be in Orlando for 9 nights and have the possibility of doing this four times.

Sounds like a plan to me but remember...each person must have the Premier Pass...not just one person so you would have to add the cost of the pass x the # of people going. I think you'd still be OK considering you're staying longer than seven days and you would get park discounts as well with the Premier. Also...and this would help if you're staying offsite...you get free valet too.

 

[goofy!]

Basically I have been playing around with numbers and benefits and noticed that the Premium Annual Pass gives you FOTL after 4 pm.

Tell me what you think about touring US and IOA from 4 pm to closing. We are going in the summer when the park is open later (at least 9 pm). We have never been to either park and are willing to experience everything. We'll be in Orlando for 9 nights and have the possibility of doing this four times.

I know if I stay onsite I can get FOTL for free....but I got a nice price (I think it is) for the Crowne Plaza Universal (any thoughts???) Executive Club Level for $173 per night. And, I need two rooms. At the moment the least expensive price I could find for HRH was $298 for a standard room.

If you stay at least 4 nights at the Royal Pacific, it is currently $175.00 per night - and the more nights you stay the less it gets.

The annual pass rate may be even less. You might want to give RPR a call and see how much it would be per night with the APR rates. That way you would only need one preferred or premier AP and you would still get to stay onsite and you get all the AP discounts.

 

[diskids2]

If you stay at least 4 nights at the Royal Pacific, it is currently $175.00 per night - and the more nights you stay the less it gets.

The annual pass rate may be even less. You might want to give RPR a call and see how much it would be per night with the APR rates. That way you would only need one preferred or premier AP and you would still get to stay onsite and you get all the AP discounts.

I just called Universal and got a quote of $369 for club level for my dates and $279 for a standard room. They said the AP discounts are not available yet....Do you know where you go the $175 per night quote?

 

[diskids2]

Sounds like a plan to me but remember...each person must have the Premier Pass...not just one person so you would have to add the cost of the pass x the # of people going. I think you'd still be OK considering you're staying longer than seven days and you would get park discounts as well with the Premier. Also...and this would help if you're staying offsite...you get free valet too.

I think so too. I'm saving about $130 per night per room...If I get the premium annual passes it will cost me aprox. $290 for five people. So I'm spending $190 more per person ($950), but I'm spending $1,170 less on the hotel by staying off site.....saving $220.

Now as another poster pointed out, if I can get a room at RPR or HRH with the annual pass and the room rate is less then the $303, then we have another scenario altogether.

At least you all listen my DH just rolls his eyes

 

[diskids2]

What I'd like to know too is if you think that it is a good idea to tour from 4 pm to 9 pm or is that not a good idea?

 

[Metro West]

What I'd like to know too is if you think that it is a good idea to tour from 4 pm to 9 pm or is that not a good idea?

I don't think it would be a bad idea to go that late. The crowds would be thinner than during the day and the temps will be cooler in the evenings. Plus...the parks along with CityWalk are really beautiful lit up at night.

 

[goofy!]

I just called Universal and got a quote of $369 for club level for my dates and $279 for a standard room. They said the AP discounts are not available yet....Do you know where you go the $175 per night quote?

Is this for this summer or 2010? Since you said they told you the AP rates weren't out yet, I am now guessing this is for the summer of 2010.

If you are looking for rates for 2010, keep in mind that right now they are just quoting pretty much rack rates. The rooms most likely will be discounted to something similar to this summer (ie, the $175.00) as the year goes on. Loews always seems to introduce the best discounts just a few months before the discount period.

As for the $175.00 rate, I just logged into the Universal site and plugged in some summer dates. I had been playing with some dates for us for PBH, so looked at the other hotels too.

Here is a link to the summary of the rates. This was under the Portofino tab, but if you try for reservations from that tab, it applies to all three of the hotels. (I was at the PBH links as that is where we always stay.)
http://www.universalorlando.com/hotels/rates-and-offers/super-savings.html

Discount Offers
Vacation like a VIP at one of the on-site hotels and enjoy these great savings.
The longer you stay, the more you save!

Plus, on-site hotel guests receive FREE UNIVERSAL EXPRESS ride access+ to SKIP THE REGULAR LINES at both theme parks!

Select Nights NOW – Aug 15
Additional Savings at Loews Portofino
Bay Hotel from
August 2 – Oct 8;

o Stay 4 nights – save up to 25%
o Stay 5 nights – save up to 40%
o Stay 6 nights – save up to 41%
o Stay 7 nights – save up to 42%


Stay 3 nights - save up to 15%
Stay 4 nights - save up to 20%
Stay 5 or 6 nights - save up to 25%
Stay 7 nights - save up to 30%

Select Nights Aug 16 – Sept 30
Stay 2 nights - save up to 10%
Stay 3 nights - save up to 15%
Stay 4 nights - save up to 20%
Stay 5 or 6 nights - save up to 25%
Stay 7 nights - save up to 30%

Select Nights Oct 1 – Oct 8
Stay 3 nights - save up to 15%
Stay 4 nights - save up to 20%
Stay 5 or 6 nights - save up to 25%
Stay 7 nights - save up to 30%

Select Nights Oct 9 – Dec 26
Stay 2 nights – save up to 10% (Nov 15 – Dec 26 ONLY)
Stay 3 nights – save up to 15%
Stay 4 nights – save up to 25%
Stay 5 nights – save up to 40% - 5 nights for the price of 3!
Stay 6 nights – save up to 41%
Stay 7 nights – save at least 42% - 7 nights for the price of 4!


Here is the link to the detailed savings calendar
http://www.universalorlando.com/hotels/rates-and-offers/super_nights_popup.html

 

[diskids2]

Is this for this summer or 2010? Since you said they told you the AP rates weren't out yet, I am now guessing this is for the summer of 2010.

If you are looking for rates for 2010, keep in mind that right now they are just quoting pretty much rack rates. The rooms most likely will be discounted to something similar to this summer (ie, the $175.00) as the year goes on. Loews always seems to introduce the best discounts just a few months before the discount period.

As for the $175.00 rate, I just logged into the Universal site and plugged in some summer dates. I had been playing with some dates for us for PBH, so looked at the other hotels too.

Here is a link to the summary of the rates. This was under the Portofino tab, but if you try for reservations from that tab, it applies to all three of the hotels. (I was at the PBH links as that is where we always stay.)
http://www.universalorlando.com/hotels/rates-and-offers/super-savings.html

Discount Offers
Vacation like a VIP at one of the on-site hotels and enjoy these great savings.
The longer you stay, the more you save!

Plus, on-site hotel guests receive FREE UNIVERSAL EXPRESS ride access+ to SKIP THE REGULAR LINES at both theme parks!

Select Nights NOW – Aug 15
Additional Savings at Loews Portofino
Bay Hotel from
August 2 – Oct 8;

o Stay 4 nights – save up to 25%
o Stay 5 nights – save up to 40%
o Stay 6 nights – save up to 41%
o Stay 7 nights – save up to 42%


Stay 3 nights - save up to 15%
Stay 4 nights - save up to 20%
Stay 5 or 6 nights - save up to 25%
Stay 7 nights - save up to 30%

Select Nights Aug 16 – Sept 30
Stay 2 nights - save up to 10%
Stay 3 nights - save up to 15%
Stay 4 nights - save up to 20%
Stay 5 or 6 nights - save up to 25%
Stay 7 nights - save up to 30%

Select Nights Oct 1 – Oct 8
Stay 3 nights - save up to 15%
Stay 4 nights - save up to 20%
Stay 5 or 6 nights - save up to 25%
Stay 7 nights - save up to 30%

Select Nights Oct 9 – Dec 26
Stay 2 nights – save up to 10% (Nov 15 – Dec 26 ONLY)
Stay 3 nights – save up to 15%
Stay 4 nights – save up to 25%
Stay 5 nights – save up to 40% - 5 nights for the price of 3!
Stay 6 nights – save up to 41%
Stay 7 nights – save at least 42% - 7 nights for the price of 4!


Here is the link to the detailed savings calendar
http://www.universalorlando.com/hotels/rates-and-offers/super_nights_popup.html

Yes, summer 2010....

You brought up a very good point and I'm going to wait and keep checking the website. It may end up to less expensive to book at HRH with an AP rate. It's actually less expensive to stay at HRH club level now... for two nights and not pay for the premium annual pass...but I'm being a Hold out for not having to change hotels....since this is so far away I may change my mind.