Another newbie with questions

[Mom2Stitch]

Hello Universal people!

I'm another one of those Disney Vets that is considering a venture over to the Dark Side.

We went to Universal/IOA back some years ago-10 maybe 12 years I think. We were taken by family who lived in FL and we were pretty much dragged from one ride to another without stopping to really see anything. Honestly I can't even remember if we spent one or two days there. We got to ride Spider Man and the Mummy and thought they were so cool and advanced.

We cancelled our September WDW trip this year, but still have some Southwest credits that we lose if we don't use them soon...we thought we might try a few days at US.

We would fly in early on Sunday 9/4 and fly out on Wednesday 9/7. I've priced out RPR - it looks so beautiful there! Express Pass-BONUS! I think the price I've gotten is for the stay more, save more package. Is this the best discount I can get or should I be booking tickets and room separate? Since we are going to be coming in fairly early on Sunday I'm wanting a 3 day park to park ticket, so our park days would be part of Sunday and all of Mon/Tues. I want to take my time and really enjoy the sights this time.

This is Labor day weekend-what can I expect for crowds?

HHN-I believe this doesn't start until later in the month, but will there be any hints of it any where? I would love to attend, not for the houses because I'm CHICKEN, lol. I think walking around and seeing the sights and atmosphere would be awesome though.


I'm all about the Simpsons-I would love to have pictures with as many of them as I can get-do all of them come out? I'm sure not at the same time, but do they do sets?

Lots of questions--so much to learn, but it's already more relaxing than planning a WDW trip.

 

[Lynne G]

First, almost always better to buy tickets and room separate. Check authorized resellers for tickets. Undercovertourist, etc. Plus, with a room only reservation, cancel or changes are more favorable and less costly than packages. Room only, first night charged as deposit. Final payment when checking out. RPR is a fine hotel, and the SMSM discount is a good one. Unless you think you will have more use of an AP, you can always use the code APH on the Loews website, and any AP discounted rooms will appear, if there are any. If there are AP rooms at a better discount, then you only need one power pass or higher, to get the room. Most buy the pass after the reservation is made. You may or may not be asked to present the AP checking in. I'd be ready though, even if only the receipt from the online order of the AP.

It will be moderately busy. I've been during that time, and lots of people are off that long week-end. But, with the early entry and hotel express pass, you won't have any issue, and take time to really enjoy the parks during your stay.

For the characters, sometimes, though very rarely, have I seen the Simpsons all together. Though I have seen all of them at one time or another, with one or two characters each time. I think their times are listed on the daily guide you can pick up entering the park.

HHN starts 16 September, so during the day, you might see some Halloween decorations, and some covered over ones. None of the gore from HHN is seen during the day. You can buy HHN stuff in the stores even if not attending HHN. By the time of your visit, there may be some fall decoration. I don't remember seeing much in either park during my end of August/first week of September visits.

Have an awesome time! And ask away. We're a friendly bunch.

 

[macraven]

Out of all the holidays in the year, Labor Day weekend is not bad with crowds

Very doable

 

[kohlby]

We usually get our tickets through Undercover Tourist. There are a lot of ticket places that can't be trusted, so make sure it's a reputable place first. UT has the buy two get the third day free tickets right now. Keep in mind too that their posted rates include all taxes and fees. Universal does not include that on their website. (But, you will see the total amount before you fully check out). I've heard that Sam's club was having a pretty good discount recently too. (I'm not a Sam's club member so I can't verify this and don't know what that deal was exactly).

The SMSM rate does not need to be part of a package. They've always been good about me changing my rate if I find a lower one. We've also booked not through Universal before. Expedia and Orbitz can be used and you still get the same perks. But - be careful to read the cancellation policies when booking anywhere. We did a trip in April at Cabana Bay and the rate we found on Orbitz was much cheaper than anywhere else. (The drawback was that I had to pay upfront for that rate - but it was fully refundable if cancelled early enough and partially refundable if not). We normally stay at Royal Pacific and love it there. It's a great hotel and the express pass is nice perk as well as the super easy boat transportation that will help you get around the more crowded security lines.

When I've seen the Simpsons, it's always some of them together. I've seen four together. (I haven't seen Maggie before). But I've also seen only a couple together.

Do check APH rate to see if the AP will save you money. I have an AP but have always been able to find other rates cheaper. This isn't the case for everyone though.

I haven't been to Universal around Labor Day but was at Disney over Labor Day two years ago. I was surprised to notice that the crowds didn't seem to be impacted at all by Labor Day - it was normal weekend crowds. I'm guessing that people don't want to pull their kids out from school when they just went back so it was mainly locals.

 

[Mom2Stitch]

Thank you everyone for the answers. I did not know how to check for the AP rate, but now that I do I checked and it will save almost $200 on the room. I think we will just be picking up the Powerpass, I looked at the blackout dates and we don't normally travel at that time. We have a cruise in February, I can see us adding a few days over at US if the passes are already paid for

I spent yesterday reading through some trip reports, @schumigirl -love yours from last year-you give such great detail! This trip will be just me and DH, we will be leaving our 21 year old DS at college this time. His only request is that we bring him back a wand and something with Ravenclaw on it-I think we can do that.

I told DH about all of the attractions that they have at US and some of the awesome details that we missed last time, he said he didn't know they had "all of that" so now he's even more on board for the trip. Yay!!!!

 

[schumigirl]

Thank you everyone for the answers. I did not know how to check for the AP rate, but now that I do I checked and it will save almost $200 on the room. I think we will just be picking up the Powerpass, I looked at the blackout dates and we don't normally travel at that time. We have a cruise in February, I can see us adding a few days over at US if the passes are already paid for

I spent yesterday reading through some trip reports, @schumigirl -love yours from last year-you give such great detail! This trip will be just me and DH, we will be leaving our 21 year old DS at college this time. His only request is that we bring him back a wand and something with Ravenclaw on it-I think we can do that.

I told DH about all of the attractions that they have at US and some of the awesome details that we missed last time, he said he didn't know they had "all of that" so now he's even more on board for the trip. Yay!!!!

Aww thanks.......so nice of you to say

Sounds like you have a good trip planned.......and you'll certainly have plenty of choices of gifts for your DS........

Simpsons also make appearances at the resort character meals.......usually Bart and Homer when we've been there, but they are so much fun. They did appear altogether a couple of times past years when we've seen them, but most of the time it's 2.

You'll have a blast I'm sure........

 

[STLstone]

Hello Universal people!

I'm another one of those Disney Vets that is considering a venture over to the Dark Side.

We went to Universal/IOA back some years ago-10 maybe 12 years I think. We were taken by family who lived in FL and we were pretty much dragged from one ride to another without stopping to really see anything. Honestly I can't even remember if we spent one or two days there. We got to ride Spider Man and the Mummy and thought they were so cool and advanced.

We cancelled our September WDW trip this year, but still have some Southwest credits that we lose if we don't use them soon...we thought we might try a few days at US.

We would fly in early on Sunday 9/4 and fly out on Wednesday 9/7. I've priced out RPR - it looks so beautiful there! Express Pass-BONUS! I think the price I've gotten is for the stay more, save more package. Is this the best discount I can get or should I be booking tickets and room separate? Since we are going to be coming in fairly early on Sunday I'm wanting a 3 day park to park ticket, so our park days would be part of Sunday and all of Mon/Tues. I want to take my time and really enjoy the sights this time.

This is Labor day weekend-what can I expect for crowds?

HHN-I believe this doesn't start until later in the month, but will there be any hints of it any where? I would love to attend, not for the houses because I'm CHICKEN, lol. I think walking around and seeing the sights and atmosphere would be awesome though.


I'm all about the Simpsons-I would love to have pictures with as many of them as I can get-do all of them come out? I'm sure not at the same time, but do they do sets?

Lots of questions--so much to learn, but it's already more relaxing than planning a WDW trip.

I'm not trying to talk you out of going on vacation, but if you wanted more flexibility, you can buy 2,000 points for $60 and reset your clock on your points.

 

[Mom2Stitch]

I'm not trying to talk you out of going on vacation, but if you wanted more flexibility, you can buy 2,000 points for $60 and reset your clock on your points.

I didn't know that, but unfortunately that won't work for me. It's actually credits not points from a flight we didn't take and some where we got some lower fares, so they all expire end of September-original booking date. I guess we could chalk it up as lost money, but then I wouldn't be getting to plan a mini-vacation

 

[STLstone]

I didn't know that, but unfortunately that won't work for me. It's actually credits not points from a flight we didn't take and some where we got some lower fares, so they all expire end of September-original booking date. I guess we could chalk it up as lost money, but then I wouldn't be getting to plan a mini-vacation

Yep those DO expire. I wasn't thinking of that!

Years ago, I was going to use a credit like that for my honeymoon. The return trip was after the expiration date, so I could only use the credit for the first half.