As someone who stays onsite at Disney....

[Jon99]

Just wondering why we should spend our money to be treated like second class citizens at Universal in terms of the Express Pass...

 

[ksdave]

You are not treated as second class citizens. You are treated the same as anyone else visiting the parks, except for the folks smart enough to stay at a UO hotel. These people are treated as VIP's, which is alot better than the treatment you get at a WDW hotel.

After 30 years of staying at WDW, I'll never go back to those ridiculous rates for no additional benefits. However, PBH at UO has become a twice-a-year trip for us because of the VIP treatment we receive. I can stay at PBH, one of the absolute best resorts in the entire central Florida area, for the same price as POFQ at WDW. I've been to both and I can tell you that staying at PBH after POFQ is like driving a brand-new Lexus after living with a used 1972 Pinto.

 

[Tigger Woods]

Jon99,
Your question(s) as written is/are confusing. I don't understand the connection between staying on-site at Disney and Universal's Express Pass.

 

[Jon99]

We can spend 6 days at WDW quite easily, Universal is two short days for us.. Considering that, why would I want to deal with the hassles of driving from Universal 6 times??? Staying at WDW is much more convenient for the entire family.. But we do enjoy Universal but have a hard time accepting the fact that we don't get the same treatment as others... Last few times our entire trip to Universal has consisted to an evening at Citywalk...

 

[Jon99]

Originally posted by Tigger Woods
Jon99,
Your question(s) as written is/are confusing. I don't understand the connection between staying on-site at Disney and Universal's Express Pass.

Because when we stay at WDW we are not able to take advantage of the Express Pass, thus I feel we are being treated as second class citizens..

 

[Tigger Woods]

Jon99,
Why don't you spend one night at one of the Universal hotels? You'll get Front Of The Line Access for 2 days.

 

[*Fantasia*]

Huh?! Say what now? I'm lost and confused. Who and how do they treat you that makes you not special. What kind of special treatment were you looking for?

Anyway...stay at Universal property and you will enjoy the FOTL.

I will say no more...

 

[webray]

Once you stay on site at Universal...you will realize that disney is treating you like a second class citizen.

Nicer resorts...and they truly appreciate their guests!

 

[Cmould]

It is my understanding that guests of Universal that are not staying onsite can still access the express pass sytem. They are available for free from the kiosks, they can be purchased in booklets and they can be obtained by buying the Kodak camera and then you get the passes for free. As a long time Disney fan, we often stayed at WDW and visited Universal, because my DH is the impatient sort we often took their VIP tours to avoid the lines. Now we stay at Universal and are planning, this trip, to visit WDW we will see how that works out. I'm hoping we won't feel like second class citizens at Disney!
Carol

 

[Linda/MA]

I have stayed onsite at both Disney and Universal and enjoy advantages that they both offer. Disney resort guests get benefits that those staying offsite do not, such as, early entry, e-nights, free parking at the parks, and probably some more that I can't think of right now.

The FOTL is a fantastic perk that Universal offers that Disney probably never could because of the number of resorts they have. I say stay a couple of nights at Universal. We did during our last trip and it will be very hard to get my family to ever stay at a Disney resort again. As much as I love WDW and would love to visit again, the accommodations and service we received last month at the HRH far outshined the GF. Just my opinion.

 

[Tigger Woods]

Because when we stay at WDW we are not able to take advantage of the Express Pass

Theme park rides and attractions without having to wait in line!
UNIVERSAL EXPRESS - bypass the regular lines and enjoy Universal Express ride access* to the attractions at both Universal Studios® and Islands of Adventure theme parks. There's no additional charge!

Once inside the park, you can obtain an Express Pass with your choice of reserved times to gain access to an attraction's special UNIVERSAL EXPRESS entrance. You may receive an additional Express Pass to another attraction when:
a) You have used your existing Express Pass;
b) The 1 hour time slot to experience the attraction has expired; or
c) 2 hours have passed since you first obtained your existing Express Pass.

For maximum benefit, stay at either of the Universal Orlando® Resort Hotels- Portofino Bay Hotel, A Loews Hotel or the new Hard Rock Hotel® - and enjoy UNIVERSAL EXPRESS. Just present your hotel room key card at each attraction's Universal Express entrance--no Express Pass or ride reservations are necessary. There's no better way to get the most out of your day!

*Anticipated maximum wait 15 minutes. Paid theme park admission required. Some attractions excluded. Not valid for separately ticketed special events. Express Passes subject to availability. Additional restrictions may apply.

 

[Jon99]

Originally posted by webray
Once you stay on site at Universal...you will realize that disney is treating you like a second class citizen.

Nicer resorts...and they truly appreciate their guests!

Location, location, location.... At a WDW resort we are in the middle of 4 parks that we completely enjoy and can spend 5 or 6 days at without even trying, if we stay at Universal we are in the middle of 2 parks that we struggle to spend 2 complete days in...

However, as I read a little more about the Express Pass, I realize I didn't understand the program...

 

[damo]

I'm wondering why you would waste your money to stay at Disney. You are probably paying twice as much as you would at Universal and are getting an inferior hotel. Staying onsite at Universal is the way to go. We will never stay onsite at Disney again, the only perk you get is Mickey soap

 

[Jon99]

Last time, we stayed at AKL Savannah for $169 a night, can Universal beat that???? This next time we have rented points for a week at VWL for $1200 for a week, can Universal approach that???? Normally we would spend 5-6 days at WDW and a day at Universal, why stay so far away from where we spend our time???

 

[A Mickeyfan]

ksdave....

I've been to both and I can tell you that staying at PBH after POFQ is like driving a brand-new Lexus after living with a used 1972 Pinto.

______I don't think that is a fair comparrison! POFQ is a moderate & PBH is a Deluxe. I have stayed at many of Disney's resorts (many times) and have stayed at the RPH (once, will be staying at HRH in Oct) and & personally, I like Disney's resorts better. If you want to compare....try RPH Conciege to the Poly's Conciege.....Poly wins hands down! Yes, Universal gives you FOL but that is it. Everyone has there own opinion & reasoning for liking/staying where they do. The only plus that I see Universal having is the FOL and once they have the amount of hotels that Disney has....that will be gone! Does Universal have a budget hotel for under $100 (without discounts), Disney does........just my 2 cents

 

[JessicaR]

Jon, it sounds like you had 2 different issues. The express and feeling like a 2nd class citizen was cleared up by Tigger for you.

As far as the hotel situation you could stay one night at one of the Universal properties and the rest at Disney. That one night would give you the 2 days your family needs to do the parks and the benefits as well.

You asked..."Last time, we stayed at AKL Savannah for $169 a night, can Universal beat that???? This next time we have rented points for a week at VWL for $1200 for a week, can Universal approach that???? Normally we would spend 5-6 days at WDW and a day at Universal, why stay so far away from where we spend our time"???

No it cant because AKL is at Disney, NOT Universal. It can however give you Portofino bay with larger accomodations and the same deluxe category. It can also do that with a $155 a night price tag! Or maybe Hard Rock or Royal Pacific for $110.00- $125.00 a night. Again why even think about just staying in one area when you can stay in both and solve the dilemma.

 

[Cmould]

Jon99,
You prefer WDW as I did when my daughter was younger,but since she became a teen we seem to have a much better time at Universal. As a parent of an independent 15 y/o DD. I feel more comfortable allowing her and her friend to wander around Universal. WDW is so vast, it would not work for me and I am entitled to vacation also. I have stayed onsite at WDW at the GF, The Y&B Club and the BWV. I have been able to secure those rooms, even concierge rooms, at discounted rates and was more then happy with the value for my dollars. I have also been able to stay at the PBH and The HRH hotel and been extremely happy with the value for my dollar there. I don't think the two theme parks can be compared. I always wished, when I stayed at WDW, that they offered some of the things that they offered at Universal. I realize that WDW has far too many resorts to offer FOTL access but a VIP tour is not beyond possibility. WDW does offer tours but none of these offer FOTL access. Believe me I've looked into it.So, when I'm traveling with my daughter, its Universal for me. Hope you have a wonderful vacation whatever you decide.FYI we will be staying in a concierge deluxe room at the HRH for a week at the rate of 230.OO per night. I think thats a tremendous value and can't wait till we get there.
Carol

 

[damo]

Here are my prices that I've experienced with Disney and Universal hotels:

GF: 499/night
WL:299/night
YC:399/night
Poly: 259/night

HRH:125 for standard room (bigger than WL), 169 for deluxe, bigger than YC

RPR:129/night, travelocity rate

From my experience, Universal hotels are not only way cheaper but also give me benefits that Disney does not. I also thought that the Universal hotels were nicer than the Disney hotels. I guess that is why my choice is Universal. Our kids have also outgrown Disney, and have no desire to visit. We do visit Universal at least once a year though and last time was for 6 nights. Can't wait to go back.

 

[Jon99]

While I do enjoy Universal, its still a one day side trip from WDW for me and my wife... So regardless of how nice and/or cheap the Universal hotels are, the one thing they can't offer is the ease of access to the WDW parks... JMO

 

[the Dark Marauder]

Stay at the PBH and take the boat.