I hope this will help you Jon.
The DIS Discussion Forums > Universal Studios/Sea World > Universal Resorts & Hotels > As someone who stays onsite at Disney....
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JessicaR
DIS Veteran
Registered: Sep 2000
Location: Long Island, N.Y
Posts: 1486
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.
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07-01-2003 01:21 PM
Cmould
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Registered: Apr 2000
Location: NJ
Posts: 45
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
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07-01-2003 01:24 PM
damo
not nice enough
Registered: Jan 2001
Location: too far away
Posts: 1241
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.
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07-01-2003 01:39 PM
Jon99
DIS Veteran
Registered: Sep 2000
Location: Herscher, Il
Posts: 217
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
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07-01-2003 01:55 PM
the Dark Marauder
Refuses to spend money at theme parks.
Registered: Sep 2002
Location: Over there
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Stay at the PBH and take the boat.
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07-01-2003 02:54 PM
gschmerl
Fun lover
Registered: Apr 2000
Location: Eagleville, PA USA
Posts: 1479
However, as I read a little more about the Express Pass, I realize I didn't understand the program... [/B][/QUOTE]
I'm glad you're gaining a better understanding. ANYONE can use the express pass system just like anyone can use the fastpass system at Disney. Universal also offers you the option of buying express pass plus now.
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07-01-2003 03:52 PM
kellymonaghan
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Registered: Apr 2000
Location: Connecticut USA
Posts: 1392
quote:
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Originally posted by Jon99
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..
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You've been misinformed. ANYONE can use the FREE Express Pass system at the kiosks scattered around the park.
At present, you can purchase an Express Pass card that gives you one Express admission to all (or at least most of) the rides. You pay $20 additional for this pass but spending more money should make you feel like you've never left Disney.
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07-01-2003 04:33 PM
ksdave
WDWWDS VP of Engineering
Registered: Oct 2001
Location: Kansas
Posts: 778
Sharon said:
quote:
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I don't think that is a fair comparrison! POFQ is a moderate & PBH is a Deluxe.
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My point was that the last time I stayed at POFQ, it was only $8/night less than what I paid at PBH. So, price-wise, it is a fair comparison. But quality-wise, there is no comparison. If you have never stayed at PBH, then you really need to. I've stayed at virtually every WDW hotel over the last 30 years and none of them, GF included, compares to the quality, room size, service, etc., of PBH.
Again, this is JMHO. Some like vanilla, somelike chocolate. I prefer the gelato at PBH .
As for Jon's comments that UO is only a one or two day resort, my kids, my wife and I now feel that way about WDW. There are only a few attractions that are leading edge anymore, and my kids would kill me if I asked them to go on rides like IASW and Pooh again. We can spend four days in UO and fill each day completely with all the rides, attractions and other activities we can handle. Like I said before.....vanilla, chocolate. Personally, my kids have grown beyond most of WDW at this point. They'll probably go back once they have their own young kids, but right now they love UO.
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07-01-2003 06:39 PM
Muushka
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Registered: Aug 1999
Location: Cary, NC
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We own at VWL and it is MANDITORY that we spend 3 days at USF. Yeah, the VWL 1 bedroom villa with the king size bed, Jacuzzi tub, kitchen, washer dryer is nice, but I really look forward to staying at HRH or PBH.
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07-01-2003 07:48 PM
Planogirl
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We spent three very fulfilling days at Universal this year and during our next trip I'd like to spend four. My plan is to split our stay evenly between WDW and US and stay onsite at both places. Maybe it's because we've been to WDW so often but it doesn't take us as long any more to see everything at WDW that we want to see. Universal is new and exciting for us and they seem to keep adding good new stuff too.
I agree with those who praised the Universal hotels even though I enjoy the Disney hotels too. It's just hard to beat a Loew's resort IMO.
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07-02-2003 03:10 AM
Robinrs
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Jon, I think you got your answer.
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07-02-2003 07:30 AM
jeffemy
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I just thought I'd add another perspective. My family stayed at the RPR for 4 nights 6/16-6/20 after a 7 night stay at AKL 6/10-6/16/03. The rates were comparable as I booked AKL with a code and RPR with the entertainment rate. We have taken previous trips to WDW, where this was our first US/IOA trip, so we were really looking forward to experiencing the Lowes hotels and Universal parks. Especially after reading all the wonderful reports I think maybe our expectations were a little too high, because we were all disappointed with our Universal half of the vacation.
My children are 10 and 15, and even my roller-coaster addicted 15 yr old liked WDW overall more than Universal. First of all I'll start with RPR. Indeed we thought it was a beautiful resort. We had a nice room which was larger than the AKL room, but we encountered a number of problems: While we were unpacking, I noticed what appeared to be chewing gum ground into the carpet in a number of places(I was barefoot and stepped in it-yuck). That evening, after spending the day in the park and returning rather late, we discovered all the pillows were goose-down, of which my son is extremely allergic. We called for replacements, which took close to 2 hrs to receive even after repeated calls. There were plumbing issues in the bathroom- clogged bathtub and toilet. The front desk seemed unaware of the grade A kids program, and after several calls to different employees to resolve the issue, other employees acted oddly about granting the drinks practically every time! My mother attempted to contact us via telephone and whomever she had spoken with, had very broken English to the point we were never connected. I had arranged a late-check-out for 1:00 on our last day. We went to breakfast, came back at 10:00 and housekeeping was already in our room cleaning! Ok- with each issue, I politely called the front desk. Each time I received an apology and the gum was cleaned out of the carpet, the plumbing unclogged. After continuous problems I was left extremely annoyed. I didn't feel they handled the problems with the same care Disney would have. We never really felt as comfortable here, for a reason I'm not quite sure of myself, maybe it wasn't as friendly, I don't know. It just seemed Disney bent over backwards and RPR acted like we were begging.
As far as the parks, we all really liked IOA even though we thought the Hulk was overated and the FOL was amazing except at the raft ride where FOL suddenly merged into the regular line(not the best system). US left us all disappointed. I also didn't think the CMs at Universal were as concerned as WDW CMs are.(Maybe thats just me). Also, the shuttle to Sea World was a big mistake, we definately should have taken our own car.
My family preferred Disney, both the parks and the resort over IOA/US. I know it is all a matter of indivdual preference, but if the service we received is any reflection upon the Lowes hotels, I'll remain a WDW return customer.
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07-02-2003 09:25 PM
*Fantasia*
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Location: Troy, Michigan
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quote:
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Originally posted by Jon99
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...
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Location...location...location...EXACTLY!!
UNIVERSAL:
HRH- PBH and RPR is only a step away!! You can walk it there! In just 5 or 10 minutes you are there!! All resorts at Universal has the access to the parks via water taxi and the bus or by foot. You just can't beat the locations when you stay on-sight at Universal. Mind you it only has two great parks and the City Walk!
DISNEY:
CSR, CBR, ASR, AKL (and some other resorts)--Can you walk it to the parks?? NO they have water taxi to get you to the parks?? NO
Can any resorts be as close to ALL the parkS?? NO.
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07-04-2003 04:24 PM
*Fantasia*
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quote:
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Originally posted by 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???
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Does Disney give you a Fan Club discount? NODoes Disney offer
AAA most of anytime during most of the seasons? NO. Disney limits their offer on AAA, it has to be a certain time. Does Disney offer Entertainment Card discounts? NO. Only S/D but they are not Disney resorts. OH YEAH...50%off on all 3 UNiversal resorts! Does Disney offer discounts on park tickets? I dont know, Universal has so many kinds of discounts! You will find them on their website, it's all plasterred there! And you can also get a good deal at the main entrance to at the ticket booth!
Well you can stay at RPR for only $125, still cheaper than AKL. And the HRH is only about $140 (around that) still cheaper than AKL. Besides, Universal resorts don't have savannah to have the animals running around.
As far as your stay at VWL...well, Universal doesn't have time share so no one can buy or rent points, so how in the "Universe" can you do that?? You starting to compare apples to banana. Ha ha ha ha...
If driving to Universl is a hassle or if you feel they treat you as a second class, and you feel that Universal is more money, then maybe you should stick with Disney. If Disney makes you happy and feel the "Magic" there, then by all means you don't have to go to Universal. You are not obligated to there.
If I felt that Universal is treating me a second class and if driving to Universal is a big hassle, then why should I keep going back to Universal if my money is not worth it there?? Right, of course!
OK...I guess I am done talking here. I am sure I will get some comments from this particular post. Just be gentle with me.
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--"Ohana means family...and family means no one gets left behind or forgotten."--
RPR & ASSp April 17-24 2003
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07-04-2003 04:46 PM
Jon360
DIS Veteran
Registered: Feb 2000
Location: New York
Posts: 389
Jon99,
If you prefer the WDW parks, by all means stay on-site at WDW and enjoy yourself.
If you want to spend a day at Universal and want the on-site benefits without leaving Disney, book a $109 room at Royal Pacific and just use the room key's for 2-days at Universal to get the FOTL benefits.
If you don't want to spend the extra $$ for the perks, a day at Universal should feel no different than a day at WDW with long regular lines and express passes.
Or another option is to buy the book of express passes that give you an express pass for each ride.
Why don't I go onto the WDW message boards complaining and moaning about how I'm treated like a 2nd class citizen because they won't let me buy a Magic Kingdom e-night ticket when I'm staying at a Universal resort. Obviously if you are not staying on-site, you will not get the maximum benefits. You can cry about it or use one of the many reasonable solutions suggested here.
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07-04-2003 05:35 PM
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