Beginning to plan for one week at US/IOA...

[Bren's Mom]

We're going during spring vacation week, April 17th-24th. (Could be the 18th-25th if flights are cheaper on Sunday. Or even Fri-Fri if necessary.)

Me, dh, dss (who will be 15) and ds (who will be 4).

Would like to stay onsite at Royal Pacific. Our ideal would be to afford a kid's suite, if we just can't get that to work budget-wise then a regular room.

Can anyone suggest when it is I should start looking? When they open up dates for April 2010? Can I expect any deals or forget about it because it's April?

Also, I've read it's better to book everything separate. I can handle air. Should I buy the $99 tickets now? And where is the best place to get the hotel. (We don't have AAA right now but I was considering getting it since dh's car is getting up there in miles. We used mom's AAA # when she and I took ds to WDW last year and it was a good deal.)

ETA: Oh, and one other question. We are considering not getting a car. What are the best options for getting from MCO to RP if we don't?

Thanks for any/all suggestions!

 

[macraven]

i would buy the promo passes of $99 now.

have your mom buy them thru AAA in case you don't get the membership.


i would not delay on this purchase. if you plan on doing universal, just buy the passes in advance while they are cheap.

it has been around longer than i assumed it would.
i hear rumors about it ending but then, that is only a rumor.

months back, this promo was cheaper than what it is now.
many people bought them and are holding them for a future visit.
the passes never expire until first usage of them.


if you plan to go during spring break '10, you can always book now at rack rate. you pay a one night deposit.
what you are doing is guarantee-ing a room for a specific time period.

without a calendar in front of me, i have no idea when spring break will be next year.


when AAA rates or promos come out, you can call and modify your rate at that point.

when promos or discounted AAA rates come out, call immediately.
only a portion of rooms are valid for those rates.


there are times that no discounts are available during the year.
well, not much of a discount that is.

 

[Bren's Mom]

Thank you for the info!

OK, I'll have mom get the tickets now through AAA.

About the room, though, if I book directly through the Universal site now...and then get AAA...do I call AAA to change the room rate or call Universal?

 

[macraven]

call universal resort vacation number.

or just call the main number and pick the ressie department by going thru the menu.


i find it best to call and make the ressies.
the TM's will try their best to give you the best deal and answer any questions you may have.





came back to add that you don't have to have the AAA card when you book.
it is only needed when you check in, in case they ask to see proof of it.

the AAA card allows you 10% off food and merch in the park and most places in city walk.

 

[Bren's Mom]

You're awesome...thanks!

 

[macraven]

you're welcome.

 

[Darcy03231]

We went for April vacation this year and took advantage of the buy 3 nights get 2 free promotion. We stayed at the Hard Rock and had a great time. We only did the 5 days because of airfare costs. Flying out on a early Sunday morning flight and returning on a Friday late afternoon flight was the least expensive (and it was a last minute trip). We've flown quite a bit during April vacation and I've found its usually less expensive to fly Friday to Friday.

 

[Bren's Mom]

OK. I called. The CSR was great on the phone. I decided to book the Kid's Suite at RP for Sat to Sat since that was our 'ideal'. The current rate is $549/579. I am SO hoping that goes down because 7 days at that rate is impossible. She said I can switch to a regular room at any time. I can also move it up or back by a day or two depending on airfare, although it's possible the kid's suite might not be available. We have decided to push for the suite and if we can't afford 7 nights we will do the first 3/4 nights there and then move offsite to a less expensive suite (like Homewood or something) for the remainder of the trip. My dh is adamant that we have a separate bedroom, being in one room with a teen and a preschooler isn't his idea of a 'vacation'! LOL I will keep my eyes on airfare for Fri-Fri in case that turns out to be much cheaper. Thanks!

One more question, I looked on date/rate but it doesn't seem many people book kid's suites. Anyone know some 'super saver' rates for kid's suites that have been gotten?