Best prices for Universal Resorts?

[Scrap_Vamp]

DH and I had always planned to have a couple of nights at HRH after our fortnight at OKW next year but now other family members have expressed interest in having a few nights at RPR as well.

Where is the best place to get cheap rates for the Universal hotels and is there any way to get cashback? We are AA members but how many rooms could we book at AAA rate in one booking?

Thanks in advance to anyone who can help

 

[wayneg]

What dates you looking for Jen? Prices vary a lot.
Often its very expensive for just 1 or 2 nights, big discounts if you stay a week. I was looking a while back and staying 7 nights almost halfed the rate.

 

[StarWarsJez]

I look everywhere but tend to find the cheapest price is when booking direct with the hotel itself. Not managed to find any discounts for HRH for July (peak so I suppose they don't have to discount). I'm member of Loews club but their deals usually say 'exclude Orlando resrts" which is frustrating.

Expensive, but during peak it makes the parks enjoyable.

 

[Scrap_Vamp]

What dates you looking for Jen? Prices vary a lot.
Often its very expensive for just 1 or 2 nights, big discounts if you stay a week. I was looking a while back and staying 7 nights almost halfed the rate.

I have priced up 28th to 31st August on the Loews site and with the 'save and stay' rate it is coming up as $766.47 per room. That would be a queen with 2 adults and 2 kids, two kings both with 2 adults, and potentially one king with 1 adult. I just wondered if there was any way to get cash back, or whether a AAA rate would be cheaper?

 

[wayneg]

I have priced up 28th to 31st August on the Loews site and with the 'save and stay' rate it is coming up as $766.47 per room. That would be a queen with 2 adults and 2 kids, two kings both with 2 adults, and potentially one king with 1 adult. I just wondered if there was any way to get cash back, or whether a AAA rate would be cheaper?

Sorry Jen, totally confused with all those rooms so I just searched for 1 room for 2 adults to make it easier, couldn't figure out how you reached $766.

28th-31st August 2013 RPR Queen room = $731.04
AP rate = $559.13

Cheapest I see using cashback is with Thomas Cook at £432 less 5.5%, converted to compare =$640

If you want a few rooms you will probably be better getting an AP, that way you can also apply lower rate if they release one and you get discounts of food & merchandise.

Not sure how many discounted rooms you can get with one AP.

 

[wilma-bride]

Not sure how many discounted rooms you can get with one AP.

Just one sadly. We were going to book two rooms for our November stay (have a separate one fo rthe kids) but when I emailed them, I got a response to say that, essentially, an AP holder needs to be booked into each room.

 

[wayneg]

Just one sadly. We were going to book two rooms for our November stay (have a separate one fo rthe kids) but when I emailed them, I got a response to say that, essentially, an AP holder needs to be booked into each room.

Looks like it, except post #5 here http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1678111

Not sure what an AP costs now, would have to look at the difference between the ticket you ar egoing to buy and AP, see if its worth getting one for each room, tahts assuming you haven't already bought Uni tix.

 

[wilma-bride]

Looks like it, except post #5 here http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1678111

Yes, that's pretty much what they told us - the difference with us is that Sian is classed as an adult and, as such, they told us she needed an AP. Since we are only staying one night, we decided agains two rooms in the end anyway. Ironic as Gary and I have both decided to upgrade our tickets to APs.

 

[sandshal]

Just booked PBH for 30th July 1 night in 2 queen garden view for $209 ...... Rack rate was $349 (RPR $202?)

It's an APH rate so need to upgrade my 14 day pass to AP but still works out better value with the discount, free parking for the non resort days etc. also get to use photo connect for the full duration I believe rather than 5 consequetive days,

Seems a pretty fair rate to me. That's booking 5 weeks ahead in high season.

 

[MichelinMan]

When I booked my HRH room last year, I found Complete Orlando was cheapest. Certainly much cheaper than going direct with Lowes. I would try checking them out too. I think I got a great rate by booking 4 nights though. If you stay longer, as Wayne said, you get a better rate.

 

[Scrap_Vamp]

Thanks for all the tips. I had wondered about AP rates but wasn't sure about how many rooms we could get.

In the end we will only need three rooms but Carl and I will probably stay at PBH while the others go to RPR.

I will have a look at what Complete Orlando are offering. Would like to do four nights but it will depend on when I need to be back for school!

 

[stephensmum]

We stayed at RPR last year for 5 nights, the best I found was with Hotelopier, through quidco. That was 8% cashback & a 10% code. I think it worked out at £100 per night.

Previously we have used AP savings.

 

[StarWarsJez]

When I booked my HRH room last year, I found Complete Orlando was cheapest. Certainly much cheaper than going direct with Lowes. I would try checking them out too. I think I got a great rate by booking 4 nights though. If you stay longer, as Wayne said, you get a better rate.

I just checked Complete Orlando for July and it worked out MORE expensive than direct - so I suppose it just depends on when you're going etc.

Certainly it doesnt seem like there are many discounts possible for the peak months...

 

[Portugal1000]

Just booked PBH for 30th July 1 night in 2 queen garden view for $209 ...... Rack rate was $349 (RPR $202?)

It's an APH rate so need to upgrade my 14 day pass to AP but still works out better value with the discount, free parking for the non resort days etc. also get to use photo connect for the full duration I believe rather than 5 consequetive days,

Seems a pretty fair rate to me. That's booking 5 weeks ahead in high season.

How do you upgrade a 14 day ticket to an annual pass? We have one night booked for 25th July but the savings would actually make it worth while and then free parking when we go back later in holiday.

 

[wilma-bride]

How do you upgrade a 14 day ticket to an annual pass? We have one night booked for 25th July but the savings would actually make it worth while and then free parking when we go back later in holiday.

You can only actually do it at Guest Services or the ticket booths, outside either park. Just tell them you want to upgrade to an AP - they will know the price you paid and deduct it from the AP amount. You will pay the difference. It should work out around $150 inc tax.