Beware of Universal

[kimberh]

still getting a rate of $159 to $179.... guess I have to wait.

going in Sept - offseason.

I had booked our room for easter, It was $299. Our Black Lab became very sick and ended up having only a month left. I called the number on my reservation to cancel and rebooked through their CR. I asked her what specials they had for the first week of June. She told me AAA and APH was $129. I immediately rebooked 2 rooms for that. We didn't get any of the Loews extras that come with a room, cookies, waters things like that or credits toward future stays.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

I agree with this statement AND (dare I say it - donning flame resistant suit) I could not see my family spending 5 days at Universal. We would be done in two days (provided we were staying onsite with FOTL) maybe be able to stretch it out to three days.

No flaming from me. My family spends 5 nights onsite @ Universal hotels. We started only staying 4. We then moved up to 5 nights a few trips ago. After spending 5 nights @ HRH last week, we'll probably up that to 7 nights next time. Our days of commando style, park touring are long gone. We enjoy a more relaxing vacation. With 5 days in the parks, we only did about 1/2 of what I had planned. We enjoy time at our resort, & more leisurely meals. We sleep in when we want, & go to bed when we want. There's no more rushing off to breakfast for us. We make dinner reservations, & play the rest by ear. The amount of days one can spend in the parks depend a lot on what type of vacation they're looking for. We like to come home from vacation well rested. We've also found that a more laid back vacation has stopped the fussing we used to occassionally do, when we thought we had to do & see it all, & were always in a rush. Noone is irritable this way.

It's a shame that there isn't more reasonable accommodations for a family larger than 5. Adding to the problem is the fact that the rates are at their highest, when most kids are out of school. As kids get older, I have found that they do seem to enjoy the UO parks more than WDW's. Then they become parents, & gravitate back toward the Mouse. Driving over to Universal for the day can't in any way compare to staying onsite there. I wish this option could be financially feasible for everyone.

 

[tinaluis]

First let me address all the people who think I did not PLAN this trip.I have been to these parks each summer for the past 20 years!! I am on these boards asking questions and check all that needs to be checked. I might have missed the stoppage of Express Pass but let me tell you I am NOT the only one.

Not arguing with you, but when Universal stopped offering the free Express Pass, it was ALL OVER the Universal board. Maybe you didn't see it because you weren't planning a trip, but it was there. I check in periodically, even when I don't have a trip planned, to see what's new.

I can honestly say in all of our trips to WDW and US/IOA we've NEVER encountered rude CM's. But we also have been known to "let things slide" in everyday life too, so I think that may be it. We're on vacation and there to relax so we don't let the little things get us down.

Hope you have better trips in the future!