Book a package, or room-only?

[holcomb-mania]

I'm getting ready to book our June 2011 trip to UO/IOA. First time on-site and we're pumped!

As a noob, I'm not sure if booking a package makes sense. Here's what I want to book:

- 3-night stay at HRH, Deluxe room
- 4-day, 2-park tickets (I guess)
- Blue Man Group tickets.

Would it be better to go ahead and book the room now and worry about tickets later? I've seen mention of room discounts hitting and maybe I could rebook under that later. Whenever I try to price the package on the web-site it blows up. I guess I can't book online this far out.

Just wanted to consult the experts before calling UO.

TIA!

 

[damo]

I'd wait several months before doing anything.

 

[Clemson Bama Fan]

Several months ago I booked a package for 9 days at the HRH with Orlando Flex Tickets. Today I cancelled that package and booked the room and tickets separately and saved over $900. The rates I booked today were not available earlier. I guess it never hurts to book early, you can always adjust later.

 

[holcomb-mania]

I'd wait several months before doing anything.

Not even the room?

 

[damo]

Not even the room?

I think if you wait a few months you will be perfectly fine. You can't book online for those dates yet. Once they become available online, then I would start thinking about booking.

 

[holcomb-mania]

Gotcha, thanks. How far out can you usually book online? I'm a DVC vet, and accustomed to booking 11 months out (booked our AKV stay yesterday ). I guess I need to get used to the UO timeline.

I think I'm going to book room only, then get tickets for the parks and BMG separately. Is that sound?

 

[damo]

Gotcha, thanks. How far out can you usually book online? I'm a DVC vet, and accustomed to booking 11 months out (booked our AKV stay yesterday ). I guess I need to get used to the UO timeline.

I think I'm going to book room only, then get tickets for the parks and BMG separately. Is that sound?

That's what I would do. Keep a watch out for any ticket deals...who knows what might pop up in the next year.

 

[reelmom]

Do AP holders get discounts on rooms? If so, what are the usual discounts? Thanks

 

[damo]

Do AP holders get discounts on rooms? If so, what are the usual discounts? Thanks

Preferred annual pass holders can get great discounts on rooms. Just as an example, we got the Royal Pacific for $134/night this past June and has ressies again in August at the same rate.

You don't need to have you annual pass to actually book the room. You just need to have it when you are at the hotel and they ask. It is worth giving them a call and asking what the rates are for your dates.

If you go to the Universal Resorts forum and look through the Dates and Rates 2010 thread, you can see the discounts that people have received.