Book hotel just for the ticketing deal?

[jgoggan]

Hi all! This is my first post here -- so here's some quick details about me to put things in context...

My wife and I have visited Disney (World) several times over the past 5 years or so and have always stayed in a Disney resort due to my Dad being a DVC member with plenty of points. We have no kids, so that does not figure into our planning. (We are 39 years old.) We have a trip planned from Oct. 31 to Nov. 4th (2012). Using DVC points, we are booked at Saratoga Springs during that time. (We'll also be meeting up with my Dad who will be there -- they are staying at Boardwalk.)

While we have enjoyed Disney, we'd really like to experience Universal -- which we've never done (and my parents haven't done since the opening year when the Ghostbusters ride apparently broke down while they were on it, they got a full refund of their ticket prices, and promptly left the park)! We plan to be at Universal parks on Thursday (Nov. 1st) and Friday (Nov. 2nd).

So, there's the quick summary of where we are. Basically, I'm trying to find the best deal to spend 2 days at Universal with some sort of Express Pass. We don't think we need a park-to-park really -- since one day in each park seems fine to us. Here's the options I see:

Option 1:
For 4 people, 4 2-day Base Tickets are around $520 direct from Universal. (We could save $14 TOTAL going through UndercoverTourist, but to keep it simple, let's ignore that small savings for now.) To then add the Express Pass to that (one for each day), would be another $239. That makes a final total of $759 (including all fees and such).

Option 2:
For 4 people, you can book at room for one night at the Royal Pacific Resort and include a 2-day Base Ticket for $862 (including all fees). (We wouldn't actually spend the night here because we already have rooms at Disney. Also, this would be the 2nd night of our trip, so it doesn't make sense to really cancel one night at Disney and have to move twice to actually USE this room.) In any case, with that room stay, we'd get the UNLIMITED Express Pass -- plus 1-hour early access to Harry Potter on the day that we were going to Islands of Adventure.

So, basically, we're talking about paying an extra $103 total -- for 4 people -- to be able to have the Unlimited version of the Express Pass -- plus that 1-hour early access. To be honest, I don't know how many rides we'd really want to ride twice -- so I'm not sure that Unlimited Pass is that valuable to us.

I am curious of others' opinions on this? Anyone done something like this and not even bothered to stay at the hotel just for the deal on tickets? Is there some better deal that I'm not thinking of? Any other upsides to booking the vacation package even if we don't use the room? Is it worth ~$25/person to get into Harry Potter that extra hour early?

Thanks for your thoughts!

- John...

 

[damo]

Hi all! This is my first post here -- so here's some quick details about me to put things in context...

My wife and I have visited Disney (World) several times over the past 5 years or so and have always stayed in a Disney resort due to my Dad being a DVC member with plenty of points. We have no kids, so that does not figure into our planning. (We are 39 years old.) We have a trip planned from Oct. 31 to Nov. 4th (2012). Using DVC points, we are booked at Saratoga Springs during that time. (We'll also be meeting up with my Dad who will be there -- they are staying at Boardwalk.)

While we have enjoyed Disney, we'd really like to experience Universal -- which we've never done (and my parents haven't done since the opening year when the Ghostbusters ride apparently broke down while they were on it, they got a full refund of their ticket prices, and promptly left the park)! We plan to be at Universal parks on Thursday (Nov. 1st) and Friday (Nov. 2nd).

So, there's the quick summary of where we are. Basically, I'm trying to find the best deal to spend 2 days at Universal with some sort of Express Pass. We don't think we need a park-to-park really -- since one day in each park seems fine to us. Here's the options I see:

Option 1:
For 4 people, 4 2-day Base Tickets are around $520 direct from Universal. (We could save $14 TOTAL going through UndercoverTourist, but to keep it simple, let's ignore that small savings for now.) To then add the Express Pass to that (one for each day), would be another $239. That makes a final total of $759 (including all fees and such).

Option 2:
For 4 people, you can book at room for one night at the Royal Pacific Resort and include a 2-day Base Ticket for $862 (including all fees). (We wouldn't actually spend the night here because we already have rooms at Disney. Also, this would be the 2nd night of our trip, so it doesn't make sense to really cancel one night at Disney and have to move twice to actually USE this room.) In any case, with that room stay, we'd get the UNLIMITED Express Pass -- plus 1-hour early access to Harry Potter on the day that we were going to Islands of Adventure.

So, basically, we're talking about paying an extra $103 total -- for 4 people -- to be able to have the Unlimited version of the Express Pass -- plus that 1-hour early access. To be honest, I don't know how many rides we'd really want to ride twice -- so I'm not sure that Unlimited Pass is that valuable to us.

I am curious of others' opinions on this? Anyone done something like this and not even bothered to stay at the hotel just for the deal on tickets? Is there some better deal that I'm not thinking of? Any other upsides to booking the vacation package even if we don't use the room? Is it worth ~$25/person to get into Harry Potter that extra hour early?

Thanks for your thoughts!

- John...

Lol, first of all there never was a Ghostbusters ride. It was really just a show. Not sure how it would have broken down. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOQuitks90g

Lots of people book a room to get the unlimited express access. You can book 2 adults and 3 children in a room and it often turns out to be cheaper than purchasing the express passes. You don't need to buy any packages, you can book your room at www.loewshotels.com and get your tickets at www.undercovertourist.com

If you book this way, when lower rates come up, you simply call the hotel and have your rate changed. If you book a package, there are change fees that are charged if you make any changes within a certain date of your arrival.

Remember that anyone who stays at an onsite hotel for one night gets the 1 hour early park admission for two days as well as the unlimited express access for two days. You don't need to purchase any special packages...just make a regular one night reservation.


In my opinion, for the dates you are going, you aren't going to need the express pass or early admission.

 

[jgoggan]

Lol, first of all there never was a Ghostbusters ride. It was really just a show. Not sure how it would have broken down.

Well, again, it was opening year -- so the story from parent to me is at least 20 years old, right? Maybe she got the rides mixed up. Point is they were there for like two things -- the 2nd one broke down or stopped or whatever -- and they were offered a refund to leave and took it.

In any case, thanks for all of the details on the hotel situation.

In my opinion, for the dates you are going, you aren't going to need the express pass or early admission.

Really? I guess I'm too used to Cedar Point -- when it doesn't matter WHEN you go, you're still waiting a minimum of 30 minutes for most rides and often 60+ minutes -- unless you do their Express Pass thing (where you're waiting 5-10 minutes for everything usually).

If the waits at Universal on Nov. 1-2 are going to be 10 minutes without an Express Pass, then I'd be fine with that. If they are going to be 30+ minutes without a Pass, then the Express Pass (dropping it to under 10 minutes from what I'm reading in most places) would still be worth it to me.

Any estimate on what sort of time we're talking for rides without a pass those days?

- John...

 

[damo]

Hard to estimate ride times but there is nothing going on in early November. That is why it is important not to purchase any express passes before you go. Wait until you get into the park, see if the lines build up to a point where you want the express pass, and then purchase it, inside the park.

 

[jgoggan]

Yes, but that's the catch... I asked in another post on this too -- from what I see online, I can't find ANY information about purchasing/adding an Unlimited Express Pass at the park. Is it even possible? If so, is there pricing information somewhere?

Also, as I noted in my original post... IF it is busy, than the real value in this might be the early access to Harry Potter -- which, of course, can't really be purchased on the day after you see how busy it is.

- John...

 

[damo]

Yes, but that's the catch... I asked in another post on this too -- from what I see online, I can't find ANY information about purchasing/adding an Unlimited Express Pass at the park. Is it even possible? If so, is there pricing information somewhere?

Also, as I noted in my original post... IF it is busy, than the real value in this might be the early access to Harry Potter -- which, of course, can't really be purchased on the day after you see how busy it is.

- John...

One of the posters here who is an employee who sells the express pass at the parks has stated that they will sell the unlimited express. It would just be the difference in whatever the VIP ticket is going for minus the ticket price. I'll try to find her posts. editted to add:

Just as a correction to info posted, you can also purchase an UNLIMITED Express at the parks as well as a seperate Express ticket if you already have admission tickets. It is available per day for one park or both. So you can choose between once time per attraction or the Unlimited option.

You can get early park admission by purchasing on offsite package through the universal orlando website. You will get your tickets plus early admission but not any express access after the early admission.

The prices are here for the VIP ticket and vary depending on when you are going... https://www.universalorlando.com/Ticket-Store/PurchaseTickets.aspx?ParkTickets Remember that these prices include a park to park ticket.

You'll have to do the math to see which is the best deal for you.

 

[jgoggan]

One of the posters here who is an employee who sells the express pass at the parks has stated that they will sell the unlimited express. It would just be the difference in whatever the VIP ticket is going for minus the ticket price. I'll try to find her posts.

Sounds good -- thanks!

You can get early park admission by purchasing on offsite package through the universal orlando website. However, the package includes your ticket, which I assume you already have since you aren't interested in the VIP ticket.

I don't necessarily mind doing a package provided that it made sense from a price standpoint. So far, I'm thinking my best deal is to buy my 4 2-day base tickets from UndercoverTourist (~$511) and then book a 1-night stay at the Royal Pacific (~$342). That gives me the 2-day tickets plus Unlimited Express Passes plus 1-hour early to Potter for a total of about $853.

The prices are here and vary depending on when you are going... [Removed link because I'm too new!] Remember that these prices include a park to park ticket.

Indeed -- as I've said, I've looked at all of those and the problem is that they do include the park-to-park -- which, for 4 tickets, adds a cost for something that I won't use. That is why I was asking about a way to add Unlimited Express Passes to a 2-day Base ticket -- without having to upgrade to park-to-park and pay the extra.

Thanks again!

- John...

 

[damo]

Sounds good -- thanks!



I don't necessarily mind doing a package provided that it made sense from a price standpoint. So far, I'm thinking my best deal is to buy my 4 2-day base tickets from UndercoverTourist (~$511) and then book a 1-night stay at the Royal Pacific (~$342). That gives me the 2-day tickets plus Unlimited Express Passes plus 1-hour early to Potter for a total of about $853.



Indeed -- as I've said, I've looked at all of those and the problem is that they do include the park-to-park -- which, for 4 tickets, adds a cost for something that I won't use. That is why I was asking about a way to add Unlimited Express Passes to a 2-day Base ticket -- without having to upgrade to park-to-park and pay the extra.

Thanks again!

- John...

Just edited my post to add the info from the ticket seller/poster. I suggest you call or email customer service at the parks to get the most up to date information.

 

[jgoggan]

Ok -- I called and, unfortunately, they can't quote pricing for the Unlimited over the phone -- it is available as an add-on ONLY at the park itself on the day of the visit. He ESTIMATED that they would be "about double" the normal one-ride Express Passes -- so he said that it would be around $60 per person on Thursday and $50 per person on Friday.

At those prices, I'm MUCH better off to book the room for the unlimited -- even though I won't actually USE the room at all.

- John...

 

[damo]

Ok -- I called and, unfortunately, they can't quote pricing for the Unlimited over the phone -- it is available as an add-on ONLY at the park itself on the day of the visit. He ESTIMATED that they would be "about double" the normal one-ride Express Passes -- so he said that it would be around $60 per person on Thursday and $50 per person on Friday.

At those prices, I'm MUCH better off to book the room for the unlimited -- even though I won't actually USE the room at all.

- John...

There ya go! You won't be the first or last person to do this. And remember you get two days of early admission and express with one night's stay. The hotels take AAA but you have to call directly to either Loews or AAA to get those discounts. Every little bit helps! Oh and remember to use AAA for discounts at the parks for most food and merchandise as well.

 

[dvcterry]

we booked hotel package deal, just as pp poster said, many others do as well. but i have to honestly say we did use the room to go back to for rest break and use of pool. we packed a small travel bag with swimsuits, toothbrush, and after a night at the park and citywalk we walked back to the room and then first thing in the early morning got right back in line! well worth it for us.

 

[bumbershoot]

So far, I'm thinking my best deal is to buy my 4 2-day base tickets from UndercoverTourist (~$511) and then book a 1-night stay at the Royal Pacific (~$342). That gives me the 2-day tickets plus Unlimited Express Passes plus 1-hour early to Potter for a total of about $853.

IF, by any chance, you guys plan on spending a bunch in dining and souvenirs, and have no AAA card to get a discount.....

3 2-day base tickets from UCT = 380.85
1 Preferred AP through Universal's website, pick up at will call kiosk = 279.04
RPR standard 2 Queen room with APH code for a discount (that's for AP holders), booked through this site at THIS moment (as it might disappear) = 223.88


It's about $30 more when I do the math, over what you've worked out, but IF you thought you would be spending a ton of money on dining and souvenirs at Universal, that AP discount could work out for you. Also, the Preferred pass gets you free parking at the parks (NOT at the hotel...if you park at the hotel you'll be charged) after you have activated it (so not that first day, but on the second day), which saves a day of parking fees.


Just a thought! A complicated one, but a thought all the same.

 

[damo]

bumbershoot, that's a great AP rate considering what the normal rate is.

 

[jgoggan]

Interesting! Thanks for the information on that. I hadn't considered the AP.

I just ran all the calculations and since I'd have to pay for that first day of parking, I see it being $25 more than the way I'm currently doing it. But, you end up with a pass that is good for a year, right? So, if I HAPPEN to go back NEXT year earlier in the year, I could save quite a bit. Hmmm...

How far is it to walk from the RPR to a park Ticket Booth? I'm thinking that I could stop at the hotel (and not pay to park for overnight -- just pull up for normal check-in and tell them that I'm not leaving a car) -- then quickly walk over to the park, activate my AP (and therefore free parking), then walk back to the RPR, get the car, and drive to the park...

Yes, I know that only saves me $15 and I'm being pretty cheap there, but it is fun to try to maximize things. If I do it that way, we're only talking an extra $10 to have an AP.

Note that I do have AAA, so the extra AP discounts (outside of the hotel discount) likely don't mean too much.

So -- I've actually already ordered my 4 tickets from UCT yesterday -- I needed to get them ordered so that I would get them in time. If I decided to upgrade to the AP, can I do that at the park even though I bought the tickets from UCT? Can I take one of those 2-day Base tickets that I just bought, go to the park ticket window, and just pay the difference to get the AP?

- John...

 

[rubybpc]

Does anyone know if the tickets are maybe cheaper at a Universal partner hotel?
And do the 2 day of early admission have to be consecutive? We're planning on going to IOA on a Friday and U.S. on Sunday.

 

[jgoggan]

Does anyone know if the tickets are maybe cheaper at a Universal partner hotel?

They were not any cheaper when I just checked. Bundled with the room or direct from Universal was the same. (So I bought from UndercoverTourist).

And do the 2 day of early admission have to be consecutive? We're planning on going to IOA on a Friday and U.S. on Sunday.

The early admission is good for every day that you are at the hotel. So, if you are at the hotel on at least Friday night and Sunday morning, you should be fine.

- John...

 

[damo]

Does anyone know if the tickets are maybe cheaper at a Universal partner hotel?
And do the 2 day of early admission have to be consecutive? We're planning on going to IOA on a Friday and U.S. on Sunday.

If you purchase an offsite package, you get early admission for the days that your tickets are for. Your ticket will be marked with a special code that will get you the early admission.

If you stay onsite, you get early admission for check in day and check out day.

 

[FayeW]

Seriously, you won't need the express pass for the dates you are going. We usually go during the first week of Dec and have never purchased, wanted, or needed, the express pass. You are going after Halloween and before Thanksgiving. Don't waste your money. On a Thursday and Friday you will walk on almost everything.