book universal hotel or not?

[married2mm]

never been to universal before,so was thinking of booking a one night stay in a universal hotel for express line benefits- is it worth it?

going mid/late August.

 

[WiganTony]

We have stayed in late July/early August and in all honesty wouldn't now consider visiting Universal unless we had the unlimited express line benefits.

TBH, we found that the mornings weren't too bad, with the queues not really building up until 11:00-12:00, but when we last visited back in 2010, the standby times for the two water rides were 120 minutes - we strolled on in less than 10.

We managed to get a lot done in a short time (and this included Harry Potter as we had entry and hour earlier than the general opening time), and managed to be finished in the park and by the pool for 3pm.

 

[Desmond Healey]

We are staying at the Hard Rock Hotel later this year, stayed before, there are three hotels on site, all are excellent, your choice, difference in price.
your fastpass is your room key card, which you must show to a ride attendant before riding.

 

[mollies_mum]

I'm asking myself the same question! We are going 19th October for 2 weeks, was thinking about staying one night at Hard Rock Hotel for the fast pass benefits but not sure if we will need to at this time of year?

 

[Desmond Healey]

your 1 night stay will have your fastpass already included, it will be on your room key card.

 

[scottishgirl1]

We stayed at Hard Rock Hotel for 1 night early August last year and it was definitely worthwhile. Apart from the Express Pass, we found being able to walk to the parks great and the extra hour at WWOHP makes that area much easier to tour.

The other benefit was that while we were there hotel guests also got into Universal an hour earlier and we got to ride Despicable Me and Rip Ride Rocket before general park opening. I think that was a limited time benefit due to Despicable Me being newly opened.

We would definintely stay again in the summer especially as we loved the hotel and for us being used to more villa type accommodation it made a nice change to be in a hotel and not have to get in the car to get to the restaurants!

 

[Metro West]

I'm asking myself the same question! We are going 19th October for 2 weeks, was thinking about staying one night at Hard Rock Hotel for the fast pass benefits but not sure if we will need to at this time of year?

October is pretty slow except at the Studios on the nights when Halloween Horror Nights is staged but that event doesn't usually affect daytime crowds. Having unlimited Express access is nice but you could save some money and stay offsite.

your 1 night stay will have your fastpass already included, it will be on your room key card.

Not anymore. The onsite resorts have a separate EP with your picture on it...not your room card. They changed this policy because they were finding too many people were giving their room keys to others which is against policy.

 

[Desmond Healey]

Thanks for the info, do the hotel take your photo when you book in at reception, or would we have to take our own.

 

[pyebibby]

There is a machine in reception that takes your photo and prints out your room key/pass

 

[Desmond Healey]

Thank you very much for the info. Stayed many times at Hard Rock Hotel, but missed 2012. Thanks again.

 

[1andrea]

I'm considering the same, have you made a decision yet?

Really I'm only considering a night stay so we get fast passes for the arrival day and departure day and for $234 for Royal Pacific, it might be worth it to save on August wait times.

 

[married2mm]

yes,went ahead and booked hrh,decided out was worth it for first trip to universal.
so far have managed to keep it a secret,but don't know how long I'll last!

 

[1andrea]

Great! Did yoh manage to get a good rate?

We have annual passes but as far as I can see no discounts are applicable for the dates I have checked in August.

 

[married2mm]

booked through asda.
was £186.84,very random figure

thought it was worth it,as the express line benefits cover 2days.

there was an offer,where you could only pay £1 deposit,but as I'm trying to be cloak and dagger,I figured the less transactions the better,so I just paid the balance.

do you think you'll book?

 

[1andrea]

booked through asda.
was £186.84,very random figure

thought it was worth it,as the express line benefits cover 2days.

there was an offer,where you could only pay £1 deposit,but as I'm trying to be cloak and dagger,I figured the less transactions the better,so I just paid the balance.

do you think you'll book?

Not sure at this point. It depends on whether we decide on Windsor Hills and get a good deal there. We won't be checking out of our room so although we will stay there it's really only for the express passes!

I cant decide on whether to stay at a 2 bed in Windsor Hills for $1375 ground floor or $1406 for a 3 bed without WIFI or $1589 for a 3 bed that's further from the pool but has WIFI!

There are only 3 of us but it will be nice to have a suitcase/packing room!

 

[married2mm]

Not sure at this point. It depends on whether we decide on Windsor Hills and get a good deal there. We won't be checking out of our room so although we will stay there it's really only for the express passes!

I cant decide on whether to stay at a 2 bed in Windsor Hills for $1375 ground floor or $1406 for a 3 bed without WIFI or $1589 for a 3 bed that's further from the pool but has WIFI!

There are only 3 of us but it will be nice to have a suitcase/packing room!

we are literally booked for the benefits,and no other reason,we may not actually sleep there- we will decide once were there.

there are 4 of us,once stayed in a 6 bed villa,kids took turns sleeping in different rooms!
I told them to stop using so many bathrooms,so I didn't have to clean as many toilets!
we usually have 3/4 bedrooms,kids tend to share a room,literally just for sleeping in,and having a post Disney chat,and dd has a dressing room/viewing room just for her.

 

[skelfbsfb]

booked through asda.
was £186.84,very random figure

thought it was worth it,as the express line benefits cover 2days.

there was an offer,where you could only pay £1 deposit,but as I'm trying to be cloak and dagger,I figured the less transactions the better,so I just paid the balance.

do you think you'll book?

I've tried booking for 1 night through this website but it won't let me. Have you got a link. Thanks

 

[married2mm]

I've tried booking for 1 night through this website but it won't let me. Have you got a link. Thanks

I didn't have any problems.
try this: http://www.asda-travel.co.uk/

hope it works.

 

[strawberry blonde]

I was hoping to book The Hard Rock Hotel but it's coming in at £245 for 1 night in June

 

[married2mm]

I was hoping to book The Hard Rock Hotel but it's coming in at £245 for 1 night in June

was this with asda,that's quite a leap in price?!

try http://www.lowcostholidays.com/

hope you find a better price.