budget saving tips

[macraven]

ragman posed the question of starting a thread to include bargains and deals on all things universal.

post any tips or deals that you are aware of.

maybe if we can get a thread started that includes basic info on tips and current deals on transportation, tickets, hotels, food, it will help the newbies (and us oldies...............)

 

[macraven]

one tip i can suggest is to use discounts for the on site hotels.
this alone can save a tremendous amount of money.


The best deals come with the APH and AAA discounts. some book their trips through websites while others like myself call universal direct to book.

i have found new promos on hotel discounts by calling. if you have the loews first card, always include it when booking. upgrades are possible when you apply your loews card at the time of booking.

check back frequently after you have made your reservation. if rates drop, you can call and modify your rates. the modification is not done automatically. if you don't call and request it, no change to a lower rate will happen

 

[Ragman]

2 things

- FAN CLUB CARD. My G/F got these through her work. It saves us 10% on meals and merchandise in certain shops.

- Movie & Meal Deal coupon through the Entertainment book. The Meal & Movie Pass entitles one guest to dinner at select Universal CityWalk resturants. The guest may choose one entree and one beverage from a select menu. The meal and movie Pass also entitles the guest to one movie of the guests choice at the Universal Cineplex located at Universal CityWalk. This pass is valid until used by guest.

 

[macraven]

magic orlando card. you can download this off the internet.

you receive discounts in parts of the park and city walk of 10%


also can receive motel/hotel off site discounts. local resturants and car rentals with it.

if you order for it to be sent to you, it could take a few weeks. included with it are the information books which are the size of a readers digest mag.
there are 2 of those books, they include coupons and codes for discounts that include many local items.

site: magicorlando.com

 

[phamton]

Buy a refillable mug and use it everytime you go.

 

[Ragman]

Phantom, when you say to use a erfillable mug, how does this save you money? are there certain kiosks where it is cheaper to refill than to buy a new one?

thanks,

 

[macraven]

check the universal website frequently if you are planning a trip in the future.

you can keep on top of new promos that way.

special promo on tickets still valid, buy one adult ticket get one child ticket free for a 2 park 5 day pass.

kids eat free promo with booking a package
play and stay package


by the way, i always break the package down by ticket/hotel to see if it is financially to my advantage. be aware you do not always get the ticket promos if you book a package.

 

[Sylvester McBean]

second the refillable mugs. $1.25 refills at both parks on sodas, or a free,huge mug of ice water when it's really hot.

 

[Ragman]

any problems with the refillable mugs and rides? Do you just set them with your hat or baggage when boarding or do you take them along with you?

 

[macraven]

use the free locker for any items you have to carry.

while walking loop the handle of the mug to your waist pack/belt.
or use the around the shoulder sling/holder to lug it around so your hands are free.

some rides prohibit carry ons of anything

 

[Sylvester McBean]

any problems with the refillable mugs and rides? Do you just set them with your hat or baggage when boarding or do you take them along with you?

ROTM, DD, and the hulk you'll have to get a locker for things like mugs and bags. MIB has lockers as well, but it also has an area in the car to stow small items like a mug.

last sunday my wife forgot and brought a mug on the hulk. when we got to the loading platform she asked the TM had she could do with it. he told her either not to ride or give it to him to pitch. she gave it to him and he threw it into the garbage can.

 

[lindalinda]

I'm just moving this so its on this thread.

I have gotten lots of tips here. I have several of the movie and meal deal coupons, since i will be there 9 days I think I will use them 1 per day maybe if i can get away with it. Robvia's site has lots of tips, using cooler etc. One I plan to use for sure is ordering pizza from Flippers (I had not known you could do this, always just ordered in the hotel before.) Since we are taking 3 boys (12,12 and14) I think we will be doing this a LOT! Another one someone posted on here was the tickets thru costco.com. I was nervous about it , but ordered them. 3 month passes for 84.99$!!! I got 4 of those and I also ordered the annual pass thru them as it was a 15 month pass instaed of just 12 (same price as website 179.99$) shipping was only 12$, which is less than universal web site. (no option to pick these up at the kiosk tho, have to have them delivered, so you need several weeks lead time). It took 8 days for them to arrive and I was sweating it a bit. I am checking regularly (actually daily LOL) to see if the AP rates go down for my dates. I am going in June so I'm not sure if it will happen as its such a popular time, but I'm hopeful. I think I can save the cost of the pass (diff in cost would be 95$) in t-shirt discounts and food alone probably, (5 of us, I'm sure we'll each get at LEAST 2) even if I dont get a lower rate. One of the best tips is to be sure to take your AAA card or AP in the parks with you every time, since you get discounts with these for food almost everywhere. I carry mine in my lanyard with my ticket and room key. Another kind of basic but handy tip is to split meals, I know I never really eat an entire meal at lunchtime so I figure I will split with my BF instead of wasting $$$ on that. Thats all I can think of right now!

 

[Ragman]

I love the mug tip. Thats great!! these are eactly the things I was looking for. Hopefully this thread helps other newbies like me.

1 more question... Does it have to be a park mug or no? Can it be ANY refillable mug?

 

[Sylvester McBean]

I love the mug tip. Thats great!! these are eactly the things I was looking for. Hopefully this thread helps other newbies like me.

1 more question... Does it have to be a park mug or no? Can it be ANY refillable mug?

it has to a mug from inside one of the two parks. you can pick them up from practically any restaurant or kiosk. the inexpensive ones with the handles are the easiest to carry. the more elaborate ones are cool souvenirs, but who wants to carry a spongebob the size of a football around all day?

 

[Sylvester McBean]

an AP tip I learned from a TM is to show it everywhere you make purchase. most food carts don't take it, but they'll tell you if they do or don't. the savings we get with our AP's on food, merchandise, and parking pays for our AP's easily every year. we essentially get to go to Universal for free.

 

[robvia]

My site is geared towards the budget traveler. Sure, I like to splurge on a few items, but can't see overspending on food and drinks.

1. Visit Publix and stock the cooler before checking into your hotel room.
2. Eat breakfast in the room (saves time and money).
3. You can bring a few snacks and a water bottle into the park.
4. Visit offsite restaurants at night (rental car helps here).
5. Order pizza in from Flippers if you don't have a rental car.
6. Set budget limits with souvineer shopping.

 

[Sylvester McBean]

I've noticed a lot of people recently with the unlimited dining wristband. if you're going in peak season when the parks are open late, this could be a good option. we eat breakfast in the van on the way over. that way we're not hungry by 11:00. the 3 of us usually split 2 meals for lunch. places like the enchanted oak have a 1/2 chicken with fries, corn, and corn muffin for $8.99. (then feed the fish in the lagoon the fries) so we get a very good lunch for 3 for under $20.00.

 

[Ragman]

How much is the unlimited dining wristband and what do you get with it? I mean can you eat anywhere in the park?

 

[Sylvester McBean]

How much is the unlimited dining wristband and what do you get with it? I mean can you eat anywhere in the park?

it works for selected CS in both parks. $18.99 per day for 1 park, $22.99 per day for both parks. phamton posted the menus in another thread:

Circus McGurkus

Children: Spaghetti and meatball and a counter cookie
Fried chicken w/ mashed potatoes and a counter cookie
1/2 cheese or pepperoni pizza w/ fries and a counter cookie

Adult: Cheese Pizza
Pepperoni pizza
Spaghetti and meatballs
Fried chicken platter

Captain America Diner

Children: Mini-cheeseburger w/ fries and counter cookie
Mac and cheese nuggets w/ fries and counter cookie
Peanut butter and jelly sandwich w/ fries and counter cookie

Adult: Cheeseburger
Chicken fingers
Double cheeseburger
Crispy chicken salad
Chicken sandwich
Buffalo chicken sandwich

Comic Strip Cafe

Children: mini-hotdog w/fries and a counter cookie
Mac and cheese and a counter cookie
1/2 cheese or pepperoni pizza and a counter cookie

Adult:
Cheeseburger platter
Grilled chicken sandwich
Chili dog platter
Cheese pizza
Pepperoni pizza
Spaghetti and meatballs
Chicken Alfredo
Chicken Caesar salad
Fried chicken and chips
Fried fish and chips
Sunday Sampler
Fish sandwich platter
Sweet and sour platter w/fried rice
Beef and broccoli w/fried rice
Dragon combo w/fried rice

Louie's Italian restaurant

Chldren: Slice of pepperoni or cheese pizza, grapes, and a counter cookie
Peanut butter and jelly sandwich, grapes, and a counter cookie
Spaghetti and meatball w/breadstick and a counter cookie

Adult: Slice of cheese pizza
Slice of pepperoni pizza
Slice of vegetable pizza
Meatball sub
Spaghettit and meatballs
Caesar salad
Fettuccine Alfredo

Mel's Drive-in

Children: Mini-cheeseburger w/fries and a counter cookie
Mini-hotdog w/fries and a counter cookie
Mac and cheese nuggets w/fries and a counter cookie

Adult: Cheeseburger
Gardenburger
Chicken fingers
Chicken salad
Double cheeseburger w/bacon

International Food and Film Festival

Children: Fried chicken w/mashed potatoes,gummy dinos, and a counter cookie
Mac and cheese, gummy dinos, and a counter cookie
Penne Pasta and meatball, gummy dino, and a counter cookie

Adult: Cheeseburger
Fried chicken
Garden salad
Chef salad
Mediterrean tuna salad
Fresh fruit plate
Cheese personal pizza
Pepperoni personal pizza
Penne pasta w/meatballs
Chicken parmesan
Sweet and sour chicken w/fried rice or white rice
Szechwan orange chicken w/fried rice or white rice
Stir fry beef and broccoli w/fried rice or white rice

 

[phamton]

How much is the unlimited dining wristband and what do you get with it? I mean can you eat anywhere in the park?

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1011431