Business/Family Trip Planning

[ksdave]

I have a business trip to FL during the first week of Feb. 2003 and I am planning on bringing the family for a few days at UO. I checked the UO website for rates at both RPR and HRH on Jan. 31st and Feb. 1st and they were pretty steep. I am planning to call and see if I can get the Entertainment rate, but I need help with a few questions first:

Do I need to have an Entertainment card when I make the reservation? Or just when I check in? I know the cards for 2003 are not available until November and I hate to buy cards for both 2002 and 2003 if I don't need to.

The UO website says you have to pay a 100% deposit upon making the reservation. Would this be for both nights of the stay? Do they charge this immediately, or is it just a hold?

I am planning to buy regular AP's for my wife and kids just before we go for our three days, so we can also use them for a trip later next year. Should I buy a Preferred AP for myself? Does a Preferred AP give you free parking at the hotels or just in the regular garage? Can I add an additional discount at the hotel with the preferred AP on top of the Entertainment rate, or do I just get one or the other?

My apologies to the regulars on this thread for some questions that are probably repetitive. Although we have been to UO several times, we have never stayed on-site (only at the mouse house), and I want this trip to be as good, and as financially reasonable, as I can make it. Thanks in advance for the help.

 

[PartyofSix]

Hi Dave, glad to see you on the US/IOA boards you have answered many a question for my wdw trip back in July, now maybe I can help you a bit.

1.) No you don't need to have the card until check in so go ahead and make your ressie's using ent. rate. Ent. rate is the best discounted rate I'm aware of.

2.) What they mean is a one night per room deposit. So if you stay three nights there taking one night and charging it to your cc at the time you make your ressies. This is per room so keep that in mind when calling in they'll want a card number. Now they will hold your ressie's for 10 days and allow time for you to mail in a check if you like.

3.) As for annual pass the biggest kicker for us was the blackout dates on the other power pass's. They are during peak times that i know we'd be going back. visit www.universalstudios.com site to get details on both pass's. What they mean by free parking is in the garage only. And you can also only use one discount per room. Ent. rate, AAA, AP, Fan Club ect...

Also, you did'nt mention your a loews memeber. You might want to visit www.loewshotels.com and get yourself a loews first card. This entitles you to a few nice perks. Free paper, some FF miles, upgrades for $35, and milk and cookies, wine, or fruit basket in your rooms. One other thing please don't forget PBH. I think this hotel is one of the most overlooked because of rack rate pricing. If HRH is booked look into PBH. It's so beautiful it's a shame most people bush it off as too expensive. With ent rates you can get a garden view for 159 and a del pool view for 180! This are the largerest rooms offered and they are sooo wonderful you'll just kick yourself for not experiencing this place once! Not to mention the resturants on site are some of the best, Mama's Deli is one that comes to mind. Just keep that in mind and have a wonderful time where ever you choose to stay.

 

[ksdave]

Tammy;
Thanks so much for the responses. I will be on the phone this week to see what I can do.
The one thing I am disappointed with is that the Preferred AP doesn't give you free parking at the hotels. Guess I'll just go with the regular AP, since we never go during the peak seasons.
Thanks again for the help.

Dave

 

[PartyofSix]

I believe all the hotels charge you for valet (12) or self parking (6) so it's a no win. We always just do valet. I hope you get a great rate these all all awesome hotels and you will be highly impressed after staying at Disney property's.

 

[DISJUNKIE]

We just returned last night from a five night stay at the HRH, and they only charged us for the valet parking for two days' worth. Don't let the parking situation deter you. We had a wonderful time! The hotel is gorgeous! For our trip, we had a deluxe room for $155, entertainment rate. (Two queen beds and a pull-out queen sofabed). The shortcut out of the back gate of the hotel lets you make it to the entrance to Universal in about five minutes! The staff was exceptionally friendly. I'm sure any of the three hotels would be a good choice. You've got to take advantage of the express lines with the hotel room key. It was almost obscene to stroll right onto the rides while everyone else was standing in the regular lines, especially in this heat!