Can I get some opinions please?

[KristineN]

I'd love to get some thoughts from you expect out there...

Hubby & I and the 3 kids will be heading to FL in June....

We are DVC members and are currently booked for June 1-11. None of us have been to Universal before, and this is the trip I would like to try it.

So....these are my questions:

Do I book a hotel for 3 nights from June 12-14? Advantages being the front of the line pass...new place to check out..near the parks, etc.

Do I stay at the DVC resort and just travel from WDW to Universal a couple of times. Advantage: no extra money for hotel...but disadvantages off the top of my head....No front of the line pass, and figuring out the transportation to & from (we don't rent a car normally)

Are the hotels worth the extra cost? If I chooses to buy the FOTLP, are they worth the cost for mid June trips?

Thanks for your time!!!

 

[Eeyore1925]

It is worth every extra penny to stay on site at Universal


The FOTL is invaluable. Leaves you plenty of time to get out of the heat during the day and relax by the pool.

I'll be there end of June and wouldn't consider staying anywhere but onsite.

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

If your budget can handle it, I think you will be pleased with your onsite stay. It is quite nice to be able to walk from hotel to park, park to park, park to restaurants, shops, etc. With the express access and the convenience of the hotels, it is feasible to go to parks for an hour here or there when you feel like it. Come and go as you please. And while the hotels are a bit pricey, you can't beat the ticket prices.

 

[dbragas]

We faced the same dilemma...we're DVC members (me, DH and two DSs) and will be going to Orlando in April. We're going to Universal for the first time and decided to bite the bullet and pay for one night at HRH specifically because of the FOTL. We'll head over to UO bright and early on our SSR checkout day so we can get two full days in at Universal. We don't rent a car either, so we're getting a transportation company to pick us up at SSR and bring us over to HRH. Universal is planned for the final two days of our trip.

We've been to WDW many times, so "something new" at UO is adding more excitement to our trip. We'll probably try to head over the SeaWorld while still at SSR too. Never been there either!!

Everything I've read on this board indicates that the money spent for staying on site at UO is money well spent. And the DVC points we didn't use for the one night we'll be at HRH went towards a bigger room at SSR

 

[jakuch]

Do
Are the hotels worth the extra cost? If I chooses to buy the FOTLP, are they worth the cost for mid June trips?

Thanks for your time!!!

You can save a little $$, I believe, by staying onsite on a Sunday-Thursday. The rate go up on the weekends, but someone correct me if I'm wrong.

Karen

 

[bubba's mom]

You can save a little $$, I believe, by staying onsite on a Sunday-Thursday. The rate go up on the weekends, but someone correct me if I'm wrong.

Karen

You are correct....Fri and Sat nites are a higher rate

 

[Lucky'sMom]

I think to really "experience Universal" you need to stay on-site. You'll get the escape from reality experience that you get when you go to Disney. Not to mention the hotels are all beautiful and the FOTL is SO worth the cost of the hotel stay!

 

[SnowWtch]

We usually just stay at Disney or a hotel in between the two to go to Universal. We have AP for both Universal and Disney. However, we did stay 1 night at RPR and were amazed. It was so beautiful. Everyone was friendly and being able to take a boat to the parks was so much fun. We enjoyed ourselves immensely and can't wait to stay onsite again. BTW, FOTL at Jaws saved us 30 minutes. It was completely worth it. I splurged on a water view king room and we were overlooking IOA and the pool. This resort really impressed me.

 

[leahjade]

We've done it both ways and had a great time each visit. So I'd let your budget decide for you. Either way, your kids will love Universal!