Cannot Decide- HELP!

[Upcoming]

OK, I have tried and tried to make a decision for this vacation and have decided I simply cannot make up my mind. Here is my problem. I have reservations at Potifino Bay onsite at Universal. I have a kids suite reserved for 6 nights making the grand total over $3000 (I got AAA rate and everything..in looking it over in many locations, I think I have the best deal available...we are going the first week in June). OK..do we keep those reservations or is there something off-site with the same resort "feel" with a shuttle service to Universal. We definitely want a suite as our son is taking his friend (two 13 year old boys need their own sleeping area). We wanted to stay at Royal Pacific but there are no suites available. I am just having a hard time justifying the $3000 for a room. I do NOT want to move hotels once we are there. We will have a rental car from airport but really would prefer to park and stay. We also want to go to Discovery Cove, Kennedy Space Center and possibly Sea World. We already have or $85.00 Universal 7 day tickets purchased. HELP! Is it worth all that money. I REALLY want to stay close so we could come and go but geez...I have NEVER paid that much per night for a hotel room. Is there a very nice resort (we want a resort) close by Universal with shuttle service? I have looked and looked. I do not know the area and have no idea how getting too and from the parks would work.

 

[5mins2disney]

Well you can do a LOT better than that rate if you stay offsite...but you're going to need a rental car for the most part. There's a brand new resort called Vista Cay right over by Universal / Sea World..but I don't believe they have shuttle service. To get to KSC you're going to need a rental car too.

I think I'd just go offsite and get the rental car, you'll end up in a place that's a whole lot nicer for a lot less $$, even after paying for the car and parking.... $3k is pretty steep, you can rent a huge pool home for a lot less than that!

 

[bush]

The downside to staying off-site at Universal is that you will no longer have the front of the line priviledges. Have you tried the APH rate or thought about 2 connecting rooms in the RPR? I had the AAA rate at RPR for $191 then it dropped to $124 per night with the new APH rates. I'll be there the same time you are so the rates for that time-frame have been updated. Give the hotel a call and see what they can do for you.

 

[Upcoming]

Thanks for you help. I changed to 2 connecting rooms at RPR and and thrilled. I saved about $500.00. What is the APH rate. I just did this yesterday and was quoted $191/night. I have AAA. Not sure what APH is or how to get the better rate. What do I need to do?

 

[mossy1]

I believe they are refering to the annual pass holder rates. I also second the opinion for a different offsite stay. If I was budgeting $3000.00 you could stay at windsor hills or the like for 2 weeks and have a rental car for that price!?! Just my 2 cents.

 

[Upcoming]

Where would I find info on this? I assume there is a yearly charge, but if I could save more than the fee it would be worth it. I agree with the price of staying off-site, but we were really wanting to stay on-site for FOTL access, especially since we are going in June (the only time of the year we can go).

 

[mossy1]

I just checked and it looks like it's 279.95 for Premier grade passes and 179.95 for the 2 park prefered AP---you should only need one ap ticket to get the rate. This is from their website. For more information, call 1-866-PASS-4-FUN

 

[shelemm]

Staying onsite means you will be paying a premium for your room that no amount of benefits can justify from a purely monetary standpoint. You are paying for 'pride of place.'

Since you are planning to visit other locales, you'll need a rental car anyway. Stay offsite unless you feel comfortable dishing out a ton of money for onsite rates.

Front of the line privileges (universal express) can be purchased separately.