please educate me. we are considering taking our first looooong vacation in years let alone to florida. we are kind of done out on disney. we've done universal one or two days before as an add on but would like to do an actual planned trip to stay there. i've read through threads, have the 'unofficial guide 2019' on order and want to get my brain started w/understanding the nuances of universal. here are some questions i hope you will be kind enough to answer/comment on so i have a jumping off point.
HOTEL-
* it seems better to book hotel/tickets separately vs. doing any kind of bundled package on their site-yes or no?
* is it better to book hotels through universal site crazy2retty user unfriendly from what i've seen) or directly? directly through individual hotel or their independent websites?
*it seems the advantage w/higher level hotels is express pass, any other advantages?
*ideally w/need separate bedrooms, and the non insanely priced suites i've seen on-line look to either be something w/a curtain between the main room/tiny child's area, or a tiny (twin beds) child's room adjacent to traditional hotel room w/bed. any suggestions on suites or is it possible to do 2 rooms adjacent w/a connecting door (we had a disabled adult son and we need interior access to both rooms) at any of the hotels?
*any pros/cons to individual hotels other than just individual taste? any a bit quieter (less screaming kids/drunk adults running down the halls?)?
*do all rooms/suites have fridges-and are they traditional small fridge or one of those half sized ones that barley hold 2 to-go containers? are they empty or filled w/overpriced stuff you either have to pay to have empty on arrival (or empty and stow yourself to refill on checkout)? microwaves-any rooms have them, if not are they available for rent/how much per day? any of the non higher level hotels have anything resembling tiny kitchenette area and larger room w/some seating (possible to do one like this and a single attached room?)? i know that would eliminate included express pass but we would go at lowest attendance period on their calendars so the lower lodging cost could offset adding express pass if we determined a need for it on individual days (it can be added as needed each day-correct?).
*do guests at universal properties have pool hopping privileges?
*thought i read somewhere that you can book at a/p rates PRIOR to purchasing a/p (just need to have in hand at check in)? yes/no? do you just need to keep checking the website frequently for these and do these have to be purchased through the website or can you still book w/it directly w/hotels?
PASSES-
*better to buy from universal site or undercover tourist (or other source)?
*at how many days continuous visit is it advantageous to buy a/p vs. more multi days?
*does a/p offer any advantages other than hotel discount to someone who won't return w/in the period of use? is express pass included? if not can it be added individual days/what cost?
TRANSPORTATION-
*not renting a car so what is available to/from orlando airport? aprox. price? grocery stop? any shuttle services if we wanted to go off property? cost?
*on site what is available between hotels, parks, city walk? how is the running time of each (it's been years since we used disney's on-site buses but they took forever to go the shortest distance)?
MISC-
*is there a way to find out if any big/group events are going on that could impact crowds during a specific time frame?
*is there an advantage to using amex vs. comparable or better points credit cards to book (keep seeing their ads on the website)?
*what exactly is hogwarts express? is it a ride to/from one park to another and if so can you disembark at each end?
thanks in advance, it's been YEARS since we've been to orlando and only ever spent a day or 2 visiting universal so never had to time to leisurely enjoy it. to travel this distance we would likely have at least 6 park days.
HOTEL-
* it seems better to book hotel/tickets separately vs. doing any kind of bundled package on their site-yes or no?
* is it better to book hotels through universal site crazy2retty user unfriendly from what i've seen) or directly? directly through individual hotel or their independent websites?
*it seems the advantage w/higher level hotels is express pass, any other advantages?
*ideally w/need separate bedrooms, and the non insanely priced suites i've seen on-line look to either be something w/a curtain between the main room/tiny child's area, or a tiny (twin beds) child's room adjacent to traditional hotel room w/bed. any suggestions on suites or is it possible to do 2 rooms adjacent w/a connecting door (we had a disabled adult son and we need interior access to both rooms) at any of the hotels?
*any pros/cons to individual hotels other than just individual taste? any a bit quieter (less screaming kids/drunk adults running down the halls?)?
*do all rooms/suites have fridges-and are they traditional small fridge or one of those half sized ones that barley hold 2 to-go containers? are they empty or filled w/overpriced stuff you either have to pay to have empty on arrival (or empty and stow yourself to refill on checkout)? microwaves-any rooms have them, if not are they available for rent/how much per day? any of the non higher level hotels have anything resembling tiny kitchenette area and larger room w/some seating (possible to do one like this and a single attached room?)? i know that would eliminate included express pass but we would go at lowest attendance period on their calendars so the lower lodging cost could offset adding express pass if we determined a need for it on individual days (it can be added as needed each day-correct?).
*do guests at universal properties have pool hopping privileges?
*thought i read somewhere that you can book at a/p rates PRIOR to purchasing a/p (just need to have in hand at check in)? yes/no? do you just need to keep checking the website frequently for these and do these have to be purchased through the website or can you still book w/it directly w/hotels?
PASSES-
*better to buy from universal site or undercover tourist (or other source)?
*at how many days continuous visit is it advantageous to buy a/p vs. more multi days?
*does a/p offer any advantages other than hotel discount to someone who won't return w/in the period of use? is express pass included? if not can it be added individual days/what cost?
TRANSPORTATION-
*not renting a car so what is available to/from orlando airport? aprox. price? grocery stop? any shuttle services if we wanted to go off property? cost?
*on site what is available between hotels, parks, city walk? how is the running time of each (it's been years since we used disney's on-site buses but they took forever to go the shortest distance)?
MISC-
*is there a way to find out if any big/group events are going on that could impact crowds during a specific time frame?
*is there an advantage to using amex vs. comparable or better points credit cards to book (keep seeing their ads on the website)?
*what exactly is hogwarts express? is it a ride to/from one park to another and if so can you disembark at each end?
thanks in advance, it's been YEARS since we've been to orlando and only ever spent a day or 2 visiting universal so never had to time to leisurely enjoy it. to travel this distance we would likely have at least 6 park days.