Convince me

[akmom]

Off-site at Doubletree or On-site at RPR? and Why? This is our first time going to Universal and I can't decide where to stay. I'm horrible at decisions. Thanks everyone!

 

[Metro West]

Off-site at Doubletree or On-site at RPR? and Why? This is our first time going to Universal and I can't decide where to stay. I'm horrible at decisions. Thanks everyone!

The main benefit to staying onsite is the unlimited Express access. Now depending on when you're going, you may or may not need it in the parks but it's a very nice perk to have. You can only get that benefit by staying onsite. Of course staying onsite can be expensive and there's the parking charge on top of the nightly hotel rate.

Your main question should be...Am I going at a busy time that would warrant spending the money for unlimited Express access?

 

[akmom]

Ah yes, good point. We are going the last week of June. I just wondered if the express pass outweighs the extra cost of RPR.

 

[damo]

RPR no question.

 

[patster734]

It depends upon how much you're willing to spend on your hotel per night.

For the last couple years, my RPR rate has averaged around $250 a night, but that's because we always bring my parents, resulting in a $50 a night adult fee ($25 per adult). Without that, the rate would be $200 nightly.

Never pay rack rates! Check for AAA and APH (Annual Pass Holder) rates. In the past, the money saved by booking with the APH would cover the cost of the APH. However, with the increased price of the APH, that's less likely, but still possible. So your best bet will probably be AAA. There's also a "Stay More, Save More" rate that could be available during your visit: the longer you stay at the hotel, the lower your rate drops.

As for the benefits of staying on property, I believe that they are very good:

1. Unlimited access to the Express Pass line. Excludes Harry Potter And The Forbidden Journey, Pteraddon Flyers, and Hollywood Rip Ride Rocket.

2. Easy access to Citywalk and the parks. Each Universal Hotel has a dedicated walking path so there's no worry of crossing intersections. Also each Universal Hotel has a boat to transfer guests to and from Citywalk. We use the boats frequently.

3. Early entry to IOA/Harry Potter. Hotel guests can get in an hour earlier than regular guests. Some off-site hotels can also offer this perk if the guest purchased a Harry Potter package.

4. On-site hotel guests are allowed to pool hoop to the other Universal hotels' pools.

5. Priority seating at the Citywalk restaurants. This will usually cut your seating wait down significantly at dinner time.

6. Package delivery to your hotel.

7. Nice variety of restaurants. The following restaurants are located at RPR: Emeril's Tchoup Chop, Jake's Bar (opens at 3pm), Islands Dining Room (buffet), and Orchid Court Lounge & Sushi Bar. They also have a luau (Wantilan Luau) on Saturday evenings, that costs extra.

Hopefully, other posters will be along to point out benefits that I overlooked.

 

[Ohiodislover]

I had the same dilemma as you. We are going Spring Break, so the crowd factor and FOTL for us will be HUGE

Here are the other PROS we have considered:

Quick walk to the parks and restaurants
Quick access back to room/pool for a swim/rest in the afternoon- with pool hopping privledges
transport to Sea World
No driving the entire week

CONS
expense (however we got a really great rate with stay more save more)
extra cost for internet in the room
no free fridge
pay parking (although we won't have a car, it may be a deciding factor for you)

Still, with the cons and extra expenses. No driving, parking, shuttles everyday, and FOTL won us over.

 

[Ohiodislover]

There used to be a "Stay More, Pay Less" rate, but I haven't seen that since Harry Potter opened, and I doubt that we see that rate again until the Harry Potter buzz relaxes.

I rec'd that promo for our Spring Break trip next month.

 

[patster734]

I rec'd that promo for our Spring Break trip next month.

Thanks for the correction!

I'm happy that it's still being offered!

 

[Ohiodislover]

Thanks for the correction!

I'm happy that it's still being offered!

My guess is that it isn't as a great of a deal as it was before Harry Still happy to get it though. We were going to stay onsite for 2 nights, and then move.

 

[Bluer101]

I had the same dilemma as you. We are going Spring Break, so the crowd factor and FOTL for us will be HUGE

Here are the other PROS we have considered:

Quick walk to the parks and restaurants
Quick access back to room/pool for a swim/rest in the afternoon- with pool hopping privledges
transport to Sea World
No driving the entire week

CONS
expense (however we got a really great rate with stay more save more)
extra cost for internet in the room
no free fridge
pay parking (although we won't have a car, it may be a deciding factor for you)

Still, with the cons and extra expenses. No driving, parking, shuttles everyday, and FOTL won us over.

To save on the internet just go to the lobby or around the hotel grounds, it free.

 

[akmom]

These perks are very intriguing, but the only rate I can find is $269. I just like a deal!

 

[Bluer101]

These perks are very intriguing, but the only rate I can find is $269. I just like a deal!

I don't think AP rates are out yet. So it might be worth it to buy one AP ( only buy if the rates are better with that deal) to get that rate when the come out. Normally the AP rate around that time is between $150-$179 per night.

You do not need the AP when booking the room, you just need to show it at some point during your stay.

 

[akmom]

I don't think AP rates are out yet. So it might be worth it to buy one AP ( only buy if the rates are better with that deal) to get that rate when the come out. Normally the AP rate around that time is between $150-$179 per night.

You do not need the AP when booking the room, you just need to show it at some point during your stay.

Okay, I'm a total rookie. Can you explain to me how I do this and where I buy this?

 

[Bluer101]

Okay, I'm a total rookie. Can you explain to me how I do this and where I buy this?

This would is an Annual Pass. Sometime you save money with a purchase of an AP to help with discounts. AP holders get special rates for the hotels, discounts on park tickets, and food discount. There are plenty of other perks that come with a AP.

I was only saying purchasing an AP might help with the hotel cost and if you have not bought tickets yet.

Example: Annual pass cost $229 + tax per person.

Hotel now without AP discount 4 night stay: $269 X 4 = $1076 + Tax

If the rates come out for AP: Say $179 X 4 = $716 = tax

Thats a difference of $360 so it could help to but at least 1 AP.

Here is the link to AP passes.

CLICK HERE

And all the perks

CLICK HERE

Post your exact dates with how many people and ages. Also if you have tickets already. It will help so we can direct you to the best possible deal.

 

[Bluer101]

When checking the dates and rates on Loews Hotels Website or Universal's website you need to use the drop down boxes to see the Annual Pass rates. Change the drop down to Promotion and the box beside or below type in APH( annual pass holder). If there are rate available they will be displayed with the rest or the rates. I posted a photo below to show you.

 

[akmom]

Thank you soooo much for all the help. We are planning to go June 27-July 1. We haven't bought any tickets yet. There will be 2 adults, my 12 year old son and my 8 year old daughter.

 

[macraven]

My guess is that it isn't as a great of a deal as it was before Harry Still happy to get it though. We were going to stay onsite for 2 nights, and then move.

The SMSM is valid if you stay at least 3 nights onsite.

 

[mamabearof4]

thanks to all the helpful info from these boards, we booked a 1 nite on-site room to take advantage of 2 days worth of benefits. (we're going during spring break so we plan on it being busy) The rest of our stay will be off site. we feel this was a good compromise to try to keep the costs down a little but still get the perks of staying on site.

 

[macraven]

thanks to all the helpful info from these boards, we booked a 1 nite on-site room to take advantage of 2 days worth of benefits. (we're going during spring break so we plan on it being busy) The rest of our stay will be off site. we feel this was a good compromise to try to keep the costs down a little but still get the perks of staying on site.

you won't go wrong going that route.
many will book one night on site for 2 days of express line useage.

once you have done 2 full days with the hotel guest perks, you can pick and choose what to do on the days you won't have them.

 

[glocon]

We've stayed off-site, off-site with a bought express pass, and on-site. The on-site experience has us hooked now. Can't imagine it any other way. The resorts are comparable to Disney deluxe but the cost is more like Disney moderate. There are Kuerig coffee machines and fridges in all the rooms. The pools are phemomenal (did I spell that right?). Not having to drive anywhere for a week was pricless. The themeing and ambience at the resorts was top-notch. And early entry to WWoHP was the "cherry on top". If you can do at least 1-2 nights on-site, you would have an experience like no other. Wish we were going soon. Have fun!