Couple more newbie questions...

[beldred]

Me again! Couple more newbie questions to ask.

We're as of right now planning on 2.5 park days with no plans to return anytime in the remote future (DS last year home with us, no other kids, and DH doesn't really want to go even this time, LOL). Plan is to stay deluxe (mainly for the EP). Is it worth it to consider upgrading at least one ticket to an AP? How good are the hotel discounts? I remember seeing food and merch was about 10% off but not sure of the amount off rooms. This is for a February trip if that matters.

Next Q, how easy going is Universal about making changes once you book? With WDW I can book at rack and anytime a discount pops up, I can modify to it without charges or hassle. I'm wondering if I should book our Uni days now (no specials right now that I can find, since we're only staying 3 nights) or if I should wait until I see a discount offer.

I've seen mixed messages on the Dining Plan and/or the refillable park cups. Easy to use? Worth the money? We will likely spend every moment in the parks possible since we only have 2 full days, so I imagine all meals except breakfast will be eaten there. Freaked out by how much I've seen meals costing on some of the trip reports.

Thanks again!!

 

[macraven]

for my long stay of nearly two weeks onsite, i book that trip 11.5 months out.
i usually am able to book SMSM rate but if i don't, i book rack rate and then modify when the discount rates are released.

i call and have the rate modified to my existing reservation.
SMSM is available if you book 3 nights or more.
this year, the SMSM is a better deal than the AP rate for my dates.

i do this yearly since i book early.

for trips with only a short notice or maybe 4 months out, i book right away if i know it will be a busy time when rooms will fill up.


preferred ap allows 10% discount off of food and merch in the parks and hotels/city walk.
there are a few exceptions to the places though.

i also have the AAA card and have used that for the 10% discounts where the ap isn't used.
AMEX is another card that allows discounts

as long as you cancel your reservation 6 days out from arrival, you can get a total refund back if you have to cancel.
UO has a weather condition policy.
if bad weather makes you unable to travel to the hotel, they will cancel even the day prior with no penalty.
and they will reschedule your stay.

think snow on the east coast this past winter when flights were cancelled.
any inclement weather allows cancellations or changes with complete refunds if need be.

i don't find food prices to be bad.
check the website to get to know what places in the park, city walk, hotel eateries menu and prices.

i used to plan it in advance but now after going for many years there, know which places will suit me and my budget.

you can buy universal gift cards online and save them for your trip and use that for food on your stay at the darkside.
i do that so i can consider somethings "paid" already.

i have used the counter service dining plan as i come out ahead by maybe $6-7 each time.
but i know the prices so i use it to my advantage.
the sit down places dining plan i don't think it has the value.
many lose money on that deal.
i thought it was available only if you book a package.
maybe that has changed but it is not somethingi would recommend to a family going for a short stay.
you would want to spend your time doing rides, shows, exploring the parks and city walk instead.
don't be tied down to long dining times...

you can buy any mug in the parks and use that for the discounted refillable sodas.
i have my blue dueling dragon mug from 1999 and it is still valid.
i pay .99 for refills.

the red cup is a decent deal if you drink a lot of soda.
the free style is high but if you plan to reactivate it for the next day, it will be at a discounted price.
i am more of a water person and maybe only go with soda one day of my stay.

if you are a soda drinker, do the math and see if you come out ahead.

 

[beldred]

So there's not a set AP rate discount amount? Sounds like AP deals are released like the regular ones at certain times?

I do have AAA, but didn't see any hotel discounts for them. Nice to know I can use it in some shops though.

Wow, they have a great weather policy. Traveling in February, that could be a concern. Thanks for the info.

 

[macraven]

when ap rates and dates are announced, it can vary on the amounts.
also, there are no set time periods/dates, when they are released.

past times they did follow a pattern but haven't lately.

smsm rates have a standard up to 35% off the rack rate.
those rates are based on number of days booked.

to get the AAA rates, a person has to call UO booking to get that info.

AAA discount room rates are not listed on the UO booking site.

i do get surprised sometimes with the value of the ap rates.

i booked last year for my fall trip and used the smsm room rate.
when the ap rates came out for my fall time period, i checked that out.

my smsm rate was better than the released ap rates.
who would have figured that would have happened...

 

[Grumpy92]

We have used the APH or Fla Res rate everytime we have stayed at a US hotel. Never trouble getting one. We just keep an eye on the US special rates section. They are better then paying rack and save us. One of our group always has a Preferred AP as the merchandise and food discount is pretty much available at all locations even Citywalk.
I don't recommend the Dining plan.
Havent had a problem updating reservations but we usually just wait for the discounted rate to be released. We have also used Dreams Unlimited TA (the own this site) and once you book they keep watch for lower rates and then automatically change them for you. Saves me the time and effort.