Disney Comparisons?

[stylist]

My family of 4 two boys 9and13 have stayed at coronado for 7 nights with park passes and dinning plan for $2600.Feb 2011 and may09. Will I be able to come close to that price onsite at Universal. I am looking at $3000 for HRH without eating. I am sure food will be at least another $100 dollars a day. Please tell me there is a way. Also are there any evening shows or fireworks? I hate to keep Disney comparing I just dont want to be disappointed

 

[Bluer101]

What are your dates?

When we go for a week it's around $2000-$3000 for everything.

 

[RMulieri]

First- STOP comparing them..they are not the same.They both are different experiences and have plenty to offer and should be taken as individuals.Second- It is probably going to come out about the same or slightly more $$$.Important to realize...CSR is a MODERATE resort.HRH is a DELUXE,( and from what I am gathering Universal Deluxes are TRUE deluxe resorts, unlike disney.) If you are looking for onsite Universal, Royal Pacific is the cheapest of the 3( Portofino is the most expensive and HRH is in between).If these are still out of your budget ,you can look at some of the partner hotels that are relatively close to Universal ,but not considered onsite.The downside to this is NO universal Express pass unless you buy it( it is free for onsite guests)There are no Fireworks or night time shows at Universal throughout the year.They do have an evening show but it is generally only shown in the peak summer months.How much you spend on dining or on souvies depends on your personal family tastes and budgets.I know that this coming trip I am budgeting more for these things because I have been to Disney so many times by now that I tend not to spend as much, but Universal and Seaworld I haven't done in many many many years...I am a DIE-HARD Disney fan, but this Jan I am doing a UNIVERSAL/SeaWorld only trip.If I add it on to a WDW trip I know I won't give it the attention it deserves.

 

[damo]

Without your dates, we really can't bargain shop for you. However, once we've got them we'll do our best to find the best deals out there. Right now, a lot of the discounts for 2012 are not in the system.

APH rates can be found for as low as $139/night.

At that price, here would be the rundown.

$139+tax for room, one annual pass at $259 and three other tickets at about $189 plus food

Which will be around $1120 + 826 ($2000) and then add food. So it should be around the same as your Disney vacation while staying at a deluxe resort and being able to walk to everything and have unlimited express passes and early access.

If you don't stay onsite, you can stay at one of the offsite hotels which are still within walking distance of the parks. You can get a package through Universal and still get early access everyday but not express pass. The price for this will be much lower and you'd still be saving a lot of time in transportation because you can walk.

 

[Carl4628]

You can stay within that budget but it depends on your dates. For example, for September 7 nights the cost is $1398 with an APH rate. One preferred and 3 power annual passes are $892.51. Total = 2290.51. The preferred pass will give you hotel, dining, and merchandise discounts.

 

[stylist]

My hope is late april 22-28 maybe, spring breaks and Easter should be over. Am I trying to book too early? Who should I book through? Where do I get the Annual Pass Discount info? I am feeling much more hopeful thanks to all, I appreciate the point that HRH is a deluxe compared to Coronado. That helps put things into perspective.

 

[damo]

My hope is late april 22-28 maybe, spring breaks and Easter should be over. Am I trying to book too early? Who should I book through? Where do I get the Annual Pass Discount info? I am feeling much more hopeful thanks to all, I appreciate the point that HRH is a deluxe compared to Coronado. That helps put things into perspective.

Yes, you are pretty early. My advice is to go to www.universalorlando.com and check out the annual pass prices and info, the hotels info, and the package info. There aren't any discounts offered on rooms in late April yet.

 

[Bluer101]

I put together some numbers.

April 22-28:

Thats 6 nights 7 days, check in Sunday April 22 and check out Saturday April 28th.

Tickets:

You can do this 2 ways at HRH:

OPTION ONE

Buy one Preferred AP at $279.04 and three 3 park unlimited 14 day tickets for $567.

HRH 2 queen room basic $1429.34.

Parking at HRH, $15.95 a night X 6 nights = $95.75.

For a total of $2371.13 plus food and fun.

OPTION TWO

Buy 4 3 park unlimited 14 day tickets for $755.96.

HRH 2 queen room basic $1429.34.

Parking at HRH, $15.95 a night X 6 nights = $95.75.

For a total of $2281.05 plus food and fun.


Now switch over to RPR:


OPTION ONE

Buy one Preferred AP at $279.04 and three 3 park unlimited 14 day tickets for $567.

RPR 2 queen room basic $1302.74.

Parking at HRH, $15.95 a night X 6 nights = $95.75.

For a total of $2244.53 plus food and fun.

OPTION TWO

Buy 4 3 park unlimited 14 day tickets for $755.96.

RPR 2 queen room basic $1302.74.

Parking at HRH, $15.95 a night X 6 nights = $95.75.

For a total of $2154.45 plus food and fun.

Now if it was me right now I would book RPR at the current rate, buy one Preferred AP, 3 14 day 3 park tickets. Then keep checking the hotels starting around January to see when the AP rates get released. Then you can change your reservation at that time to either RPR or to HRH for your liking and price. Also remember that with the AP you will receive many discounts on food and merchandise throughout the hotels, Citywalk, and parks so that adds up too.

Here is the link to all the discounts for all three AP's, the prices are old but this is the best link right now:

http://www.universalorlando.com/Tic....aspx? ComponentId=9584&SourcePageId=7805#1

I forgot to add, that if you really like Universal and want to come back again after this trip within the year, then stop by guest services and upgrade the 14 day tickets to AP's. Yes it will be more money but it will pay off in the next trip.

 

[mischief32]

Yes , you can do this. We stayed club level at the RPH on 5/27/11- 6/3/11 for 7 nights and the cost was $2850 with flex tickets. We went to seaworld twice. This was even better then Disney. WE have stayed at Coronado at Disney and this was a deluxe stay compared to that. Disney has priced me out at this point. UNiversal all the way......

 

[macraven]

My hope is late april 22-28 maybe, spring breaks and Easter should be over. Am I trying to book too early? Who should I book through? Where do I get the Annual Pass Discount info? I am feeling much more hopeful thanks to all, I appreciate the point that HRH is a deluxe compared to Coronado. That helps put things into perspective.

i have no idea when the UO hotels will switch to lower rates during the end of spring break.
you will be there 2 weeks after that.

during spring break, discounts are pretty much non existing.
easter is april 8 next year.


based on past years, you should be able to snag a promo rate either by a new promotion, APH or AAA.

book now to secure your rate and you will be paying a one night stay based on the rack rate.

when the discounts are released, call and modify your rate.



i would work with the set up Bluer gave you.
you can't beat that!

 

[stylist]

Thanks to all for your replies this is all new to me. Its amazing that so many people would go out of their way to help a stranger, especially Bluer to give me so many options. Universal Fans Rock

 

[keishashadow]

My family of 4 two boys 9and13 have stayed at coronado for 7 nights with park passes and dinning plan for $2600.Feb 2011 and may09. Will I be able to come close to that price onsite at Universal. I am looking at $3000 for HRH without eating. I am sure food will be at least another $100 dollars a day. Please tell me there is a way. Also are there any evening shows or fireworks? I hate to keep Disney comparing I just dont want to be disappointed

I'd budget more in area of $150 a day for food, more if planning on TS venues, boys that age can pack away the grub

many tout booking club level as being a cost savings benefit, but imo being @ resort during food service time is too structured, not worth the tradeoff.

Have you considered the flex type tixs (see banner @ top of page, not sure if that particular one would work for your dates)?

If flying don't forget there's no ME service & onsite resorts have a hefty parking fee that adds up (as do many other deluxe resorts these days).

 

[Bluer101]

Thanks to all for your replies this is all new to me. Its amazing that so many people would go out of their way to help a stranger, especially Bluer to give me so many options. Universal Fans Rock

You are welcome. When you first start there is so many ways to go about it and we are all about looking for the best deal.

Just remember that what ever you choose to keep checking the rates every few days.

 

[MrsMud]

You have gotten some very good advice. Just wanted to ask if you will be renting a car or not? That would also figure into your prices. If you are only going to be going to the Universal parks and hotels, you might consider taking a shuttle or car service from the airport and back. That could save you some money, plus obviously you wouldn't have to pay the parking fees at the hotel. We have decided to do just that for our upcoming trip. Have always rented a car before, but this time we have 6 people and would need a minivan. We are saving a substantial amount of money by taking a car service. You only have four, so you would have to figure out if this would work for you.

 

[okiedokieartichoke]

I agree with the guy above me who said ''stop comparing them'' because they seriously ARE NOT THE SAME!!!!!! I've worked both companies, Disney AND Loews and I can tell you if you are a constant disney-goer, you will PROBABLY wind up very disappointed if you stay in this mindset about comparing the two properties.


First, Disney charges higher prices for everything, I guarantee it. The three Universal hotels fit the caliber of Disney's "Deluxe'' Resorts, however, the Universal properties charge about what you'd expect to pay at a "Moderate'' Resort. The room rates at Disney are higher because they throw in all the ''extra'' fees that Loews charges separately. So if you take a car, be prepared to pay to park. If you want to use the internet, prepare to pay to use it. Same with the gym. There are fees everywhere and the reason you don't see that at Disney is because of the much higher rates.

Disney offers a free transportation to and from the airport, so if you are flying in, be prepared to pay to get to and from MCO.

One thing I have seen over and over again, constantly, are guests who have been disney-goers for years and they get really upset (seriously) about their park tickets not being on their room key. Please PLEASE understand that Loews Hotels are NOT Universal-owned. Loews works with Universal to give guests a better experience, with the early entrances and express passes. But if you plan on going to Universal or IOA, you HAVE to purchase a ticket separately and you can't put it on your room key.

Some say that Disney charges less for food, but I really don't believe that to be true. The prices are the same. the only difference is if you get the disney dining plan...which is a really great deal!! Universal/Loews unfortunately does not offer anything nearly as awesome as the DDP!!


If you have any other specific questions in regards to how the two companies compare, I'll be happy to share my opinions with you. But for me, personally, it's really hard working for a company that is constantly compared to Disney. It really is!! They aren't the same, and Loews in no way strives to be compared to Disney. If you go into it with this mindset that they are similar you could wind up disappointed..i've seen it happen! And I'm not trying to say disney is better than loews...it's just that some people really expect loews to be the same as Disney, and it's not!

 

[macraven]

Some say that Disney charges less for food, but I really don't believe that to be true. The prices are the same. the only difference is if you get the disney dining plan...which is a really great deal!! Universal/Loews unfortunately does not offer anything nearly as awesome as the DDP!!

i totally agree with youse up to the above statement.

i go solo on my annual trips.
stay onsite at both the motherland and the darkside resorts.
i love going to BOTH parks.

i have done the ddp 5 times before but stopped and book room only for the motherland resorts.

for me, i lose money with the ddp/package.

i book with the AAA discount or pin or any special that comes up for room only discounts at disney.

when i book a package to get the 'free food', i lose my room only discount.

this year i figured it out that i come out ahead by over $700 by booking everything separate.


the food has gone downhill in some of the restaurants over the past 2 years.
What i truly enjoyed 3 years back, has changed for me.

i really don't see that ddp at disney is that great of a deal anymore.
nothing is free there, you end up paying for it by losing room discounts in the end.

there are some places in the parks at universal that fall short on taste and selection, but there are more places there that don't.

back to your statement, yes, disney has the ddp and universal only has the meal deal, and reusable mugs that can be used each visit for a discount fill up.
Disney does allow ap holders a % off of food M-F at some restaurants.
Universal allows a 10% off food and merch for AAA, CAA, AP/preferred holders in the parks.
Both have a program for some food discounts.


prices for both places are similar in some ways.
but i wouldn't give the motherland the edge due to that 'free food'.

 

[ttree]

I went to disney site and plugged in dates 5/25 thru 5/31 at coranado with tickets and dinning for 4 : $3,433. You had a good deal, free dinning?

 

[mackay_j]

I am in a same situation. I can get disney delux (OKW) for $2536 14 days july 2012 not including tickets but it does include 1 table service and 1 counter meal for 4 adults per day(DDP). I have booked this but would like to chabge to include HRH or RPR as I would like to just spend 10 days at disney which would be $1811.

So that leaves me $725 for 4 nights including one table service meal and 1 counter meal per day for 4 adults - Do I have any chance of getting anywhere near this The best I can find so far is about $1000 for room only

Should I just give up - have I any chance

 

[MrsMud]

I am in a same situation. I can get disney delux (OKW) for $2536 14 days july 2012 not including tickets but it does include 1 table service and 1 counter meal for 4 adults per day(DDP). I have booked this but would like to chabge to include HRH or RPR as I would like to just spend 10 days at disney which would be $1811.

So that leaves me $725 for 4 nights including one table service meal and 1 counter meal per day for 4 adults - Do I have any chance of getting anywhere near this The best I can find so far is about $1000 for room only

Should I just give up - have I any chance

Wow, how did you get that rate? You know someone high up? Unless you mean that amount per adult? But in short, no. Sorry. Even at regular rates, I think it's very hard to combine both parks and come out anywhere near what you could pay just to stay at one. Believe me I've tried in the past. Let's look at why:

You say not including tickets, but don't you have to get at least one day tickets to get the free dining? Maybe you are just trying to compare the hotel and food rates. But IMO, you HAVE to figure in the tickets because there is a huge difference there. With WDW tickets, once you are staying more than 6 days the additional days cost you next to nothing, so there is no way you would be able to go to Universal for 4 days for what it would cost you to stay those four additional days at WDW. Likewise, there is a 14 day ticket special right now for the Universal parks and Wet and Wild, which would cost you much less than the 10 day WDW tickets. But again, if you did that and wanted to stay 4 days at WDW with 4 day tickets, it would cost you a lot more.

Okay, tickets aside you are also not going to get real low hotel rates at any of the Universal hotels in July. Too busy. Though you should be able to get some kind of discount (AAA, APH) as it gets closer. Remember, though that you get a great perk for staying onsite, and that is reflected in the hotel rates. Plus you would obviously not have the free dining, and 4 days worth of food for 4 adults is not exactly cheap. If you are really getting that good of a deal, I say stay put, enjoy yourself and plan a trip to Universal next time!

 

[mackay_j]

Wow, how did you get that rate? You know someone high up? Unless you mean that amount per adult? But in short, no. Sorry. Even at regular rates, I think it's very hard to combine both parks and come out anywhere near what you could pay just to stay at one. Believe me I've tried in the past. Let's look at why:

You say not including tickets, but don't you have to get at least one day tickets to get the free dining? Maybe you are just trying to compare the hotel and food rates. But IMO, you HAVE to figure in the tickets because there is a huge difference there. With WDW tickets, once you are staying more than 6 days the additional days cost you next to nothing, so there is no way you would be able to go to Universal for 4 days for what it would cost you to stay those four additional days at WDW. Likewise, there is a 14 day ticket special right now for the Universal parks and Wet and Wild, which would cost you much less than the 10 day WDW tickets. But again, if you did that and wanted to stay 4 days at WDW with 4 day tickets, it would cost you a lot more.

Okay, tickets aside you are also not going to get real low hotel rates at any of the Universal hotels in July. Too busy. Though you should be able to get some kind of discount (AAA, APH) as it gets closer. Remember, though that you get a great perk for staying onsite, and that is reflected in the hotel rates. Plus you would obviously not have the free dining, and 4 days worth of food for 4 adults is not exactly cheap. If you are really getting that good of a deal, I say stay put, enjoy yourself and plan a trip to Universal next time!

I know noone= I wish - That was the rate we got for all four adults about $69 per head.


It was a 45% discount plus free dining but I want want a few days a Universal at dds are teens but its so costly