Express Pass vs. Staying On-Site

[Luvmyfam3]

I am a DVC owner so we stay at DVC properties whenever we travel to Orlando. That being said, the past few times we've gone to US/IoA we've stayed one night at one of the on-site Universal hotels (usually Portofino) just to take advantage of the Front-of-the-Line. But, my family of 4 has grown to a family of 6 since I last did this. Now that we're looking at vacationing this summer in Orlando, I am stuck with 2 VERY EXPENSIVE options: I can either get 6 Express Passes, which will probably be about $59.99/person/day. Or, we can book 2 rooms at Portofino (which I haven't seen any rooms under $334/night) . Now, I'm sure there will be specials as we get closer (I hope!), but I'm not sure my husband is going to go for this huge expense even to skip lines.

Any suggestions from those of you with larger families?

Thanks!

Kim

 

[Gr8t Fan]

When are you looking to go? Anyone in your party have an AP?

 

[Luvmyfam3]

When are you looking to go? Anyone in your party have an AP?

We are going the last week of June which will obviously be an extremely busy time. No, no one in our family has an AP.

Thanks!


Kim

 

[mjohnson96]

Are you using the room? If not then maybe you can still book one room for 5 ppl and then purchase one Express pass for the 6th person. As long as you are not staying in the room with 6 ppl you would not be violating any policies.

 

[DCTooTall]

Are you using the room? If not then maybe you can still book one room for 5 ppl and then purchase one Express pass for the 6th person. As long as you are not staying in the room with 6 ppl you would not be violating any policies.

Based off that logic, You said the family just grew to 6people. Does that mean a new young'un who may be too young to really utilize the FOTL access?

Also with 6 people, It may be worthwhile for you to look into getting at least 1 AP. You might then qualify for an AP room discount at one of the universal hotels, plus the discounts available with the AP could help bring other costs of your Universal trip down to help balance out the expense. (Perfect example... Depending on the AP you get, you would be able to buy regular tickets at the gate for the rest of your party for 10%-15% off the regular price)

 

[Luvmyfam3]

Based off that logic, You said the family just grew to 6people. Does that mean a new young'un who may be too young to really utilize the FOTL access?

No, my daughters are all teenagers and my husband's daughter will be 6.

Also with 6 people, It may be worthwhile for you to look into getting at least 1 AP. You might then qualify for an AP room discount at one of the universal hotels, plus the discounts available with the AP could help bring other costs of your Universal trip down to help balance out the expense. (Perfect example... Depending on the AP you get, you would be able to buy regular tickets at the gate for the rest of your party for 10%-15% off the regular price)

I'll look into this, but we're really just looking at only spending 2 days at US/IoA. So, I'm not sure an AP will financially help us. BUT, I'm willing to look at all options!

Are you using the room? If not then maybe you can still book one room for 5 ppl and then purchase one Express pass for the 6th person. As long as you are not staying in the room with 6 ppl you would not be violating any policies.

Great idea! And even though the 5-year old will ride plenty of rides, we may be able to swing not getting her one.

Thanks to you both!

 

[damo]

Problem with only getting one room for 5 people is that if you are planning on using early entry, only 5 of you will be allowed in since each person needs a room key for admittance.

 

[Luvmyfam3]

Problem with only getting one room for 5 people is that if you are planning on using early entry, only 5 of you will be allowed in since each person needs a room key for admittance.

Oooohhh....that is an issue since the main reason we're going is for my 16-year old to experience WWOHP!! Good point.... The 5-year old is the only one uninterested in WWOHP. And, well, leaving her outside the gates until opening time.....

LOL

 

[DCTooTall]

I'll look into this, but we're really just looking at only spending 2 days at US/IoA. So, I'm not sure an AP will financially help us. BUT, I'm willing to look at all options!

I just did a quick lookup on the Universal Orlando site.

2 day Adult parkhopper ticket $134.99. Child (for the 6yr old) 121.99

Adult Preferred AP (non-resident) $229.99

so you re looking at a $95 price difference between the AP and the 2 Day Parkhopper. (Figured a park-hopper so you can jump back for "what you missed" or favorites the 2nd day)


Preferred AP gives 15% off multiday parkhoppers at the gate. (up to 6 people).

so... $134.99 - 15% = approx 114.75... a savings of $20.24.
$121.99 - 15% = approx 103.70... a savings of $18.29

So... 4 Adults tickets + 1 child ticket = total savings of $99.25

This means you are already ahead (slightly) for your family of 6 by having 1 adult purchase the AP.

From the AP perks info available online, You'll also get free parking ($14 or so per day if you drive to the parks), plus 10% off things like food and merch in the parks. The AP room discounts state "up to 30%" off an onsite hotel, but I think Universal does a sliding scale based off the length of your trip.



Now these numbers I'm throwing together based off information available thru Universal Orlando's website. Existing AP holders might know of some gotchas that I'm not aware of regarding the discounts.... and I can't say how this might compare to discounts available via Undercover tourist or thru a room/package deal...... but it does give you something to start working with.

 

[macraven]

AAA also allows a great discount on hotel rooms.
i had a cheaper rate with AAA than the AP when i stayed there this month.

you also receive the same 10% discount on food and merch in the parks and some city walk joints too with the AAA.

 

[Luvmyfam3]

So... 4 Adults tickets + 1 child ticket = total savings of $99.25

This means you are already ahead (slightly) for your family of 6 by having 1 adult purchase the AP.

From the AP perks info available online, You'll also get free parking ($14 or so per day if you drive to the parks), plus 10% off things like food and merch in the parks. The AP room discounts state "up to 30%" off an onsite hotel, but I think Universal does a sliding scale based off the length of your trip.

AAA also allows a great discount on hotel rooms.

Wow! This is really great information! I will definitely look into both options! Thanks! Btw, DCTooTall, I would NEVER have thought to buy an AP to help save on the other expenditures based on our short trip to US. Thanks for educating me on this!

This is exactly the reason why I love DIS so much!

 

[Metro West]

Wow! This is really great information! I will definitely look into both options! Thanks! Btw, DCTooTall, I would NEVER have thought to buy an AP to help save on the other expenditures based on our short trip to US. Thanks for educating me on this!

This is exactly the reason why I love DIS so much!

Yes...the AP discounts will definitely come in handy to you no matter how long of a trip you're planning.

 

[Mtnman44]

Some of the universal hotels have family suites. They might be cheaper than two rooms, but sleeping 6 costs a lot more than sleeping 4 no matter how you slice it. However, if you want express passes for all six of you, then on site is the way to go for sure since the value of the express passes alone is $360 per day.

 

[damo]

Some of the universal hotels have family suites. They might be cheaper than two rooms, but sleeping 6 costs a lot more than sleeping 4 no matter how you slice it. However, if you want express passes for all six of you, then on site is the way to go for sure since the value of the express passes alone is $360 per day.

None of the Universal hotel suites sleep more than five, though. unless you get adjoining rooms and then you are paying for the suite plus the extra room.

 

[DCTooTall]

Wow! This is really great information! I will definitely look into both options! Thanks! Btw, DCTooTall, I would NEVER have thought to buy an AP to help save on the other expenditures based on our short trip to US. Thanks for educating me on this!

This is exactly the reason why I love DIS so much!

No problem, That's what we are here for. And with the AP, it also means that if you are planning a trip for around the same time NEXT year, your pass would still be valid so you'd get 2 vacations for the price of 1. (and be able to use those discounts on tickets again for the rest of your group). the AP Renewal cost is also deeply discounted, so if you guys decide to start making regular trips, you end up ahead in the long-term as well.


The nice thing about the Universal AP's are they are MUCH cheaper than the WDW AP's, making the math much easier to work thru in decided between a regular ticket vs AP.

 

[damo]

The other great thing about AP's is that the renewal rate is $149.