Express Pass with Premier Hotels

[nlenguyen]

Hello, this would be my first time trying to get into a Universal Hotel. I typically just book Disney resorts because our family is DVC and I messed up on our bookings and there are no rooms available for the first night of our upcoming stay for a portion of my party. We were planning on doing our Universal portion of the stay at the end of our trip but because of my mistake we are without a room. We are thinking of getting universal rooms because we would want to take advantage of the express pass included and move one of our universal days to that day. In researching the resort hotels we will have 7 people wanting to go to the parks, but one couple will be staying at Disney, but want the free express pass. There is a suite that can fit 7 people at Loews Pacific but it says that we need to pay for the rollaway bed. If we just have 5 people that physically stay in the room, but have 7 people on the reservation, will they charge us for the extra bed? Can we getaway with the 7 express passes and not pay for the bed?
Sorry if this sounds confusing

 

[macraven]

the couple that are staying at disney could buy the EP in advance and meet you at UO

the suites for the hotels that allow 7 in the room. are costly

 

[lisam70]

You have to pay for the number of room key/ express passes that you want-they are not
“ free”.
Did you look into two standard rooms or as Mac suggested just buying express if you’re only going to the parks for one day.
One night at a premium hotel gets you two days of unlimited express, will that be worth it for you ?

 

[mamapenguin]

I thought there was an extra adult charge of $45 per extra adult beyond 2 plus tax for the premier resorts. Am I wrong? Are suites different?

 

[macraven]

You are correct mama penguin!
For the room, 2 adults and two kids pays nothing extra on the room charge

If a family has 4 adults (18 and up), there will be additional costs per night for the room for two extra adults


Anymore added to the room has the add on for additional guests .. adults or children If a suite is booked.

I believe one of our stickys has some more info about this subject

 

[hhoope01]

Yes, there is normally an extra charge for more adults in a single room. But for a suite room, it depends on the suite room. For example, we once reserved a parlor suite with a King room and a 2-Queen room. We had 4 adults plus 5 kids. We didn't have to pay any extra adult fees as that suite came with 2 separate bedrooms each coming with 2 adults included. If you reserved the parlor suite with only the 2-Queen room, you could get up to 7 people, but I'd guess you would have to pay the extra "per person" fee for any adults over 2.

But if you want the best, most accurate advice, I'd suggest calling and asking. Someone at the hotel should be able to give you the most accurate information.

 

[nlenguyen]

You have to pay for the number of room key/ express passes that you want-they are not
“ free”.
Did you look into two standard rooms or as Mac suggested just buying express if you’re only going to the parks for one day.
One night at a premium hotel gets you two days of unlimited express, will that be worth it for you ?

That is what I am thinking, but we would just do one day there. Some of my party think that it would be cheaper to just buy it instead of staying at the resort room

 

[lisam70]

That is what I am thinking, but we would just do one day there. Some of my party think that it would be cheaper to just buy it instead of staying at the resort room

It may be
Go to universals website and price out the express passes. You can get them for one or both parks, unlimited or once per ride.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

Make sure to price out the EP for the actual day you're going, not the "starts at" price shown on the main screen. Also be aware that individually purchased EPs are date specific and non-refundable.

 

[nlenguyen]

The universal website has yet to post prices for 2023

 

[raidermatt]

That is what I am thinking, but we would just do one day there. Some of my party think that it would be cheaper to just buy it instead of staying at the resort room

For the two that have a room at Disney yes, that may end up being true. For them it's 2/7 of the premier room cost vs. the standalone Express Pass.

It's a different equation for the other 5 since you have to pay for a room somewhere. So your equation is 100% of the room cost at a non-premier (or off property) + Standalone Express Pass vs. 100% of the room cost at a premier. It would help you if those other two would share in your cost for the room so you would only have to pay 5/7 of the premier room, but it might not be best for them. Its all going to come down the specific prices.

If you are ok with putting down the deposits, I would book the premier room and also book the non-premier room. Then when Express Pass prices are released you can do the calculations and cancel the reservation you don't need.