mamamelody2
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Apr 29, 2016
So we were supposed to be at UOR right now, but unfortunately my daughter was very sick for two weeks (not Covid) and we had to cancel. We are now looking at March 5-12 as she is a college senior and that is her spring break. We will also be bringing our high school freshman who will miss a week of school (his school is fine with this). This is the 2nd trip for DH and I, first trip for our kids. Daughter especially is SUPER excited for the Harry Potter stuff. YES, we know this is the beginning of the busy spring break season in Orlando.
SO, Touring Plans seems to think crowds will be quite similar at that time to what they predicted for this week. High on the weekends, medium to low during the week. However, the hotel prices are nuts. We were planning to stay at Portofino this week in a deluxe room with a AP rate of $340/night with tax. Currently March 5-12 would be $556/night Savvy Traveler for that same room. Ouch. A Dockside 2 bedroom suite is $200/night, which is reasonable, but of course no Express Pass. Can we survive without it? I am considering just doing Dockside, then maybe one night throwaway at PB for 2 days of EP on Sunday and Monday. Any chance for a decent AP rate on a EP hotel? I thought AP rates were usually same as Savvy Traveler, you just don't need to stay so many nights to get it. Am I wrong?
We do not need to do ride after ride after ride. We are especially interested in Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley. We will explore and do spells. The rides we are most interested in are Velocicoaster and Hagrid's, so no EP available on those anyway. We are from Michigan, so will just enjoy having some sun and warmth. Definitely planning lots of pool time. We want to have fun but also relax. We don't want to return home exhausted.
Anyway, I guess I'm asking if you have experience at UOR that time of year, can we do it without EP if we manage our expectations? Kids will be willing to do maybe a couple rope drops, but generally not. Thanks for any insight!
SO, Touring Plans seems to think crowds will be quite similar at that time to what they predicted for this week. High on the weekends, medium to low during the week. However, the hotel prices are nuts. We were planning to stay at Portofino this week in a deluxe room with a AP rate of $340/night with tax. Currently March 5-12 would be $556/night Savvy Traveler for that same room. Ouch. A Dockside 2 bedroom suite is $200/night, which is reasonable, but of course no Express Pass. Can we survive without it? I am considering just doing Dockside, then maybe one night throwaway at PB for 2 days of EP on Sunday and Monday. Any chance for a decent AP rate on a EP hotel? I thought AP rates were usually same as Savvy Traveler, you just don't need to stay so many nights to get it. Am I wrong?
We do not need to do ride after ride after ride. We are especially interested in Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley. We will explore and do spells. The rides we are most interested in are Velocicoaster and Hagrid's, so no EP available on those anyway. We are from Michigan, so will just enjoy having some sun and warmth. Definitely planning lots of pool time. We want to have fun but also relax. We don't want to return home exhausted.
Anyway, I guess I'm asking if you have experience at UOR that time of year, can we do it without EP if we manage our expectations? Kids will be willing to do maybe a couple rope drops, but generally not. Thanks for any insight!