First time at Universal

[badiggio]

Used a travel agent once;never again since.I have a TD visa travel infinite ,which I've had for years,and ALWAYS use it for flights,and sometimes package it with a hotel{if found on expedia},for added savings with expedia for TD.Expedia for TD has always been great for us.

 

[Sue M]

We've used Disney specific agencies as well as on our own, both experiences were fine. I had been thinking of booking our room through PC travel, just to earn the bonus points, but ya am concerned how that works if I need to change anything. I also have a good friend as my travel agent. She's always helpful, and thankfully our 2020 trip refunds went smooth with her help.

I think the Expedia type agencies aren’t very good if there’s a problem. I wouldn’t risk it.
Have you considered getting APs for Universal? There’s a calendar on website to check blackout days. Plus you’d be able to get room discounts if any are released for your resort & dates. Usually come out a month before.

 

[Sue M]

So you recommend buying each step separately? We've always book Disney as park and hotel through our travel agent or Disney directly.
Since we are pretty sure we'll fly this round I had been thinking of booking directly with an agency. A package with hotel + air + tickets. That said I'm fine breaking down each step and planning separate if that's the best way to save some money.

I've looked into express pass a bit, but will do some more researching. My heart is set on Cabana Bay, but we'd also be fine getting a five day ticket to be sure we get enough time. From what I have learned, it's a lot more easy going to see things at Universal.

I always book my air myself directly with airline. And for Universal I have APs so only book room plus their shuttle. I’m sorry I can’t remember how much the Universal shuttle is, $30ish per person RT. You can compare with cost of a car service which may be better for you. The guy I’ve used has a van so luggage isn’t a problem. Tony Hinds.
I just looked up AP black out dates for seasonal pass (cheapest) and Aug is good for parks and for volcano bay blackout ends on 8/15.

 

[ABCanada]

My concern is space. We know we've outgrown the standard five person rooms at Disney and Royal Pacific seems pretty tight quarters. We really only use the room to sleep, but the last few trips were still ordeals for changing and comfort.
We also usually spend a few hours after park time poolside, so lazy river sounds great.

I'm hoping since we are planning late August and less crowds express pass won't be necessary...but I'm still trying to figure it out for sure.

Given the number of days you will be there it might be worth looking at at least one of you getting a Seasonal Annual Pass. (We have purchased for a nominal amount more than a three day ticket) There are often very good APH rates and given the time you are travelling I would think there would be availability. Check this thread for the link: https://www.disboards.com/threads/o...for-universal-loews-hotel-properties.3771155/

PBH often has rooms available and they are larger. Given the size of your group I would even consider a Club room at PBH. PBH Club lounge has a hot breakfast and great evening nibbles. You really only need a decent lunch. Club lounge access provides extra space away from the room. PBH is further from the parks than the other hotels with Express Passes but has larger rooms and more likely to have a discount.

If you are looking for a less expensive room consider Adventura https://res.windsurfercrs.com/ibe/i...&nights=5&rooms=1&adults=2&child1=3&promo=aph they have Kid Suites and the food options are great. We stayed there on a last minute get away from the cold trip and would definitely stay there again. The Endless Summer resort also has low cost 2-Bedroom Suites. I do not know anything about it but hard to beat the price. https://res.windsurfercrs.com/ibe/i...rooms=1&adults=2&child1=3&promo=aph#ws-rsrm-1

 

[Average Joes]

With AP you could stay at Portofino for $234 from Aug 24-25 had you gone in 2021. Great rate for Express Passes. Too early to know the AP rates for 2022. Someone way more knowledgeable than me can comment but I wonder if discounts for the two bedrooms at CB are rare. If so that would be more than staying in a deluxe and even two standard suites at CB. I would call the result and ask.

We stayed at Portofino Club. I had to play with the dates and it ended up costing an extra $35 total for 5 nights over a standard. It was a big room compared to the disney's deluxes we have stayed at. We then stayed one night at CB. Real easy transfer. Split stay was easier than Disney.

 

[mommymanda]

With AP you could stay at Portofino for $234 from Aug 24-25 had you gone in 2021. Great rate for Express Passes. Too early to know the AP rates for 2022. Someone way more knowledgeable than me can comment but I wonder if discounts for the two bedrooms at CB are rare. If so that would be more than staying in a deluxe and even two standard suites at CB. I would call the result and ask.

We stayed at Portofino Club. I had to play with the dates and it ended up costing an extra $35 total for 5 nights over a standard. It was a big room compared to the disney's deluxes we have stayed at. We then stayed one night at CB. Real easy transfer. Split stay was easier than Disney.

Oh my, I feel like I'm definatley going to need to hire someone or call with exactly what I want.
Knowing our park routine, early admission won't be necessary. Express Pass a perk, but not a splurge....but the club level breakfast and snacks, I will need to start looking into, if the food perks would work out to our benefit....lol than figuring out if I need AP tickets to get the savings.

...and people say Universal planning is less stressful.

 

[Sue M]

Oh my, I feel like I'm definatley going to need to hire someone or call with exactly what I want.
Knowing our park routine, early admission won't be necessary. Express Pass a perk, but not a splurge....but the club level breakfast and snacks, I will need to start looking into, if the food perks would work out to our benefit....lol than figuring out if I need AP tickets to get the savings.

...and people say Universal planning is less stressful.

If you aren’t going to the parks early and don’t have express passes you will be doing a lot of waiting in queues.
If you do have Express pass getting to the park early isn’t as important. Everyone tours differently. We prefer to get to the park for early opening, you can get a lot done, and it’s so nice walking around Diagon Alley with no people in it. Then we relax back at our resort at the pool in the afternoon during hottest part of the day. Returning to parks later.

 

[Prince John Robin Hood]

We had express pass through the hotel in August 2019 and it was amazing. There was no stress to rope drop and we never waited more than 15 minutes.

 

[Lorajo]

We’d love to take the kid’s for a few days but after we’ve purchased our Disney tickets for a family of 5, I can’t bring myself to spend thousands on a second park.

Any amazing Universal deals like what we can get for Busch or Sea World?

 

[Sue M]

We’d love to take the kid’s for a few days but after we’ve purchased our Disney tickets for a family of 5, I can’t bring myself to spend thousands on a second park.

Any amazing Universal deals like what we can get for Busch or Sea World?

Check on Universal web site. For onsite hotels they have a sliding rate dependent on number of days booked usually. Undercover Tourist has discounted tickets.