First time help!!

[TravelPlanner72]

I want to plan our first trip to Universal as a Christmas gift to my kids. Our family of 5... 2 adults and 3 teens ... would be travelling the week of April 17, 2022. The actual days are flexible, but it must be within that week. I am SO overwhelmed by all the choices!!! We want to visit US/IOA, not really interested in Volcano Bay. Definitely plan to get the park-to-park option so we can ride the Hogwarts Express. I was thinking 2 days, but could go with 3, if needed.

Do we stay at a premier hotel to get the Express Pass unlimited? Is it better to add-on the Express Pass and stay at a less expensive hotel? Do we even need Express Pass at that time? I know it's on the latter end of the Spring Break season. Does an annual pass make sense for such a short stay? (I'm thinking it doesn't, but maybe I'm missing something...) Is there an easy way to calculate these costs? I haven't found the Universal website all that helpful

Please steer me in the right direction! (And if there's a thread that addresses all these newbie questions, please direct me there!) Thank you!!

 

[Kit Jackson]

Your vacation style may differ from mine. I don't enjoy constantly rushing to make sure we get to see everything and would rather take my time so I would say three days is better. It lets you experience almost everything you want in terms of rides, foods, shopping, and shows.

Usually, it is less expensive (total cost) to stay at a premier hotel and have Express Pass included instead of buying it seperately and staying at a less expensive hotel.

 

[AJA]

That is Easter time, if it is in the budget at all, yes you will need express for a 2 day visit. I would price out one Annual Pass for the discount at the deluxe hotels. The Power Pass might work for your dates after April 17th, you will need to check, otherwise you’ll need the Preferred Pass (more expensive but gives additional food and merch discounts!)
Make reservations sooner rather than later as those dates will fill up.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

Agree with AJA. April 17th is actually Easter, which might be why you're traveling yourself. But it will be busy and I would make arrangements for the Express Pass to enjoy more of the attractions. I think I'd look at a way to stay at a deluxe that includes EP - for 4 of you, that would likely be cheaper than buying it. Remember, you'll get EP for both days even if you stay over just one night. EP for 3 days if you stay 2 nights.

 

[DoryGirl1963]

Definitely busy & agree with previous posters to get a premiere hotel with express passes for all 5 of you included.

Also, UO APs are very reasonably priced, so compare that to your stand alone tickets especially for 3 days. An AP would also be valuable if there are AP rates for your dates - UO AP hotel discounts are quite significant.

 

[PrincessWithABlaster]

We’re a family of 5 and if you can swing staying in 1 room, the deluxe are definitely worth it - the cost of Express Pass for the whole family is more expensive than the total cost of the hotel. Portofino has the largest rooms which is helpful if you’re going to stay in one but it’s also the priciest.

 

[CynBeth]

There are 3 of us and we had 2 nights at Portofino in a garden view room with 2 queen beds with the park to park tickets before Disney and absolutely loved it. We do not go on roller coasters or anything with a drop did most of the motion simulator rides and some shows. We only had a day and a half and experienced almost everything we wanted. If we come again would most likely add another night to have 2 full days. Not sure if you are aware that your room key also shows your express pass and you also get a ticket for admission that they scan when you go in to a park and also to ride the Hogwarts Express so getting a lanyard makes this quicker you put both things in a clear sleeve facing towards each other so a bar code shows each way.

 

[Skywalker3]

Woohoo, glad y'all are considering Universal. It might be a tight squeeze for all 5 in 1 room, but it's worth it to try and stay in a premiere hotel 1 or 2 nights. You'll get express from the morning you check in, (and you can check in super early, like 6AM just to get the room key, not the actual room, but the card you need for express.) and all through the day you check out. You can get a rollaway bed if needed for the 5th person, depending on the room style. You might have sticker shock on the room prices, but it is still worth it. I would recommend at least 1 person get an AP to get a possible AP rate on the room, and AP discounts on a lot of food. This past trip was the first time we all got APs, and we were so glad we did. We're trying to plan another trip or add on for next year. If you have big Harry Potter fans, plan on 3 days if you can. That way you can take in the shows, the snacks, maybe wand experiences, repeat rides, etc. and not rush, rush, rush.
Folks on the forums here were SO helpful on planning, hotel info, restaurants, new things like the virtual queues, HHN, etc. We LOVE Universal, but don't usually go but every 2-3 years, so had lots of changes to learn about. Happy planning!!

 

[TravelPlanner72]

Thank you everyone! I was able to see that the seasonal pass is actually $50 less than buying a 3 day ticket for everyone in our group, and that's without factoring in the hotel discount.

I want to be sure I understand everything. I can't make hotel reservations until 90 days before travel with the seasonal pass discount, correct? And, if one person upgraded to the Preferred Pass, we could use that to save 10% at SOME restaurants. But, it would have to realize a savings of $100 to make it worth it. Not sure if we would recoup that cost in 3 days.

As for 5 of us in one room... we did a two week road trip through Utah this summer and always had one room, and we lived to tell the tale! LOL 3 days should be a piece of cake!

Thank you everyone! Will try to spend some time reading on here to gain tips and useful info!

 

[CAPSLOCK]

The Passholder hotel rates come out a few months in advance, for blocks at a time (like Southwest flights...). So keep an eye on the APH hotel rate thread and/or check the resort reservation link frequently starting probably 4mos out.

The 10% discount for Preferred is at most restaraunts (it's hard to find ones that don't take it) - does not work on booze. It also works for merchandise. But you'd need to spend $1000 for it to break even.

 

[barb969]

You can make the reservations anytime with the pass. You don’t need to have a pass to make ressies with the pass discount. You need to show it them before you checkout. You’re correct 1 person with preferred pass can get the discount for everyone. That’s a busy time so check the blackout dates for the seasonal pass.