First time to Universal and RPR

[kochmd1]

Hi Everyone!

DW and I are travelling to Orlando for a conference over at the Shades of Green from August 21 to 27. We are arriving on the 18th and departing on the 30th thru TPA. I hope you can help with some questions:

First, I have booked a one night stay at RPR in a Standard Room using APH rate from August 28-29. I initially thought of transferring to RPR on the morning of the 28th to catch the early entry to WWOHP. Since the conference is ending on the 27th, our plan now is to go to Universal on that Saturday. I checked and found no available standard room for that day, only a water view room can be booked. If I booked the water view room, do I need to check out on the 28th and wait for the standard room to be ready? I hope they just give me an upgrade so we don't need to transfer rooms.

Second, since I am arriving 3 days earlier for the conference, I would like to stay in a budget hotel near I-drive and Universal. I am looking at the Best Western Plus Orlando Gateway at Universal Blvd. or Quality Inn at I Drive. Any recommendations? TIA

 

[tinydancer09]

Hi Everyone!

DW and I are travelling to Orlando for a conference over at the Shades of Green from August 21 to 27. We are arriving on the 18th and departing on the 30th thru TPA. I hope you can help with some questions:

First, I have booked a one night stay at RPR in a Standard Room using APH rate from August 28-29. I initially thought of transferring to RPR on the morning of the 28th to catch the early entry to WWOHP. Since the conference is ending on the 27th, our plan now is to go to Universal on that Saturday. I checked and found no available standard room for that day, only a water view room can be booked. If I booked the water view room, do I need to check out on the 28th and wait for the standard room to be ready? I hope they just give me an upgrade so we don't need to transfer rooms.

Second, since I am arriving 3 days earlier for the conference, I would like to stay in a budget hotel near I-drive and Universal. I am looking at the Best Western Plus Orlando Gateway at Universal Blvd. or Quality Inn at I Drive. Any recommendations? TIA

The Best western is so so. I stayed there but was in a pet friendly room and my parents were in a smoking room. The fact that my sister also was not happy may have something to do with it, one of those "If Holly aint happy aint nobody happy" things.

Anyways, the Hampton Inn on Kirkland is my picky sister's favorite. She cant stop talking about how clean and comfortable it was.

 

[mjohnson96]

It will all depend on who is working the front desk and how booked the resort is We had to do this last trip because I booked 1 day to late and ended up with a higher AP rate if I booked all the nights on one reservation. So I had to book 1 night normal rate and the rest AP to save some money. They did not require that I move rooms, I just had to go down that morning to get a new room key . I had booked just a standard room for both stays but was upgraded to a nice pool view room.

When you check in let them know you have 2 reservations because of booking issues and you might get lucky

 

[bumbershoot]

Even if you don't get an upgrade, just have your stuff all packed and ready, leave it with Bell Services, and go to the park. Your room key from the night before will get you early entry and express pass, so you don't even need to do the checkin procedure for the 28th if you don't want to.

Later on, come back and either get your room or do the checkin stuff.

No need to wait around, even if you don't get the upgrade...just stash your stuff and have some fun!

 

[damo]

I would just keep watching for another room to come up. Since there is a water view room for your second night that you could book, I'm not sure they will give you an upgrade.

 

[kochmd1]

Anyways, the Hampton Inn on Kirkland is my picky sister's favorite. She cant stop talking about how clean and comfortable it was.

Thanks for the heads up! I'll look into Hampton on Kirkland and check their rates. I wish TravelZoo comes up with another promo for Hampton Inn, saw earlier on the boards that they have bargain prices of less than $50.

 

[kochmd1]

When you check in let them know you have 2 reservations because of booking issues and you might get lucky

Thanks for the tip, I will inform them upfront of my two reservations. I wish I have some of those Felix Felicis to snatch an upgrade

 

[kochmd1]

No need to wait around, even if you don't get the upgrade...just stash your stuff and have some fun!

This I will do
Upgrade or no upgrade, I'm sure DW and I will have a blast!

 

[kochmd1]

I would just keep watching for another room to come up. Since there is a water view room for your second night that you could book, I'm not sure they will give you an upgrade.

Yeah, I have been checking twice a day for a standard room to come up
I could just book the water view room for the 2 days, but I wanted to save the $30 for a Dumbledore's wand

 

[kochmd1]

Finally, I was able to book 2 nights Standard view for August 27-29, and cancelled the one night stay.

Anyone knows how many days would it take for the refund?

Any comments on Quality Inn International Drive?

Thanks all!

 

[n2mm]

Finally, I was able to book 2 nights Standard view for August 27-29, and cancelled the one night stay.

Anyone knows how many days would it take for the refund?

Any comments on Quality Inn International Drive?

Thanks all!

I think it took about 5 days for a refund when I cancelled a room reservation. Wow, your first trip to US/IOA and you bought an Annual Pass!! (It took me a couple of visits before I bought my first AP.) Check out the extra discounts you get for being a passholder too! Which Annual Pass did you buy? Preferred or Premium? There are discounts at restraurants and sometimes specials, like BOGOs on slushies, or kids eat free w/adult. I use m AP for all kinds of discounts. There are discounts on restraurants in your resort too! Most meal discounts are 10% some even better. We are staying at Portofino in August, one night before moving to Bay Lake Towers.

 

[kochmd1]

I think it took about 5 days for a refund when I cancelled a room reservation. Wow, your first trip to US/IOA and you bought an Annual Pass!! (It took me a couple of visits before I bought my first AP.) Check out the extra discounts you get for being a passholder too! Which Annual Pass did you buy? Preferred or Premium? There are discounts at restraurants and sometimes specials, like BOGOs on slushies, or kids eat free w/adult. I use m AP for all kinds of discounts. There are discounts on restraurants in your resort too! Most meal discounts are 10% some even better. We are staying at Portofino in August, one night before moving to Bay Lake Towers.

Thanks for the 5 day refund info. I'm buying the Preferred AP as suggested by Metro in another thread, we're neither FL or US residents. Although it's our first time, being on these boards have made a lot of difference, learning a lot and getting loads of information from DIS experts

I will certainly check all the specials and discounts being an AP holder

 

[n2mm]

Thanks for the 5 day refund info. I'm buying the Preferred AP as suggested by Metro in another thread, we're neither FL or US residents. Although it's our first time, being on these boards have made a lot of difference, learning a lot and getting loads of information from DIS experts

I will certainly check all the specials and discounts being an AP holder

We are also going in August, but a week before you. I'll post any August APH special when they are released. I'll be watching for myself.