First time universal visit and have some basic questions for group

[cissy]

I am trying to read as much as I can but can't find answers to the following so would love some help.
1. Keep seeing info about annual pass to get discount in hotels but on ticket page I only see AP for Florida residents. What am I missing?
2. If we stay at one of the three on site hotels that offer FOTL, is it the same line that unlimited express pass users use?
3. Where can I see EE for on site hotel guests? A calendar fot that and open/closing times for the park?
4. If I book a rate and later see a better deal will I be able to get the better rate?
5. How crazy is MLK weekend? I see it is marked busy but what does that mean compared to Disney busy?

These boards saved my life last two trips to Disney so thanks in advance for any help!

 

[KiniShakenBake]

1. Look at this link for that chart. It's the link to the upper right hand corner of that chart you were looking at, where it says "Non Florida Resident Annual Passes."
2. FOTL is not really FOTL, it's the Unlimited Express Pass included in your hotel rate. And it's the same line as the Express Pass (each ride 1x per day) and the Unlimited Express Pass (of any stripe) that others pay for or get with their annual passes
3. The calendar is HERE. It's the drop-down under Plan that offers you an option of "Park Hours."
4. Yes. You can either call the main reservations line and have them change your rate, or you can rebook and cancel with no penalties or problems. I rebooked my latest set of reservations four times... maybe more.
5. It's a three-day weekend, and Universal has fairly small parks. The lines were pretty crazy in July, but I used Single Rider to avoid them for the most part because I was there on a solo trip because of a convention. I would guess they mean business, but I don't know. I spend that weekend in the snow near Mt. Rainier.

 

[damo]

I am trying to read as much as I can but can't find answers to the following so would love some help.
1. Keep seeing info about annual pass to get discount in hotels but on ticket page I only see AP for Florida residents. What am I missing?
2. If we stay at one of the three on site hotels that offer FOTL, is it the same line that unlimited express pass users use?
3. Where can I see EE for on site hotel guests? A calendar fot that and open/closing times for the park?
4. If I book a rate and later see a better deal will I be able to get the better rate?
5. How crazy is MLK weekend? I see it is marked busy but what does that mean compared to Disney busy?

These boards saved my life last two trips to Disney so thanks in advance for any help!

1. It is there, just click on the link in the menu on the right.
2. There is no such thing as FOTL. It is just Express. There is unlimited and limited, but they are both just Express.
3. There is no calendar for EE, only a calendar for open/closing time. It can be found at www.universalorlando.com. Use the search box for anything that you don't immediately see.
4. Yes, as long as you don't purchase a package and change within the 5 day period before you arrive, you can change your rate without penalty.
5. MLK weekend is pretty busy but it is one of the lower busy holidays.

 

[cissy]

Great! Thanks so much for clearing up my questions, I knew I would get help here!

 

[cissy]

Okay, next question.....if there is no calendar for early entry, how do I know which park has it? I keep seeing posts that talk about it so I am not sure where to get that info.

Oh, another question.....i read on one of the posts that on site hotel guests get preferred line over the express pass holders. Is that true? My thought process here is that if it is to our advantage to stay on site to get on rides faster then because we are going on MLK holiday, I will pay the extra to do so. But if buying the unlimited express pass gets you equal treatment, the I may try to find a cheaper place off site. Thoughts??

 

[EvilDrPorkchop21]

Okay, next question.....if there is no calendar for early entry, how do I know which park has it? I keep seeing posts that talk about it so I am not sure where to get that info.

Oh, another question.....i read on one of the posts that on site hotel guests get preferred line over the express pass holders. Is that true? My thought process here is that if it is to our advantage to stay on site to get on rides faster then because we are going on MLK holiday, I will pay the extra to do so. But if buying the unlimited express pass gets you equal treatment, the I may try to find a cheaper place off site. Thoughts??

No, its the same express pass line for Deluxe Hotel Guests and those that purchase it separately

 

[cissy]

Ok. Good to know, thank you!

 

[damo]

Depending on how many there are in your party, it is often cheaper to get an onsite room than to purchase unlimited express for everyone. You'll get two days of express for each night's stay.

You'll have to ask at the hotel about EE. It has been at Universal lately. Seems like during busy times, it is at IOA but that is not a rule.

 

[cissy]

Thanks!

 

[RMulieri]

MLK weekend is busy and there are a lot of tour groups in the parks that time period too.Just something to keep in mind