First-Timer Questions

ArwenMarie

DIS Veteran
Joined
Apr 10, 2013
Messages
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So we just decided to go Universal for our February trip!!!

We were up in the air with WDW, but with all of the Fastpass changes going on right now, decided to take the chance to do Universal instead.

A few questions...

1. So I booked the room at the Portofino. I paid the first night, I assume I just pay the rest upon check-in?
2. What is the best way to buy tickets? Can I wait until we get there? Can you buy them at the hotel?
3. How does the Express Pass work? Do you just need a room reservation to get it? Do you pick it up at the hotel at check-in? Do you need to show park tickets at that point? Is it a separate card?
4. Is there a parking fee at the PBH? We are wondering if we will rent a car or not and wanted to factor that in.
5. How do dining reservations work there? Is there any need to make reservations? It will be during Presidents Day weekend, so I am assuming it will be crowded. What are the must-do restaurants?

Thanks in advance for any help! :)
 
So we just decided to go Universal for our February trip!!!

We were up in the air with WDW, but with all of the Fastpass changes going on right now, decided to take the chance to do Universal instead.

A few questions...

1. So I booked the room at the Portofino. I paid the first night, I assume I just pay the rest upon check-in?
2. What is the best way to buy tickets? Can I wait until we get there? Can you buy them at the hotel?
3. How does the Express Pass work? Do you just need a room reservation to get it? Do you pick it up at the hotel at check-in? Do you need to show park tickets at that point? Is it a separate card?
4. Is there a parking fee at the PBH? We are wondering if we will rent a car or not and wanted to factor that in.
5. How do dining reservations work there? Is there any need to make reservations? It will be during Presidents Day weekend, so I am assuming it will be crowded. What are the must-do restaurants?

Thanks in advance for any help! :)

2. You can buy theme park tickets at the concierge of the hotel or the main gate of USO/IOA or online. I personally like to buy the ticket at the front gate because I can ask questions to the ticket seller. It gives me less confusion.
3. When you are staying at the onsite hotel, you can use your room key for the express pass. You don't need to buy another one. It is included when you make a room reservation whether you have a theme park ticket or not. You pick up your room key at the hotel upon check in. The theme park ticket and the room key are two separate cards.
4. If your intention is to go to USO/IOA and even International Drive, I don't think car is very necessary. There are so many different transportations available at the hotel to take you to USO/IOA. You can take the boat or the free shuttle or just walk to Citywalk. If you want to explore the International Drive or go to Seaworld/Discovery Cove/Aquatica, the i-trolley will take you to your destination and only costs 5 dollars for one day pass. I have walked from Wet n Wild in International Drive to USO/IOA before. It doesn't take a very long time. If you are renting a car, the cost for self-parking at the hotel is $18.00 per night.
 
1. You give them a credit card on check in, and pay the rest of the room charges (and anything else) on checkout.

2. You can buy online, at the hotel, or at the gates. www.undercovertourist.com had the best ticket prices I could find a few months ago, and are very highly rated.

3. The room key itself is no longer the Express Pass. There are kiosks in the hotel lobby where you put in your room key, it takes your picture and prints your Express Pass, with your picture on it. This is what you show to the team member at the express lines at each attraction.

4. Yes, I think it's like $17 or $18 /night.
 
1. right, present a credit card that you want charged when you finalize your bill upon check out. Know that if you find a better rate for your room, give the hotel a call, they usually change the rate.

2. You can buy tickets at the hotel and at the entry to the parks. Easiest is to order from Universal's website (does give a small discount) and check other authorized resellers online, like Undercovertourist or Maple Leaf Tickets.

3. Now, the unlimited express pass is obtained by using your hotel key in the express pass machine in the lobby of the hotel. Easy.

4. Yes, there is a parking fee: Self parking in the garage is $18 plus tax. It is charge every night, so, like us, we put our bags in bell services the day we are leaving, hit the parks, then come back to the hotel to get our car. Room key opens the gate until midnight the day you check out.

5. Most of the restaurants do not need reservations. Some, like Gumps, do not take them. Opentable.com is where you can make reservations for most of the restaurants in USO. You can also show your room key when walking up at a city walk restaurant. It may get you faster seating.

We really enjoy USO.
 

Oh, and if you are factoring in wanting a car or not, know that Universal does not provide transportation to the resort. You then have the option of renting a car, using your own car, taking a taxi or other car service. There are a ton of restaurants in CityWalk and several in the parks and in the 3 onsite hotels. Check the stickie at the top of this forum and you will see mostly current menus for all the restaurants in USO.

While we like the pool the most at PBH, we also like to pool hop. You can visit HRH and RPH pool areas with your room key. The 3 hotels encourage pool hopping.

You will enjoy the PBH. We like that hotel the most. The grounds and hotel are beautiful.
 





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