First timer

[squirrel922]

Looking to possibly go to Universal the first week in Jan 19 with DH, DS's (18 and 16). Couple initial questions for you experts just from my little preliminary research and reading:

• Not sure how bad the crowds would be since that's New Year's week. Any thoughts on the crowds?
• The prices for the "premium" resorts are really high. But it seems they come with an express pass. How badly do I "need" the express passes? Can I get along without them or get them another way?
• If I was going to Disney I'd stay at a moderate resort like Port Orleans. It looks like the Sapphire one may be equivalent. I do see it's much cheaper than the others. Is it nice? Within good proximity? Is there a shuttle or would I be walking? Are there any "perks" to that hotel? Or should I really be spending all that money for one of the premium hotels? Is it that worth it?

I'm sure I'll have a million other questions but hopefully you guys can help start me on my way to a Universal vacation. Thanks

 

[schumigirl]

Check out the hotel stickies for info on them.

PBH, RPR and HRH all come with EP as a perk......the others offer EE.

Sapphire is beautiful, well within walking distance. All the hotels are walking distance.

Check out Universal website www.universalorlando.com

You can see park layouts, proximity to hotels and much more.........and read the stickies above.......they really do have a lot of info in them for first timers........the quick access sticky is full of helpful links too.

 

[skylock]

Nobody "needs" the express pass unless you plan to do both parks in one day and even then, depending on what you are planning to do, you could do it without.

 

[mjhtvchick]

Any estimation on how many nights you will be spending there? That impacts whether or not I would recommend Express Passes.

 

[squirrel922]

Any estimation on how many nights you will be spending there? That impacts whether or not I would recommend Express Passes.

Looking at either 3 or 4 days

 

[Catvondita]

I never need the Express Pass. We tend to get lucky. Lines for the things we want to do are never that long and we don't do eveeeerything in the park. We occasionally use single rider when we feel lazy but we can knock out both parks in one day when we want.

 

[nkereina]

• Not sure how bad the crowds would be since that's New Year's week. Any thoughts on the crowds?

• The prices for the "premium" resorts are really high. But it seems they come with an express pass. How badly do I "need" the express passes? Can I get along without them or get them another way?

• If I was going to Disney I'd stay at a moderate resort like Port Orleans. It looks like the Sapphire one may be equivalent. I do see it's much cheaper than the others. Is it nice? Within good proximity? Is there a shuttle or would I be walking? Are there any "perks" to that hotel? Or should I really be spending all that money for one of the premium hotels? Is it that worth it?

Never been New Years week but like Disney, I would imagine crowds die off after New Year's Day.

The 3 resorts with EP are amazing. Hard Rock is our favorite. Since you are planning on 3-4 days, it would behoove you to price out an annual pass. In addition to park to park admission, you can book AP rates at these resorts which can provide a significant savings. We got one in late January this past year. Typically, the rates aren't released until 2-3 months out. I can't imagine doing the parks without the flexibility of EP at this point - it lets us sleep in, go at our own pace, and know we don't have to rush for rope drop or be at the rides at a designated time

We are Disney moderate people too, so staying at the 3 deluxe hotels at Universal is nice change of pace. But you can't go wrong with Sapphire Falls. There is a water taxi - not sure of any other modes of transportation. You can also walk. I will warn that we've heard and seen many Cabana Bay guests utilizing the water taxi to and from Sapphire Falls, since it makes for a shorter walk for them. Not sure if this is still an ongoing issue. Its a beautiful hotel. The only things the 3 deluxe resorts have that Sapphire Falls does not is EP and a shorter walking distance to the parks.

 

[squirrel922]

Never been New Years week but like Disney, I would imagine crowds die off after New Year's Day.

The 3 resorts with EP are amazing. Hard Rock is our favorite. Since you are planning on 3-4 days, it would behoove you to price out an annual pass. In addition to park to park admission, you can book AP rates at these resorts which can provide a significant savings. We got one in late January this past year. Typically, the rates aren't released until 2-3 months out. I can't imagine doing the parks without the flexibility of EP at this point - it lets us sleep in, go at our own pace, and know we don't have to rush for rope drop or be at the rides at a designated time

We are Disney moderate people too, so staying at the 3 deluxe hotels at Universal is nice change of pace. But you can't go wrong with Sapphire Falls. There is a water taxi - not sure of any other modes of transportation. You can also walk. I will warn that we've heard and seen many Cabana Bay guests utilizing the water taxi to and from Sapphire Falls, since it makes for a shorter walk for them. Not sure if this is still an ongoing issue. Its a beautiful hotel. The only things the 3 deluxe resorts have that Sapphire Falls does not is EP and a shorter walking distance to the parks.

Thanks for your reply. That's interesting that you're saying to get an annual pass. Is an annual pass roughly the same price as tickets? I see there are a few annual passes. Which one would you suggest to get? I'm assuming the annual pass runs calendar year or from the time you get it for a year?

 

[skylock]

Thanks for your reply. That's interesting that you're saying to get an annual pass. Is an annual pass roughly the same price as tickets? I see there are a few annual passes. Which one would you suggest to get? I'm assuming the annual pass runs calendar year or from the time you get it for a year?

3 day park to park tickets are the same price as the lowest level annual pass. There are blackout dates and does not include free parking or park discounts.

To get to the one with free parking and discounts in approx $100 more.

An annual pass is good for one year from date of first use.

 

[nkereina]

Thanks for your reply. That's interesting that you're saying to get an annual pass. Is an annual pass roughly the same price as tickets? I see there are a few annual passes. Which one would you suggest to get? I'm assuming the annual pass runs calendar year or from the time you get it for a year?

3 day park to park tickets are the same price as the lowest level annual pass. There are blackout dates and does not include free parking or park discounts.

To get to the one with free parking and discounts in approx $100 more.

An annual pass is good for one year from date of first use.

Skylock has it covered. We opted for the seasonal annual pass which was roughly the same as a 3 day park to park ticket, but also allows you to get the AP discount at the resorts which can be a huge savings. As PP mentions, the seasonal annual pass does have blackout date which is typically the busiest weeks - Christmas week, Spring break. Also on concert nights during Mardi Gras, but only UO would be blacked out. IOA is still accessible.

Most recently, the blackout dates during holiday season only went through 12/31, so you should be ok first week of January. It would just depend if you want to get a second use out of the APs and when that would be. We have bought APs in the past before knowing we'd only use them once, but it just made sense due to the length of our stay and the AP room discount it afforded. You can also wait to buy APs until after you see if you get the AP room discount, because you don't need the AP in hand to book the rate. You just need to show it at the hotel.