First trip

[TTFNTigger]

We are planning our first to Universal Studios for Spring Break this year. Excited about doing something new, but having difficulty planning something other than Disney.

We have military park tickets and plan to stay at Cabana Bay. We want the quick service dining plan. If we book a room only, can we add dining after we arrive? If so will the price be the same?

Thanks for your help!

 

[angryduck71]

Dining plan doesn't always give a good discount honestly. Did you look into military room discount? At Royal Pacific, you can get express passes with your room (Royal Pacific is usually the cheapest of the deluxe resorts).

 

[michelepa]

Dining plan doesn't always give a good discount honestly. Did you look into military room discount? At Royal Pacific, you can get express passes with your room (Royal Pacific is usually the cheapest of the deluxe resorts).

This^^^ - a necessity it seems if going for spring break.

 

[TTFNTigger]

There are no rooms available at any of the onsite properties for Military discounts, that's why we're booking hotel separate. Our Spring Break is the first week of April, unlike many others that will be the second week. Express pass or booking at the deluxe resorts is out of our price range for this trip. We like to get to the parks early, so we are hoping it will be ok without express. From what we understand, we can add express for a day if we want to when we get there.

As far as the dining plan, I wondered it $29 a day for quick service with refillable was worth it, that's why I want to know if we can book the room and add it later. Want to do some more research on that but want to go ahead and book our rooms so we can get them at the rate they have them now.

 

[damo]

There are no rooms available at any of the onsite properties for Military discounts, that's why we're booking hotel separate. Our Spring Break is the first week of April, unlike many others that will be the second week. Express pass or booking at the deluxe resorts is out of our price range for this trip. We like to get to the parks early, so we are hoping it will be ok without express. From what we understand, we can add express for a day if we want to when we get there.

As far as the dining plan, I wondered it $29 a day for quick service with refillable was worth it, that's why I want to know if we can book the room and add it later. Want to do some more research on that but want to go ahead and book our rooms so we can get them at the rate they have them now.

You can purchase the counter service meal deal with drink at any counter service restaurant. Just see if what you want makes it a good deal. The teller will usually ask if you want to purchase it.

 

[wagman67]

Do you know which days you will be going and how many adults/kids? This can really help us help you.

Example: 2 Adults and 2 kids staying at CB, April 2 -5, will run you $204/night, but if you upgraded one of your tickets to a Seasonal Pass, you can get a hotel discount that knocks that down to $144/night.

If you are staying later that week, you run into Season Pass restrictions starting on the 8th.

With the same scenario above, staying at Hard Rock, with a Season Pass, would be $284/night, but includes Unlimited Express Passes for everyone, for all four days in the parks.

Again, assuming 4 people, one day of Unlimited Express Passes will cost you ~$400/day.

So, again, using the above scenario, if you stayed at CB, with Annual Pass discount for 3 nights (4 days in park) and decided, for one day, that you need EPs, it will run you an extra $400...for the single day of EPs and 3 days without EPs. If you stay at Hard Rock for those same three nights with Annual Pass discount, it will cost you an extra $420 (3 nights at an added $140 compared to CB)...for EPs for all four days and a hotel upgrade (the closest hotel to the park entrance, I might add).

So, knowing your scenario could help getting better advice.

Also, experience has taught me that the Dining Plans may save you a little money, but their restrictions aren't worth it for us...I am sure there are some that really like them, so your mileage may very. What we do, as we always stay onsite, is have plenty of food in our room. Staying on site, for multiple days, allows you to easily go back to your room or the pools and relax and never feel rushed. We will usually eat lunch somewhere in the park (or City Walk), without the Dining Plan, we can decide where and when that is, as the day goes by...then we usually head offsite for dinner, but not always.

 

[TTFNTigger]

Ok, so I just looked at the cost of annual passes. Is this right? $259.99 for an annual pass? If so, how would upgrading work? We will have military tickets- 3 day park to park for $180. My parents are getting them from our nearest military base. If we upgrade one to an annual pass it would be only $80 right? We would have to do this upon arrival, right? Could we book the rooms as though we already have it? Since we are getting two rooms we would need to upgrade two to annual passes?
Our dates are 4/4-4/8.
Does the dining plan change in price based on when you go like the tickets and rooms do?
Thank you so much for your help!

 

[TTFNTigger]

Blackout dates won't change will they? We leave the day the blackout dates start.

 

[TTFNTigger]

Sorry we are a family of 7. 4 adults and 3 children.

 

[wagman67]

Ok, so I just looked at the cost of annual passes. Is this right? $259.99 for an annual pass? If so, how would upgrading work? We will have military tickets- 3 day park to park for $180. My parents are getting them from our nearest military base. If we upgrade one to an annual pass it would be only $80 right? We would have to do this upon arrival, right? Could we book the rooms as though we already have it? Since we are getting two rooms we would need to upgrade two to annual passes?
Our dates are 4/4-4/8.
Does the dining plan change in price based on when you go like the tickets and rooms do?
Thank you so much for your help!

Blackout dates won't change will they? We leave the day the blackout dates start.

Sorry we are a family of 7. 4 adults and 3 children.

You will need to call and ask about the price difference...I think the $259.99 is for Florida residents and it is about $20 more for non-residents.

Yes, you can go ahead and book as though you have the annual pass.

Can you be flexible? If you moved your trip up by 1 day (arrive on the 3rd and leave on the 7th), you can save over a hundred per night ($289 at HRH/night) vs the 4th-8th ($394 at RPR/night), and you do not have to worry about the annual pass blockout that starts the 8th.

Now about the Seasonal Pass...you only need one to get a discount on both rooms. You only have to show it if they ask...if they ask to see it when you check in, let them know you are upgrading your ticket to an Annual Pass and will get back with them. Also, the blockout starts on the 8th, so you will not be able to get into a park with a Seasonal Pass, that day...however...you can get in with your regular ticket, all day, then upgrade at the end of your day.

 

[angryduck71]

Also, it may be even cheaper to upgrade. I upgraded military tix to an AP and it was something like $50 because they look at how much the tickets cost at Universal, not what you paid at the military base.

 

[damo]

Also, it may be even cheaper to upgrade. I upgraded military tix to an AP and it was something like $50 because they look at how much the tickets cost at Universal, not what you paid at the military base.

Did you use the ticket first?

 

[TTFNTigger]

Ok, I've booked rooms as an annual pass holder. We will get the tickets from the military base. Where do I take it to upgrade, anywhere other than ticket booth at park? How long has it been since you have done this? I'm a worrier and fearful that policies have changed/ or will change.

 

[wagman67]

You will be fine...take it to customer service, after you enter the park...just ask the TM at the gate...customer service is just inside the front gate of both parks.

 

[angryduck71]

Did you use the ticket first?

I entered the park once and then upgraded.

 

[angryduck71]

Ok, I've booked rooms as an annual pass holder. We will get the tickets from the military base. Where do I take it to upgrade, anywhere other than ticket booth at park? How long has it been since you have done this? I'm a worrier and fearful that policies have changed/ or will change.

I did it two years ago n

 

[TTFNTigger]

I just want to say thank you again for all your advice. I'm now very excited about this trip and happy with the plan we've made thanks to the information you have given me!