FOTL benefits for this time of year... worth it?

[parlay]

We are DVC members, but will be visiting Universal about this time next year. My BIL swears by the FOTL benefits ... my dilemma is that I was planning on staying at Disney (on points) and just driving over to Universal. My question: Is the FOTL benefit worth the room cost at this time of year? (asking for next year ) BTW - we've never been to Universal.

 

[Metro West]

We are DVC members, but will be visiting Universal about this time next year. My BIL swears by the FOTL benefits ... my dilemma is that I was planning on staying at Disney (on points) and just driving over to Universal. My question: Is the FOTL benefit worth the room cost at this time of year? (asking for next year ) BTW - we've never been to Universal.

If you're going in the summer, I would say it's definitely worth it to have Express access...it's well worth the money.

 

[Dreamer24]

What about mid december. Our datas are 12/19 - 12/21.

 

[brenda1966]

that is the $250 a night question, now isn't it!

 

[damo]

In my opinion, there is more to staying onsite than just FOTL. It changes the entire Universal experience. It becomes the vacation instead of just a destination.

 

[sparklynails23]

We usually stay at Universal for FOTL when we visit Orlando but not this year. The hotel prices are far too high and waits in Sept/Oct are historically non-existent. I know Harry Potter will have some impact on the rest of the park rides, but I still can't justify the money for the hotel rooms. If we do end up splurging, it will be for one night.

 

[henry72]

We just got back and didn't stay on property because of the cost. (Couldn't justify an extra $400 for just the two of us.) It was no problem not having FOTL access. It would have been nice sometimes but really in the end of August or September time period, I would say unnecessary.

 

[mickeyluv]

We're going in November for our first trip to US/IOA and not staying onsite due to the prices. I'm looking at buying an Express Pass for our dates. We'll only need 1 so $25.99 per day isn't bad at all. Me and DH don't really ride rides. We've got friends who are staying at HRH and only 2 of them ride so we'll use the other person's Express Pass if needed. You can purchase the Express passes here... http://www.universalorlando.com/Tickets/special_offers/UniversalExpress/expresspluspasses.aspx

 

[mdb78]

Just wanted to add that if you stay onsite, you also get priority seating at some of the restaurants in the parks and in Citywalk... Just found out about this myself.

 

[sparklynails23]

Just wanted to add that if you stay onsite, you also get priority seating at some of the restaurants in the parks and in Citywalk... Just found out about this myself.

You really only need that during the busy times.

 

[Disneydenise]

Trying to make this decision. We are planning a quick trip and meeting our daughter in Orlando for a one day Harry Potter visit. We are in our 50's but it is a way to connect with our daughter and my husband does love to act like he is 20 something still. We have plans to be in Disney for the Food and Wine festival for 4 nights. The question is it worth changing hotels for one night at this time of year? We will probably want to do Men in Black, ET Hubby and Daughter will want to do The Hulk and other roller coasters and of course Spiderman.

 

[Varalith]

In my opinion, there is more to staying onsite than just FOTL. It changes the entire Universal experience. It becomes the vacation instead of just a destination.

We debated staying on-site considering how we assumed the crowds might be in early September. We ended up doing it for the reason Damo stated.

I've not stayed on-site at US before, but if the theming/atmosphere and the extra perks besides FOTL are everything I've read, I see us doing this regularly.

I guess in short, we enjoy nice hotels and never scrimp on that anywhere we go, but after all of the perks were weighed out, FOTL at this time of year as an excuse to stay on-site wasn't the deal maker, it was everything together.

I'd say that's even more true at this time of the year. The big picture is going to sway you more than a single perk.

 

[bkfree]

that is the $250 a night question, now isn't it!

We are heading down on Friday and staying onsite at PBH for a rate of $165 a night. We always stay onsite at WDW, so we know how much onsite accomodations add to the overall experience for our family. The FOTL pass is icing on the cake, but there is so much more to staying onsite. And, after staying onsite at WDW, the prices and upscale hotels at Universal makes it a no brainer. With two kiddos, ages 9 and 11, being ablet to walk easily from the hotel ammenities, City Walk and the parks makes it a very stressfree vacation.

 

[Disneydenise]

How are the rates that you folks are getting so much lower than what I am finding? The lowest rate I have found is at the HRH for $300 for one night. I guess that the middle of October is a no discount time of year. I wish I could make the decision and be happy with it. I have been to Orlando 3 times this year and this is the first time I will be doing anything with my family. I think I just need to pay the money and enjoy the resort for the whole 22 hours we will be there. I guess the benefits are a worth it. I just need to decide.

 

[brenda1966]

Part of it is probably that you're just looking to stay one night?
Those great rates are part of the "stay more save more", so the longer you stay, the cheaper your room.

Also, did you call the hotel and ask for their best rate?

 

[Disneydenise]

No I did not call the hotel good idea I will do that now. I knew I would get a good answer on these boards you guys are great.

 

[spima3]

The big picture is going to sway you more than a single perk.

Debated about this myself for quite a bit, but decided I was ONLY interested in the single perk, early access to WWoHP.

Nothing else about the on-site hotels interested me at all. Not even FOTL for when we are going, 9/12 to 9/18.

I may live to regret that decision once we are there , but as of now, I am soooooo happy that I didn't wast $240/night on one night in a hotel room.

I think for many, who have the finances to indulge, it probably is a fabulous experience, unfortunately, we don't fall under that category.

 

[DisneyAlly]

While I enjoyed our stay at HRH last week, I seriously do not think you need to stay onsite this time of the year for FOTL perks. The key is to get to the parks early. While my DH took my older two DS and DD for early entry, I entered the park a little after opening. I found WWoHP manageable. The rest of the park had no more than 20 minutes wait on any ride in the morning. Most rides were walk on. The longest lines we encountered was in Universal Studios on a sunny Wednesday afternoon following a very rainy Tuesday. Even so we were able to get on Rip Ride Rock It in 15-20 minutes on single rider line in the afternoon.