Going to FL this week!!!

[brucechase]

Just found out that they added furlough days to our president's day off so we now have the Friday, Monday and Tuesday to do some things.

I only have a day or 2 to finalize all plans. HELP!

I thought we would do Universal since we've been to Disney so many times.

Now for all the questions:

I would like to stay onsite, but the only place available is the Royal Pacific Resort at $324 per night. That sounds high, since I usually stay off site at local place for around $99/night. Is this worth it?

I also looked at the Nick hotel at $318 per night, but that also seems high.

Which would you choose?

I have a 11YO and 13YO girls who would love to swim but hate the cold. It says the pools are heated, but is it really doable for the middle of Feb?

I also saw some 3 bedroom home w/private pool for around $110 per night. They are about 15 minutes away but I have never done anything like this before. Has anyone done this?

If I stayed off site, I would purchase the all access pass (is that the right thing) for $25 per person if that is worth it. Is that something I should look at for this week.

I'm sure I'll have more, but I appreciate anyone's insight.

 

[Coach81]

We'll see you there!!!

 

[francie57]

I would take the on-site hotel since it will give you unlimited Express Pass. You probably won't find anything much cheaper since it is winter break in the northeast and everyone is trying to get warm! For the price the on-site hotel is much better than the Nick Hotel since the Nick Hotel is actually much closer to Disney (not a Universal hotel). Don't forget, if you buy the express pass it is only good for one time on each ride.

 

[brucechase]

Wow, Universal really knows how to take care of their customers (insert sarcastic smiley here).

After dealing with them on the Kroger card not being activated, I decided to not do the staying on site and instead got a private house for about $90 per night. Add in a pool heater and cleaning fee and the entire stay is the close to 1 night at the RPR. Add in all the money we will save not eating out and I wonder how much they would have gotten from me. Since we won't have the 7 consecutive days at Universal, we will probably only buy a 1 day ticket and maybe do a Disney day too.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not mad (maybe a little disappointed) but I do wonder about the common sense approach they took of not honoring that Kroger card and how much I would have spent if I would have been able to purchase it.

 

[pixeegrl]

I hope you enjoy your stay but I don't think it's Universals fault that Kroger didn't yank the cards. I'm sure Universal must have sent something out to them to let them know that the promotion was over. AAA stopped selling them right around the same time so they must have been notified. As for the hotel price, yes that's high. Did you try calling them directly? I know sometimes you can find unlisted deals that way. Ask about AAA or an ubstructed view rate. It's probably too late now, but remember for next time. Have fun and I hope the weather is warm!

 

[brucechase]

The only thing that bothers me about the Kroger card is people here reported purchasing and activating them about 10 days ago (Feb 2). That was far after the Jan 15 date they gave.

Even with the obstructed view, I doubt I would be enticed into staying there. And I did call them and their rate was actually higher than if I book online - so they said I should book online.

Oh well, even though I hate to say it, I always felt Disney goes much further in customer (or guest) services.

 

[Metro West]

The only thing that bothers me about the Kroger card is people here reported purchasing and activating them about 10 days ago (Feb 2). That was far after the Jan 15 date they gave.

Even with the obstructed view, I doubt I would be enticed into staying there. And I did call them and their rate was actually higher than if I book online - so they said I should book online.

Oh well, even though I hate to say it, I always felt Disney goes much further in customer (or guest) services.

OK wait...I'm confused.

You're upset at Universal because Kroger didn't take the $99 cards off their rack and then Universal wouldn't let you have the discounted rate?

And you think they should honor it because some posters on this board said they got the special after the January 15th cut off date?

I just want to make sure I understand your complaints.

Oh and Disney rarely if ever offers special ticket deals to those of you who live outside Florida so I doubt there would have been this type of deal in the first place. The Florida resident ticket special right now is $99.00 for four days...not seven.

 

[brucechase]

OK wait...I'm confused.

You're upset at Universal because Kroger didn't take the $99 cards off their rack and then Universal wouldn't let you have the discounted rate?

And you think they should honor it because some posters on this board said they got the special after the January 15th cut off date?

I just want to make sure I understand your complaints.

Oh and Disney rarely if ever offers special ticket deals to those of you who live outside Florida so I doubt there would have been this type of deal in the first place. The Florida resident ticket special right now is $99.00 for four days...not seven.

Again, I said disappointed. And yes, we talked to the Kroger main office that deals with the gift cards and they said they never received notification of pulling the $89.99 ticket cards. They even called Universal while my wife was there and that is when they found out about the cards. So yes, I do "blame" Universal Studios. If they wanted an expiration date, then the cards should have been printed as such. In my opinion, they caused the confusion.

I also never said Disney offers tickets specials similar to Universal. I said that Disney takes care of their guests better than my one and only experience with Universal.

Take these as complaints if you want, I was just pointing out that Universal probably lost a lot more of my money by not honoring the Kroger card. I easily would have spent more money and time there if they had.

 

[Coach81]

Sorry you had such a tough experience.. hope you still have a wonderful time on your trip!