Guidance re: AP / on-site / tickets....

[Krista in MA]

Hello!

I was wondering if I could get a bit of guidance regarding some questions / concerns I have. I've been picking up info on these threads and also the Uni site, and I'm just trying to figure out everything.

Background - planning on visiting Uni either Sat-Sun November 2-3 or Sat-Mon November 2-4, staying on-site.

There will be either 2 or 3 adults (right now it's my sister and I. Our friend won't know until mid-Oct. if she is joining us).

I am going to be getting an AP (the mid-level one with no blackout dates) and 1/2 of them are going to be getting 2/3 day park to park passes (or they might get their own AP if they join me next year for a second visit).

It's my understanding that we can check in first thing Sat. am (knowing that rooms aren't really / supposed to be ready till 4pm) to get our express things and head over to the parks first thing? Is there a time that you can't do that until, or is it plausible to check-in / get that taken care of so we can be at HP for that first hour for on-site guests?

Is it easier to do one vs. the other when booking - book for two but add on a person later with the extra charge, vs. book for three but subtract a person later deducting the extra charge? I can't imagine it makes a difference, but I wouldn't want to run into a cancellation fee of sorts for taking a person off the res.

Will I be able to pick up the AP at a will call window before heading into the park (with the confirmation email in hand for hotel check in) or do I need to have the actual AP in hand to get the AP rate when checking in?

I'm assuming I'll be able to get tix for other(s) at the front gates (I'm pretty sure there's a small discount for getting tix for others with an AP?), or is there a way to order "add-on" tix for them when I order the AP online?

Thanks for any / all help and handholding I feel like I'm forgetting something!

 

[damo]

Hello!

I was wondering if I could get a bit of guidance regarding some questions / concerns I have. I've been picking up info on these threads and also the Uni site, and I'm just trying to figure out everything.

Background - planning on visiting Uni either Sat-Sun November 2-3 or Sat-Mon November 2-4, staying on-site.

There will be either 2 or 3 adults (right now it's my sister and I. Our friend won't know until mid-Oct. if she is joining us).

I am going to be getting an AP (the mid-level one with no blackout dates) and 1/2 of them are going to be getting 2/3 day park to park passes (or they might get their own AP if they join me next year for a second visit).

It's my understanding that we can check in first thing Sat. am (knowing that rooms aren't really / supposed to be ready till 4pm) to get our express things and head over to the parks first thing? Is there a time that you can't do that until, or is it plausible to check-in / get that taken care of so we can be at HP for that first hour for on-site guests? Nope, any time is fine.

Is it easier to do one vs. the other when booking - book for two but add on a person later with the extra charge, vs. book for three but subtract a person later deducting the extra charge? I can't imagine it makes a difference, but I wouldn't want to run into a cancellation fee of sorts for taking a person off the res. I would book for the number you have for sure and then add on at the desk at check-in if need be.

Will I be able to pick up the AP at a will call window before heading into the park (with the confirmation email in hand for hotel check in) or do I need to have the actual AP in hand to get the AP rate when checking in?There is a kiosk in the hotel where you can pick up your AP

I'm assuming I'll be able to get tix for other(s) at the front gates (I'm pretty sure there's a small discount for getting tix for others with an AP?), or is there a way to order "add-on" tix for them when I order the AP online? You have to activate your pass before you can buy any other tickets. This means you have to enter a park first.

Thanks for any / all help and handholding I feel like I'm forgetting something!

Hope my replies help!

 

[macraven]

totally agree with damo!

 

[buckeev]

totally agree with damo!

TOTALLY agree with Damo...and Mac...'cuz few things in life are safer...

Have the Bell Dudes store your luggage and then head on over to the parks! EZ-PZ!

 

[damo]

totally agree with damo!

TOTALLY agree with Damo...and Mac...'cuz few things in life are safer...

Have the Bell Dudes store your luggage and then head on over to the parks! EZ-PZ!

Bahahaha! You guys are funny!

 

[Krista in MA]

Hope my replies help!

Yes! Thank you!

Now that leads me to another question...

So I need to activate the AP by entering a park. Do I a. wave goodbye to my friend(s) as I rush off to ride the rides, b. enter the park to activate it, than promptly exit to get their tickets (and waste valuable minutes :-O haha), or c. something else?

 

[Bluer101]

Yes! Thank you!

Now that leads me to another question...

So I need to activate the AP by entering a park. Do I a. wave goodbye to my friend(s) as I rush off to ride the rides, b. enter the park to activate it, than promptly exit to get their tickets (and waste valuable minutes :-O haha), or c. something else?

A


I believe if you go to guest services they can activate it and let you purchase at a discount all in one. But the discount applies to gate prices and not online prices just to keep that in mind. It might be cheaper to order online (tickets) too than at the gate.

BTW: We will be there same weekend for a short trip.

 

[damo]

A


I believe if you go to guest services they can activate it and let you purchase at a discount all in one. But the discount applies to gate prices and not online prices just to keep that in mind. It might be cheaper to order online (tickets) too than at the gate.

BTW: We will be there same weekend for a short trip.

Yes. Do the math. To get the gate price, add $20 onto the online price. Then multiply by .85 to get your discounted price. I think tax is 6.5% so make sure you multiply by 1.065 at the end to get your final discounted price.

The savings vary with different tickets. Also check www.undercovertourist.com for their prices.


Oh and make sure that if you are going to go and buy tickets for your friends and then dash that they give you cash, lol.

 

[Krista in MA]

A

I believe if you go to guest services they can activate it and let you purchase at a discount all in one. But the discount applies to gate prices and not online prices just to keep that in mind. It might be cheaper to order online (tickets) too than at the gate.

BTW: We will be there same weekend for a short trip.

Thank you!

I'm so excited, it's been years since I've been to Universal!!!

 

[Krista in MA]

Yes. Do the math. To get the gate price, add $20 onto the online price. Then multiply by .85 to get your discounted price. I think tax is 6.5% so make sure you multiply by 1.065 at the end to get your final discounted price.

The savings vary with different tickets. Also check www.undercovertourist.com for their prices.

Oh and make sure that if you are going to go and buy tickets for your friends and then dash that they give you cash, lol.

Thanks for the heads up - more looking around to do before I jump all over the idea that an AP discount for tix would be best! Thanks for the info and link!

I'll need my friends cash for souvenirs lol

 

[Fanboy]

Thanks for the heads up - more looking around to do before I jump all over the idea that an AP discount for tix would be best! Thanks for the info and link!

I'll need my friends cash for souvenirs lol

I think when I did the math on 3-day tickets, it was slightly cheaper at the park with an AP than through UT.

You can get the post-tax gate ticket prices at Mousesavers.

In the end, we're just going to order 2-day tickets through Air Miles and upgrade at the park, but that comes at the end of a ton of research.

 

[Krista in MA]

Thanks everyone for your help!

<<happy dance>>

My sister and I have booked everything except for our tickets - we're both going to get an AP and make at least one more multi-day visit next year to get use from the AP If our friend ends up coming, we'll do our research to get her the best deal for tickets (unless she decides on an AP too).

Thank you all!