Hard Rock Hotel

[Tony Bush]

Just trying to tie up our Hard Rock Hotel stay. Has anyone found any good deals or discounts ?
We're looking to book just two nights for three adults.
Tony

 

[wilma-bride]

If you're a member of AA, you might be able to get a AAA discount.

Other than that, your best bet is to look at pricing it up with one of the UK travel agents, through a cashback site as that's probably the cheapest way to get it.

We have 3 nights booked at RPR in October on the Stay More, Save More rate but I think you have to stay at least 3 nights for that rate to be valid.

 

[chmurf]

if you're doing hrh to take advantage of the resort then okay
if you're staying there only for the onsite perks like unlimited express, you might want to consider that 1 night gives you 2 days of express nd early entry
2 nights will only get you 3 days of early entry

I know it's a bit of a hassle but bear with me :

day 1 : check in early like 7ish, print express passes, go to parks, sleep at hrh
day 2 : check in at cabana bay beach, use hrh rom key for early entry and use your express you've printed at hrh, night at CBB
day 3 : check out of cabana bay, check in early at hrh or rpr, print new express, use early entry night at hrh
day 4 : use early entry and exress

4 park days with express for the price of 2 nights at deluxes and 1 night at universal's value

that may not be the deal you're looking for but it shows how to pay less'for express
of course if you go for the resort then my advice is irrelevant

 

[sky13]

Ways I've found of getting a cheaper universal hotel:

- Look at tripadvisor.com - there's usually a lot of booking websites showing how much each is selling the room for. Also look at the usual suspects like booking.com, lastminute.com, Thomas Cook, etc - can vary a fair bit between them!

- Look for Quidco cashback

- Consider the US websites - e.g. I found a pretty good deal with Orbitz as they were running a 15% off promotion

- With Universal direct: look at the rate with an annual pass (type APH into discounts box on the website) and see whether it's worth the price difference. Also call them to ask for the AAA rate (if you have AA membership).

 

[flortlebap]

Expedia offered HRH for the night we wanted for a third less than Universal plus 10% through UKCB. It's worth looking for the best Cashback deals when factoring in the cost, but tripadvisor is a good place to start!

 

[Tony Bush]

Expedia is coming out best at the mo. - What discount is the AAA ? I tried doing that on line but couldn't get it to accept a code.

Also, I know about the Express line perks but do you also get early entry if staying on site ?

Tony

 

[chmurf]

Also, I know about the Express line perks but do you also get early entry if staying on site ?

all of the 4 onsite hotels give you early entry (1 hour before opening time, at IoA only. Only Zeuss Landing and WWoHP are open, at this time IDK how Diagon Alley will change this, extend early entry to the Studios or ... we'll need to wait for an official announcement)

only the 3 Deluxes will give you express passes though

 

[Minniesgal]

if you're doing hrh to take advantage of the resort then okay if you're staying there only for the onsite perks like unlimited express, you might want to consider that 1 night gives you 2 days of express nd early entry 2 nights will only get you 3 days of early entry I know it's a bit of a hassle but bear with me : day 1 : check in early like 7ish, print express passes, go to parks, sleep at hrh day 2 : check in at cabana bay beach, use hrh rom key for early entry and use your express you've printed at hrh, night at CBB day 3 : check out of cabana bay, check in early at hrh or rpr, print new express, use early entry night at hrh day 4 : use early entry and exress 4 park days with express for the price of 2 nights at deluxes and 1 night at universal's value that may not be the deal you're looking for but it shows how to pay less'for express of course if you go for the resort then my advice is irrelevant

Oh my I get you point but that is a lot of moving

 

[LiquidSunshine]

Jumping on board with what is probably a silly question!

I have tickets for Universal booked through Virgin Hols, which includes early admission to HP.

Is it worth booking a night at one of the hotels at Universal? Loews Royal Pacific Resort is currently £131 through Quidco.

 

[flortlebap]

Jumping on board with what is probably a silly question!

I have tickets for Universal booked through Virgin Hols, which includes early admission to HP.

Is it worth booking a night at one of the hotels at Universal? Loews Royal Pacific Resort is currently £131 through Quidco.

Depends how many people are in the room and if you're planning on buying xpress pass. It also depends whether it's a throwaway room or whether you actually need the accommodation

 

[joolz1910]

Jumping on board too! We are hoping to book a Queen deluxe room for next August for 2 nights. We want this because you get more space and there are 5 of us. The current quote is £550 plus £650 for 14 night tickets - that's a lot for 2 days but we really want to 'do' Universal.

 

[Laurafoster]

We used Trivago (both .co.uk and .com websites) to check for good rates for our upcoming trip to HRH. It doesnt always show the best deals but its pretty good most of the time

 

[LiquidSunshine]

Depends how many people are in the room and if you're planning on buying xpress pass. It also depends whether it's a throwaway room or whether you actually need the accommodation

The £131 price is for the 2 of us. Don't think I would buy the xpress pass - the room includes the skip the queue benefit for free.

Also priced Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort which comes in at £68 for the 2 of us. Although staying there doesn't include the skip the queue benefit.

Am I right in thinking you can purchase the xpress pass on the day?

 

[sky13]

Expedia is coming out best at the mo. - What discount is the AAA ? I tried doing that on line but couldn't get it to accept a code.

Also, I know about the Express line perks but do you also get early entry if staying on site ?

Tony

For the AAA rate you'll have to call the hotel directly (numbers are available on the universal orlando or Loews websites (http://www.loewshotels.com/en/booking/uo) - I called the number on the Loews website (1-888-464-3617) a couple of weeks back and the lady I spoke to was able to quote me a rate).

I think for my dates the AAA rate was about 10-15% off rack rate.

You get early entry if staying on site at any of the 4 universal hotels; you only get unlimited Express if staying at Portofino, HRH or Royal Pacific...

 

[sky13]

Am I right in thinking you can purchase the xpress pass on the day?

I've not been there but I believe this is the case - however Express passes are also apparently limited and may sell out on the day (I guess this depends on how busy it is that day!).

One thing to note is that the hotel unlimited Express is truly unlimited - so if you ride Hulk with the Express pass, decide you love it, you can ride it again with the Express pass for as many times as you want.

In contrast there are two types of Express pass sold by Universal - the first one is one-time-use only at each ride, so if you ride Hulk with the Express pass and decide you love it, you would have to go through the regular line to ride it again. They also sell an unlimited Express pass, but this is more expensive. Prices vary depending on when you're there as well...

 

[brer_rabbit]

I'm not sure how much Annual Passes cost now but when we went a few years ago the best deal I got was booking an Annual Pass rate (you can make the reservation in advance but don't have to actually buy the Pass until you get there). This was for the Portofino Bay but they're fairly similar in price.

The Annual Pass also gave 10 or 20% off tickets, merchandise and some restaurant discounts which definitely added up when I look at the amount of Harry Potter stuff I bought

 

[LiquidSunshine]

I've not been there but I believe this is the case - however Express passes are also apparently limited and may sell out on the day (I guess this depends on how busy it is that day!).

One thing to note is that the hotel unlimited Express is truly unlimited - so if you ride Hulk with the Express pass, decide you love it, you can ride it again with the Express pass for as many times as you want.

In contrast there are two types of Express pass sold by Universal - the first one is one-time-use only at each ride, so if you ride Hulk with the Express pass and decide you love it, you would have to go through the regular line to ride it again. They also sell an unlimited Express pass, but this is more expensive. Prices vary depending on when you're there as well...

Oh thanks!

Tempted to book one night for £131 to get the unlimited pass.....does anyone know if the unlimited pass is still valid in the parks after you have checked out?

 

[wilma-bride]

Oh thanks!

Tempted to book one night for £131 to get the unlimited pass.....does anyone know if the unlimited pass is still valid in the parks after you have checked out?

Express is valid on both day of check in and day of check out.

 

[LiquidSunshine]

Express is valid on both day of check in and day of check out.

Thank you!