Harry Potter Packages for 2015

[dizneedoll]

Hi,
Does anyone know or have a good guess-timate when the HP packages for 2015 will be released (if they have them for next year)? The website says they can only be booked through 12/31/2014. We are going in February 2015 and I'd like to get an idea on when I can book. Thanks!

 

[damo]

No reason to get a Harry Potter Package unless you are staying offsite. You can get everything cheaper by booking separately.

 

[dizneedoll]

No reason to get a Harry Potter Package unless you are staying offsite. You can get everything cheaper by booking separately.

Well, gee thanks but that's not the question I asked. I asked if anyone had an idea of when packages for 2015 might be released, not if it was cheaper to book separately, which by the way, it isn't always cheaper.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

Well, gee thanks but that's not the question I asked. I asked if anyone had an idea of when packages for 2015 might be released, not if it was cheaper to book separately, which by the way, it isn't always cheaper.

No need to be snarky. Have you called Universal to find out when they will release packages? They might have an idea when they will be released.

FWIW, we have also always found it to be cheaper to book separately. Not that you care. But Damo was being helpful.

 

[damo]

No idea when packages will be released. However, if you want to book everything now, separately, you can. You can also make changes on hotel rates you book now without any change fees unlike booking a package.

On this board we suggest purchasing your tickets through undercover tourist and booking your hotel here ... http://www.loewshotels.com/en/booking/uo?hotel=UEPBH,UEHRH,UERPR

If you are staying for any length of time, you might want to consider purchasing one power pass at just over $200 which is a minimal increase over the multi-day park to park tickets. It can save you up to 30% on your hotel (enter APH when you get closer to your stay). You can upgrade tickets bought at undercover tourist to an annual pass at the parks if you find that your rate is going to save you money.

Good luck in whatever you decide to do.

 

[macraven]

damo, you are always on the mark and so helpful to everyone.

such a good homie...


i never go with the package, the penalties for each time you make a change or adjustment are $50.

 

[damo]

damo, you are always on the mark and so helpful to everyone.

such a good homie...


i never go with the package, the penalties for each time you make a change or adjustment are $50.

It's a good thing that we get paid the big bucks here. I'd sure hate to be wasting my time trying to save people money!

 

[dizneedoll]

No need to be snarky. Have you called Universal to find out when they will release packages? They might have an idea when they will be released.

FWIW, we have also always found it to be cheaper to book separately. Not that you care. But Damo was being helpful.

Really? Because the response I got to a question that I asked nicely was condescending. That wasn't helpful. She didn't care about what I wanted to know just told me that it's cheaper to book separately. If she didn't know or didn't really want to help, then she shouldn't have replied.

To everyone else who replied...thank you. I did call Universal but the person I spoke didn't have any information. I priced out the package that is available and priced it separately booking thru Loews, buying tickets with UT and even figuring in a AAA rate for the room it still came out to $300 less for the package. That's why I was curious to see what the price on the HP package was vs. the regular stay more-pay less offer.

 

[schumigirl]

It's a good thing that we get paid the big bucks here. I'd sure hate to be wasting my time trying to save people money!

Really? Because the response I got to a question that I asked nicely was condescending. That wasn't helpful. She didn't care about what I wanted to know just told me that it's cheaper to book separately. If she didn't know or didn't really want to help, then she shouldn't have replied.
.

I think it was a fair answer and did not see any condescension in her reply. Yes it is usually cheaper not to get a package.

damo is one of the most helpful posters on here and is usually right and always wants to help people.

Good luck with your booking.

 

[damo]

One of the big problems with booking a package at Universal is that they charge $50 per change. Loews often changes their room rates as you get closer to your date, so when you book a package far out you are most likely not booking at the room rates that will be in effect at your date (including annual pass rates and PIN code rates which don't come out until late). If you just book separately, you can change your room rate by simply calling Loews and you will not incur any fees. For example, in September, annual pass rates are $30/night cheaper than the 4 night stay more save more at Royal Pacific and the annual pass is only $30 more in total).

There have been many, many people who have purchased packages on this board only to come back and complain that they could have had a much cheaper vacation if they had booked separately. Also many people who decided to change dates and incurred fees.

I apologize if I came off as condescending. There would be absolutely no reason for me to be condescending as I gain nothing by trying to give you a heads up as to what many people have experienced in the past.

I also thought that if you were anxious to book now, it would be useful to know that you could book everything separately now.

 

[phillymummer]

On this board we suggest purchasing your tickets through undercover tourist and booking your hotel here ... http://www.loewshotels.com/en/booking/uo?hotel=UEPBH,UEHRH,UERPR

If you are staying for any length of time, you might want to consider purchasing one power pass at just over $200 which is a minimal increase over the multi-day park to park tickets. It can save you up to 30% on your hotel (enter APH when you get closer to your stay). You can upgrade tickets bought at undercover tourist to an annual pass at the parks if you find that your rate is going to save you money.

That is awesome information!! thank you! I have been trying to price out my Nov 2015 vacation (using Nov 2014) rates. I was doing it all through the Universal site. I didn't even think of using UT for tickets.

What is a Power Pass? It that another term for the Unlimited express pass?

 

[damo]

On this board we suggest purchasing your tickets through undercover tourist and booking your hotel here ... http://www.loewshotels.com/en/booking/uo?hotel=UEPBH,UEHRH,UERPR

If you are staying for any length of time, you might want to consider purchasing one power pass at just over $200 which is a minimal increase over the multi-day park to park tickets. It can save you up to 30% on your hotel (enter APH when you get closer to your stay). You can upgrade tickets bought at undercover tourist to an annual pass at the parks if you find that your rate is going to save you money.

That is awesome information!! thank you! I have been trying to price out my Nov 2015 vacation (using Nov 2014) rates. I was doing it all through the Universal site. I didn't even think of using UT for tickets.

What is a Power Pass? It that another term for the Unlimited express pass?

No, the power pass is the cheapest annual pass.

 

[bumbershoot]

Really? Because the response I got to a question that I asked nicely was condescending. That wasn't helpful. She didn't care about what I wanted to know just told me that it's cheaper to book separately. If she didn't know or didn't really want to help, then she shouldn't have replied. To everyone else who replied...thank you. I did call Universal but the person I spoke didn't have any information. I priced out the package that is available and priced it separately booking thru Loews, buying tickets with UT and even figuring in a AAA rate for the room it still came out to $300 less for the package. That's why I was curious to see what the price on the HP package was vs. the regular stay more-pay less offer.

The likelihood of a package being that much lower is really unlikely in my 4 years experience in comparing packages. Especially the HP packages. I would strongly recommend making absolutely sure you are looking for the exact same rooms and tickets and make sure you have accounted for taxes.

I don't mean this in any sort of condescending way. The packages almost never include anything you can't get otherwise (for park-opening type packages there have been intangibles like souvenir invitations so a person has to decide how much that piece of paper is worth to their lives). And I've actually never heard of a package being less, especially that much less, than a la carte. We just hate to see people waste their money!

 

[phillymummer]

A package is less when buying everything through Universal, or at least in my case it was. It was cheaper to book a room and tickets through a package then when I priced out the cost of the room and then the cost of the tickets individually. But that was all through Universal. So I think I can see where confusion comes in.

 

[damo]

A package is less when buying everything through Universal, or at least in my case it was. It was cheaper to book a room and tickets through a package then when I priced out the cost of the room and then the cost of the tickets individually. But that was all through Universal. So I think I can see where confusion comes in.

It's interesting because I just checked a few package prices and there is something weird going on with the packages. They don't seem to be charging the hotel tax in the total price. If you price out a package and remove the tickets (the website will allow you to do this but gives you a warning that someone will call you later and make you add tickets), you get the price that is just supposed to be the hotel. Each set of dates that I choose gives the hotel price as the exact price (as shown on the Lowes site) before the hotel taxes are added in. Sooner or later, someone is going to realize this glitch in their website. In the meantime, it is a good deal unless they come back and charge you that tax later.

This is the first time in many years of packages that I've ever seen the packages cheaper than booking separately. I would be surprised if this lasts very long.