Has anyone booked a Universal package through Costco?

[EmJ]

Hello everyone! Back in 2010, you all were so helpful when my husband and I planned our first Universal Studios vacation, and now we are going back -- ten years and a kid later! I've been poking around on the Universal website and this board for awhile now, and I have SO many questions. But let's start with just this one: Has anyone booked a Universal package through Costco?

They offer packages at Sapphire Falls or Portofino Bay. We had planned on staying at Cabana Bay due to cost and fun, but after reading about the EP benefits at the top three hotels, I'm reconsidering. Booking through Costco, we could stay at Portofino Bay for less than booking direct through Universal for RPR. But I know that using third party packages are not always the best idea and customer service can be a PITA if something goes wrong or you need a change. I have a love affair with Costco generally, but have never used their travel service.

 

[TommyJK]

I've never used Costco to book, but I guess the key point is as you've mentioned a bit.

Packages typically have the negative element that if you need to change something (cancel, change dates etc.) there is typically a fee associated with making any changes.

So you have to weigh the pros and cons of easy changes/cancellation when booking hotel separately vs. the cost savings (if you get a good one) of booking a package and locking in.

 

[EmJ]

I've never used Costco to book, but I guess the key point is as you've mentioned a bit.

Packages typically have the negative element that if you need to change something (cancel, change dates etc.) there is typically a fee associated with making any changes.

So you have to weigh the pros and cons of easy changes/cancellation when booking hotel separately vs. the cost savings (if you get a good one) of booking a package and locking in.

Thanks! As far as I can tell, the package as booked the same as if I booked it through Universal. Meaning, you pick your hotel, what kind of room you want in the hotel, which type of park tickets you'd like, and then add on extras like dining, transportation from the airport, etc. It looks like Costco has a contracted rate with Universal for the hotels. I would not book airfare with Costco as I can usually fine good airline deals myself... though we usually fly Southwest, and I'm feeling like a nervous Southwest nelly this morning. But that will probably pass.

 

[Disneypeach]

I booked a Costco package for universal a couple of years ago. Got a good deal and had no issues. Used them to book disney cruises as well and I continue to do so. Changes were easy to do but they aren’t open on the weekends if I recall correctly. Costco may not be the best choice if you require handholding...otherwise go for it.

 

[EmJ]

I booked a Costco package for universal a couple of years ago. Got a good deal and had no issues. Used them to book disney cruises as well and I continue to do so. Changes were easy to do but they aren’t open on the weekends if I recall correctly. Costco may not be the best choice if you require handholding...otherwise go for it.

Awesome, thank you!

 

[TommyJK]

Have you compared the cost if say booking hotel only on Universals site, and than getting tickets through Undercover Tourist?

Often this combo works out cheapest and it allows for easy (no fee) changes/cancelations.

 

[bumbershoot]

As far as I can tell, the package as booked the same as if I booked it through Universal. Meaning, you pick your hotel, what kind of room you want in the hotel, which type of park tickets you'd like, and then add on extras like dining, transportation from the airport, etc.

It’s the same as booking a *package* through universal.

It’s not the same as booking room only.

There are fees and restrictions with the former that don’t exist with the latter.

Be sure to check out the room only pricing direct.(through loewshotels.com)

 

[EmJ]

Have you compared the cost if say booking hotel only on Universals site, and than getting tickets through Undercover Tourist?

Often this combo works out cheapest and it allows for easy (no fee) changes/cancelations.

I haven't, actually. I guess I assumed that the best deal would be hotel+tickets together. That's interesting to hear that that might not be the case.

Honestly, I'm starting to think I'm a crazy person for even entertaining this whole Universal idea. My son will be 5 at the time of travel. My husband and I have been SO looking forward to this trip (it's our 10 year anniversary and we don't get to take trips like this a lot), but now I'm thinking most of the attractions we want to do will be too intense for him, even if there is plenty of other stuff for him. He's pretty adventurous, but his theme park mettle has only been tested at Legoland so far.

What to do, what to do....

 

[j1d1]

but they aren’t open on the weekends if I recall correctly

This is incorrect. Their call center is open on the weekends. Call center hours from their website:
Weekdays 05:00 AM - 09:00 PM
Weekends 06:00 AM - 05:30 PM
Pacific Time

I have a package booked with them for 4 days (2+2 promo) park to park in May with 3 nights at the Holiday Inn across the street. Basically ended up getting the hotel stay for next to nothing relative to the cost of the tickets. Booked 1-night at RPR separately in order to get EP for two of they days. I've generally found Costco Travel easy to deal with although you won't get the level of personal service you would get from a traditional travel agent.

 

[99Wendy]

I have an upcoming trip I booked thru Costco. I had to call once to make a date change. It was super easy and they were great.
I’m a super planner, and yes the Costco package was less than what I could do from anyone else- plus cash back card and 2% back on executive membership ship + 3% back on Costco visa!
Fingers crossed it all goes well (but I’m not worried!)
My cruise I booked thru them a few years ago was easy too

Note - I require 0 hand holding and prefer to do all the work myself, so this works for me

 

[greg9x]

I haven't, actually. I guess I assumed that the best deal would be hotel+tickets together. That's interesting to hear that that might not be the case.

Definitely have to compare... My current plan with room only reservation at RPH and tickets through UT would be ~$2800.. package through Universal is quoting ~4100. Major difference.
Costco package at PB still $3500 after subtract out the cash card.

Another plan may come out cheaper, . But always compare, never assume one way is always better.

 

[bumbershoot]

I guess I assumed that the best deal would be hotel+tickets together. That's interesting to hear that that might not be the case.

You just never know. Get out a notebook and jot it all down. Remember that express pass is from the hotel stay, NOT the package, so if you're staying at one of the 3 deluxe onsite hotels you don't get the ticket that contains EP. I've seen people comparing prices to room-only, but they think the EP comes from the package, so they are comparing the wrong tickets.

Not everyone has executive, not everyone has the costco CC. Your total might be different than my total because of that sort of thing.

Honestly, I'm starting to think I'm a crazy person for even entertaining this whole Universal idea. My son will be 5 at the time of travel. My husband and I have been SO looking forward to this trip (it's our 10 year anniversary and we don't get to take trips like this a lot), but now I'm thinking most of the attractions we want to do will be too intense for him, even if there is plenty of other stuff for him. He's pretty adventurous, but his theme park mettle has only been tested at Legoland so far.

My son was 6.5 when we first went. He was tall but not quite brave yet. The biggest thing he went on was Flight of the Hippogriff. 14 times in a row one early morning. I think I'm still dizzy from that. He had a terrific time. Your son should be tall enough so that Pterandon Flyers can be on the table for you guys; it has funky height requirements, so if he's tall enough and depending on your future trip plans, this might be your one shot at the ride LOL. Anyone above 56" has to have someone between 36 and 56" ride with them. It basically means that an adult has to have a shorter kid with them.

At Universal the rider switch areas are *inside* the lines. That is positive (especially for a small family) because it means everyone sticks together until nearing the spot where you're seated for the ride. One adult goes, goes to the swap area, and the other adult goes. At Disney there's no swap area; you meet outside the ride and it can take much longer for the process. On the negative side, if you have a kid like mine, who was totally psyched out by even the outside of the building of The Mummy, then you just go on in alone...

There's a superfun area at Studios called the Woody Woodpecker's KidZone. Has a ton of stuff to do for kids. My son looooved (torturing his father with) Barney. Having the EP for it makes it les painful, but still, it's Barney. There's a water play area and a playground. And a little coaster (the day that we started off with Hippogriff 14 times, my son ended the day with the Nuthouse coaster 15 times). And behind the water play area is a terrific soft ball play area that ALL ages enjoy (if they find their way back there). Tons of fun.

Another plan may come out cheaper, . But always compare, never assume one way is always better.

Yep!

 

[EmJ]

You just never know. Get out a notebook and jot it all down. Remember that express pass is from the hotel stay, NOT the package, so if you're staying at one of the 3 deluxe onsite hotels you don't get the ticket that contains EP. I've seen people comparing prices to room-only, but they think the EP comes from the package, so they are comparing the wrong tickets.

Not everyone has executive, not everyone has the costco CC. Your total might be different than my total because of that sort of thing.



My son was 6.5 when we first went. He was tall but not quite brave yet. The biggest thing he went on was Flight of the Hippogriff. 14 times in a row one early morning. I think I'm still dizzy from that. He had a terrific time. Your son should be tall enough so that Pterandon Flyers can be on the table for you guys; it has funky height requirements, so if he's tall enough and depending on your future trip plans, this might be your one shot at the ride LOL. Anyone above 56" has to have someone between 36 and 56" ride with them. It basically means that an adult has to have a shorter kid with them.

At Universal the rider switch areas are *inside* the lines. That is positive (especially for a small family) because it means everyone sticks together until nearing the spot where you're seated for the ride. One adult goes, goes to the swap area, and the other adult goes. At Disney there's no swap area; you meet outside the ride and it can take much longer for the process. On the negative side, if you have a kid like mine, who was totally psyched out by even the outside of the building of The Mummy, then you just go on in alone...

There's a superfun area at Studios called the Woody Woodpecker's KidZone. Has a ton of stuff to do for kids. My son looooved (torturing his father with) Barney. Having the EP for it makes it les painful, but still, it's Barney. There's a water play area and a playground. And a little coaster (the day that we started off with Hippogriff 14 times, my son ended the day with the Nuthouse coaster 15 times). And behind the water play area is a terrific soft ball play area that ALL ages enjoy (if they find their way back there). Tons of fun.



Yep!

Thanks so much! We are a long way from booking tickets, but I'm glad to know that it pays to shop around a bit and will definitely do so.

I spent quite a bit of time yesterday researching the rides at Universal. I'm familiar with many of them from our trip in 2010, as well as a subsequent trip to Universal Studios Hollywood. My son is tall enough for everything my husband and I are interested in, except for Forbidden Journey and (likely) the new Hagrid coaster. And although I don't normally think of him as an adventurous kid, he has actually never declined to go on any ride or waterslide of any type that he's tall enough for. He even went on a roller coaster at Legoland at 3 years old that my husband wasn't so sure about! I showed him some ride-throughs on YouTube and he was STOKED. So we're still going and are just going to plan carefully and be flexible.

Regarding Express Passes, we are going the very first week in March. Do you think we will need them? Most people have told me no, but I'd be interested to hear what this group thinks.

 

[bumbershoot]

I don’t like being without the EP. I’ve done it for short post-cruise/pre-airport trips when we had APs, but in general I prefer to stay at a deluxe with them included so I don’t even have to think about it.


And I was on costco’s site earlier for other reasons, and decided to check it out. For a trip I’m pretending to plan in my head, costco’s package does indeed prove to be cheaper than through Loews and buying tickets through undercover tourist. And that’s not even including the gift card. Interesting!

 

[jbish]

I'm going on a trip booked through Costco in two weeks. When I priced out everything, Costco came out cheaper. But, like the OP, we also just LOVE Costco. They have always been easy to work with on other customer service matters so I would think they can work with you if you have changes to make.

 

[Isatricia]

We are booked through Costco Travel. I have booked DLR in the past for a great deal and have used Costco Travel for rental cars many times. Last year I had booked Universal through Costco Travel but we had to cancel when I broke my arm and required surgery. I cancelled before the deadline and my money was refunded immediately. This time I did a lot of research on prices separately or booked through Costco Travel....Booking through Costco was a much better deal.

 

[allison0523]

You just never know. Get out a notebook and jot it all down. Remember that express pass is from the hotel stay, NOT the package, so if you're staying at one of the 3 deluxe onsite hotels you don't get the ticket that contains EP. I've seen people comparing prices to room-only, but they think the EP comes from the package, so they are comparing the wrong tickets.

Not everyone has executive, not everyone has the costco CC. Your total might be different than my total because of that sort of thing.


Yep!

This is exactly what I suggest and do. We have used Costco travel for a lot of cruises and rental cars. Their pricing has always been best for us but I always check direct to make sure. The Costco cash card and/or cash back on the Executive and Credit Card, if you have both have always made the Costco pricing cheaper overall for us. I recently looked at a spring break package and costco was cheaper but we decided to stay at the same timeshare resort as my brother's family instead.

 

[yaya74]

Just want to dig up this old thread. If anyone has recently purchased a Universal Orlando vacation package through Costco Travel, please share!! TIA!

 

[Dad28]

Just want to dig up this old thread. If anyone has recently purchased a Universal Orlando vacation package through Costco Travel, please share!! TIA!

Yes we did 2 years ago pre-Covid, and stayed at the Sheraton Vistana villages. It was much less expensive than getting hotel and park tickets separately. Plus if you call customer service they can customize your trip beyond what is available on the web site. For example, we came in a day early to stay at RPR one night for the express passes, and Costco revised our car rental to add on the additional day. I think they could have booked RPR for us also, but I had already booked an APH rate (and then upgraded one of the part tickets from Costco while there). We've booked other trips through Costco also and always have had a great experience.