help a complete newbie!

[LGithens]

Okay, after being a complete Disney snob since 1999, going to WDW 2-3 times a year, pooh, poohing Universal, we've decided it's time to check it out!

We're planning on going Aug 4-7 of this summer. We'll be at BWV's for a Sunday thru Thurs. stay. Then instead of moving to another Disney resort, we're going to Universal.

I have no idea where to start! I think RPH looks like what we want. We'll definately want to do a Universal hotel, to get that "head of the line" thing.
I've been reading a few back posts and have checked the Universal website and got a quote of 849.63 for 5 of us in a room. (before passes) I tried the RPH website and got a quote of 254. a night for a standard. I read a post about the Entertainment book, so grabbed mine and got a rate of 229.00 for a standard, but it says total stay...960.06! That's 90 something dollars a night in taxes?! What's with that??!!

So what's the scoop? What's the best way for me to make a reservation for Aug.? Are there some other good USO planning websites to check out?

The very first time we went to Disney, I just booked a trip with the WDWTC and paid what they quoted. I'm trying to make sure that on this first trip, I've done my homework and got the best rate possible.

Thanks!
Lori

who can't believe she's giving up Disney time for something else, but I guess that's why we bought DVC!!

 

[AlexandNessa]

Welcome to the dark side.... Really it **is** OK to like both!

Well, if you have AAA, the rates for your dates @ RPR are $183.20 for a standard, $207.20 for water view, and $263.20 for Club. Simply plug in "AAA" in the promotional code section of the website.

I don't know how old your kids are, but I would have to say that you're going to be a bit cramped with 5 in an RPR room. Some families do this just fine, but sometimes DH and I alone find ourselves stepping over each other in those rooms. But then again, I don't really like to share.

Families of 5 may be a bit more comfortable in a Deluxe Room at the HRH or PBH. That's just my opinion. Don't get me wrong, RPR is our favorite. I just wish the rooms were bigger, and don't forget that except for a very, very few at the PBH, none of the rooms have balconies to help spread out a bit, like at the BWV.

Like Disney resorts, Loews taxes are 11.5%. There really isn't an ENT discount on Loews hotels anymore. Most of us believe that those days are long gone.

It may be worth it for one member of your party to buy an AP. However, AP rates haven't really been released yet for your dates (at least good rates anyway). To keep checking for AP rates, plug "APH" into the promotional code section. You do not need to have an AP in hand to make your reservation. They will (or may not) ask to see your AP or AP voucher when checking in.

Again, not sure how old your kids are, but don't forget the Universal offers buy one adult pass, get a kid's pass free.

 

[cometsmom]

Welcome to the dark side.... Really it **is** OK to like both!

Well, if you have AAA, the rates for your dates @ RPR are $183.20 for a standard, $207.20 for water view, and $263.20 for Club. Simply plug in "AAA" in the promotional code section of the website.

I don't know how old your kids are, but I would have to say that you're going to be a bit cramped with 5 in an RPR room. Some families do this just fine, but sometimes DH and I alone find ourselves stepping over each other in those rooms. But then again, I don't really like to share.

Families of 5 may be a bit more comfortable in a Deluxe Room at the HRH or PBH. That's just my opinion. Don't get me wrong, RPR is our favorite. I just wish the rooms were bigger, and don't forget that except for a very, very few at the PBH, none of the rooms have balconies to help spread out a bit, like at the BWV.


Okay, after reading your post, I'm trying to figure out what to do. We want to stay onsite, but we have two teenaged boys, two teenaged girls. I don't care if I make someone sleep on the floor. (Oh, and my husband and I) Is it possible to stay onsite with possibly a deluxe room? And, what would be a rough estimate of how much that would be?

I"M SO CONFUSED! This is our first time to Universal. The last time to DW was when my daughter was in third grade and son was in fifth. (He will be a senior next year! My daughter will be a sophmore!) they are both taking a friend.

HELP!

 

[goofy!]

Okay, after reading your post, I'm trying to figure out what to do. We want to stay onsite, but we have two teenaged boys, two teenaged girls. I don't care if I make someone sleep on the floor. (Oh, and my husband and I) Is it possible to stay onsite with possibly a deluxe room? And, what would be a rough estimate of how much that would be?

I"M SO CONFUSED! This is our first time to Universal. The last time to DW was when my daughter was in third grade and son was in fifth. (He will be a senior next year! My daughter will be a sophmore!) they are both taking a friend.

HELP!

We are a family of 5 that pretty feels comfortable in an RPR room. And that includes 2 teens. We just bring an air mattress and blow it up at night and then deflate in morning to regain the space. We are hardly in the room, so it really doesn't matter much to us. I should say we were comfortable until we were upgraded, via our platinum status to the Villa Suite at PBH on our last trip Going from 300+ sq ft to 2000+ sq ft really spoiled us!

Similar to Disney, Loews allows a max of 5 in a room in the standard rooms. I believe some of the suites may accomodate more, but with more than 5 people, it usually means 2 rooms.

We have traditionally gone in August. We usually book our room early and then just start rate watching. We have found that we end up changing our rate several time, even up to a few weeks before we have left. But we usually book with the AP rate. I would suggest booking now and then just keep checking the rates. The nice thing about Loews is that you can cancel up to 5 days in advance with a full refund in case you decide to stay elsewhere.

 

[cometsmom]

Then buy our tickets at the US site? Would it be wrong to tell them we have 4-5 instead of six? Do we get in trouble for that? I'm all for making a teen sleep on the floor. lol

 

[AlexandNessa]

Then buy our tickets at the US site? Would it be wrong to tell them we have 4-5 instead of six? Do we get in trouble for that? I'm all for making a teen sleep on the floor. lol

Only if you don't want the person sleeping on the floor to NOT have FOTL access like everyone else in your party ....

Everyone in your party should be issued a hotel key; the hotel key is what is shown to get you FOTL access at each ride that offers it. No hotel key (with the right dates and names); no FOTL. I would not risk passing hotel keys back and forth. You never know when the CMs will ask for ID along with the hotel card. It has been known to happen, albeit, not very often. But something like that would surely ruin it for those that don't abuse the system.

goofy! is right. I would call UO and see what your options are for 6 people.

JMHO

 

[cometsmom]

I understand your point. I guess if they try to put us in two different rooms, we can't go. There's no way we can afford two rooms at 300.00 a pop a day. When you make the reservations, I think the deal is, does that include the ticket prices?

If I have to call the UO, I guess I won't get any type of deal. Was hoping to make it online..order my tickets also.

If they DID ask for id, what about kids that don't have id's? I have teens, but they have driver's licenses, permits. (Well, my fourteen year old doesn't)

Forgive me, I am quite new to the whole Universal experience.

 

[Foladar]

Maybe if you can't go during August, another offpeak time might be ideal if your set on staying onsite?
We paid $129 a night (annual pass holder rate though) in February .. my guess is the AP rates are not out for August yet, though, as 300 a night seems high. And some include tickets, the "length of stay passes", though you can get 5-day tickets (5 days for the price of 2 on their site currently) for $99.95 + tax

 

[cometsmom]

Unfortunately, the only time we can go is in July. (not august)

I wouldn't mind staying offsite, but paying for an express pass 20-35 dollars, per time we ride on a ride seems excessive. I'm not worried about paying 300 a night onsite, but if I had to be put in two rooms, then I couldn't afford it. I am a Lowe's first member and I wonder if they'd be willing to upgrade our room. I am afraid that they will simply tell us NO and not let us have six FOTL passes. We just don't want any surprises once we are there.

 

[lindalinda]

I think I would book 2 rooms at RPR at the AAA rate for now (I dont know your dates, so it might be around 189$). Then try to wait for the APH rates to come out and see if you can get it cheaper. Book it online at Loews and you wont have to pay any deposit. If the rates dont drop, you can cancel, and then stay offsite. You would have to drag the teenagers out of bed early and get to the parks before opening but you can do it. (you dont have to buy the AP until you know you have gotten the rate if you dont want to).

 

[lindalinda]

Also, I dont think there is anything you can upgrade to for 6 ppl.

 

[lindalinda]

Also, if you are looking at the packages that include the tickets, they probably dont work for your group. I think they are tickets for 2 adults and 2 kids age 3-9, so you wouldnt have enough tickets for your group and would have to add on. Just buy the online special for 99$ 5 days, and maybe an AP, then book a room rate that doesnt include the tickets (price should be less). In my experience, the packages only work if you have the exact criteria they are set up for (you know- 2 smiling parents and 2 adorable small children)

 

[cometsmom]

Thanks for the info. I've gone online at the Lowe's website and tried to put in six people and it won't let me. In fact, one of the rooms was discribed as saying it accomodated 5 people, but then I got an error msg that said it wouldn't only hold four.

But, where do my park tickets come from? I wonder if I made a reservation (that is if it onloy let me go to five people) then when we arrive, ask for one more FOTL pass for the extra teen. I think if they upgraded myh room even a bit more...I'd be happy. Its my son's senior year, his last chance to go someplace w/ the folks before college. (will be preparing for it next summer) So, he's taking his best friend, and of course, my daughter wouldn't let him get away w/ doing that, and she leaving her bud home! lol

I'm only thinking outloud, but if I did the hotel reservation online (punch my lowe's first number and AAA..don't even know if that's possible) as being five in my room. Then we show up with six...and ask for one more FOTL priviledge.

Heck I dunno...too confusing for my little brain at 2 AM!

 

[cometsmom]

And, I buy my tickets for the parks online?

 

[lindalinda]

Okay, they absolutely will not give you 6 hotel FOTL passes for 1 room. They cant legally put more ppl than the max occupancy in the room. You can put 5 in some of the rooms, but not others. Which hotel are you trying? RPR is the least expensive. The rooms there should not be 300$, should be 200 or less with AAA and may drop farther if you are patient. I have RPR booked in June (5 ppl)

You buy the park tickets at universals web site. You pick them up at the kiosk now I believe. There are other threads on here that explain all that. There are several options, but you would need the 99$ 2 day plus 3 free days ticket.

Anyway, thats 600$ for the tickets. Would be around 1600$ for 2 rooms (4 nights, I'm not sure how many nights you were staying). A suite would probably be more expensive than that IF you could get one (there are only a few that would hold 6 and I think they are all at PBH)

If I were you I believe I would tell your DD that this is a special trip for DS's graduation and only one friend can go.

Good Luck

 

[cometsmom]

Thanks so so much for your guidance. I can't really tell my daughter that because the last time we went to FL she was in third grade, I don't forsee us going again much . Her best friend is a child who has a troubled home life, and my husband and I have sort of taken her under our wing. I'd hate to leave her behind. (Okay, sounds silly...but this child never had owned a beach towel until last year! She went out on our boat ..a boat ride for her first time ever last year!)

I am thinking I'll join AAA (they have a premium and basic membership, does it matter which one you have as far as getting discounts?), then I'll give lowes a call..no wait, I'll go to the lowe's website and try for two rooms. less than 200 isn't that much more twice than what I was originally quoted..(300 something)

I'm sorry to ask you a gazillion questions!

 

[lindalinda]

No problem. Good Luck with it. It will be a wonderful vacation I'm sure.