HELP!!! First timer wanting to stay onsite

[andychris14]

Hi, we have been to universal a couple of times a number of years ago but stayed offsite. We would like to stay onsite this time before heading over to disney. I am a aaa member so I believe I can get some type of discount but I really do not know where to start. I want to stay on property but the prices are scaring me. Can someone help with getting the best deals/prices. We are a family of 4 (kids are 15 and 17 so they are considered adults). Our dates that we would like to stay are August 14, 15 and possibly the 16th 2012. Is it better to book a package or separate? Any help would be greatly appreciated
Thank you so much

 

[damo]

The rates for August won't be up for a long time yet. Mid to end of August is a good time to go and there are some good rates out there. I find that booking everything separately is best.

 

[andychris14]

thank you-
Since we are going in august when should I expect the aaa discounts to come out?
Is it worth it to purchase 1 annual pass to get a hotel discount? Are there any other discounts if you have an annual pass?
I really appreciate any help. As you can see I am totally lost.
thanks

 

[damo]

thank you-
Since we are going in august when should I expect the aaa discounts to come out?
Is it worth it to purchase 1 annual pass to get a hotel discount? Are there any other discounts if you have an annual pass?
I really appreciate any help. As you can see I am totally lost.
thanks

AAA will give you the same discounts as APH at the parks but not for hotels. I would really wait until the annual pass prices are out before you decide whether the AP is the way to go or not. They probably won't be out until the spring. The AAA prices will probably be out early in the new year.

Sometimes the AP can save you a lot and sometimes it just isn't a good deal. You can take a look at this year's date and rate thread to see what kind of prices were available this year.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2541670

 

[andychris14]

thank you

 

[macraven]

i have the AAA and the APH.

i usually book january 1st for an october stay.


the AAA rates will be out prior to the APH rates.

what you are doing by booking early is to guarantee your room type and hotel.


when the other rates (APH) are posted, make a decision then if that rate is better than the one you booked with.


you can call and modify your room rate at that time.


promos come out during the year so watch them and switch if you find one better than what you have.

like i said, i always book the aaa rate and always switch later to a promo rate.

this year and last, the stay more, save more have been the best rates for my time period.

you do not have to have the AAA or the APH when you book the room.
you would have to buy one of them, based on which discount you are using before you check in.

if you use the annual pass rate, you will activate the voucher sometime during your hotel stay in order to keep that rate.

if you booked with aaa, you will receive your card in about 14 days from signing up.

 

[patrickpiteo]

I have seen the APH rate just about beat the AAA rate all the time..

 

[andychris14]

Since we are new to universal is there a special website that I should look for promo rates. Haven't seen them though I usually am on the disney boards.
Thanks and I really appreciate all of the useful info.
Thanks again and keep the info coming

 

[francie57]

We go every Aug. and the full room rates are out already. We usually book the room at the full rate and then just call and add whichever discount when they are out - I like knowing I have the rooms I want. Since we book two rooms and like them to be connecting, we have used the AAA since booking a garden view with their discount guarantees the connecting rooms. I know most will say connecting is not guaranteed but when I call directly to Loews I have always been told that because it is AAA garden view they are guaranteed and we have always had connecting rooms. We book everything separately since it usually works out to be cheaper. We buy our tickets from our local AAA office.

 

[damo]

Since we are new to universal is there a special website that I should look for promo rates. Haven't seen them though I usually am on the disney boards.
Thanks and I really appreciate all of the useful info.
Thanks again and keep the info coming

There really aren't promo rates. Your best bet is to call Loews and have them go through their rates for what you've got. They are happy to help you get the best rate. You can keep coming back here to see what people are getting as this is the most extensive Universal board.