Help! RPR or Nick Hotel?

[Mom2Pluto]

Hello Universal experts!
I want to surprise my kids with a few days in Orlando before Christmas. The Florida resident rate for RPR for these days is $159/nt. The Nick Hotel has a special for the same rate for its kids suite with the third night free! I know my kids will love the Nick Hotel but I don't know if I can sacrificie FOTL! We bought annual passes with the Bealls deal and we haven't activated them yet but I haven't checked AP rate at RPR. Is it better than Florida resident? My kids are 2, 7 and 11. What do you think? Thanks for your help!
Liz

 

[Fan2CSkr]

In my recent annual pass newsletter there was a blurb that caught my eye that you could benefit from.

Special Holiday Treats
• 50% off 1-day/2-park tickets§
• Universal ExpressSM Plus for $5^^§
• Exclusive Meet & Greet with Santa, with free hot chocolate§
• And More!


Looks like AP holders can purchase the express pass plus for $5.00. It didnt state dates that its good for but did say December. Give them a call.
1-888-345-4677

What are your dates to check the AAA, APH rates. Personally Nick hotel sounds like a great $ and deal to give it a try. Your kids are at the perfect age. But, I really love staying onsite and havent ventured offsite because of that.

 

[goofy!]

Having just gotten off the boat from dinner in Citywalk, I have to say that I always forget when I am not here how convenient on-site is. I love never having to get in the car, especially with kids.

That said, I know my kids would love the Nick Hotel. But I don't think I could sacrifice the convenience of onsite.

 

[Melanie230]

We went to RPR last March...My children were 4 and 6 and they LOVED IT!!! We will be heading back to RPR this year over Spring Break. The FOTL is awesome!

 

[Mom2Pluto]

Thanks for your input. We stayed one night at HRH in June and my kids thought it was the coolest place on earth. I think having FOTL during that stay has spoiled me forever! I called Universal about the express pass deal for December and they told me to call back today because they didn't have verification of this deal yet. I will call today and check AP rate for RPR. I got tickets for High School Musical the Concert for my two older kids for December 21 so I know anywhere we stay will be secondary to that. Thanks again for your help.
Liz

 

[Fan2CSkr]

Thanks for your input. We stayed one night at HRH in June and my kids thought it was the coolest place on earth. I think having FOTL during that stay has spoiled me forever! I called Universal about the express pass deal for December and they told me to call back today because they didn't have verification of this deal yet. I will call today and check AP rate for RPR. I got tickets for High School Musical the Concert for my two older kids for December 21 so I know anywhere we stay will be secondary to that. Thanks again for your help.
Liz

If they still have trouble finding the info you can give them this link. Hope it helps! The information is on the left side in green under special offers 1/2 way down.
http://www.universalorlando.com/email/november/winteredition.html

 

[ReallyFunMom]

Thanks for this info and the link. What exactly does this hour thing mean? Does it mean you can't use them in the first hour of opening? Hardly a need anyway. I wonder if it has to be purchased first thing in the morning.


Universal Express Plus: Limit of 6 with limited availability. Valid one hour after park opening. Limit one reserved ride per participating attraction using the Universal Express queue.

 

[robvia]

I'll vote with staying onsite. The pools, and walking to/from the parks is a big perk to me. You'll "feel" like part of the action when you are staying onsite.
Sure, the Nick hotel is cool, but you have to get in your car, drive 20 minutes, park in the garage, then walk thru City Walk. It's fine for those who are on a tight budget and arrive at 8am, but if you have the choice, go for onsite.

 

[polkadotminnie]

If you are going to spend most of the time at the parks, stay at RPR. If you are going to spend most of your time at the resort, go with the Nick Hotel. I have 3 kids ages 10,7,4 and they said that they liked the Nick Hotel better. I liked the luxury and convenience of RPR better.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I would choose RPR. I've never stayed at Nick but the FOTL can't be beat. Ds9 votes for RPR. ds6 votes for Nick.
then again, we don't spend a lot of time lounging poolside. I guess it depends what you're looking to do.

 

[scammermom]

In September, we stayed 3 nights at Nick staying exclusively there for the water fun. THey had the same deal then. There's was plenty to do and be entertained. Then we went to RPR for 3 nights to do US and IOA. We left Nick Hotel in the morning to go to RPR to get our FOTL room keys. It's a tough call. It's nice to be so close to the park. Anyway you can do 4 nights in Orlando staying 1 night at RPR to use them 2 days at the parks??