Help with Universal Studios short stay before Disney

[berlykim22]

We are going to Disney in first week in October, and adding on a quick stop to Universal Studios.
We are going Thursday getting there at 630pm. Plan to stay in onsite hotel for 2 nights and doing a 1 day 2 Park a Pass.
I am struggling with which hotel to pick,
at first I was going to go for cheapest but I am torn if I should pick one with Universal Express pass.
Since we are going to park on a Friday, suggestion are greatly appreciated.
also best (fast, good price etc) for transportation, from airport to universal and universal to Disney.

Thanks so much,
we have not been on a big vacation in 6 years since we went to Disney World last, so this is a big vacation and I am trying to stretch money and make it great for my kids.
Harry Potter Land is all reason for Universal Stop for my youngest son.

Thanks again
Kim

 

[schumigirl]

First week in October Thursday's, Friday and Saturday will have HHN on, so Studios will close at 5pm to folks not going to the event. IOA will be open to 7-8pm on those nights.........so I would consider starting at the Studios and heading to IOA later in the day. You are cleared out of the Studios so preparations can start for horror nights.

Not sure of your kids ages, but there is nothing scary to see during the day. There are some of the larger props around, and some are covered, but nothing sinister or frightening.

If you're doing both parks in one day I would certainly want EP........the two main rides in both Potter areas Forbidden Journey and Gringotts don't have EP yet. I think you said you have park to park pass?? If you do you'll be able to ride the Hogwarts Express. Without park to park you can't ride it.

Someone will advise you on transport options, we always have a car so can't help you there.

As for hotels, all 3 deluxe Portofino Bay, Hard Rock and Royal Pacific all offer EP and Early Entry as a perk for staying there.......Sapphire Falls and Cabana Bay only offer Early Entry........that would help you if you didn't want to go the EP route.

We all have our favourite hotels for different reasons........you can't really go wrong with any of them.

 

[Parker Clan]

I haven't stayed in the other hotels so I can't speak to their awesomeness but we love Loews Royal Pacific. We like the proximity to the parks, we walked their everyday. Really liked that pool too. Express pass is obviously another bonus as well
Have fun! Universal is the best

 

[macraven]

Book your room soon as rooms book up fast due to Hhn and it having a holiday weekend

 

[phillymummer]

As a way to save money, might I suggest you stay only one night (Thursday) at one of 3 Universal Deluxe resorts (Royal Pacific is the cheapest and very nice!) and then after you leave the Parks on Friday, transfer to Disney? As someone posted earlier US parks tend to close earlier than Disney parks. According to the website, IoA closes at 8pm on Fri 10/7. You still get EP and you are only paying for one night vs 2. All of the hotels will hold your luggage for you.

I would recommend Tony Hinds for transportation. Macraven can give you his information.

 

[macraven]

Kim came back to add more info
Hotel prices are high now for October especially for the period around Thursday thru the weekends

I booked months ago and my room rate is a good $85 cheaper when I booked to the prices you see now at the deluxe hotels
If you want to do Tuesday or Wednesday night booking, it would be cheaper than Friday/ weekend rate

All on site hotels offer the early hour entrance for a park

Need transportation system!
Tony Hinds is a gem to hire
Impeccable company

 

[berlykim22]

Hey everyone thanks so much, I decided to go with Lowes Royal Pacific for one night to get express passes and then friday after we hit parks head over to disney and add one night stay to this trip, this way we don't have to wait Saturday to check in we will be all good on Disney end. Thanks so much for all advice and tips it is greatly appreciated.
We totally wanted to add on Universal bc my youngest who will be 8 time of trip is huge Harry Potter Fan and has been dying to go to Universal! so even though its adding alot of money onto our Disney trip for one day in parks at Universal it will be worth it. I was going back and forth so many times about cheaper hotels and not have Express Pass, but since only there one day figure its totally worth, if only for my sanity. Has anyone taking Uber from Universal Hotel to Disney Hotel, I have never used Uber before by my credit card is offer $30 credit if we download app now and good till Dec 2016.

 

[macraven]

There have been quite a few scattered posts in different threads for those that used uber for what you plan to do

Suggest you use the search button, stating uber, and see what comes up to help you

Also in the transportation forum, there are threads that address your question

Look at RideShareRob 's thread about uber on that forum

Hopefully you will get responses here to guide you

I have zero experience with uber

 

[bchbetha]

Should be fast and easy to get a hotel to hotel Uber.

 

[berlykim22]

Thanks everyone, I went with staying at Loews Royal Pacific hotel for one night, so we can get the express passes and then for 2nd night we are going to Disney, so we can be all set to start our Disney week, was able to have travel agent save room only for additonal night and then rebook with extra night so we can the free dining plan for that night as well!!

 

[macraven]

berlykimm, you will have a great vacation!

you get to do both parks in the same trip.