Help with Universal vacation, please

[Jackie H.]

We have been to Disney several times, but are planning our first trip to include Universal!

In fact, we plan to start with Universal arriving on January 1st and staying at US hotel (probably Hard Rock).

I would greatly appreciate any help you guys can give me on saving money on the hotel prices and ticket prices.

The Universal Studios website never seems to work right for me. Is it like Disney in that the official site is the last place I want to go to get a good deal?

I am sure you guys have discussed all this before, but I greatly appreciate you patience with a Universal newbie.

 

[kutchyone]

Call and ask for any discounts that may be available to you. Check for Entertainment rate, AAA, Loews Club and Universal Fan Club. Most of these can be gotten after the fact. Book the one that saves you the most money. We got our tickets through the Fan Club, saved by getting an Entertainment Club discount rate at the Hard Rock and received our free milk and cookies at the Hard Rock by using the Loews card. We also saved in the parks on some gifts by using the Fan Club card too.

 

[corvair]

Just wondering what you mean when you say the entertainment rate??? Next trip down we would like to stay on site and get to use the front of the line feature.... thanks .. corvair

 

[PartyofSix]

www.entertainment.com there is a card inside the book you purchase that allows discounts that are accepted at lowes hotels. you can order any book for any area and it will be accepted. you do not have to have the card in had to reserve a room and you'll need it for when you actually check in. in most cases you can rec'v the book in 10 days or so. the fan club is something your employer can give you and rec'v discounts on tickets and they have a room rate that lowes will make for fan club. AAA i'm sure you are aware how that works. if you purchase annual pass's they offer a rate for that as well. I would suggest annual pass if your stay's more than two days and plan to return within the year. You pay as much for two days as the whole year if you buy the AAA year pass or Fan Club AP. We are in Georgia and bought AP's w/lottery ticket and now can go for 2 yrs for 159 bucks. Also the AP gets you great discounts in the parks at rest. merc. and citywalk. Don't forget to use your fotl acess during peak eating times to get a table asap. one last tip check out pbh before choosing your hotel and i recommend ending at US/IOA you'll be kicking your butt for going to Disney longer than US if you visit US first. Have a wonderful trip

 

[PartyofSix]

I see your from AL you qualify for the AP/lottery promo

 

[Praise2Him]

I'm from Alabama too and I got all excited about the AP promo until I read the small print. You must activate the card by Sept. 30 and we aren't coming until Oct. 7. We're still going to buy AP's with the Fan Club discount, though!

 

[PartyofSix]

are you aware that this can be done online? you just have to enter the numbers in on the ticket so it's still possible to get that deal.

 

[corvair]

partyofsix,,,thanks for the reply.. I do have an entertainment book.. we live in Pa. I did not see an add for a discount. I do have the card you are talking about.. We did IOA/US, our last trip to Disney.. We said we should of stayed on site for 2 days... next trip I think we will stay on site it I can find a good rate on a room. The disney codes do give a pretty good rate.... thanks....corvair

 

[kutchyone]

It is well worth staying on site to get front of the line. I think we paid 125.00 per night for HRH standard view. I never worry about the view at any hotel unless I am staying on the beach. That rate was an Entertainment Club rate.

 

[LisaNJ25]

Corvair,

I just got the entertainment rate for the Hard Rock Hotel for $125.00. All you do is call and ask for the entertainment rate over the phone and they will let you know if they have anything available.

Lisa

 

[dcookies]

corvair -

There isn't a specific coupon or code for the discount. In my book, there are a bunch of pages in the middle of the book, listinghotels where you can get up to 50% off. The PBH and HRH are listed (I'm not sure if RPH is listed or not). All you have to do is mention it when you call - they don't even ask for your e-book #, although I'm sure you eed the card a check-in.

 

[corvair]

thanks,,,I found it... these boards are so great... I had a book and never knew it was there... corvair

 

[vellamint]

Does anyone know when the Entertainment rates for next April might come out?

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

I would guess when the old Entertainment book expires in November.