Help with Universal visit

[PenguinWaiters]

DH and I are taking a quick trip to FL for our anniversary in October. We are booked into the Swan for 6 nights. DH mentioned that he wanted to check out Harry Potter at Universal. Neither of us have ever been to Universal so if we go for HP I want to see the rest of the parks too!

We currently have a great rate at the Swan- the first three nights on points+cash and the last three at a AAA rate of 161. I can't even come close to this at the Universal hotels although I would love to stay on site for a night or two. The best price I have found there for my dates is $274/night.

So, can you help us plan our touring without the on-site perks? I think we will be there Monday 10/10 and possibly Sun 10/9 too. Which park should we do which day or should we do both each day? Do you think we will need Express passes? What tips can you give us?

Thanks!
Terri

 

[Metro West]

So, can you help us plan our touring without the on-site perks? I think we will be there Monday 10/10 and possibly Sun 10/9 too. Which park should we do which day or should we do both each day? Do you think we will need Express passes? What tips can you give us?

Thanks!
Terri

Crowds are generally light in October so you could pretty much what you wanted. You will not need Express Plus passes nor will you need to spend the money to stay onsite. There really aren't any touring plans but during that time of year, you can tour at will. WWoHP will be busy but the rest of the parks will be easy to navigate.

 

[damo]

You can get Portofino Bay Hotel (on par with the top deluxes at Disney) for $189/night with an annual pass. An annual pass costs $229.

So, you would be spending $100 more to get the annual pass than a 2 day ticket but you would be saving much more.

Generally, the Royal Pacific is much cheaper but all the cheaper rooms seem to be booked up right now for the annual pass rates. Might be worth watching for though!

 

[PenguinWaiters]

Thanks! Which day/time do you think would be best to try the Harry Potter rides? I'm thinking that we might go for a few hours mid-day on Sun 10/9 and then back on Monday 10/10 for pretty much a full day (hopefully followed by a meal at the new brazilian steakhouse - mmmm!)