? Hotel discounts

[Ursula]

Hi. I'm thinking about staying at Universal for a couple of days next May while I'm down visiting WDW. I'd like to stay onsite, maybe at HRH. How do you get the best price? What are the "entertainment discounts" I keep hearing about? Any info would be greatly appreciated.

 

[E.Jane]

Ursula,
just pasting from another thread....


To get a fan club rate you need a fan club card! There's a thread at the top of this page - I believe there's someone here who will send you one if you request it. Discounts are about 30% off rack rate with a fan club card.

An entertainment rate comes from having an Entertainment book - go to www.entertainment.com to purchase one. You can purchase a book from any city, and Universal will honour it. If you get the book, don't be worried that Universal is not actually listed in it as a participating hotel, they will still honour it. Discounts are usually close to 50% off rack rate, so definitely worth investing in an entertainment book!

To get a discount, you need to call and ask specifically if the fan club or entertainment rates are available for the nights you want to stay. Discounts become available at various times, and there appears to be no logical system on how they release the discounts! Only a certain amount of rooms will be discounted at any given time, so first come, first served. It sometimes helps if you are flexible on your travel dates.

When you make an initial ressie, a discount may not yet be available (they may even tell you disounts are all gone!). But don't give up - keep phoning back using the 1-800 # - if they become available, you can then have them change your rate to the discounted one. If a discount does not become available, you can cancel your ressie anytime up to 5 days prior to arrival date for a full refund of your one night's deposit required at time of booking. I currently have two reservations for the same week, one for HRH, the other for PBH. I'm waiting to see ends up being the better deal before making a final decision.

In addition to the fan and entertainment rates, there are also AAA and AP discounts. HRH may also offer a discount through it's All Access program. Go to the Hard Rock website to sign up.

Hope this helps.

 

[ksdave]

Ursula;
Definitely get the Entertainment book. I did and it saved me $150 for one night at Portofino in February. Plus, we have used it three times already here in Kansas at our favorite local restaurants and it has saved us over $30. And I've only had it a few weeks.
Not bad for something that only cost me $20.