Hotel planning assistance

[mommymanda]

I am very early in this vacation planning (as in August 2018 early)...however through random sale watching I see that the Splash, Stay, Play promotion Universal is offering seems to fit nicely into my planned budget. Plus I have till December to sort out and actually book it.

I'm a Disney girl, and planned 3 trips in the last while there. I know there is no comparing, but I need help to sort the differences.

First off, is this package actually a deal or will better ones come up? Do rooms at these rates vanish quick if it is a deal? Obviously we don't have holidays set yet.

I am looking at the Cabana Bay family suite (5 of us). Our rooms are usually used to simply sleep and change for swimming. However since it doesn't come with the express pass how badly do we need that (the plan is the last week of August, which I know for Disney is slower). Its an additional $400 to bump up to Royal Pacific and have the express pass included. Besides the cost I'm also hesitant because I like the idea of a separate room/ suite at Cabana Bay as opposed to just the two beds at Royal Pacific. If I'm reading correct Royal Pacific does not have a kitchenette either.

I could also save a little more at the Holiday Inn & Suites across from Universal. It comes up in package prices and has the same items as Cabana Bay. Could save me an additional $300 in comparison to Cabana Bay. Should I consider this or does Universal on site still carry additional perks or "magic"?

Thanks

 

[damo]

There generally is no deal to booking a package. Most promotions can be booked separately. You will get the same perks booking a package at Holiday Inn as at Cabana Bay, just the quality will be very different.

 

[wookiebeck]

We did the CB family suite last year. The kitchenette was great to stock a few microwaveable snacks. The space of the room was good for our fam of 5 (way more square footage than RPR). The precious daughter got the sofabed in the sitting area all to herself.

Staying onsite at Uni is similar to the WDW bubble. The transportation is better than Disney. The main perk is that one park will open the Harry Potter area one hour early. Being there before everyone else rope-drops is great.

Booking everything separately allows you flexibility. You can make hotel changes in dates and length without incurring fees. You can buy tickets from a third party vendor and save a few $$. You can eat when where you want without being locked into rezzies months ahead. And as damo said, you will either break even with the package or make out better.

And finally, we have gone that last week in Aug. three times now and did not really need the express passes. It does take a little longer in some queues. Get the app and watch the wait times. Take midday break back to CB. And BTW you are allowed to pool hop to the other resorts on property (unlike WDW) so have fun!

 

[bchbetha]

I agree that there is a Universal bubble- and I like to stay in it. So nice to just be right there. $400 isn't a big step up- certainly a lot cheaper than 2 days worth of EPs (which you get) for 5 people. I'm missing how many days you're going. That'll influence my final answer.

 

[mommymanda]

We are looking at a 6night/5 day stay. Three park days (one each) and a day to hang at the resort. The extra day I'm not sure yet, will depend if we drive or fly out.

I think I'm okay spending the extra to stay 'in the bubble'. We've always had on site Disney trips and love the experience.

Are the Cabana Bay family suites similar to Disney's AOA suites? I'm now also seeing the newest resort will be open for my dates and has a Kid Suite, but cannot find details yet on how it will look.

I know when kids starting asking for Universal I read many times building your own package from various companies is the best way to save. I'm just not finding those options now, the deal directly through Universal is putting our stay at roughly $2600 (Cabana Bay) which is room, and 3 day, 3 park explorer. Since I have time to look I will continue to do so.

Thanks for the info so far

 

[sandam1]

We are looking at a 6night/5 day stay. Three park days (one each) and a day to hang at the resort. The extra day I'm not sure yet, will depend if we drive or fly out.

Just a caveat to this part of your plan - Universal is VERY different than Disney in terms of space. Since the parks sit side by side, there is no real advantage to a "one park per day" planning scheme if you are buying park to park passes (which it appears you are). On my trips we regularly bounce back and forth between the parks - usually 2-3 times per day - to catch different shows, find low wait times on certain rides or simply because we want to ride something in the other park. Universal just doesn't require the travel time that Disney does which is extremely liberating once you get used to it.

Also since the hotels are close by (the 3 with EP are in close walking distance, SF and CB are a quick boat or bus trip away), it is very simple to go to the parks for a few hours, go back for pool time and/or a nap and then head back to the parks for a couple of rides before dinner. With that in mind, you might want to think about whether a "resort day" is necessary. But to each their own.

That being said, I ADORE Cabana Bay. I've stayed there five times now (four times in a suite) and just can't make myself switch resorts - even for the Express Pass. I think it's worth the extra money versus staying off-site, but that's my personal opinion. CB also just added two bedroom suites that are RIGHT next to Volcano Bay. If you are interested in even more space, that is also an option.

 

[bchbetha]

With that much time, I'd go Cabana Bay. I agree with pp- get the park to park tickets- they are worth it!!

 

[mommymanda]

Thanks. I had planned to simply bounce around the two theme parks for two days. One full(ish) at volcano bay. Maybe we will cut another day in general to save. Does anyone feel the new hotel and therefore crowds and lines will affect the time much? I'm Definatley used to Disney and after three trips over 6 days at MK alone and there are still things we didn't see or do.

 

[macraven]

the new hotel will be great if you plan to spend time at volcano bay.
it will be the closest one to that new third park.

i'm no help for which hotel would suite your needs the best.
i always book a king suite at rpr and go solo for a couple of weeks.

it is a total UO vacation for me and i do everything there and have relaxation time

if i had a family with me for staying at UO, might be a lot different on the set up