How cheap can I do 4 days at Universal?

[torinsmom]

I won two 7 day tickets to Universal(two different contests) and have to use them by December. That being said, I had pretty much decided NOT to do Disney/Universal this year, because the $ adds up. But.....maybe if I can do this cheap, we can make it after all. It would need to be during summer, June 20-August1. It is just me and DS14 and we would stay offsite and drive to save some money. Anybody care to try and get me there(and back, LOL) for less than $1000? Good recommendations for cheap hotels?

Marsha

 

[poeticdiabetic]

I just took two adults and two kids to Universal Studios for 5 days for about $1200. And I paid for my tickets, rental car to get there, food, and hotel.

So I am very confident that you can go there for less than $1000 for two people! As a matter of fact, if I had my tickets given to me and if I used my own car, I would have paid about $267.71 for hotel, parking and gas. If you add in food on the cheap (Go and see my trip report), my total trip would have been under $600. Plus the last day, we even did the meal deal for 4 people... and even put my two sons on the adult menu option!

So, in a word, you can get there and have a great time on a budget less than $1000 for two people.

 

[minniejack]

Hi Torinsmom (my dd sometimes calls herself Torin, so I'm a Torinmom, too)
Anyhow, did you see that on your winning ticket that you can save on the room rate. You could stay pretty cheap at the RPR, get FOTL, and probably still be under $1,000. We could've booked for a family of four including park tickets using said promo for late July for under $1,000 for RPR.

 

[Lucky'sMom]

I just read the trip report (on Universal Trip Reports board) by PoeticDiabetic (?) and it is about a budget trip to US/IOA.

(Please forgive me! I just noticed that PoeticDiabetic responded to your question! Duh! Sorry!)

 

[torinsmom]

Hi Torinsmom (my dd sometimes calls herself Torin, so I'm a Torinmom, too)
Anyhow, did you see that on your winning ticket that you can save on the room rate. You could stay pretty cheap at the RPR, get FOTL, and probably still be under $1,000. We could've booked for a family of four including park tickets using said promo for late July for under $1,000 for RPR.

I checked and it is at least $149/night for dates I checked in summer. I will most likely stay at the Extended Stay America by the convention center. It is $50/night and has a full kitchen. We are looking at 4-5 nights, so that could save me $400 or so right there. I am a "get to the parks at rope drop" kind of person, so I don't think I will need FOTL.

MArsha

 

[Sue909]

I just went and really looked for deals. I used points from my credit card to stay free at the Hyatt Place for 4 nights. Universal was across the street and we walked every day.

Also, if you won tickets from the Superbowl and from the NBC thing, I think both rules say you need to be 18 (proper ID) to claim the ticket. I'm sure you could hand it off to your son then but if it's only two of you, I'm not sure they would let you cash in both.........................Just something to think about before you go.

 

[torinsmom]

I just went and really looked for deals. I used points from my credit card to stay free at the Hyatt Place for 4 nights. Universal was across the street and we walked every day.

Also, if you won tickets from the Superbowl and from the NBC thing, I think both rules say you need to be 18 (proper ID) to claim the ticket. I'm sure you could hand it off to your son then but if it's only two of you, I'm not sure they would let you cash in both.........................Just something to think about before you go.

I won 2 different contests, so I can get two tickets. I have read that they only check id when you turn in your voucher for the ticket, so I'll just let DS use one of those. If for some reason it doesn't work out, I'll just buy him a ticket online and have them print it out at the hotel.

Marsha

 

[Sue909]

I won 2 different contests, so I can get two tickets.
Oh well that's good. I did too and am still waiting for them to send the NBC tickets out. I don't think they've started sending them out yet. It said 8-10 weeks and it's 10 weeks this week. Those don't expire until Feb. 2010 and the Superbowl ones expire in December.

I have read that they only check id when you turn in your voucher for the ticket, so I'll just let DS use one of those. If for some reason it doesn't work out, I'll just buy him a ticket online and have them print it out at the hotel.
Only problem with buying when you get there is that it says on the Universal website, "2 day advance purchase required". Although, I just looked and now they are selling them at the gate but for $124.

 

[torinsmom]

Yep, I am still waiting for the NBC ticket as well. The promotion ended 3/22, so it will probably be the end of May at least before that one arrives.

I really don't think I will have a problem getting both the vouchers turned into tickets. And from what I hear, they are just regular tickets once they are issued. I should be able to have my DS use one of them with no problems.

Marsha

 

[dragonfly32837]

You can redeem the super bowl ticket and give it to someone else to use. Just don't sell it. That would be a no no...

 

[torinsmom]

No, no selling here. I just want to get both my DS and I in free. If you didn't have to be 18, I wouldn't have to let him use one of mine. We are excited; we have never been to Universal!

Marsha