I am your worst nightmare!! (long)

[holcomb-mania]

Newbie alert!

I am a Disney vet, but we've never done U-O. I think we've had our fill of the magic and now want to have our rear-ends kicked by some thrill rides at US-IOA.

I am completely lost. Even lurking here on the boards, the info is almost too much to sort through. I need basics I guess. I am planning a Universal-only trip for (hopefully) next October. I'll give details and questions in bullets:

- planning to stay on-site, probably HRH but considering PB
- have a AAA card
- should I buy the Ultimate Guide book (Monaghan?)?
- should I get a Loews card?
- when I get pro forma price quotes from the official site, my prices seem much higher than I see others posting here. My quotes come out to $400-500 per night (incl tix), compared to some hotel-only rates I see here below $200/night. Where do I get the best rates?
- is the Columbus Day weekend very busy? If I plan for a 4-5 day trip, I think that should be enough to get our fill of U-O (UExpress will help).
- is the Halloween Horror night really kid unfriendly? We've been to MNSSHP and it was great.

Over the next few months you'll be seeing many more questions from me, so I apologize in advance. Many thanks.

 

[Motherfletcher]

Last year we went to MNSSHP the first night and HHN the second. HHN is not for kids. My DD11 knows what to expect and still chickened out. But DS16 and I are out the door to HHN 14 Opening Scare-a-monies on Friday night. I'll be back with spoilers Tuesday.
Best rates usually Annual Passholder but I recently got Fan Club rates that beat them. I got Florida resident rates for just before Christmas at $149 for Hard Rock.

 

[robvia]

How old are your kids?
My daughter is 12 and we went to HHN last year. That may be the cutoff age when they are big enough to go. Her friend went first, so she had to go. 11 is boarderline.

Not sure why the rates are so high. Most check the rates online, and then use their Annual Pass to get a better discount.

Yes, sign up for the Lowes card. That way you can ask for an extended checkout and a possible welcome gift. You may not get it, but at least you'll have the card and that visit will count towards your next stay.

The onsite properties sell out quickly for HHN, you'll have to book far in advance.

 

[Metallicat]

Off topic, but when I saw the title of your post I got a little scared
BTW, my Mom was a Holcomb. I bet we are very distant relatives since some of her family came from N.C. Linda

 

[disneyfreakk]

you should consider getting atleast one prefered annual pass ( $180 ) this will get you 30% off rack room rates. this year i booked our club level room for $237 a night! but i booked in january, and boy am i glad i did!! AP rates were totally gone by the second week of feb.


yes buy the Monaghan guide book, there is soo much info in there! just keep in mind that the rates are not always acurate. for the best rates go to www.loewshotels.com and use these codes:

AP = Annual pass holder
ENT = entertainment rate
AAA


the discount rates arent avalible yet but we think they will be out sometime this month


MNSSHP is nothing like HHN! please dont take little ones, they might have nightmares for a long long time.


if you have any other questions fell free to ask. oh, and welcome to UNIVERSAL !!

 

[holcomb-mania]

Thanks for the replies!

Our kids will be 10 and 8 next October, so I think HHN is right out. We'll probably just do one night at MNSSHP.

I guess I could book now, but on the website it says they aren't taking reservations for that far out. The annual pass idea is a good one. Should I buy it in Nov/Dec, then book our rooms in January? I'm only gonna use it once, cuz we won't be back within a year's time. But the prices aren't THAT much higher than regular passes, so the extra could be justified if it can save me 30% on the room.

Is it possible to book a room early, then apply a discount later? Wishful thinking, probably.

Do you guys reserve rooms online or by phone? Through Universal or Loews?

Thanks for your patience!!

 

[damo]

You can check prices on line but I don't think any discounts for next October will be available yet. Go to www.loewshotels.com and then for your code type in AAA or FAN or APH (for pass holders). This will give you an indication of the different rates. You can also call and ask for the entertainment rate. When you figure out what the best deal is, then go ahead and get an annual pass or entertainment book, etc.

 

[nhrenee]

Originally posted by holcomb-mania
- should I buy the Ultimate Guide book (Monaghan?)?

Definitely. The book is excellent.

 

[holcomb-mania]

Thanks again! Just ordered the book from Amazon (along with Stephen King's final Dark Tower--800+ pages; not sure which I wanna read first).

After I completely devour it, my clueless questions for the board will be slightly more intelligent. I hope.