I feel lost.....

[Krisshay13]

OK...trying to read up on this board. I am used to Disney (no expert there either) but, the price of resorts for the time I can go, are not what I want to pay.... So, looking at Universal. Which I'm excited.....my DGD is 13 & wants to check on the HP stuff.
The website is so different, I feel lost. I may be looking at it completely wrong but wanted to ask here......

I'm trying to price it different ways. I understand the premier hotels come with Unlimited Express Pass........which is probably what I'm going to do. But, wanted to make sure I'm not paying way more than I have to.

When I move to Endless Summer .....and pick my tickets.....when I go to pick the Express Pass, is it per day??? It looks like I have to purchase per day. Is that correct? It's not for the full stay?
If it is per day....then I could do Unlimited for 2 days & the single express for the other 2 days, right?
Sorry, if I'm not calling things right......I'm learning

TIA

 

[jolene63]

You might want to consider getting an AP. When available, there are great AP discounts on the hotels which most likely would be cheaper than staying at Endless Summer and buying express passes for everyone. You can book an AP discount room before you buy your AP. Just make sure to show it to the front desk before check out. Don't stress about a Universal vacation. You really don't have to do much planning, especially if you have express pass.

 

[mamamelody2]

YES, you have to buy EP for every day for each person if you don't get it with a premier hotel room.

When are you looking to go? Did you price it out? I hate how it says EP are From $89.99. The From is super tiny and you might think $89.99 is THE price. It generally is not. When I was pricing out our trip for earlier this month, unlimited EPs were $210 per day per person. OUCH. It was just DH and I, but we still saved money by doing a few nights at RPR with an AP rate of under $300.

If you are going for 4 days, and you aren't in the Seasonal pass blockout dates, likely that will work out for you, and you can book AP rates before you buy/activate your AP.

Also, YES, you could do 2 days of unlimited and 2 days of regular EP. I feel like it's likely to be cheaper to go the route of staying in a premier resort, though.

 

[mamamelody2]

Also remember there are 1 park and 2 park express passes. If you have an AP or 2 park ticket, make sure you get the 2 park EP. I just looked up the price out of curiosity, and to buy a 2 park unlimited EP for today it's $330, tomorrow it's $300. Wowsers!

 

[mvansear]

Math usually checks out to be cheaper to stay at one of the premier resorts (HRH, PB, or RPR) Here is a great post ... some of the pricing is outdated but it is a good start https://www.disboards.com/threads/how-i-plan-a-universal-trip.3794121/

 

[Gr8t Fan]

I third the recommendation for APs. The seasonal APs are very affordable and provide a great discount on the the premier hotels (and all of the other hotels too) if the blackout dates work for your time period. When are you considering going?

We usually buy one preferred pass AP (for free theme park parking), the rest seasonal and spend a week offsite, but we splurge for 1 night at the premier hotels (for 2 days of express passes - check-in and checkout day) with AP rates. Our AP rate in August at Portofino Bay is $234 + tax.

 

[bchbetha]

Remember that one night at HR, PB, or RP gives you 2 full days of EPs. If you are going this summer, the comparable (unlimited) Express Passes are about $250/person per day in July and August has a swing of $110-250 depending on dates. https://www.universalorlando.com/web-store/en/us/express-pass?parks=1&flr=0
So, in July to buy Express passes for 2 people and 2 days would cost you $500. Then you have to pay for your hotel on top of that. Unless the rates for the top 3 hotels are more than $600-700 you will be much better served staying at the better hotels. Bonus is the hotels are super nice AND walkable (like under 15 minutes). That makes it super easy to take a midday break. Endless Summer is not nearly as convenient.

 

[bchbetha]

FYI- don't book a package. Book your things a la carte as they will be easier to modify, if needed.

 

[Krisshay13]

wow, thanks for the replies..........guess it might help to give some trip info.

Don't live in FL but, the past few years, I've been able to come to Orlando 2x a year. Most of the time, it's with one of my grandkids but, the hard part is I have to do that when they are out of school & don't have sports/dance. yes, the busiest times for parks. I was good at Fast Passes at Disney....I didn't mind the crowds. I will want express, in some way.

The trip I'm trying to plan: Me & DGD 13yr old. Sat Nov 20 - Wed Nov 24. We've done Disney those days the past 2 years but, again, I don't like the prices for what we would be getting. We are not resort picky since we barely stay in the rooms. We fly in (I refuse to drive that far & waste 2 days driving). We don't rent a car.....always stay on site. My plan is to fly in early on Sat so we can go to a park that day....then Sun, Mon, Tues & fly home Wed/no park day.

I was pricing through the AMEX offer.......which I thought looked pretty good @ 20% off. It's for 4 days/3 parks (which I doubt we would do the water park but, maybe). I didn't look at AP.....will look at that tonight but, doubt that will work for my dates

I'm just so used to picking dates, & all the options of resorts come up on Disney site. Universal site is more steps.......so, trying to get through that.

Anyways.....thanks for any help. I'm not expert with Disney but, the age of my grands had me sticking with them. Now, we're ready to grow up some!! LOL

 

[Gr8t Fan]

I agree with bchbetha. Don't buy a package. It's easier to change things when you do everything ala carte.

Seasonal AP passes are not blocked out at all in November and cost $349 + tax for a 2 park pass, which is about the same as a 4 day park to park ticket. The AP can then be used for hotel discounts (and another trip to US/IOA because park tickets are already paid for ). AP rates are not out for November yet, but there is a thread here where people have listed their past AP rates for November so you should check that out.

Saavy Traveler rates are out (which is kind of like stay more, save more at Disney) and the rate for Portofino Bay is $334 a night for your dates. I expect that AP rates would be a bit less than that. You can check annual pass rates here: Universal Orlando Resort (windsurfercrs.com)

 

[Krisshay13]

I agree with bchbetha. Don't buy a package. It's easier to change things when you do everything ala carte.

Seasonal AP passes are not blocked out at all in November and cost $349 + tax for a 2 park pass, which is about the same as a 4 day park to park ticket. The AP can then be used for hotel discounts (and another trip to US/IOA because park tickets are already paid for ). AP rates are not out for November yet, but there is a thread here where people have listed their past AP rates for November so you should check that out.

Saavy Traveler rates are out (which is kind of like stay more, save more at Disney) and the rate for Portofino Bay is $334 a night for your dates. I expect that AP rates would be a bit less than that. You can check annual pass rates here: Universal Orlando Resort (windsurfercrs.com)

Thanks.....so, when I use the link, the Saavy Traveler rate is for King. So, no changing that to queen beds, right? just making sure I'm not misunderstanding.

 

[Krisshay13]

Also remember there are 1 park and 2 park express passes. If you have an AP or 2 park ticket, make sure you get the 2 park EP. I just looked up the price out of curiosity, and to buy a 2 park unlimited EP for today it's $330, tomorrow it's $300. Wowsers!

thanks...i was making sure about the 2 park part.......and Im really thinking premier resort is what I'll do.

 

[Krisshay13]

Math usually checks out to be cheaper to stay at one of the premier resorts (HRH, PB, or RPR) Here is a great post ... some of the pricing is outdated but it is a good start https://www.disboards.com/threads/how-i-plan-a-universal-trip.3794121/

Thanks...just read part of that thread & looks like good info!!!

 

[Gr8t Fan]

Thanks.....so, when I use the link, the Saavy Traveler rate is for King. So, no changing that to queen beds, right? just making sure I'm not misunderstanding.

No changing it to two queens, but periodically check the rates as room inventory changes often. AP rates are usually available about 2 months out.

I book when I see a rate I can live with and then check every other day or so for AP rates. My Portofino Bay room started at $350 and is now down to $234.

 

[Krisshay13]

You might want to consider getting an AP. When available, there are great AP discounts on the hotels which most likely would be cheaper than staying at Endless Summer and buying express passes for everyone. You can book an AP discount room before you buy your AP. Just make sure to show it to the front desk before check out. Don't stress about a Universal vacation. You really don't have to do much planning, especially if you have express pass.

Like the "don't stress out"..........that sure does happen for Disney. At least before I knew what I was doing. I will say, I went to Disney 2x during covid & actually liked not planning!!! Just decided in the moment!!!

 

[Krisshay13]

I third the recommendation for APs. The seasonal APs are very affordable and provide a great discount on the the premier hotels (and all of the other hotels too) if the blackout dates work for your time period. When are you considering going?

We usually buy one preferred pass AP (for free theme park parking), the rest seasonal and spend a week offsite, but we splurge for 1 night at the premier hotels (for 2 days of express passes - check-in and checkout day) with AP rates. Our AP rate in August at Portofino Bay is $234 + tax.

I do think I'll be purchasing the AP now. Had no idea the prices were so good. I like the 1 night plan but, since we don't have a car & we go for short trips, moving around isn't idea for me. I'll pay the price just to stay in 1 place!!

 

[CAPSLOCK]

You can get the savvy traveler rate for any room types. Or an AP rate for any room types, pending availability. They haven't been released in Nov yet

Honestly, w/ 4 days if not at an EP resort, I would only buy the EP for 1-2 days. Or, one day at the EP hotel. Your best bet would be Sunday night for the best combo of cheaper hotel rate + weekends needing EP the most - you'd have EP for Sun & Mon. If your flight is early enough on Sat., you could also do Sat night (have EP for the whole weekend) - this would also mean not moving hotels as much.

You'll find lots to do on the other days without EP. If money is no issue, then sure, but otherwise I would plan 1-2 days for primarily non-EP things - especially if DGD is a big Harry Potter fan. All that exploration and immersion - the EP doesn't help with that at all. Same for most of the shows, and generally enjoying the nooks & crannies of Universal.

 

[Krisshay13]

Thanks everyone!!!

 

[Krisshay13]

So....if I book now, at Saavy rate.........then when AP rates come out, I can adjust, correct?
And I can purchase AP tickets in Nov & as long as I have proof, they will honor that room price.
I'm actually fine with the Saavy rate I'm seeing......esp. with Unlimited Express...so, a discount on that would be wonderful.

I knew I could count on this board!!! You are awesome!!!
THANKS

 

[CAPSLOCK]

You generally have to cancel your reservation and rebook the AP rate. Which is really fine, since it is refundable up to 5 days out; it does take a few weeks for your deposit to be returned on the cancelled reservation.

You can book now with no AP, as long as you get your AP before checking out.