I need Universal help from the experts!

[3smithboys]

My family of 5 would like to go to Universal for the first time in June 2012. We would be driving down from Philly and have 1 week for the vacation... I "think" we want to stay onsite because I want the front of the line pass (am I correct that this is the best way to go??) How many days do we need to get the most out of Universal? (We are not going to Disney this time...but depending on what advice we get might do some other things...) I tried to price how much the vacation would cost, but the Universal hotels are not coming up yet... (I also read a thread which said that buying it all together was not the best way... is this true?? what is the best way? so confused... )

Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!

 

[Gr8t Fan]

I always recommend that first timers spend 3 days at the parks to really see and do EVERYTHING. Since you're considering staying onsite and will have FOTL privileges, I think 3 days will be plenty and allow you to tour the parks at a leisurely pace. The onsite hotels are all amazing, so definitely plan to spend some down time there too.

 

[3smithboys]

I always recommend that first timers spend 3 days at the parks to really see and do EVERYTHING. Since you're considering staying onsite and will have FOTL privileges, I think 3 days will be plenty and allow you to tour the parks at a leisurely pace. The onsite hotels are all amazing, so definitely plan to spend some down time there too.

Ok, thanks... 3 days is not a problem... Do you have any idea when the onsite hotels become available to book? (not that I want to book yet, I was just interested in looking at prices.) Also, does Universal ever have deals? (not that June would be a deal time! )

 

[rwdavis2]

Ok, thanks... 3 days is not a problem... Do you have any idea when the onsite hotels become available to book? (not that I want to book yet, I was just interested in looking at prices.) Also, does Universal ever have deals? (not that June would be a deal time! )

First, 3 days with Express Passes is enough time. Not sure when June of next year opens up. Have your tried going to their site and attempt to book? They will tell if you can't Deals? We've gotten them but in January. We saved about $40 per night a few years ago. Booked at one rate and was able to re-book at the lower one.

 

[3smithboys]

First, 3 days with Express Passes is enough time. Not sure when June of next year opens up. Have your tried going to their site and attempt to book? They will tell if you can't Deals? We've gotten them but in January. We saved about $40 per night a few years ago. Booked at one rate and was able to re-book at the lower one.

Yes, I went to Universal's main site and tried to book for next year. The 3 onsite hotels did not come up, but other off site hotels did. That led me to believe that the onsite hotels are just not available yet... (I am assuming they are not all booked up for June 2012!)

 

[macraven]

if you go to the Loew's website, www.loewshotels.com, you will find promos.

you can also see some promos on the UO website. www.universalorlando.com

promos come and go. check often.



if you stay onsite for 5 nights, you will receive 6 days of unlimited usage of express lines.


if you want to venture off of universal, you can take the free bus from your hotel to :
Seaworld, Wet and Wild, Aquatica.
there is a small charge to take the travel type bus from the hotel to Busch.

from seaworld, the bus to busch is free.


you can make the uo hotels your base and travel free to other places listed above.

you could taxi or do a very long walk to international drive for things to do there besides eateries.

you can shuttle to disney for a day if you wish.

if you don't want to venture off, you can pool hop, discover city walk, do the luau at rph on saturday nights, go to the cineplex, take in all the shows at the park and rides, etc.

or just relax at the pool and enjoy the pool games and activities.


you can book now by phone.
you will be booked at rack rate but your room will be held for you.

you can then modify your rate when discounts come out.

i booked my room in january. the 3rd of this year for an october trip.

i modified my rate 2x so far.
each time i saved money for my stay.

you pay a one night's deposit.

since my rate went down, the entire one night deposit extra will stay on my account for my total bill when i check out.

 

[christophfam]

I spent three days onsite at Universal last month. Did I get to see everything I wanted to? Yes, but I would have LOVED more time!! Three days is fine if that is all you can spare, but I could have easily tacked on another two days and would have never been bored. I would have spent those extra days enjoying the beautiful resort and pools. I would have gone back to the parks and enjoyed time to redo some of my favorite rides. I would have given the kids more time in the play areas at each park. I would have done some shopping at Citiwalk and dined out a bit more instead of the rushed meals we had. Yes, you can do Universal in three days, but if want to really enjoy the parks and your resort I personally think 5 days is way more practical.

 

[3smithboys]

I spent three days onsite at Universal last month. Did I get to see everything I wanted to? Yes, but I would have LOVED more time!! Three days is fine if that is all you can spare, but I could have easily tacked on another two days and would have never been bored. I would have spent those extra days enjoying the beautiful resort and pools. I would have gone back to the parks and enjoyed time to redo some of my favorite rides. I would have given the kids more time in the play areas at each park. I would have done some shopping at Citiwalk and dined out a bit more instead of the rushed meals we had. Yes, you can do Universal in three days, but if want to really enjoy the parks and your resort I personally think 5 days is way more practical.

Ok, that's great to know! We have 8 or 9 days between school ending and camp beginning that we can work with for the drive down and back to Orlando. When we go to Disney, we leave at night and drive straight through overnight, but we take 2 days to get back. So, that is totally doable!

macraven, thanks so much for all of your helpful info too!!! I may give them a call to find out what the rate it right now...

 

[LizEN]

Yes, I went to Universal's main site and tried to book for next year. The 3 onsite hotels did not come up, but other off site hotels did. That led me to believe that the onsite hotels are just not available yet... (I am assuming they are not all booked up for June 2012!)

If you call booking, they may be able to give you a room well ahead of them showing up on the Web site. That's what I did, even when I only had tentative dates. They assured me that if discounts became available, or if I had a change of dates, they would be happy to apply them to my existing res. if I called back to request it.

 

[macraven]

3smithboys........eh, i'm staying 8 nights onsite and wondering how i am going to have the time to do everything i plan on.............and going solo this time.

 

[christophfam]

3smithboys........eh, i'm staying 8 nights onsite and wondering how i am going to have the time to do everything i plan on.............and going solo this time.

Wow, how I'd love to have that much time at Universal!! I'm always amazed by people saying 3 days is enough. Three bites of chocolate cake may be enough for some too, but I prefer the whole slice!

If you only have three days, it will work. BUT, if you can spend more time ... you'll have plenty to do. We were so sad to leave after just three days.

 

[3smithboys]

Wow, how I'd love to have that much time at Universal!! I'm always amazed by people saying 3 days is enough. Three bites of chocolate cake may be enough for some too, but I prefer the whole slice!

If you only have three days, it will work. BUT, if you can spend more time ... you'll have plenty to do. We were so sad to leave after just three days.

I agree! I would love to stay that long! I think we are looking at 4 nights for this trip...

 

[SmallWorld71]

We went last August and ended up staying onsite for 8 nights/ 9 days. We did split our time between the Universal Parks, SeaWorld and Discovery Cove. 2 days SW, 1 day DC, five at UO and the first day just relaxing at the hotel. We got a great deal with a stay more, pay less promotion, so we decided it made sense to just stay there the whole time. We also loved that we could have 5 in a room. We brought an air mattress with us for the 5th person which worked out fine. The biggest surprise to us was how much more relaxing it was than a Disney vacation. The only drawback (for us) was the lack of nighttime entertainment such as fireworks and parades.