I officially hang my head in shame on the budget board - I paid rack rate for a hotel

[punkin]

just to get FOTL access at Universal/IOA and an early entry into WWOHP. I had no intention of going to Universal this trip, but a few days ago DD13 and her friend (who is coming with us) started begging me that all they want to see is Harry Potter, and like the pushover that I am, I went and bought tickets and booked the Royal Pacific.

...and here I was so proud of myself for doing a trip on a shoestring (gift of timeshare, driving down, using leftover Disney tickets). Oh well...

 

[Sugar Jones]

No, No, No don't hang your head in shame, it's because of your superior budgeting skills that you are able to afford to pay for that experience. Had no you not budgeted, you may not have been able to afford it!


That's my opinion and i'm sticking with it!

 

[HayGan]

Are you a member of AAA? They offer a discount at the US/IOA hotels. We always use that or the AP discount there.

If it makes you feel any better, the FOTL access is completely worth paying rack rate even if you can't get a discount!

 

[Gr8t Fan]

But when you see HP at IOA it will all be worth it!!! It is AMAZING and having FOTL in the parks and early entry to HP is SOOOO worth it. Have a great trip!

 

[jessica52877]

I've contemplated this myself!

 

[girli565]

The FOTL perk is worth paying full price. My husband and I have been debating if we should do it. I think we just might. The FL resident rates have been sorely lacking at the onsite hotels. And Summer is coming up quick and it's a black out time for FL passes.

 

[jel0511]

I'm doing this for Easter Weekend. We're going after getting off the Fantasy. The kids demanded it, so who am I to tell them no. Think of it as SAVING money. That's what I tell myself. One night hotel and I'm getting 2 days of FOTL. It's actually a savings vs buying the FOTL passes.

 

[Disneybuckeye]

Worth every penny! We did it at Christmas and were able to legally have 5 adults in the room. I would do it again in a heart beat.

Have a great trip!

 

[punkin]

Thank you...my support team

AAA is blacked out. This is Saturday night 3/31. No discounts, no special rates, no nothing.

 

[Beezle2]

Well, at least if you have to hang your head...you'll be at the front of the line while you do it!

I love the onsite perks at Universal and front of the line access is AWESOME! You'll feel better about the price when you cruise past the lines of hot sweaty people. I feel a bit guilty when it's the 2nd or 3rd time but then I remember thats why we paid to stay onsite.

Enjoy! Hogwarts/Hogsmeade is really amazing and the best way to see the shops is before any crowds get there. The stores are tiny and not fun with a crowd.

 

[QueenDoOver]

Well, if you happened to be a viggler, then you could have a discount with 4 of the travelocity hotel gift card rewards. That would $100 off. I just checked availability and it shows a king room for $358 all taxes included. So price would be $258. Not sure how that compares and probably can't viggle enough rewards by then anyhow, but it might help out other's in the future.

I had considered this option, since my kids really want to go and I am only going if I can stay onsight But my sister is a travel agent and will be able to get u in for the same rate, so I will save my viggle rewards for something else.

Have fun!

 

[jakenjess]

just to get FOTL access at Universal/IOA and an early entry into WWOHP. I had no intention of going to Universal this trip, but a few days ago DD13 and her friend (who is coming with us) started begging me that all they want to see is Harry Potter, and like the pushover that I am, I went and bought tickets and booked the Royal Pacific.

...and here I was so proud of myself for doing a trip on a shoestring (gift of timeshare, driving down, using leftover Disney tickets). Oh well...

We are doing the exact same thing! One night at Universal so we can finally take DS to WWOHP, staying at Royal Pacific -- no AAA rate Driving, using DVC, and leftover WDW tickets for the rest of the trip -- that one night is costing almost as much as the rest of the trip combined!! I hope we love it!

 

[scrapquitler]

Don't feel bad. Everyone on this board who has bragged about getting 'free dining' at Disney has also paid rack rate.

During a busy time, it's probably worth paying rack rate at Universal for FOTL access and early entry for WWOHP.

Budgeting is NOT about being super cheap. Budgeting is about allocating your available resources to allow yourself to have the things that you value. If having FOTL access is more important to you, and you are willing to pay less for something else so you have the funds to pay rack rate, then there's nothing wrong with it.

 

[bumbershoot]

Budgeting is about allocating your available resources to allow yourself to have the things that you value.

Perfect way to say it!

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

Totally worth it, especially at the start of Easter week.

One room at Royal Pacific - rack rate.
Unlimited express access - priceless.

 

[mercydisney]

And feel so special. We stayed for 2 days in Jan and now planning to stay again at the end of April. The express pass really makes you feel like royalty..

Don't forget the RPR is a deluxe hotel.

 

[englishteacha]

We haven't stayed on site but we had an amazing time at Universal last year. Enjoy!

 

[2Pirates2Princesses]

Don't feel bad. Everyone on this board who has bragged about getting 'free dining' at Disney has also paid rack rate.

During a busy time, it's probably worth paying rack rate at Universal for FOTL access and early entry for WWOHP.

Budgeting is NOT about being super cheap. Budgeting is about allocating your available resources to allow yourself to have the things that you value. If having FOTL access is more important to you, and you are willing to pay less for something else so you have the funds to pay rack rate, then there's nothing wrong with it.

This is probably one of the best statements I've read on this forum!

 

[eliza61]

just to get FOTL access at Universal/IOA and an early entry into WWOHP. I had no intention of going to Universal this trip, but a few days ago DD13 and her friend (who is coming with us) started begging me that all they want to see is Harry Potter, and like the pushover that I am, I went and bought tickets and booked the Royal Pacific.

...and here I was so proud of myself for doing a trip on a shoestring (gift of timeshare, driving down, using leftover Disney tickets). Oh well...

It's all good. I have a few mantras, one is a deal is only a deal if you enjoy it. You got an experience with your hotel price, think of it as the same as free dining.

 

[sarahlovesmickey]

Don't feel bad at all. I'm sure it will be well worth the price, so enjoy yourselves! My kids can't wait until our trip next April--Universal is on our list as always.