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

[kaseyC]

The FOTL pass and the early entry into the World of Harry Potter is worth rack rate. We did it in January, there were a ton of Brazilian tour groups and boy, was it nice to avoid those congested lines.

 

[debdreamsofdis]

Here's a little visual for you.

Wizarding World of Harry Potter when it is open for hotel guests at 8:00 a.m

WWoHP when it is open to general public at 9:00 a.m.

Here's another visual.

Wait time for Forbidden Journey ride (which does not have express Pass) at 8:00

Wait time for FJ after going through the 10 minute line, this is still during early entry. When the general public was let in , the wait time jumped to 120 minute wait within 15 minutes.

Hope you feel better about your decision

 

[Planogirl]

Those hotels are worth rack rate. The FOTL just makes it even sweeter.

 

[yakkin' yeti]

We loved the Royal Pacific. The grounds are gorgeous, and the pool area was so much fun. And the short walk to the parks instead of having to take a bus was so stress-free.

That FOTL will pay for itself Easter week, but I'd also make sure you guys use every minute of early entry. (I'd also advise skipping Ollivander's unless the girls are dead set on it. Loooong wait, not much payoff.)

There were lines just to get into the shops to buy stuff by 11 a.m. when we were there, and it was late Feb. 2011 -- no holidays. (Also, you can avoid the cart lines by ducking into the Hogshead and getting butter beer there. They have it on tap.)

By the way, even though you couldn't use it for the room, there's a AAA discount for 10 percent off just about anything you buy or eat in the parks (including the frozen butter beer at the Hogshead -- the carts can't take the discount.) So maybe that will help console your budget-minded soul.

 

[punkin]

I just got an email from the hotel listing which rides are open early. I am so excited. I didn't know AAA gave a food discount. I will be sure to use it. I am getting so excited, I think I might drive down through the night on Friday and spend the next morning lounging by the pool 'till check in time. Hey, if I'm paying, I may as well get my money's worth.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

I just got an email from the hotel listing which rides are open early. I am so excited. I didn't know AAA gave a food discount. I will be sure to use it. I am getting so excited, I think I might drive down through the night on Friday and spend the next morning lounging by the pool 'till check in time. Hey, if I'm paying, I may as well get my money's worth.

You can check in early in the morning and start using your express access. Your room may or may not be ready, but they will give you the room keys to use for express access at the parks. One night at a Universal resort equals two days of express access at the parks.

 

[Trae13]

I have to agree with everyone who says that FOTL is totally worth the cost, plus Royal Pacific is beautiful! Enjoy The Wizarding World - it is amazing!
Have a great trip,

 

[bumbershoot]

You can check in early in the morning and start using your express access. Your room may or may not be ready, but they will give you the room keys to use for express access at the parks. One night at a Universal resort equals two days of express access at the parks.

YES.

By all means, lounge at the pool until you are ready to head to the parks (it's worth it!), but to get into that pool you'll need your keycard, so check in, get your keycard and take your pictures for the newly improved (by adding pictures) hotel-based express pass, and THEN head to the pool. And then the parks.

 

[Belle5]

Do NOT hang your head. THIS is WHY we save...so that we have the money for the things that are important to us. Sometimes it's my DEALS that cause me to hang my head in shame (the times I have scored a gross hotel on Priceline so we're stuck with somewhat nasty rooms for five nights). At least with paying rack rate at the Universal hotels you are pretty much guaranteed a 'sure thing"...a nice place.

 

[punkin]

Do NOT hang your head. THIS is WHY we save...so that we have the money for the things that are important to us. Sometimes it's my DEALS that cause me to hang my head in shame (the times I have scored a gross hotel on Priceline so we're stuck with somewhat nasty rooms for five nights). At least with paying rack rate at the Universal hotels you are pretty much guaranteed a 'sure thing"...a nice place.

Priceline is usually great. I have only had problems once. We wound up at a moldy hotel in Orlando (I think it was Radisson Worldgate) for 2 nights. Luckily it was only for 2 nights. Yuk!!!

 

[Plannin'Shannon]

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...

Completely worth it. We went in late July/early August 2010, right after WWOHP opened, bit the bullet and booked Portofino Bay just for the perks you mentioned. In early entry alone (one hour), we were able to ride every ride in WWOHP twice. By the time we finished riding everything, the lines had gotten insane. We were able to just relax and explore from that point on. Trust me, you will not regret it. When we return, we will absolutely stay onsite again.

 

[apnep]

OP, your thread title cracks me up!

Don't hang your head in shame. We all gotta live a little! Fuggetaboutit, look forward to the trip and ENJOY it!

 

[dakcp2001]

What does FOTL mean?

 

[taaren]

What does FOTL mean?

Front Of The Line pass.

 

[bumbershoot]

What does FOTL mean?

Front Of The Line.


Universal's Express Pass isn't really a FOTL pass, but it's almost as close as you can get.

 

[Marionnette]

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.

I know that this was already quoted, but I just had to add my support for this statement. I get so tired of reading about people living cheaply, eating cheaply and dressing cheaply just so they can go to Disney (or Universal), where they continue their cheap ways.

Budgeting is about financial balance!

Have a great time at Universal and enjoy the FOTL Access, OP! It can make a big difference in your vacation!