Is it worth it.......

[pta-mom]

We will be arriving in Orlando sometime mid-day on August 20th, planning to spend ten days touring the parks and water parks with a Flex Pass Plus. We are planning on getting a condo in Windsor Hills for these ten days.

But now I'm wondering....would it be worth it to get ONE night at one of Universal's hotels so that we can get the front of the line pass? How busy would US or IOA be on the 20th or 21st of August? This would be a Friday, Saturday....would we need a front of the line pass?

I see that the Royal Pacific is showing a price of $230 for a night....does this include parking or is that extra? What would be the check in/check out times? Could we use the front of the line pass for both days if we are only staying in the hotel one night? Can you walk from RP to the parks?

Thoughts and ideas much appreciated!!

 

[damo]

Parking is $15/night.
You will get two full days of unlimited express. You can check in as early as you would like and will receive your room keys/express pass. If your room is ready they will give it to you, otherwise they will call you when it is ready.

On a Saturday in August I would say it probably would be a good idea to stay onsite.

It is about a 10 minute walk from RPR to IOA.

 

[h20jag]

Totally agree with damo. On-site will absolutely "make" your visit.
And the walk from RPR, beautiful! Passes right next to Margaritaville too!!

 

[FINFAN]

yes, it is worth it. Remember, Harry Potter is going to bring in crowds...and it's not like they are ONLY going to stay in Potter land...scrimp where you can between now and vacation, throw all spare change into the "one night on-site "jar...take some stuff to cosignment shops and sell it, if you have a return at a store and can, do not put the money back in your wallet, put it in the jar, turn the lights off more often, whatever you have to! Seriously tho, it is very much worth it, but maybe you can book a night toward the end of your 10 days since you have 6 days prior to arrival to cancel penalty free,,, that way you can head over there for a day, see how the crowds are. If you wish you were the folks who get to go thru using FOTL, you will e ecstatic that you have on site booked. If you DON'T need it, then cancel, all is good and you have the extra $ in your pocket. It's a win-win.

 

[Syndrome]

Hi,
We are doing almost exactly what you are doing this summer. We are staying in a nice 3bdr/2 bth off-site condo for a 2 week stay. Got a great deal on the same condo we have used before, and have refered many people to. Its only costing us a little under $800. incl taxes for the entire two weeks (the owner likes us!). Our plan is the same as yours, as we are also getting the Flex Pass plus. We will do BG for 2 days, and visit some water parks, and seaworld as well. Our main draw will be universal. We have stayed on site before at HRH,PBH ans RPR, and we are spoiled by the express pass now. There is no way we would be braving Universal or IOA this summer, without the magic express room cards! With HP World opening, IOA, and US will be packed. We will be staying one night each week during our two week stay. The condo is such a good deal, we just wont sleep there for the 2 nights while we are at RPR (not checking out or anything). Each 1 night stay will give us 2 days of unlimited express pass, we figure on 2 days at IOA, and 2 days at US. That will be plenty for us. We got a decent deal at RPR, using the AAA discount we are only at 211. per night, with a free upgrade to waterview (gold member upgrade).
Trust me, it will be money well spent. You can come and go through the parks at your liesure, and really not have to plan anything. It will make for a nice relaxing time at Universal. The resorts also have some nice restaurants if you want to get away from the crowds, and you can also do some pool hopping if you want to try all of them out.
Just do it for at least 1 night. You will get 2 days of express pass, not to mention that your family will think you are a hero!
Dont wait to long to book, I have a feeling that the 3 universal hotels will be booking up fast for this summer.
Good luck,
Sydrome

BTW, Love the quote in your sig!

 

[tttessa]

We will be arriving in Orlando sometime mid-day on August 20th, planning to spend ten days touring the parks and water parks with a Flex Pass Plus. We are planning on getting a condo in Windsor Hills for these ten days.

But now I'm wondering....would it be worth it to get ONE night at one of Universal's hotels so that we can get the front of the line pass? How busy would US or IOA be on the 20th or 21st of August? This would be a Friday, Saturday....would we need a front of the line pass?

I see that the Royal Pacific is showing a price of $230 for a night....does this include parking or is that extra? What would be the check in/check out times? Could we use the front of the line pass for both days if we are only staying in the hotel one night? Can you walk from RP to the parks?

Thoughts and ideas much appreciated!!

Hiya -Is it worth it YES
Parking is extra $15 + tax per night (I guess that covers both days????),
check in from 6.30am!!!!! - for 1st day's FOTL - 4pm for the actual room ,
check out 11am but you keep the room key till park closing for second day's FOTL.
Yes you can walk.
Tessa