Is onsite worth it?

[AJ1983]

I am going to Orlando in May, and decided to one night onsite at US to get the two days Express Pass. Just wondering if the lines are going to be that long on May 6 and 7 and do I really need express pass? The RPR for May 6 is $284...I can get another hotel close to US for about $100, and with the money I'd save I can add on another day to our Disney package + hoppers.

Opinions? We won't see much of the actual resort, the SOLE reason to stay there is for Express Pass, so just wondering if we would need Express Pass that time of year? I know I can wait until I get there to see, but I definitely won't have RPR booked, and to buy Express Passes for both of us for both days would eat up the savings of staying offsite (and also, it wouldn't be unlimited)

So, onsite or not? Thanks for your opinions!

 

[Metro West]

Opinions? We won't see much of the actual resort, the SOLE reason to stay there is for Express Pass, so just wondering if we would need Express Pass that time of year? I know I can wait until I get there to see, but I definitely won't have RPR booked, and to buy Express Passes for both of us for both days would eat up the savings of staying offsite (and also, it wouldn't be unlimited)

So, onsite or not? Thanks for your opinions!

Early May is usually pretty slow and lines are not that long. I think you could probably accomplish everything you want to do w/o spending the money to stay onsite.

 

[kuhltiffany]

Hmmm, how about around the first weekend of October? Trying to decide if it's worth $1000 for on site since it's the kids first time at Universal...

 

[RMulieri]

I think regardless of season it is absolutely worth it, however it is not neccessary if you are trying to save money.But the resorts are beautiful,within walking distance and the resort guest express pass perk and early entry makes it worth every penny

 

[AJ1983]

I think regardless of season it is absolutely worth it, however it is not neccessary if you are trying to save money.But the resorts are beautiful,within walking distance and the resort guest express pass perk and early entry makes it worth every penny

LOL I'm trying to be sensible and save some money, but at the same time I'm thinking I'm either going to spend $4200 or $4500 on this trip...$4500 gets me onsite at Universal PLUS the extra day at Disney with hopper, so I can see all Disney parks in 3 days. So I'm thinking I'll "splurge" the extra few hundred and call it a 30th birthday present to myself

 

[Metro West]

LOL I'm trying to be sensible and save some money, but at the same time I'm thinking I'm either going to spend $4200 or $4500 on this trip...$4500 gets me onsite at Universal PLUS the extra day at Disney with hopper, so I can see all Disney parks in 3 days. So I'm thinking I'll "splurge" the extra few hundred and call it a 30th birthday present to myself

There ya go!

 

[snoopboop]

I think regardless of season it is absolutely worth it, however it is not neccessary if you are trying to save money.But the resorts are beautiful,within walking distance and the resort guest express pass perk and early entry makes it worth every penny

I agree 100%.

 

[AJ1983]

Oh and MetroWest I totally envy you for your geographical location! I am a 10 hour, $600 plane ride away from theme park central

 

[Metro West]

Oh and MetroWest I totally envy you for your geographical location! I am a 10 hour, $600 plane ride away from theme park central

LOL...I used to live in Virginia and got tired of the cold winters. So I packed up the truck and hit the road south. There are definitely perks to living in Orlando.

 

[TheAviator]

Definitely depends on the $$$ situation, if you don't mind the drain on the bank account it is great to stay onsite. I understand its a pretty big price difference than other very nice hotels around Orlando these days. YOu can find awesome spots for 100 a night, that is a big difference.

 

[wiigirl]

I think if money isn't a big issue....totally worth it.

 

[bumbershoot]

We have only stayed onsite so far, and I cannot even fathom not doing so. We've gone in February twice, September once, and early December once. Not big huge busy times, and still, we stay onsite and use the unlimited express pass and LOVE it.

But I am constantly checking and rechecking prices at the Loews site, making sure I have the best deal possible. We're now AP holders with no plans to stop renewing them, but even before we knew we loved Universal I did the math to see the breakeven point for getting one AP to get the APH rate (put APH into the code field in the link I gave above to check it). Since they will give you the new discount if one comes out, if you book room-only, and since discounts change often (especially with our recent pre-President's Day visit), I'm on that site every day when I'm planning a trip. Must keep costs down as much as possible!

 

[flfun]

I am going to Orlando in May, and decided to one night onsite at US to get the two days Express Pass. Just wondering if the lines are going to be that long on May 6 and 7 and do I really need express pass? The RPR for May 6 is $284...I can get another hotel close to US for about $100, and with the money I'd save I can add on another day to our Disney package + hoppers.

Opinions? We won't see much of the actual resort, the SOLE reason to stay there is for Express Pass, so just wondering if we would need Express Pass that time of year? I know I can wait until I get there to see, but I definitely won't have RPR booked, and to buy Express Passes for both of us for both days would eat up the savings of staying offsite (and also, it wouldn't be unlimited)

So, onsite or not? Thanks for your opinions!

Is that a weekend? If so the rate may not change but I was going to suggest to keep checking periodically to see if the rate comes down. Check online and call as well, sometimes you get a different rate in my experience. ...and don't forget to ask for the ap discount or any that applies to you.

 

[dougsmom98]

We just got back from a trip to Universal/IOA. We had never been. I was so worried about the crowds because it was Presidents Week, but we couldn't afford to stay on site or buy the front of the line pass. I bought the Unofficial Guide to Disney, got to the parks at opening, and used their touring plans for both parks and they worked perfectly. We saw EVERYTHING. My best friend and her family bought front of the line passes and thought it was a waste of money since there weren't hardly any waits anyway. Since the beginning of May is not around a holiday, I personally wouldn't bother.

 

[damo]

We just got back from a trip to Universal/IOA. We had never been. I was so worried about the crowds because it was Presidents Week, but we couldn't afford to stay on site or buy the front of the line pass. I bought the Unofficial Guide to Disney, got to the parks at opening, and used their touring plans for both parks and they worked perfectly. We saw EVERYTHING. My best friend and her family bought front of the line passes and thought it was a waste of money since there weren't hardly any waits anyway. Since the beginning of May is not around a holiday, I personally wouldn't bother.

That's exactly why we tell people to wait until they get into the parks before they purchase the express pass.

 

[AJ1983]

Is that a weekend? If so the rate may not change but I was going to suggest to keep checking periodically to see if the rate comes down. Check online and call as well, sometimes you get a different rate in my experience. ...and don't forget to ask for the ap discount or any that applies to you.

We would be staying overnight on the 6th, which is a Monday. Thanks for the suggestion I will try calling and I am always checking prices. No AP for me however...I get to Florida about once every 10 years (but going to change that )