Is $$$$ worth it for two rooms/1 night?

[Ezzie]

We are a family of 6 so two rooms are needed at the Universal hotels . I'm trying to justify spending $450.00 for ONE night to get two FOTL days in the parks. I'd like to hear both views - worth it? or NOT worth it? We will be there in AUGUST.

Just to put it in perspective - we are staying at Royale Parc Suites for 8 nights and paying $850 for the whole stay for a two bedroom/two bathroom suite.

I did buy my Universal tickets through AAA when they were $99 for seven days, so that was a good deal, right???

So what are your opinions??? Thanks!!

 

[Karen V]

I'm in the very same situation and would LOVE to hear what people have to say.

By the way, how did you get the AAA tickets so cheap?

Thanks!

 

[Kimberlyfamilyfv]

what about upgrading one of your passes to an annual pass. One of your 7 day tickets can be upgraded to an annual pass for 130 dollars more. I checked in august and the annual pass rate is running about 159 a night before taxes. 159+159+130= 448 The bonus would be you would have an annual pass to get discounts for food and merchandise and discounts for future stays on site.

The down side if you don't plan on returning in less than a year this option does not really benefit you.

 

[damo]

what about upgrading one of your passes to an annual pass. One of your 7 day tickets can be upgraded to an annual pass for 130 dollars more. I checked in august and the annual pass rate is running about 159 a night before taxes. 159+159+130= 448 The bonus would be you would have an annual pass to get discounts for food and merchandise and discounts for future stays on site.

The down side if you don't plan on returning in less than a year this option does not really benefit you.

That is probably the best option. You don't have to have the annual pass in hand to book the deal, so you can take advantage of the deal now before the rooms are all booked up. If you decide to cancel, just do so at least 6 days before. With your annual pass, there are often ticket deals as well and you may be able to get cheaper tickets for the rest of your crew.

Karen, the $99 tickets were the old ticket deal that ended in January.

 

[tinkerdorabelle]

We are a family of 6 so two rooms are needed at the Universal hotels . I'm trying to justify spending $450.00 for ONE night to get two FOTL days in the parks. I'd like to hear both views - worth it? or NOT worth it? We will be there in AUGUST.

Just to put it in perspective - we are staying at Royale Parc Suites for 8 nights and paying $850 for the whole stay for a two bedroom/two bathroom suite.

I did buy my Universal tickets through AAA when they were $99 for seven days, so that was a good deal, right???

So what are your opinions??? Thanks!!

That's high for 1 night. Do search for AAA, etc., and like other's have said you can purchase an annual pass and then you could possibly stay more than one night. It is soooooooooooooo nice staying on property. Not just for the front of the line, but also the convenience of being able to walk to the parks, go back to the property if you want, walk to City Walk, etc., etc. My DH loves Universal more than Disney bc of the ease and relaxation. AND the properties are gorgeous!

 

[rwdavis2]

Think of it this way. The stay at the hotel gets you UNLIMITED express passes for both parks. If you had to buy the express passes and if you only go to one park per day you will need to get 1 express passes per person for per day. I think the minimum price per pass is $20 or so which works out to at least $240 (6 people x 2 days x $20 ) for 2 days of passes. The prices goes up if the parks are busier and they are only good for one use per ride, not unlimited like the ones that come with an on site stay.

So for the $450 you get well over $250 in services for free.
Bob

 

[JohnnyB2]

If you can swing it,go for it.As PP said check out a AP or AAA for rates.The hotels are great and with FOTL in AUG you will be so glad you did.You would have some time to use the pool and relax if you want

 

[Claire-Bear]

Just out of curiosity, what kind of discount on on-site hotel rates do AAA provide?

 

[Ezzie]

First of all, thanks so much for all of your ideas. And I am so glad there are others in my same boat!

Here's the deal - two rooms on the date we are going is $211.65 which is the AAA discount on a $249.00 room (15% off). With taxes it comes to around$475.00.

Annual Pass room rate is $180.00/night for Portofino Bay (higher class hotel, but, guess what, no AP rates available for my date at the lower priced Royal Pacific. Of course.) Think Universal is going to be crowded???

SO $180 x 2 is $360 plus tax is around $405.00. Plus I would have to upgrade my $99.00 ticket to an annual pass and that is an extra $130.00 (I think). Total for AP room and upgraded pass is $535.00.

I am going to stick with the $475.00. I am also keeping the other hotel through this time because who wants to pack up again for 6 people to leave for one night And Royale Parc also includes breakfast so we will eat before leaving for Universal. (not a huge deal, I know, but just another way to justify not checking in and out .

I KNOW IT WILL BE WORTH IT, THOUGH!!!!!

 

[eeyorefanuk]

Hi all

We are thinking of booking a room so incliude the fast passes ... but we are from the UK .... where do you suggest we look to book - the universal direct website ???

 

[glocon]

That's where I found my best deal- the website!

 

[GarryK]

Eeyorefan

We've stayed on-site at Universal on several trips from Scotland and booked in different ways.

There's the US website or you can call US directly from the UK. Alternatively, try the Dreams Unlimited link on this website - that's how we booked HRH for July this year.

If you are in the AA remember and ask for the AAA rate - there's a reciprocal agreement between the 2.

Garry

 

[eeyorefanuk]

Eeyorefan

We've stayed on-site at Universal on several trips from Scotland and booked in different ways.

There's the US website or you can call US directly from the UK. Alternatively, try the Dreams Unlimited link on this website - that's how we booked HRH for July this year.

If you are in the AA remember and ask for the AAA rate - there's a reciprocal agreement between the 2.

Garry

Hello from Scotland

Can I ask about the AA membership and the AAA rate - who do you ring - the UK AA and just mention want to go to universal and say AAA rate? confused.com

 

[Claire-Bear]

I don't think the UK AA and the US AAA are related. At their AAA they get magazines which show discounts, have AAA locations where they can go in to buy discounts, that isn't how ours works.
(I only asked about AAA rates since my dad is a member over there)

 

[eeyorefanuk]

Do the dreams unlimited prices come out any cheaper than buying direct with universal????

 

[Rpsemont]

Personally, If I had a seven day pass, I would not do it and could not justify the cost - especially for two rooms. Keep in mind that FOTL will probably not be good for the new Harry Potter Ride, and currently is not good for Rip Ride Rocket (I think). I would plan to be there at rope drop for two days and see what you accomplish. THEN, if there's a lot you missed OR a number of things you want to do again, You can either buy an express pass or just go more days. We haven't been in a few years, so crwod level may be up; but the last time we were there during a Feb Pres Week vacation, we were able to do both parks in one day and ride everything we wanted to.

 

[Claire-Bear]

On-site guests do get to use express for Forbidden Journey in WWOHP, but only once per day.

 

[Rpsemont]

On-site guests do get to use express for Forbidden Journey in WWOHP, but only once per day.

Nice to Know. I was told (at universal reservations) that there isn't even a que for the express pass so that it would not be available for some time.

I'll be sure to check back here after it officially opens.

 

[Lewisc]

When in August? Crowds are traditionally lighter in the middle to end of August, before labor day weekend. It doesn't sound like you plan on enjoying the Universal Resort. You have a 7 day pass. I'd just plan on spending 3 days in the parks.

 

[Ezzie]

We booked one night/two rooms for 8/12. Even though we purchased a 7 day pass, we really only intended to use it for 2 full days and then MAYBE if we wanted to fit it in between Disney days we would go again. The 7 day pass was only $99, which is probably less than what a two-day pass is going for now.

Also, the purchased Express Pass is only good for ONE ride. We have older teens in our family who LOVE to re-ride again and again. The Express Pass is $40.00 x 6 people = $240.00. That is the price of one hotel room right there. I know I probably seemed very indecisive about whether or not to stay on property, but I actually have become quite confident in my decision to stay onsite. That doesn't mean I don't think it is a big outlay of cash, but even if we get there and the lines are not too long, I will not be disappointed in my decision.