June 2017

[Daniel Clarke]

Hi,

Appreciate this is a little early, but just wanted some general advice.

Myself and girlfriend are looking to come to Florida in 2017 after spending this summer over there.

We are planning on staying on-site at Universal, and will get cab/uber to Disney on the occasions we wish to spend time there. We were a little worried if 14 days would be too much at a Universal Hotel, though on reflection I think we spent all bar 1 night at Universal during our 14 night stay previously!

Financially it's not really an issue, but when would be the best time to try and book.

Thanks,

 

[VacaPlanner2012]

take a look at schumgirl's trip report, they just did 18 days and the pictures are amazing. Our longest is 8 days, and we left wanting more...

I think Universal is a great home base!!! As for timing, we just booked for June 2016 and all options were available (8 night stay). We are taking a newbie and I am in the process of NARROWING DOWN food options for 9 days with no repeats. You can pool hop, the rooms and service are wonderful, and there are so many food options - No other word to describe the feel of UNI onsite but FUN!!!!!

 

[Robo56]

You will love spending your time at Universal. 14 days is not to much. Most the people that start their planning do it a year in advance as far as rooms, tickets and restaurant choices. Universal web site is very good at showing the maps all resort options. You can basically see all the resorts and pools. The new one Sapphire Falls should be opened this summer and the new water park Volcano Bay should be done by summer 2017.

There are no stresses with restaurant ressies or fast pass set up times. That belongs to WDW.

The other thing I think people don't take into consideration is that even when you staying onsite at Universal you are very close to other options. When you want to take a break from the park during the day you can go to the Mall at Millenia. Check out the shops. Maybe surprise your girlfriend with a trinket from Tiffanys then back to the resort for pool or more park time.

As noted above Schumi girls trip reports gives some good ideas of thinking outside the theme park box when enjoying your stay at Universal.

Having a great time planning

 

[atricks]

2017 will be a good year to go. 3 new rides just in that year alone, not including the brand new water park in 2017, and Kong and the Updated Hulk opening up next year.

 

[startingtopanic]

2017 will be a good year to go. 3 new rides just in that year alone, not including the brand new water park in 2017, and Kong and the Updated Hulk opening up next year.

I have not been around for all of these discussions... Will the new rides and water park be open if we go in the spring of 2017?

 

[Daniel Clarke]

Hi,

So Thomson have loaded their packages and we've had a quote from Charter Travel. We are looking at around £1850 a person for the flights and 14 nights at Royal Pacific., 28th May 2017.

Part of me is tempted just to book, but there's a couple of points I'd be grateful if someone could answer.

1) Prices for this year on the same dates, are a good £300/£400 cheaper per person. Is this is common, are we likely to find holding off is going to allow a deduction in price.

2) As we are going to be at Universal for the full 14 nights, I'm think that we might be better to try and get an Annual Pass. The Power Pass black-out date starts on the day we would come home, so this would probably work. Would we easily get an APH discount rate, for this time of year? Is there a guide as to try and work out what kind of discount we would get? As if we can push the prices down, I would be less inclined to book a flight at the moment, especially, as there are only the 2 of us and we would probably be able to fly anywhere out of the UK (whether travelling by car, or catching a connecting flight).

Thank you,

Dan

 

[Kivara]

I have not been around for all of these discussions... Will the new rides and water park be open if we go in the spring of 2017?

Hulk is being overhauled will be opening soon (IoA)

King Kong will be opening this summer as well (IoA)

2017:
Volcano Bay (water park)
Jimmy Fallon's ride (comedy show/Soarin'-esque???) (Studios)
Fast & the Furious ride (Studios)

 

[schumigirl]

Dan, I don't know anything about packages as we have never booked that way.

Have you checked booking directly with Universal/Loews? Once you book if the price lowers you can call and get the reduced rate applied to your booking. With a package including flights you're stuck with the cost.

Also check BA......have read from others they have some good prices for hotels. Again, you won't get a lower rate if Loews reduce prices.

AP does give you a good discount, but so does the Stay More Save More which you would be eligible for staying for 14 nights. Check out all these before you book anything.

TC have some really good flight only prices too at times I hear.

And 14 nights won't be too much.......we have 18 nights and never want to leave RPR and Universal.

 

[Daniel Clarke]

Dan, I don't know anything about packages as we have never booked that way.

Have you checked booking directly with Universal/Loews? Once you book if the price lowers you can call and get the reduced rate applied to your booking. With a package including flights you're stuck with the cost.

Also check BA......have read from others they have some good prices for hotels. Again, you won't get a lower rate if Loews reduce prices.

AP does give you a good discount, but so does the Stay More Save More which you would be eligible for staying for 14 nights. Check out all these before you book anything.

TC have some really good flight only prices too at times I hear.

And 14 nights won't be too much.......we have 18 nights and never want to leave RPR and Universal.

I've had a look at Loews and they're offering $3,800 for the 14nights - so roughly £1,300 a person. Is there likely to be much movement in this price? Appreciate you may not know the answer to that and if you did it's only best guess anyway!

 

[schumigirl]

So far out prices will be high, they always are.

Obviously no guarantees, but I would assume they would come down from what they are now. People who book rack rate so far out do expect them to drop. A year is a long way out.

It is a tough choice to make I know........

 

[macraven]

The SMSM rate would give you up to a 35% discount on the longer stay than the AP rate

I ve been using it the past 4 stays and I do have the AP

If you book the room on your own, you can modify it if the room price drops

If you have a package, you can not

 

[angryduck71]

I would suggest holding out on booking, look at APH rates or SMSM rates -- booking directly with the hotel. ALSO, keep watch on cheaptickets.com for discounts. They give you the SMSM rates AND a discount a lot of times. You might book your flight earlier -- that might be cheaper booking earlier, but I wouldn't worry about room yet. And, you don't have to have your annual pass in your hand to get an annual pass rate if you go that route. I will be there in early June as well for a week and jumping over to Disney for a day or two. We usually go late May/early June. With an express pass if you stay in a premium resort - it's a great time to go!

 

[macraven]

Hi,

Appreciate this is a little early, but just wanted some general advice.

Myself and girlfriend are looking to come to Florida in 2017 after spending this summer over there.

We are planning on staying on-site at Universal, and will get cab/uber to Disney on the occasions we wish to spend time there. We were a little worried if 14 days would be too much at a Universal Hotel, though on reflection I think we spent all bar 1 night at Universal during our 14 night stay previously!

Financially it's not really an issue, but when would be the best time to try and book.

Thanks,

after a 5 night stay at disney, i move to onsite at universal for a 14 night stay.

for me, i never worry how i will pass the time at rpr.



you'll do fine and since you are breaking up your trip with side adventures to disney, the time will fly by.