Just cancelled my HRH reservation for March..

[BriarfoxinWA]

I just couldn't justify the cost ($294/night) When I priced everything out - comparing WDW tickets & onsite hotel with US/IOA they were basically equal. However, with WDW I feel like I'm getting more for my money park wise.

The CSR I talked to, to cancel the reservation was very nice and wanted to know why I was cancelling. So I just told her the price was too high - unless there was a discounted rate available. So we went through the whole list - AAA, APH, ENT etc...nothing available. She indicated that they were nearly sold out for my dates (3/30-4/2). Since there are only a half a dozen rides that we really enjoy (wanted to try out the new Mummy ride really badly) I just can see paying that much. My kids are happy to be going back to WDW and there are tons of rides for us to enjoy...

Just bummed the whole US/IOA thing didn't work out...

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

Sorry to hear that. I love going to the HRH. Must say, however, we have never paid that much for a night! have fun at the World.

 

[highlander447]

Thats a shame but I agree to expensive

 

[MickeyMagic]

I think Universal needs to hear and feel this repeated message and then they'll bring back the discounts!

 

[AuroraluvsPhillip]

I am so upset about this too...The only reason I haven't cancelled yet is that we've never been to Universal and my DH really wants to stay at HRH. But 294 a night???!!! It's insane...I don't like drops and loopy coasters so I know I'll be doing alot of sitting around. I bet lots of folks will cancel and do longer trips at Disney with the longer MYW ticketing options. I'm sitting here with my FAN club, AAA and ENT card ready to go and I can't use them!

 

[mega13]

$264 was what I was quoted for HRH in January, and it was almost $300 for PBH. NO WAY! It's just insane! You can get a fabulous room at the Bellagio in Las Vegas for that much!

I don't know what on earth US is thinking, but unless they are including all meals, concierge service and providing end-of-the day massages (I know, wouldn't that be nice?) there's no way I could justify that cost.

The problem is, obviously SOMEONE is paying that kind of a rate. I keep hearing that the hotels are full. Who on earth are these people? Anywhoo, we're still going, but I have a standard room at RPH for $165. That's okay - my boyfriend hasn't ever been to US, and the FOTL passes are important. But I assure you, the bulk of our fun and spending will be at WDW. Too bad for US, but it doesn't look like they are that upset at losing our business.

 

[Beanie]

So sorry you had to cancel! I do agree though and I would never pay that price for a room! Outrageous! I do hope you enjoy your stay at Disney though!

Have a great trip!

 

[AuroraluvsPhillip]

Mega13,
You know who booked all those Universal hotel rooms...US!! Universal only has 3 hotels for FOTL, as opposed to all the Disney resorts, so these hotels booked up quickly. So Universal probably figures, travel is up, maybe we'll hold off on discount codes. Don't tell me that Disney doesn't watch this. So now's a good time for Disney to release their MYW program to lure people away from rack rates at US. I wonder if Universal will be forced at the last minute to offer discounts if enough people say screw this and cancel their Universal ressies.
We'll see....

 

[Disbug]

I just cancelled my HRH reservation for December... same reason, plus they would NOT let me adjust my reservation from 2 nights to just one night. I was staying HRH Club for 264/night. BUT, they DID find a one night room at PBH... go figure!

 

[gschmerl]

Don't blame Universal for all this. They do not own the hotels like Disney does. These are Loews hotels which are pretty expensive where ever they are located. I don't know how much influence (if any) the people at Universal would even have over the hotel prices. They base it on occupancy rates and as long as the hotels are full, we won't be seeing any discounts.

 

[BriarfoxinWA]

I'm sure that the "powers that be" at US work closely with the Loews execs regarding these hotels. It is a big draw for the hotels to have the FOTL and US to have the hotels so close.

Oh well, when they figure out that they are losing out to WDW due to the hotel prices - they'll come around. I thought the ticket prices were reasonable but not the hotels...

 

[highlander447]

The way I see it is that a lot of guests are booking at Rack Rates in advance hoping they can get discounts neare time but think about it if everyone does this the hotel thinks that they are booked up so y discount and punish the other guests for booking in advanvce, so perhaps the answer is stop booking if u are not prepared to pay the rate that you are booking at

 

[seabiscuit]

If you think that's bad try having a AP and not finding the rates any cheaper.

 

[BriarfoxinWA]

Seabiscuit - I'd be really mad if that were the case!

 

[robvia]

Wow, prices have really been going up. I'm seeing a trend from a bunch of people saying the same thing on these boards.
All is not lost, you can stay offsite and arrive early. Here are my pages with info for that.
http://www.nogodforme.com/orlando2004.htm

 

[BriarfoxinWA]

I thought really hard about staying offsite - first just the night we arrive, then considered staying offsite the entire time. I just figured that HRH or one of the onsite hotels have the best recreational facilities to keep my kids occupied. Since there are really only 1/2 dozen rides that they enjoy. Since the onsite hotel didn't work out - I'm opting to stay at a "suite-type" hotel near WDW. We can spend all day in the parks - with plenty of rides to keep them occupied. Then the facilities at the hotel aren't as important.

 

[zippehsmom]

I'm one of those people that decided to cancel at HRH. I just refuse to pay $260 per night, and I need two rooms. I figured I'm not going to let them think they have 2 rooms filled when they don't. I know it might not make a difference, but hey maybe others will think the way I do and cancel their ressie too.

BTW, when I mentioned to the US CM that if they did not have 1 room available, I would just have to go and stay at Disney. She said well that's your choice (I guess they don't want my money).

zippehsmom

 

[Bedknobs/Broomsticks]

I'm coming to the same conclusion, BriarfoxinWA. We also have ressies for 3/30-4/2 (but at RPR) and I'm having a hard time justifying the $264/night rate. C'mon, Universal, throw us a bone! We want to stay with you, but we don't want to pay this much!

 

[AlexandNessa]

The way I see it is that a lot of guests are booking at Rack Rates in advance hoping they can get discounts neare time but think about it if everyone does this the hotel thinks that they are booked up so y discount and punish the other guests for booking in advanvce, so perhaps the answer is stop booking if u are not prepared to pay the rate that you are booking at

ITA, Highlander. Do not book a room if you are not prepared to pay the rate you have booked. The hotels don't need to offer discounts if they can fill rooms at rack rates. The hotel doesn't know you'll cancel closer to the time if you can't get a discount.

 

[Mainebound]

Just wanted to add that I am right there with all of you. Haven't decided what to do yet -- don't have any rooms booked -- but I NEVER imagined we would not stay onsite at Universal this trip.

Thanks Robvia for the link and helpful info!