All Universal on-site experts!! What is the least expensive time of the year to stay on-site??? How are the crowds then??? We missed Universal this last Florida trip and want to go back, but try to maximize $$$
November and early December with the exception of Thanksgiving week are good times. April and May are cheap too with crowds low except for school groups.
We went the end of Jan/beginning of Feb last year and stayed at HRH. While cheap (APH was $179), we felt like we didn't get the full benefit of FOTL....didn't really need it at the off peak time Heck, the first weekday we were there, EP lanes weren't even "open" because the crowds didn't warrant it. We actually LIKE going in the busy time....the FOTL makes it feel worth the money to stay onsite
But, anytime off peak is going to be the cheapest....
The cheapest rates I've gotten at the HRH were $129 per night (extra 15 bucks for weekends). This would have been the beginning of May of last year and the week of September 19th last year. So right before summer vacation and right when the schools go back into full swing ... as well as mid September being the height of hurricane season.
These were either APH rates or FL resident rates. I don't remember which!