Lots of ???? about staying onsite and park passes..

[edk35]

I know that it is BEST to stay at one of the resorts and is there ONE that is closest to the park? Are they all within walking distance?? Is there a strategy as to which one to stay at as far as ease of getting into the parks?? Our oldest is 23 and youngest 15 if that makes a difference. I also see that the NEW resort does not give you the EXPRESS PASS (I think that is what the pass is called). We have been to US before, but both times we went in Jan. and the last time the first part of HP was open. It was NOT bad at all crowd wise, but that is because it was in JAN.

Park Passes: I can get discounted tickets at Shades of Green on WDW or at out local base. Should we get park to park or one park each day??? We have used both on previous trips but with the new HP world... what would be the best?? We are looking at at least 2 nights at the resort.... so basically can we see and do it all in 2 days, 1 day????....... with the new stuff and with the express pass???

We are staying at WDW for the first 5-6 days then want to try US. Any tips, suggestions.. WOULD BE SO APPRECIATED. THANKS SO VERY MUCH.

 

[mevelandry]

I think the closest is Hard Rock Hotel but Royal Pacific is also just a 5-7 minutes walk (on a beautiful path, we loved it!) from Citywalk. Royal Pacific is a bit less expensive than Hard Rock.

I was a bit skeptic but turns out that we REALLY appreciated the fact to be able to just go and relax a bit at the hotel during the day and go back to the parks later.

I went to US four days in my life. Only 1 of them we had no express pass and we regretted it. So when early entry for HP and Express Passes are the perks of staying at the hotel... it's a fantastic option.

I cannot give you much informations about Cabana Bay since we won't stay there until november but apparently, there will be/there is a walking path as well... and it's REALLY affordable. The money you'd save by booking Cabana Bay could be enough to buy express passes (you should check).

I'm a big fan of park-to-park tickets since US is more inside attractions and IOA is more outside attractions, depending on the weather, you can pick your park/attractions accordingly.

 

[edk35]

I think the closest is Hard Rock Hotel but Royal Pacific is also just a 5-7 minutes walk (on a beautiful path, we loved it!) from Citywalk. Royal Pacific is a bit less expensive than Hard Rock.

I was a bit skeptic but turns out that we REALLY appreciated the fact to be able to just go and relax a bit at the hotel during the day and go back to the parks later.

I went to US four days in my life. Only 1 of them we had no express pass and we regretted it. So when early entry for HP and Express Passes are the perks of staying at the hotel... it's a fantastic option.

I cannot give you much informations about Cabana Bay since we won't stay there until november but apparently, there will be/there is a walking path as well... and it's REALLY affordable. The money you'd save by booking Cabana Bay could be enough to buy express passes (you should check).

I'm a big fan of park-to-park tickets since US is more inside attractions and IOA is more outside attractions, depending on the weather, you can pick your park/attractions accordingly.

Thanks for the reply. I see that the express pass if bought seperately is for ONE ride on each ride that has express. Is there an unlimited one you can buy?? I would be able to buy our park passes at a military base for a discount but does the unlimited one have to be purchased with park passes online? Thanks

 

[mjohnson96]

HRH is the closest to US and RPH is closest to IOA, PBH is further but they have the largest rooms of the 3 with HRH coming in a 2nd. If you can swing it though HRH has the Deluxe rooms that have 2 Q and a pull out sofa that might be good for your family.

I would never suggest to buy the express passes before going but it looks like you will be going in August and it will still be pretty busy. For a family of 4 it will still be less to get a room at one of the 3 then have to purchase an unlimted EP for each member of the group for each day. For my family of 4 we always come out ahead in the numbers when doing that.

Look at buying 1 power pass, the black out dates end Aug 14th so you shoudl be good if I am looking at your signature correct for your dates. This will let you get discounts on the hotel rooms (use promo code APH when checking dates).

I would suggest going for at least 2 days, the lines will still be long for DA and they might not have EP open for the new rides there but you will get early entry. Remember 1 night at the hotel gets you 2 days of express passes too.

 

[edk35]

HRH is the closest to US and RPH is closest to IOA, PBH is further but they have the largest rooms of the 3 with HRH coming in a 2nd. If you can swing it though HRH has the Deluxe rooms that have 2 Q and a pull out sofa that might be good for your family.

I would never suggest to buy the express passes before going but it looks like you will be going in August and it will still be pretty busy. For a family of 4 it will still be less to get a room at one of the 3 then have to purchase an unlimted EP for each member of the group for each day. For my family of 4 we always come out ahead in the numbers when doing that.

Look at buying 1 power pass, the black out dates end Aug 14th so you shoudl be good if I am looking at your signature correct for your dates. This will let you get discounts on the hotel rooms (use promo code APH when checking dates).

I would suggest going for at least 2 days, the lines will still be long for DA and they might not have EP open for the new rides there but you will get early entry. Remember 1 night at the hotel gets you 2 days of express passes too.

What is a power pass??? Do I purchase that before making the room ressies???

 

[RMulieri]

ALL of the resorts are within walking distance.The closest to the parks are HRH and Royal pacific.Portofino is furthest, but still walkable and has the largest rooms.All 3 of these also offer dedicated boats to citywalk ( citywalk connects with the parks).They also have a shuttle bus.Cabana Bay does not offer the express pass, has a walking path and busses only.Honestly, we stay at PBH on our visitis and the walk is very pleasant along a beautiful path and not that bad.Pool hopping is allowed between all of the resorts.For park tickets, If you are at all interested in riding the Hogwarts express, you will need a park to park ticket to ride.

 

[bumbershoot]

What is a power pass??? Do I purchase that before making the room ressies???

Power Pass is their lowest form of Annual Pass, and if you look at the prices you might be amazed. It has blockout dates, as mentioned, but if your dates start after the block lifts, then it will get you in the parks.

You do NOT have to have it before you make reservations. I go here when I'm making room reservations at Universal; shows them all to me easily. The Power Pass now gives an AP discount on the resorts, when and if an AP discount is available. Go to that site, (as mentioned) enter in "APH" to the code field, and if there's an AP rate available at that time for your dates, it will show up. If that rate isn't available at that time for your dates, it will show the next lowest publicly available rate. If a rate shows up, you can book it and then at some point before your trip buy the Power Pass.

(be sure to get the NON-FL resident pass if you don't live in FL, by the way)

 

[mjohnson96]

Power Pass is their lowest form of Annual Pass, and if you look at the prices you might be amazed. It has blockout dates, as mentioned, but if your dates start after the block lifts, then it will get you in the parks.

You do NOT have to have it before you make reservations. I go here when I'm making room reservations at Universal; shows them all to me easily. The Power Pass now gives an AP discount on the resorts, when and if an AP discount is available. Go to that site, (as mentioned) enter in "APH" to the code field, and if there's an AP rate available at that time for your dates, it will show up. If that rate isn't available at that time for your dates, it will show the next lowest publicly available rate. If a rate shows up, you can book it and then at some point before your trip buy the Power Pass.

(be sure to get the NON-FL resident pass if you don't live in FL, by the way)

And you only need 1 per room....but be warned if you do buy a pass then you are going to be tempted to go back and use it again

 

[mevelandry]

Thanks for the reply. I see that the express pass if bought seperately is for ONE ride on each ride that has express. Is there an unlimited one you can buy?? I would be able to buy our park passes at a military base for a discount but does the unlimited one have to be purchased with park passes online? Thanks

I'm pretty sure you can buy the Express Pass online separately.

There is an unlimited Express Pass but it's very expensive... (90$ I think)

 

[edk35]

THANKS EVERYONE.....


Now my husband is thinking that even staying on site mid Aug. with all the new stuff...it still might be REALLY CROWDED. What do you think???

 

[RMulieri]

THANKS EVERYONE.....


Now my husband is thinking that even staying on site mid Aug. with all the new stuff...it still might be REALLY CROWDED. What do you think???

It will likely still be crowded, but alot more manageable staying onsite than attempting to do it offsite.If he is expecting low crowds in mid-August, he will be disappointed.Crowds don't start to die off till around labor day and that was before the HP expansion

 

[edk35]

It will likely still be crowded, but alot more manageable staying onsite than attempting to do it offsite.If he is expecting low crowds in mid-August, he will be disappointed.Crowds don't start to die off till around labor day and that was before the HP expansion

Yeah I think it will be crowded too.