Most cost effective approach to a stay...

[asafko]

We are a family of 5 adults driving down to do Disney and Universal. Most important part is Epic Universe but we love all parks. It will be in August and hoping to say at the Portofino (we don't mind doing a rollaway so it will be one room). I am trying to decide if the discounts given for annual passholders would have it make sense for me to purchase one for me to use for both hotel and ticket discounts for the others. What would be the pros and cons of doing this? Thanks!!!

 

[CAPSLOCK]

You can check for AP hotel rates for your dates now, you don't need to wait until you have an AP in hand. You can book the room now too, which would be a good idea since the rates & availability do change. Note there is an extra adult charge for more than 2 adults in a room, at the EP hotels I believe it is $55/night.

The main con right now is that the AP doesn't include any Epic access. So your AP holder would need to buy additional single day tickets for any Epic days.

In Aug you shouldn't have to worry about blackout dates and parts of Aug and Sept are Universal's passholder appreciation days which have some extra AP benefits, like food discounts for even the lowest tier AP.

The other "con" with an AP is the urge to add more trips since you already have admission... Right now there is a 3month free promotion, you can buy the AP now and wait to Aug to activate, and it would be good through next Nov. An excuse to come back for holiday happenings...

 

[Grumpy92]

We find the hotel, dining, and merchandise discounts worth the AP.