Need advice on w1st trip Dec 18- 21 or 22

[mbatemantx]

I have been reading the forums regularly now and am working on planning a trip in December. Based on advice I have a room reserved at the RPR with an AP discount, however today I saw Southwest has a good sale on their packages so I am going that route.

My question is if the onsite hotel and perks are worth $600 more that staying at the Doubletree? Will the crowds be bad that time of year? (from what I have read it is usually less crowded the week before Christmas than the week after)

This is what I am estimating for 4 people (Mom, Dad, 18YO, 15YO) all big Harry Potter fans, mixed on rides.

My original plan on site came to $2994 for air, hotel and passes Southwest at HRH came in at $2685 and at Doubletree for $2086 or add a day to Doubletree for $160 or $2241.

I am thinking that adding a day and saving $400 will give us a chance to see and do everything, and we could use that to go to a nice dinner.

 

[Metro West]

The crowds shouldn't be too bad on those dates...busy but nothing compared to after Christmas. I think you would be OK to stay offsite and save some money although onsite is very nice. You wouldn't get early to WWoHP unless you book a package through Universal but if you are going to spend a few days at the parks, that won't matter.

 

[mbatemantx]

Thanks for the info. If we were going when it was crowded I would definitely stay on site. I am just trying to measure the value of early entry and fast pass vs. another day. It seems like a good deal for the package.

 

[LaceyLace]

If you're staying offsite, make sure to factor in rental car cost and daily parking rates into your comparison. We were contemplating the same thing, but once we factored in car costs, we found that staying onsite was actually comparable to staying offsite. And at that point, it's a no-brainer

 

[Ddennis37]

We are planning our trip during the same timeframe (15-22) and decided to stay on site because we've never stayed on site at Unviersal Orlando properties. Our trips have always been to The World with day trips to Universal. This time no Disney so we decided, what the heck, let's splurge and stay onsite. In addition, we assumed it would be crowded during the time we went and that played another huge part in why we are staying on-site: the free express pass. That way we can sleep in if we want and have the special line to get in regardless of crowds.

Where ever we go, we always try to stay on site because of the convenience. But we also get a rental car because we usually go many places. We are planning to go to Kennedy Space Center, Discovery Cove (with their free ticket to SeaWorld, Busch Gardens or Aquatica), and possibly Coco Beach.

I've heard great things about the Universal on-site properties and I'm excited to stay there for the first time. Have a blast on your trip.

 

[Kasper1014]

Hi neighbor! We're from San Antonio and plan on being there the same exact dates.

We'll be staying at the RPR.

 

[mbatemantx]

Thanks for everyone's help. I ended up booking the package through Southwest for the Hard Rock since it was still about $350 under what we were planning to spend we decided to go with on site. We are all looking forward to it.http://www.wdwinfo.com/images/smilies/cheer2.gif (The kids agreed that they did not need a broom as a souvenir,so that saves some cost)

Kasper1014 Howdy back, we are in Houston. We were in SA this past summer on a foodie type road trip. A few days in SA and then up to DFW we had a great time and are planning on going back to go to Dough Pizzeria again.

 

[JAL2525]

I agree with LaceyLace...with the cost of the rental car it usually works out the same or very close. We've stayed onsite HRH and really enjoy the fact you can walk right to the park.

I see you ended up at the HRH also...hopefully the weather is warm this year and your really going to enjoy the pool and the activities.

 

[Southernmiss]

We are also going to be at Universal Studios Dec 16-22nd. Looking forwrad to WWOHP as we haven't been to Universal since it opened. Staying at RPR and doing a MVMCP at Magic Kingdom on Sunday, December 18th. From the posts on this board of those going the same dates, it's beginning to sound crowded at least with DISboarders!