NEED HELP.. 1st Universal/christmas ..

[Cheryle423]

Well.. I have been reading these boards for quite awhile and now I think I'm finally ready to post my questions.. and there are a lot!

First.. I'm new to all these forums, but there seems to be alot of info out there so here I go.

We are planning our first Christmas-time trip to WDW and Universal. We have been to WDW many times, always on property. Never been to Universal.. we were thinking 2 days Universal, 3 days Disney. here are my questions:

Which part to do first?
What do you do for transportation.. we were not going to rent a car, but if need be, would.
Got the dates for MVMCP, so definitely want to do them.
Is FOTL really important in the beginning of December? We were thinking Royal Pacific...
Got a Loews card, and also getting a FAN club card.. how did some of you get Royal for less than $190??

When should I call for reservations?
I am nervous about Universal.. the comfort thing, as we know WDW so well!!! But with these boards I'm sure we will have answera to all my questions! Thanks for all your research and help!

 

[Teris]

Hi Cheryle

We stayed at the RPR the first week in December 2003. I got a Preferred Annual Pass last summer, so I was able to get our room for $119.00 with that discount. I didn't start trying to book until October tho. I kept checking the Loews website and keying in my discount code to check on the prices. Once it got down to where I was happy,, I booked it online.

I was the same about trying Universal when we went the first time. Once we got there tho, yes, it's different from Disney,, but not in a bad way,, just different. I love it now, and probably won't be back to Disney until the new attraction at AK opens in 2006.

We have done the 'Disney/Universal' split before, and we just arranged another towncar to take us from where we were staying at Disney, to the RPR. Last December we rented a car after leaving Universal, but only because we were going down to the Keys for a week instead of Disney. If you are just going to be between the two tho,, I don't know if you need to rent a car. Plus they charge $6.00 a day if you need to park a car at any of the Hotels at Universal. One reason we wait til checkout day if we are going to rent one.

One thing I would consider,, is doing Disney first,, because you will find that the FOTL thing at IOA and Universal does make a difference. Most of the queues in early December won't be very long, except for the very popular ones, and that's when you will be glad to have your room key. You are just able to enjoy yourself alot more, when you are spending less time queueing.

I have a few pics from our December trip, including the Christmas Tree they had in the lobby.

You will have fun

 

[bjakmom]

Welcome to the DIS !

We'll be at RP the first week of Dec also ! I currently have an AP rate of 129.-, but did have an Ent rate of 142.- (std view) - you might want to check if they have any more Ent rates for your dates - you can always get the book/card after/if you get the reservation with that rate - and if you haven't, I would call for reservations ASAP - they have a 5 day cancellation window if your plans change. We have always rented a car, we just love the freedom to come and go on our own.

We have been combining Universal/WDW for the last few trips and love our time at USF. It is more relaxing to us than WDW because we can walk right to the parks and use FOTL (invaluable - one of the reasons you have lots more time to RELAX!!!). If we stay before WDW, we use the time to relax 'into' our vacation - if we stay post WDW we use the time to relax 'from' our vacation !!

There are several great holiday additions at USF/IOA also - we love the "Whoville" show and kids love seeing the grinch - there used to be a Macy's Xmas parade at USF - not sure if that still runs. Now that our youngest is a teen, spending time at both 'worlds' makes everyone happy !!!

 

[Teris]

They still do the Macy's Christmas Parade. The first one for the season was done while we were there. They pick people out of the guest crowd early in the day to be 'balloon handlers' and they get to help with the Macy's Balloons, just like you would see in New York (slightly smaller maybe,,lol). What is neat, is that after the parade, they hold a little Christmas party for those who helped 'handle the balloons'. They put out a huge spread of food for them, free sodas, etc. This is just after park closing that they hold this party. We saw the spread, and wished we had been chosen, as it looked like good fun

I have to mention,, the reason we didnt' book until October wasn't stratigy,, it was because we didn't decide to go until then. Definately book now, and keep checking the rates for the Entertainment card, or fanclub card, because if you see a lower rate, it's easy to change your ressie.

 

[Cheryle423]

Well, you guys are all great.. this helps alot. I think we will do Disney first, probably POFQ, we have stayed there before and like the fact it is small, and has a nice hot tub!

Now I just have to do the air fare first, then call for our ressies.
I will keep reading these boards for all your help!

By the way, is there a hot tub area at Royal Pacific? Is there anywhere that has maps posted of this resort, to help decide which part of hotel to ask for?

Also.. forgot to ask, should I buy the 5 for 2 ticket that is available on line now?

Thanks again.. Can't wait to be there!
Cheryle