NEED HELP - Considering 1 night at RPR

[JenNel85]

Hi everyone! I'm in desperate need of some guidance, and would appreciate any advice you can share!

Our party of three adults is traveling to Orlando for the middle two weeks in August. We have a (cheap!) off-site condo-style resort booked, all of our tickets to Disney, Universal, Sea World, Busch Gardens, etc., our dining reservations are made, and we're good to go...or so I thought. My sister is a huge Harry Potter fan, and we were considering buying the Express passes to try to avoid wasting our precious park time standing in ridiculously long lines...at a cost of an additional $255 for the three of us to use at US and IOA.

At the urging of some members on the Universal/IOA board, we've decided to consider booking one night at the Royal Pacific Resort to reap the FOTL passes, early entry to WWoHP, and other benefits. I've gone through the discount list on mousesavers.com, and tried every single hotel-booking website known to man, but I still can't seem to find anything cheaper than $219 a night (on Priceline), with the next option being $244 (directly through the Loews website). We're looking to do this as cheaply as we possibly can; unfortunately, I don't have AAA or access to any of the other discounts I've seen on mousesavers.com or discussed in other threads.

My first question: do I take the $200-$250 per night cost and run with it - especially since two days of Express passes will set us back the same amount of money - or is there some way I don't know about to shave a bit off those rates? I've only done on-line research thus far - is it possible to find even lower rates by making a phone call? If so, do I call the hotel directly, the reservations line, etc.?

Secondly, I've seen some conflicting reports about this, and just want to be ABSOLUTELY sure before I book a night in a pricey resort. Would we be able to obtain our FOTL passes super early in the morning on the day we're actually staying (it's a Monday) to take advantage of early admittance to WWoHP, and would we have access to FOTL all day on the Tuesday we check out, as well...or do they expire at some point, if check out is at 11am?

Thank you SO, SO much!

Jennifer

 

[schumigirl]

Can`t help with hotel prices as we always have a package with Virgin, flights included.

But you can check in as early as you like on the Monday to get the room key to be used as your express pass. You can also use it for the whole of the second day, you`re good for as long as the parks are open. They won`t expire on the Tuesday if you should check out at 11am.

It`s a fantastic hotel, hope you get a rate you are happy with.

 

[justprettynpink]

You can check AAA rates by calling.

You can check Annual Pass Rates by choosing promotion in the drop down box and then enter APH in the box.

 

[bubba's mom]

First...you can check in as early as you want. 7am if you want.

Second...if you can get a room for the same price or less than the cost of purchasing the Express Pass...do it. Room key gets you unlimited express access for 2 days...the EP you purchase is good ONE time PER attraction.

Get the room.

 

[JenNel85]

I did it! Thanks, everyone! After taxes and fees, we're spending $20 more on the room than what we'd spend on two days of Express Plus passes for three adults...but I'm thinking the FOTL access and early entry to WWoHP will be worth it!

 

[schumigirl]

I did it! Thanks, everyone! After taxes and fees, we're spending $20 more on the room than what we'd spend on two days of Express Plus passes for three adults...but I'm thinking the FOTL access and early entry to WWoHP will be worth it!

Fantastic That`s a good move.

I`m sure you`ll love staying there, especially having the express pass with room key. It`s a beautiful hotel with a great atmosphere.

Hope you all have a wonderful time

 

[bubba's mom]

....we're spending $20 more on the room than what we'd spend on two days of Express Plus passes for three adults...but I'm thinking the FOTL access and early entry to WWoHP will be worth it!

 

[JenNel85]

Haha, thanks again! Can't wait!