Need help planing a universal trip

[kakiegirl]

Hey! Everyone, I am trying to plan a trip to US and could use some advice. When I go on the US site 4 days at their least expensive hotel costs almost what a week at Disney at a Value Resort Costs us. Are there any tips to saving money, I ordered a free Lowes card but I don't know what if any discount that gives you. Is getting an anual pass worthwhile, or is it hard to get a discount that way? Would really love to stay onsite because of convience and the FOTL access, but it is just a little out of our budget for a long weekend trip, any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Patch'sD]

If you are going for four days, the best bet would be to get a annual pass. This allows you to get a 30% reduction on rack rates at the three Universal Hotels. The thing to do is to call the reservations number and ask for Annual Pass Discounts. The three Universal Hotels, Royal Pacific, Hard Rock, and Portofino compare more to the Disney Deluxe Resorts. I would put the Portonfino a notch up on the Grand Flordian. The Hard Rock would compare to any of the remaining Disney Deluxe Resorts. The Royal Pacific Room layout is like a Disney Moderate, However the Hotel itself is more like a Deluxe Resort. Comparing them to a Disney Value Resort is doing them an injustice.

The most important aspect in my opinion which is priceless is the front of the line benefit. By Staying at the Universal Resort, You the guest is intitled to bypassing the regular lines and on average not waiting more than fifteen minutes when others are waiting an hour. Compare that to Disney

The Annual Pass also gets you a 10 to 15% discount on Dinning at most Citywalk Restuarants and a 10% discount on any Souveniors that you purchase at the Shops in the park. Compare that to Disney

The cost of the pass is $ 189.00. The others in your party can get two day tickets to both parks that have a two day bonus for a total of four consective days at the price of $ 99.00 each. Compare that to Disney.

Hope this helps and Enjoy the Parks, You will be amazed.

 

['Canes Fan]

actually, our AP's give us a 20% discount on merchandise in the parks and in Citywalk. life's good at UO.

 

[robvia]

Do you have an AAA card? Many have been using that code.
Go back to the reservations screen and try using a code of AAA and then APH.
The Royal Pacific Resort is worth the stay, even if it costs more than the All Stars over at Disney. The rooms are nothing fancy, but the pool is nice, and you get FOTL.
Save up the extra money and call it a splurge trip.

This year, my rate was $210. I've heard others saying they are getting rates of $229 for next year. Yes, that's double what you could pay for at the All Stars, but you'll have a great time being able to walk to/from the parks.

 

[Snoopymom]

You're in GA? The Florida resident rate is usually available for GA residents, but when I just went on their site to give you the link, it now asks for your FL zip code, so I'm not sure? Anyone know?

With the resident rate, the Royal Pacific for the last few months has been between $129 and $159, which is a great deal since it's comparable to Disney's Deluxes.

Sometimes they also offer resident deals on their tickets. We got power passes last Spring for about $100, so the ticket prices can make up for the difference in the hotel expense....even more economical if you take several small trips throughout the year like we do.

We haven't stayed in any of them yet, but there are a few nice hotels right across the street, and if you don't stay on site with front of the line access, you can still have a great time without waiting in lines if you get to the parks early, because most of the people staying on site sleep in. Parking and walking to the entrances is very quick and easy compared to Disney, so not being able to stay on-site has not been a deal breaker for us.

Hope this helps a little.

 

[webray]

4 days at universals lowest price hotel costs almost as much as a week at a disney value..exactly. You can't compare universals royal pacific to a disney value resort. When comparing prices you would need to compare royal pacific to a disney deluxe resort (yacht/beach club).

Check your local newspaper, universals website, call universal directly and ask about GA resident rate. Loewsfirst really doesn't give you discounts anymore, and you don't get the benefits unless you book the higher rate.
AAA could also help you if you are a member. Costco travel could maybe help.


Good luck with your planning, once you stay at a Univesal resort you will find it hard to go back to a disney resort.

 

[kakiegirl]

Thanks for all your great advice. We will have to stay off site this year at Christmas but I am planning us a on-site trip for next spring and ya'll have given me some helpfull tips. I think we may go with the annual passes. We are only 4 hours away so we could make several weekend trips.

 

[robvia]

There's nothing wrong with staying off site. I do it all the time, even made web pages with pictures here.
http://www.nogodforme.com/offsite.htm
http://www.nogodforme.com/hiltongardeninn.htm
http://www.nogodforme.com/Amerisuites.htm

I'm driving up Oct 1st for HHN staying at the Best Western.

We stay on site once a year as a splurge trip. If staying off site, all you need to do is arrive really early, and you can beat the crowd.