Need help planning first trip to IOA

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Hi everyone. We are planning on spending a weekend at IOA, arriving Friday morning and leaving Sunday morning (in May). We'd like to focus on IOA (we'd go there on the Saturday, and maybe Friday too). Is this a bad time to visit? And, also, how about hotels? We'd need 2 rooms, and I don't want to spend more than $150/night each. Do we even have a chance at getting one of the onsite hotels? I'd really love the FOTL. We could also use priceline, which we'd probably get either the Renaissance Sea World or the JW Marriott Grande Lakes. Are these close to IOA?

Any suggestions would be appreciated!

 

[Metro West]

Here are a couple of websites you can check out:

www.universalorlando.com
www.universal-excitement.com

 

[4greatboys]

I have stayed onsite for under $150 but its a been a couple of years. We stayed at the RPR for $129 per room (2002), HRH deluxe room for $160 (2003 Ent book rate) and last year RPR club level for $209 per night APH rate. This year we did get a passholder rate for HRH @ $224 (which is only about $20 under rack) for Oct.
May should be a good time because pretty much everyone is still in school. You can always use the Express pass or buy the Express pass booklet for 1 pass to each ride.

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Thanks for the responses. What is the express pass, and how much is it? Thanks!

 

[johnvree]

Sadly, I think the days of $150 a night on-site are on their way out. We stayed at the RPR last May and paid about $150 by getting a great discount through the Entertainment Book (just some coupon book you buy for about $20). This year, UO did away with that discount. The only available discounts that I know of are AAA and AP. I doubt that either of these will get the price as low as $150 for next May. But you may get close with a AP discount.

May is a great time to go. The weather is great and the crowds were not bad at all. This will not be the case for Memorial Day weekend, however.

Universal has two types of express pass. The first is free and very similar to Disney's FastPass, except you have the option of choosing between two time windows instead of one with FP. Basically, you can only hold one Express Pass at a time. The second type is one you buy. It is very close to FOTL access for on-site guests, except it is limited to one per ride I believe. It is a bit expensive. Chances are, by the time you buy the Express Passes, you could afford to stay on-site.

Have fun.