Need Planning Help

[warriorboy648]

Hi, we spent 12 days at Disney in August and had a great time. The only complaint was from the 3 teens that they wanted more exciting rides. From what I have read Universal is the place.

Now, here's the question. We plan on going again next August, how many days would you recommend at Universal if we are doing a split trip?

We definitely want to stay at a Universal hotel. What would be the most economical if we are a family of 7? Also, what does a room at one of these hotels run?
Thanks for the help!!

 

[twoprincesses]

We did not stay at a Universal hotel, however, we did Universal in two days and saw everything. We bought the Express Passes so we zipped through the lines pretty quickly and it was July (so hot!) so these we great. Since you will be staying at a Universal hotel, these passes will be included with your stay. Your teens will love Island of Adventure if they are thrill seekers.

 

[calgarygary]

Your teens will absolutely love US/IOA and front of the line that staying onsite gives you. Unfortunately, I don't think any room at an onsite hotel will accomodate 7 so you will be looking at 2 rooms. If you can plan your trip at the end of August, you can expect room rates to be lower (and crowds) then early or mid August. There are usually some discounts available such as AAA, annual pass or supersaver. With a family of 7, I would not consider staying offsite and buying express passes as twoprincesses did as the cost of the passes would pay for your room onsite.

 

[bubba's mom]

Your teens will absolutely love US/IOA and front of the line that staying onsite gives you. Unfortunately, I don't think any room at an onsite hotel will accomodate 7 so you will be looking at 2 rooms. If you can plan your trip at the end of August, you can expect room rates to be lower (and crowds) then early or mid August. There are usually some discounts available such as AAA, annual pass or supersaver. With a family of 7, I would not consider staying offsite and buying express passes as twoprincesses did as the cost of the passes would pay for your room onsite.

I agree with all this.... staying onsite will be cheaper later in Aug and even getting 2 rooms (with unlimited FOTL) will be cheaper than staying offsite and buying the Express Passes (which, are only good one time per ride). Royal Pacific Resort (RPR) is usually the cheapest of the 3 hotels. As far as your question of how many days..... one night gets you 2 days of Express Entrance. Your checkin and checkout day. So, if you stay 2 nights onsite, you'll get 3 days of Express Entrance.... I would do at least 2...having teenagers who want some thrills....3 or 4. Of course 5 would be more than enough....maybe...... (Figure at least 2-3 tho...seriously)

 

[Darcy03231]

We just spent two weeks in Orlando (8/10 - 8/24). We bought the Orlando 5 Park Flex passes and stayed off-site. We spent 3 days in US and 3 days in IOA. If you stay on-site you should be able to do both parks in 2-3 days. Since we didn't have the express pass we got their early in the morning when the parks opened and stayed until about 1-2 pm. By that time it was getting really crowded and hot/humid. We managed to see/do everying at least once and some of the favorites more than once. Since we had so much time we didn't feel we had to stay in the parks all day to get everything in. If you decide to stay off-site I would plan to spend more time there, 4-5 days.