Never stayed at Universal - need advice

[gracelrm]

We've never stayed at Universal, but DD17 is dead set on going to see the Harry Potter attraction during our fall break. From our past experiences of going to Universal (2 or 3 times), we've learned the front of the line access is the only way to go. So, we want to stay at Royal Pacific to get that privilege. I could use any advice you can give on how to get the best rates for this trip. We could stay for up to 5 nights, have AAA, and will need tickets. Please tell me how to do this trip for the least amount of money. I usually plan Disney trips and know all the ends and outs of Disney - don't know anything about Universal.

TIA

 

[damo]

For the least amount of money stay the 5 nights when the stay more, save more rate is available. You should be able to get a rate of about $134/night. Just go to the website www.loewshotels.com

You don't need to type in any special codes. The stay more save more rate will come up if it is available.

Come back and repost if you have any difficulties.

When is your fall break?

For booking tickets, the cheapest rates are at maple leaf tickets. Go to this thread to learn all about it: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2475497

 

[gracelrm]

Thanks Damo! Our fall break is Oct. 4-8. We will probably arrive on Oct. 3rd and I found the Stay more/Save more rate is available while we would be there. A couple of more questions if you don't mind. When we go to Disney, we either have park hoppers or an annual pass - so we are able to go to two parks in one day. Do you think it is that necessary to have that option at Universal? I don't think we'd be doing the Halloween nights, but it will be going on while we are there. Will the days it is offered be way more crowded in the parks or not?

 

[Marquibiri]

Thanks Damo! Our fall break is Oct. 4-8. We will probably arrive on Oct. 3rd and I found the Stay more/Save more rate is available while we would be there. I don't think we'd be doing the Halloween nights, but it will be going on while we are there. Will the days it is offered be way more crowded in the parks or not?

Halloween Horror Nights will be taking place on the 3rd, 7th and 8th during your stay. The 8th is a Friday so it should be a bit more crowded, especially during the afternoons, but I think you will generally be ok.

Park tickets for four days will only be about 10 more dollars if you choose park to park access. I highly recommend it though, you never know if you would like to change park. Besides this, during HHN, the park closes an hour earlier, so you could hop over to Islands of Adventure.

Marquibiri

 

[damo]

I highly recommend the park hoppers as well. It just makes it that much more fun and allows you to do your favorites in both parks.

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Oops! Double Post

 

[Worfiedoodles]

You'll have to do the calculations, but I found it less expensive to purchase one AP, and then have an APH rate for the rooms -- enough that it made sense to do it. This will vary with room rates, you will have to do some math to determine if that is a better deal for you.

Sometimes I use my AAA, sometimes APH -- usually AAA is better, but it's worth checking. I also call right before we go to see if the APH rate has gone down. I did that in January and saved another $130!

I concur that park to park is the way to go -- you will want to have that flexibility!

Maria

 

[karibritt01]

Hate to hijack a thread, but...

I am thinking of getting the Orlando Flex tickets for our stay there. If I stay at a Universal resort during the days we will visit US and IOA, will we still be able to get the FOTL access? Wasn't sure if this is a hotel perk or part of a package. What about the all-day dining? And is that good at any of the City Walk restaurants, too?

 

[damo]

Hate to hijack a thread, but...

I am thinking of getting the Orlando Flex tickets for our stay there. If I stay at a Universal resort during the days we will visit US and IOA, will we still be able to get the FOTL access? Wasn't sure if this is a hotel perk or part of a package. What about the all-day dining? And is that good at any of the City Walk restaurants, too?

FOTL is a hotel park. It is not dependent upon tickets or anything else. The dining plan is simply counter service and not worth it. Universal has some great dining options, none of which are included in the dining plan.