New to Universal..looking for best time to book

[Sdolores]

Hello,
I am attempting to get back to Universal for the first time in 25 years. I have done Disney often and I know the ins/outs, but I was looking for some advice. We would like to stay at the Royal Pacific (The cheapest hotel that offers the express pass). We are looking for 2 nights in late June of 2019. Does Universal ever offer discounts? Is there any to save some money on the room? Any advice would help.

Thanks

 

[pattyw]

Universal doesn't offer room discounts like Disney- They have the stay more, save more discount but that won't start until you stay 3 nights. They offer significant annual passholder room discounts if an annual pass purchase is something you are interested in purchasing. You only need one AP to secure the room discount. They have many levels of annual passes to fit your budget. And if you plan to return within a year, it is a great value! Your AP will also get you merchandise and food discounts.

Royal Pacific hotel is beautiful and you will love it there! It's a good idea to book well in advance before the less expensive room types book up. The hotels that offer the unlimited express pass are very popular!

 

[nkereina]

I'll echo the PP that the annual pass and passholder rates are worthwhile in many cases. Even if you don't plan to return within a year, if you are planning 3+ park days on a trip, the AP cost is often a negligible price difference from a 3 day park to park ticket. Couple that with the food and merchandise discounts and AP rates at the resorts, and it's a great value. We've found AP rates at Hard Rock can be comparable to Royal Pacific, so it may even open up other resort options for you too.

If I were you, I'd book the room at any point and keep an eye on the prices. The stay more save more rates and annual passholder rates usually aren't released until much closer to your travel dates. You can always call and change to the better rate as you find them. If you decide not to go with the annual pass, Undercover Tourist is a great web site to buy discounted tickets.

 

[Jrits]

Does the annual pass include the free fast pass?

 

[pattyw]

Does the annual pass include the free fast pass?

The only AP that includes express pass is the Premier. We just upgraded ours to Premier and we get an after 4pm express pass- good for one time on each ride. We used it last weekend when we stayed at Sapphire Falls. The parks were open to 10pm and we made some good use of it. The Premier also includes a free HHN ticket (not Saturday night) free preferred and valet parking, and better discounts on food and merchandise 15% vs 10%.

 

[SG131]

Universal doesn't offer room discounts like Disney- They have the stay more, save more discount but that won't start until you stay 3 nights. They offer significant annual passholder room discounts if an annual pass purchase is something you are interested in purchasing. You only need one AP to secure the room discount. They have many levels of annual passes to fit your budget. And if you plan to return within a year, it is a great value! Your AP will also get you merchandise and food discounts.

Can I ask a follow-up question? Do you ever see AP discounts on the “value” hotels?

 

[pattyw]

Can I ask a follow-up question? Do you ever see AP discounts on the “value” hotels?

Absolutely! I see Cabana Bay all the time! We just got a great AP rate for Sapphire Falls last week. I think because the deluxes(PB, HRH,RPH) offer unlimited EP, they sometimes sell out sooner than SF and CB.

In fact, the AP rates are sometimes so good that you can pay for the AP by staying three nights at a deluxe with the AP rate!! They could be as high as $150/night savings!

 

[SG131]

Absolutely! I see Cabana Bay all the time! We just got a great AP rate for Sapphire Falls last week. I think because the deluxes(PB, HRH,RPH) offer unlimited EP, they sometimes sell out sooner than SF and CB.

In fact, the AP rates are sometimes so good that you can pay for the AP by staying three nights at a deluxe with the AP rate!! They could be as high as $150/night savings!

Thanks! What was originally a day trip to universal 2nd week in December is now a 3 day 2 night trip and with how affordable the AP are, it looks like that might be the way to go (and will give me an excuse to stay onsite).