New to Universal - when do they tend to post hotel discounts?

[Zhaan]

I have never been to Universal. I've been reading here and other websites trying to decipher what we should do to get the best deal. Right now I'm looking at buying a power pass since we were planning to go for 3 days and staying in the least expensive deluxe resort to get the express pass. From reading it sounds like they usually have passholder discounts. However, I can't find any information on when they get posted? We are looking at a trip in October 2015. Is there a time they typically post discounts?

Also, I don't want the power pass activated until I go to the parks - can I still get a hotel discount based on it if I haven't activated it yet?

Thank you!

 

[macraven]

I have never been to Universal. I've been reading here and other websites trying to decipher what we should do to get the best deal. Right now I'm looking at buying a power pass since we were planning to go for 3 days and staying in the least expensive deluxe resort to get the express pass. From reading it sounds like they usually have passholder discounts. However, I can't find any information on when they get posted? We are looking at a trip in October 2015. Is there a time they typically post discounts?

Also, I don't want the power pass activated until I go to the parks - can I still get a hotel discount based on it if I haven't activated it yet?

Thank you!

probably around april the ap discounts could come out for october.
it hasn't followed the same pattern the past 3 years for that month.

i have been going in october for many years for HHN.
the discounts, depending on the dates you book for october, can vary.

i switched from the SMSM discount to the AP discount and only decreased my total cost by $20.

gone are the days that the AP rate of $145 a night during october.

weekend rates are higher than the S-Th nights.
first week of that month has lower room rates.

do you have an idea of dates in october for your trip?

you can book your room without having the AP in your hand.
it's a hit or miss if you are asked to show the AP when you check in.

i have been staying at RPR for the past 7 years and do more than one stay there each year.

it must be my face........
each time i check in the TM's request to see my active AP in order for the room rate to valid.

if you are asked to see the AP when you check in and have not redeemed the voucher yet, show the actual AP to the front desk while you are still a guest in the hotel.
your booked room with the AP, will hold then at the discount rate you booked at.

 

[johde]

Right now, discounts at the deluxe resorts are few and far between. Stay More/Save More is a discount, like Macraven mentioned, us available all the time. The SMSM rate can normally be combined with discount codes from 3rd party websites like Orbitz, Travalocity, Hotels.com etc. Before you do that check on the cancellation policy and if it's 100% prepaid or not before you book far out.

Right now, annual pass holder rates seem to be getting released fairly late. Right now, APH rate is only good through mid February so about 3 months. That may change come the new year.