New Universal Visitor (Disney Alumni) - questions about hotels, tickets, AAA discount

[Piglet99645]

OK so I've been convinced that staying on property In March (i.e.spring break) is probably best in order to get the Express Pass privileges.

However, Undercover Tourist has a four day for the price of two basic pass that would save me a lot of money........ it's cheaper than Universal's 2 day park to park.

So I'm wondering,

1. Do I still get the Express Pass privileges with a basic ticket that I don't buy with the hotel package?

2. Is Park-to-park worth it? (I usually get it at WDW and always at Disneyland)

3. Is Hogwarts Express cool enough to make the park to park ticket worth it?

4. Where can I find the AAA rate for the on-site properties?

Thanks much.

P.

 

[Piglet99645]

Found the AAA link!

Undercover tourist tickets are currently about the same or cheaper than AAA rates (AAA rates don't include taxes)

I can't find any AAA rates on hotels on property at Universal.

 

[Piglet99645]

Another question:

5. Is staying on site really the only way to get the Express Pass? It appears cost-prohibitive to actually buy it. To add Express Pass to a 4 day park to park for me and my two kids appears to add $1000 to the tickets. Is that accurate? I guess it would be. $89 x 4 x 3. That's insane.

6. Can you add Express Pass for one day of, say, a three day ticket?

 

[RMulieri]

1)If you are staying onsite at a deluxe , express is included. It is tied to your resort length of stay and has NOTHING to do with your tickets.You can buy tickets anywhere.
2)Park to Park is worth it .The parks are literally NEXT to each other.We walk between them often on our trips.
3) Hogwarts express is worth it ( at least once to experience it )
4) Not sure
5)You can buy express, but for larger families or at busy times , it is cheaper to stay onsite often ( express pass prices go up with the projected crowds )
6) if you are staying offsite and purchase express, you can purchase it for one or all of your days., It isn't tied to your tickets unless you buy it that way

 

[Lynne G]

To get the AAA rate, you either have to ask you AAA office to book it, or call the hotel directly to ask about the rate and book it over the phone. I've never seen it entered otherwise.

 

[nkereina]

PP is correct in that you'd need to book your resort with AAA or through the AAA web site in order to get their rate, if it's available. It's not always available or offered, and can also be booked up. It was not offered in October for Halloween Horror Nights and probably blacked out during other busy times like the holidays and Spring Break.

We think park to park tickets are worth it not only for Hogwarts Express, but we also spend more time at Universal than IOA. IOA only takes us a half day. We also like to do the water rides at IOA right before heading back to the resort (you get soaked!) and we hopped to IOA JUST for this reason one day.

 

[Piglet99645]

Thanks for all the replies.

7. Are water parks part of the two park ticket, or is that another add-on? We are not really water park people.

 

[nkereina]

7. Are water parks part of the two park ticket, or is that another add-on? We are not really water park people.

Wet n Wild is Universal's one and only waterpark (another one is being built currently). It is NOT part of the park-to-park ticket, and would be another add-on. Undercover Tourist shows it going for about $50 per person to add that on. There's also the flex ticket instead of the park-to-park ticket, which includes all three plus Sea World but that would be another $130pp or so it looks like.

 

[donnajherren]

7. Are water parks part of the two park ticket, or is that another add-on? We are not really water park people.

The two parks included in the ticket are Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. No water parks.

 

[VacaPlanner2012]

If you ride the water rides at Islands of Adventure, then you will feel like you are at a waterpark, you get that wet. No joke...put on clothes and jump into a pool, that is about how wet you get. Bluto's is awesome!!! So much fun!!!

We fortunately have never been on Hogwart's during a busy time, so we are always on the next train. It is neat, but we use it more as a transportation source than an attraction, to save our feet. A 45 minute wait? No thanks, I will walk...

 

[bumbershoot]

staying on property In March (i.e.spring break)

There's not just one week of Spring Break. If your break falls over Easter, you're in huge trouble in terms of costs of onsite hotels and likely Express Pass. Looking at our potential dates of March 17-20 and then 27-29th-ish, I'm seeing rates for Cabana Bay (no express pass included) that I won't even pay for Royal Pacific. If your break is away from Easter, you might have better luck.

But it's important to know WHEN your trip is, if you want actual specific cost help.

1. Do I still get the Express Pass privileges with a basic ticket that I don't buy with the hotel package?

If you stay at Royal Pacific, Portofino Bay, or Hard Rock, unlimited Express Pass is a perk of the HOTEL. I mean, you do have to have admission, but once you have that admission, from checkin to midnight the day of checkout you have unlimited Express Pass.

Is Park-to-park worth it?

Wouldn't go without it!

Is Hogwarts Express cool enough to make the park to park ticket worth it?

Depends on your particular group. For me, maybe not. For me, though, the ease of jumping over and getting a Richter's veggie burger for lunch, or riding some particular ride, at the park I'm not at, makes it worth it. Pre-Diagon alley, Butterbeer made park-to-park necessary; what if I wanted one, but I was over at Studios? I would not, could not, let that happen. (of course we've had APs since 2011 so it's all moot, really, but I have thought about it often!)

If you ride the water rides at Islands of Adventure, then you will feel like you are at a waterpark, you get that wet. No joke...put on clothes and jump into a pool, that is about how wet you get.

So VERY true.

 

[Piglet99645]

Thanks for the feedback. Our spring break is March 12-20. So not Easter. yay!

I think I have a grip on Universal now. You guys have been so helpful. I appreciate it.

P.