Newbee Where do I begin

[KathyFP]

My DN, and 8 year old DD are thinking about going to Universal instead of Disney. I am pretty good at getting the best deals from Disney, but I don't even know where to start?

Any suggewtions are welcomed and appreciated!

 

[bubba's mom]

start by reading, reading, reading and reading the DIS Universal boards. Buy Kelly Monaghan's book: "Universal Orlando"...excellent reference book!
Start with how much you want to do and see. Next, decide where to stay (onsite is recommended for unlimited Express Pass vs. buying Express Pass which is only good one time for each ride)...there are 3 onsite hotels: RPR (Royal Pacific Resort) the cheapest of the 3, another is HRH (Hard Rock Hotel) mid priced of the 3 and most expensive is PBH (Portifino Bay Hotel). All hotels, City Walk and parks are within walking distance of each other by 5-15 minutes. Next, decide how many days to stay....they sometimes offer a 5 consecutive day ticket at Universal Orlando's website for around $100...you have to keep checking. Does that help start you off? For restaurants, check out www.allearsnet.com for menus. Good luck...it's a lot in the beginning to research, but NOT nearly as overwhelming as researching Disney!!! Ask questions...ask LOTS of questions...everyone on the UO boards are nice and informative.....Good luck!

 

[KathyFP]

That is helpful. We will probably stay 7 days onsite at the HRH. Is it cheaper to buy a package or purchase tickets and hotel separate?

 

[bubba's mom]

This year was our first, and we used AAA to book the hotel. We bought tickets from the UO (Universal Orlando) website (it was buy 2 days, get 3 free for $99). I forgot to mention, if you use your AAA, you will get a hotel discount and discounts off restaurants and merchandise at the parks. If you have an AP, you get a bigger discount on merchandise and restaurants and sometimes the hotel...but the AP rate doesn't get released till closer to your date, so, if you book w/ AAA, use that....you can adjust price/rate later. You can check the UO site for packages....see if one works for you.

 

[damo]

Packages are seldom cheaper and like Bubba's mom said, rates change a lot. You can book at one rate to guarantee your room and then call in for a rate change everytime you see that rates have lowered. Continue to check rates at www.loewshotels.com by going to The Hard Rock and clicking on reservations. Also make sure you sign up for a free Loews First card (at that same site). The perks are outlined there. It is worth it.

 

[bubba's mom]

Also make sure you sign up for a free Loews First card (at that same site). The perks are outlined there. It is worth it.

oh yeeeaaahhhhh

 

[OhioTony]

We purchased our tickets online 5 days 99.00..but as we were a party of 6 we found Mastercard deal on Mousesavers.com where if you purchase 4 of the $99.00 deal, you got 1 free! ...ALSO..if you are looking to trim cost I would look into the AAA rate at Royal Pacific Resort..We liked the pool and atmosphere there better than the Hard Rock..PS you are ALLOWED to pool hop when you stay onsite, so you can hop a water taxi to the other pools!

 

[KathyFP]

Thanks for all the ideas! I am definately going to keep reading