Newbie with off-site hotel package questions

[ginkybiloba]

We are planning a few days at Universal/IOA before a cruise in January. This is our first time visiting Universal, and I am learning a lot from these boards  thank you!!

We considered staying onsite but found the hotels very expensive ($200+ per night). I notice that there are some off-site hotel packages offered on the Universal website which say that they offer early admission to the parks (but not express passes). I am hoping that we will not need the express passes since we will be visiting January 11 and 12th, but I welcome any contrary opinions

Does anyone know if I can get the same deal (early entry) by booking directly with the hotel, or is this a special package only available through Universal? The packages seem fairly well priced but I have learned from reading these boards that it is usually better to book the room and purchase the park tickets separately so that you can take advantage if the room rate drops between now and January.

Thanks so much in advance!

 

[Pembo]

We purchased a package from Universal for an offsite hotel this summer. I wanted the early entry. It was great. We stayed at the Comfort Suites. Downfall-had to pay for parking at Universal, it's a LONG walk from the parking garage to the park, breakfast at the hotel didn't begin until 7. We left our hotel at 7 for the parks. We ate in our room with our own food.

I booked it through the Universal website or maybe over the phone. I don't remember.

If you do this, make sure you plan to go to City Walk the night before to get your vouchers for early entry at Guest Services. They give you the vouchers at the hotel but they have to be redeemed at GS. We went to CW the night before for dinner (parking is only $5 after 6 pm) and then exchanged our vouchers.

I'm not sure if it would have been cheaper to book separately but I wanted EE and it was well worth it.

 

[macraven]

We are planning a few days at Universal/IOA before a cruise in January. This is our first time visiting Universal, and I am learning a lot from these boards thank you!!

We considered staying onsite but found the hotels very expensive ($200+ per night). I notice that there are some off-site hotel packages offered on the Universal website which say that they offer early admission to the parks (but not express passes). I am hoping that we will not need the express passes since we will be visiting January 11 and 12th, but I welcome any contrary opinions

Does anyone know if I can get the same deal (early entry) by booking directly with the hotel, or is this a special package only available through Universal? The packages seem fairly well priced but I have learned from reading these boards that it is usually better to book the room and purchase the park tickets separately so that you can take advantage if the room rate drops between now and January.

Thanks so much in advance!

for the offsite hotels, the only way you get the early entry is by booking the UO package thru them, not the hotel.

i don't like packages as the involvement of cancellation is too strict for me.

packages include the room, and tickets.
in your case, early entry.

tickets can be bought thru undercover tourist at a cheaper price if you plan on a 3 day park visit.
even the 2 day tickets are a tad cheaper on UT.

but, if your goal is early entry, you don't have a choice but to go with the package.

i find it cheaper all the way around by booking everything separately.
tickets - hotel room.

packages have a 45 day out (maybe longer time period) for canceling without penalty.
when you book a room only for onsite, you can cancel at the 6 day out.
inclement weather cancellations have no penalty even if it is the day prior to your stay.
some off site hotels do have a specific time period for cancellations without penalty. (i haven't stayed off site for some years so not up to what chains propose on cancellation dates.)
also, there is a $50 fee charged when you make changes on UO packages.



usually the first week in january still has crowds.
tour groups are popular for early to mid january at UO.

if you start early when the parks open, you should not encounter issues for line waits over 30 minutes.
i think you will be safe with your dates...........

i prefer staying onsite for all the conveniences it offers.
a short 5 minute walk from my hotel room to the parks or city walk.
the ability to go back to the room for breaks anytime in the day or evening.
restaurants at the hotel. rph has 4 onsite places, and room service.

the down time of leaving the offsite hotel to travel to the parks is what i avoid. i have to either rent a car and then pay the parking garage cost, take a taxi or deal with poor transportation hours if the hotel has a free or cheap shuttle service to the park.

too many times i found it inconvenient to return to the offsite hotel for things i forgot or for a short break.

if money is an issue, i can understand wanting to be offsite for the days before your cruise.

i haven't checked the UO hotel website to see costs for january onsite stays.
i do know if you have AAA/CAA, you can get discounts on the room by calling and booking over the phone.
go with the basic standard room for the cheaper rates.
i have not paid $210 a night or over even during a busy time at the hotels.

Many times i call UO for prices when the ap rates have not been released.
the TM's will help you with any promos they have available or work with you for the cheapest way in room booking.

I don't think i have been of much help to you but just wanted to give a few basics on my opinion of hotel locations, off or on site.

i always tell newbies that they should stay where ever they can afford in order to experience the darkside parks.

i hope you find the best deal out there for your stay and that you have loads of fun at the darkside parks and city walk.

 

[ginkybiloba]

Thank you both - this is extremely helpful. Our flight doesn't arrive until 8:30 pm or so. How late is Guest Services in City Walk open? We would want to get a super early start the next day.

 

[macraven]

City walk closes at 2:00 am
not sure what time GS closes.

 

[damo]

Pretty sure you can also pick up your tickets at the kiosk at the parks which shouldn't be much of a wait. You'll receive a code in your package that you will enter, along with your credit card for ID purposes, and it will spit out your tickets. These tickets will be marked with a special code that will allow you early entry.

 

[dfriia]

We stayed at the Four Points by Sheraton with a Universal Harry Potter package that allowed early entry. We were quite satisfied with the experience. We only parked for free at the hotel and walked back and forth to Universal IOA. I did not find the walk that long or stressful. In fact, based on the walk from the parking decks to the park entrance, I would guess that from the hotel to the parking decks area was nearly the same distance. So, think of doubling your walk to leave your car at the hotel. Below is a link to our blog of the trip.
http://roadtripswithbob.blogspot.com/2010/12/on-road-to-hogsmeade.html