Not staying on-site

[dspads]

It seems like everyone here is only staying on site. Our family is going to be in Orlando 8/20-8/27 staying in a timeshare (so essentially free). My plan was to get the ~$300 UCT 14 day pass to US/IOS, SW, WetnWild. But I am getting very nervous because I feel like we won't enjoy US/IOS without the Express Pass. Talk me in our out of getting a room at US! And let me know how can I do it most cost effectively. SW for 1 day is a must. My kids are 9 & 11 and we are on-site DVC WDW veterans, this is our first time to the 'dark side' lol!

 

[macraven]

. Talk me in our out of getting a room at US!

since i only stay on site, can't try to talk you out of it.

 

[Bluer101]

Pack an overnight bag and spend one night onsite deluxe. That will give you 2 days of EE and 2 days of unlimited express. Plus you can walk back and take a break and swim during the day.

 

[dspads]

So, what's the "cheapest" way to do this? I have 6 full days for parks and plan on getting the Orlando Flex ticket for ~300. Will I still "need" express pass if I have up to 4 days to use at US? We want to also do SW and own water park. My parents are also coming so I would have to convince them to spring for a room as well (they are staying at DVC.

 

[agavegirl1]

So, what's the "cheapest" way to do this? I have 6 full days for parks and plan on getting the Orlando Flex ticket for ~300. Will I still "need" express pass if I have up to 4 days to use at US? We want to also do SW and own water park. My parents are also coming so I would have to convince them to spring for a room as well (they are staying at DVC.

The "cheapest" on site Deluxe resort is Royal Pacific. Depending on when you go, the price may or may not be worth it.

Q1: When will you be there?
Q2: How many standard (2 queen beds per room) rooms will you require?
Q3: How much Harry Potter stuff do you want to do?

I also purchased the Orlando Flex Pass but with the plus for Busch Gardens. One night at a Universal Deluxe may or may not be worth it. Potter Headliners are not included in Express Pass and you can purchase the Express Pass as an add on. I believe Cabana Bay guests can purchase at a discount. More info please?

 

[dspads]

Q1-we arrive late 8/20 and are leaving early on 8/27
Q2-we will need 2 standard rooms, one for 2 adults 2 kids and one for my parents
Q3-we are very interested in the HP stuff, but want to experience everything we can. My boys are 9 & 11

I guess I am worried about spending 3 or 4 days there and waiting on huge lines for everything, when we could've done more if we have express pass. But I am already spending $300 pp on park tickets so I am not sure it justifies the added cost when I already have a place to stay.

 

[dspads]

Q1 - we arrive late 8/20 and leave early 8/27
Q2 - we need 2 standard rooms, one for my family of 4 and one for my parents
Q3 - we want to see everything, especially Harry Potter stuff! My boys are 9 & 11.

I am trying to decide if I will feel the money is worth it (already spending the 300 pp for park tix and have free room). I didn't realize HP was not on express pass, but will we be waiting in huge lines for everything else?

 

[dspads]

Ack sorry about double post! Replying on my phone! Thanks for your help.

 

[Bluer101]

From someone that stays only onsite no matter the time of year busy or slow, it is worth it. If you want to enjoy everything with out any waits to minimal waits then stay onsite. For us even if there is a 20-30 minute wait in regular we are normally walk on in express. Then if you have never been this will free up more time to see every detail. Besides your family might want to ride there favorites over and over. How would that be if you can get off a ride and enter and walk on again, priceless.

 

[agavegirl1]

A one night stay, even at their "value" resort ... Cabana Bay (family suite perhaps?) will allow you early entry to Harry Potter areas. We do not know yet how they will do this. Maybe Diagon Alley on Tuesday, Thurday and Saturday and Hogsmeade Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday for Hogsmeade? Nobody knows. They may just allow early entry to either.

The deluxe resorts offer early entry and Express Pass. Just go to the Universal Orlando website and price it out. A little bit of work, yes, but you will have a valid tool to make your decision.

A family suite at Cabana Bay may work for six of you. I'm too lazy to check the website right now.

 

[ky07]

We are staying offsite for a week starting June 15th and normally I would say it's ok but with as busy as it's going to be I would say stay onsite but I have always had a good time no matter what cause it's orlando and we love universal and we only get there once a year so we make the most of it

 

[Cielei]

Hi! We will be there the same dates as you (well almost, we do leave a day earlier ). We are staying onsite, and from previous visits, we believe it's totally worth it. We have 2 boys that are 11 and 12, and I checked into staying at one of the Hilton properties (hello status perks) and doing the express pass add-on for that time frame. It was better for us to stay onsite, but that is just our situation. We will be staying at RPH or PBH - I can't decide which one!!

 

[RMulieri]

Can't talk you out of it...we ONLY stay onsite..Whether it is high crowds or dead crowds ..Love the perks and the resorts far too much.It is truly a relaxing, spoiling experience

 

[glocon]

Since you saved so much on your other lodging- take the plunge for one night! You will not regret it!

 

[2girlsmom]

Okay, I'll be the dissenting opinion. IF you and your folks can swing a deluxe room, I would definitely do for 1 night, even if you don't actually stay in the room, just for the express for 2 days. However.....WITH THE EXCEPTION OF DIAGON ALLEY....that late in August the locals have gone back to school, if you go on weekdays, I think your wait times would be manageable for most everything. Currently, express doesn't help with Forbidden Journey or the Ollivander's shop, and it's certainly possible that they won't open express on the new stuff right away, either, though that is just a guess. I would expect wait times on all HP stuff to be elevated somewhat, but likely in the neighborhood of 45-60 minute waits for Forbidden Journey, longer likely for the new Diagon Alley stuff. But those areas are at the backs of the parks, I don't really think that you would see significant wait times on the rest of the parks. I would recommend staying with your current plan, and if it looks like you will need express when you get there, you can always purchase it seperately or book a single night then.

 

[Bluer101]

Okay, I'll be the dissenting opinion. IF you and your folks can swing a deluxe room, I would definitely do for 1 night, even if you don't actually stay in the room, just for the express for 2 days. However.....WITH THE EXCEPTION OF DIAGON ALLEY....that late in August the locals have gone back to school, if you go on weekdays, I think your wait times would be manageable for most everything. Currently, express doesn't help with Forbidden Journey or the Ollivander's shop, and it's certainly possible that they won't open express on the new stuff right away, either, though that is just a guess. I would expect wait times on all HP stuff to be elevated somewhat, but likely in the neighborhood of 45-60 minute waits for Forbidden Journey, longer likely for the new Diagon Alley stuff. But those areas are at the backs of the parks, I don't really think that you would see significant wait times on the rest of the parks. I would recommend staying with your current plan, and if it looks like you will need express when you get there, you can always purchase it seperately or book a single night then.

Good plan, but EE is still a great benefit to cover HP stuff.

 

[Magpie]

What I did was price out the cost of an Unlimited Express pass bought separately for each of our family member, and then subtracted that from the cost of a room at the Royal Pacific Resort.

Suddenly the price of the room looked a whole lot more reasonable!

We would never stay anywhere else but at a deluxe resort when visiting Universal Orlando. The express pass is wonderful, especially if you've got kids who will want to ride their favourites over and over without waiting. And the hour early entry really helps when it comes to the Harry Potter stuff. You can get in, see what you want to see, and be heading out to the rest of the park by the time the crowds start to build.

Plus, Universal's deluxes are equal in every way to Disney's deluxes, and more affordable. And you can easily walk or take a boat to the parks! This makes it very convenient for large family groups. Say, if a couple members went to head back to the resort for a nap or swim, while others want to stay in the parks and play. It's especially nice if you're planning to stay several days.

City Walk (a shopping and entertainment district across from the entrances to the two parks) has all the restaurants you could ever want, plus a movie theatre, the Blue Man Group, and a comedy venue. You won't need to drive anywhere as long as you're on Universal property.

 

[Planogirl]

The Universal deluxe resorts are so worth the money. Not only is the Express amazing but the resorts themselves are great and you can't beat the feeling of being right there.

However we usually don't stay onsite or buy Express passes and do just fine. You have to make rope drop and allow extra days. Also, the evenings can be a great time to tour too.

I would say to get the onsite night if you can but if you can't I wouldn't worry too much about it.

 

[freediverdude]

I don't have all the prices right in front of me, but what you would need to do is price out a 3 or 4 day Universal park to park + unlimited express ticket for your party, plus a one day SeaWorld ticket, and see how that compares to your 14 day flex ticket prices. Then see what rate you can get for Royal Pacific for a night during your stay, which would include the express access for 2 days, and see if you're willing to do that instead.

So basically you've got 3 scenarios to choose from-
1. stick to your current plan of 14 day flex ticket with off-site hotel for entire stay
2. change your tickets to shorter tickets but include unlimited express, but stick to off-site hotel for entire stay
3. keep current tickets but pay for a night at Royal Pacific for express access and early entry for Potter attractions.

 

[RMulieri]

Okay, I'll be the dissenting opinion. IF you and your folks can swing a deluxe room, I would definitely do for 1 night, even if you don't actually stay in the room, just for the express for 2 days. However.....WITH THE EXCEPTION OF DIAGON ALLEY....that late in August the locals have gone back to school, if you go on weekdays, I think your wait times would be manageable for most everything. Currently, express doesn't help with Forbidden Journey or the Ollivander's shop, and it's certainly possible that they won't open express on the new stuff right away, either, though that is just a guess. I would expect wait times on all HP stuff to be elevated somewhat, but likely in the neighborhood of 45-60 minute waits for Forbidden Journey, longer likely for the new Diagon Alley stuff. But those areas are at the backs of the parks, I don't really think that you would see significant wait times on the rest of the parks. I would recommend staying with your current plan, and if it looks like you will need express when you get there, you can always purchase it seperately or book a single night then.

I went late August last year( August 18-23rd), and the waits were still quite busy for the non-Potter stuff.I was surprised at how busy it was..45-90 mins for Spiderman, Despicable me ,Transformers.45 mins for Mummy, Hulk.Cat in the Hat 20-30 mins..