Off Site Hotel Package - VIP Tickets

[Portugal1000]

I have been looking at booking one on the offsite Harry Potter packages. It says it gives you early entry to Harry Potter. I also noticed that as part of this deal you can add the VIP tickets. I didn't even know these existed until today but it says that you get the same front of line access as the Universal hotels. So unlimited rides. This is different to the express pass that you can buy where you can only use the express pass once per ride.
This ticket is quite a bit more expensive but the package still works out $500 cheaper than staying at a Universal hotel.
So the details on the tickets say that they are valid for 3 days over a 14 day period. It asks what date I want ticket for but if buying a 3 day ticket it only asks for one date. Just wondering if I can use the ticket for 2 days whilst I am at the hotel on the package and one day later on the holiday when I am at Disney hotel.
Sorry for long email but just wondering if anyone else has bought the VIP ticket.
Thanks

 

[damo]

I have been looking at booking one on the offsite Harry Potter packages. It says it gives you early entry to Harry Potter. I also noticed that as part of this deal you can add the VIP tickets. I didn't even know these existed until today but it says that you get the same front of line access as the Universal hotels. So unlimited rides. This is different to the express pass that you can buy where you can only use the express pass once per ride.
This ticket is quite a bit more expensive but the package still works out $500 cheaper than staying at a Universal hotel.
So the details on the tickets say that they are valid for 3 days over a 14 day period. It asks what date I want ticket for but if buying a 3 day ticket it only asks for one date. Just wondering if I can use the ticket for 2 days whilst I am at the hotel on the package and one day later on the holiday when I am at Disney hotel.
Sorry for long email but just wondering if anyone else has bought the VIP ticket.
Thanks

Can you cut and paste exactly what is said? The VIP tickets are the same as the hotel express. They are not tied to your hotel key like the hotel express though, so there should not be an issue of where you are staying.

 

[Portugal1000]

This is what it says. I thought that for the express pass you had to specify the date you wanted to use tickets. It doesn't say that here, maybe its different for the VIP ones.

4-Day Park to Park VIP Ticket

The 4-Day Park to Park VIP Ticket entitles one (1) guest admission and unlimited Universal ExpressSM Access* to BOTH Universal Studios Florida® AND Islands of Adventure® on the same day for the duration of the base ticket. Ticket is valid for any four (4) calendar days during a fourteen (14) consecutive calendar day period which includes the first day any portion of the ticket is used. This ticket also includes fourteen (14) consecutive calendar days of admission to the paid entertainment venues of Universal CityWalk® which commences and includes the first day any portion of the ticket is used.

RESTRICTIONS:
•The above Admission Media is non-refundable, non-transferable, and must be used by the same person on all days.
•*This 4-Day Park to Park VIP Ticket allows one (1) guest to bypass the regular lines an unlimited amount of times by providing Express Access to most attractions at both Universal Studios Florida AND Universal's Islands of Adventure theme parks for any four (4) calendar days during a fourteen (14) consecutive calendar day period which includes the first day any portion of the ticket is used. Valid at participating attractions only.
•Express Plus access is not available at Harry Potter and the Forbidden JourneyTM, Hollywood Rip Ride RockitSM, and Pteranodon Flyers®.
•Date selection is required before entering ticket quantity

 

[damo]

Yes, according to that you can use it any 4 days within the 14 day window. It doesn't matter where you are staying.

 

[cindy17]

So is Express Plus different from VIP pass? With VIP Pass can you get basically the same as if you stay on site (unlimited access, plus Harry Potter, etc.)?

 

[ZYanksRule]

So is Express Plus different from VIP pass? With VIP Pass can you get basically the same as if you stay on site (unlimited access, plus Harry Potter, etc.)?

Yeah, that's what it is. I've done that myself when I went in July. Stayed at the Hyatt and got the VIP tickets, was still way cheaper than staying at a Universal hotel. It worked out very well...

 

[damo]

Make sure you don't get VIP tickets and VIP tour mixed up. They are two very different things.

 

[cindy17]

You just read my mind!!! I saw a link to VIP tour (which I'm not really interested in!), but nothing about VIP tickets. Where can I find out about those? I went to tickets, then add-ons, but don't see it! I must be doing something wrong. Thanks!

 

[damo]

https://secure.universalstudios.com...ryGroupExternalID=UO&CategoryExternalID=UOVIP

They are on the page for express passes.

 

[Metro West]

With the VIP tickets remember...they include park admission so don't buy theme park tickets if this is the ticket you want. Personally...I wouldn't spend the money unless you're going during a heavy travel period.

 

[zack123]

Also, if you're planning to buy a 3 or 4 day VIP ticket, it costs almost as much, or more, than a Preferred Annual Pass, which can be used to get discounts on the onsite hotels if APH discounts are available during your dates. Sometimes the discount is a really good deal.

If you are going with someone besides yourself, you would only need to buy one AP, use that to get a discount on an onsite hotel (if available), and then you wouldn't have to buy a VIP ticket for everyone else in your party because everyone would have unlimited express. You could buy them regular tickets, and get an APH discount on those too.

Plus, if you are planning to go again next year and can plan your vacation for a week (or more) earlier, then you can use your annual pass again and you won't have to pay for admission for the second trip.

The VIP ticket is probably only worth it if you are going during a very busy time, and you don't plan to go again for at least two years.

I went during a very slow time, and in some cases was allowed to go through the Express line even though I didn't have an Express pass, because the crowds were so low.

 

[mar2c1]

are vip tickets only good for these dates
3-Day Park to Park VIP Ticket

Non-Peak valid dates:Oct 23 - Oct27, Oct 30 - Nov 23
Nov 27 - Dec 20, 2011

Standard valid dates: Oct 21 - 22, Oct 28 - 29,
Nov 24 - 26, Dec 21 - 25, 2011; Jan 1, 2012

Peak valid dates: Dec 26 - 31, 2011

 

[cuddlykp]

Yeah, that's what it is. I've done that myself when I went in July. Stayed at the Hyatt and got the VIP tickets, was still way cheaper than staying at a Universal hotel. It worked out very well...

Dang, wish I thought of that before I bought my tickets. The only reason we are staying on site is for early access, would have stayed somewhere else if I had know we could get a vip pass.

Oh well live and learn.

 

[damo]

Dang, wish I thought of that before I bought my tickets. The only reason we are staying on site is for early access, would have stayed somewhere else if I had know we could get a vip pass.

Oh well live and learn.

If you have 4 people in a room, it is often cheaper to just stay onsite.