Offsite And Universal

[bslowry]

For all of you who stay off site and go to Universal Studios, how bad is waiting in line in June? I am having a hard time deciding on where to stay. I have enough points to stay at the Sheraton Studio City across the street for free or I could spend $1000 to stay at the Royal Pacific Resort and get the FOTL. I have a 3 and 6 year old, so I am not sure how waiting in line will be. I know we won't be riding the big rollar costars, is that where FOTL is needed most? I know I should stay off site and save the money, I just want some reassurance that this trip will be nice without the FOTL. Thanks!

 

[horseshowmom]

We were there the 3rd week of June last year and stayed offsite (rented a house). We bought the Express Pass (I think it was $15 or $20 each), and it worked great. We thought one of the main benefits was how much it helped with the heat (because you got in so much faster).

That said, a lot of the time you could use the single rider line and get in just as fast (but not all attractions have the single rider line).

To answer your question, sometimes the regular line was very long (particularly for the popular attractions) and sometimes it was pretty short (it just depended on the ebb and flow of the crowds).

Have a great trip!

 

[DisneyaholicRaquel]

For all of you who stay off site and go to Universal Studios, how bad is waiting in line in June? I am having a hard time deciding on where to stay. I have enough points to stay at the Sheraton Studio City across the street for free or I could spend $1000 to stay at the Royal Pacific Resort and get the FOTL. I have a 3 and 6 year old, so I am not sure how waiting in line will be. I know we won't be riding the big rollar costars, is that where FOTL is needed most? I know I should stay off site and save the money, I just want some reassurance that this trip will be nice without the FOTL. Thanks!

I would save the $1000 and stay at the Sheraton Studio City. That's exactly what we are doing in July. I can't imagine paying $229 to stay at the cheapest Universal Hotel. Also, this gives you the freedom to roam up & down International Blvd to shop & see sites. Just go as early as you can and think of all the money saved!!!

 

[flatline]

the parks don't start to get busy until around 10:30-11:00. if you can be at gates by opening, you can get a head start and not wait in any of the queues. EP's rarely sell out in June, so you can wait until later in the day to decide whether or not to purchase them. the 'FOTL' perk is nice, but unless you're going during a peak time, it's not needed if you plan your day in advance, especially with kids of that age. I'd save the money.

the RPR is a great resort, but we never stay onsite unless we can get an inexpensive AP rate and don't feel like driving the hour trip back home.

 

[bslowry]

Thanks for the input! We'll stay off site, I just wanted someone else to agree with my decision! The FOTL sounds so nice. I think we'll get to the parks early and swim in the afternoon. Thanks again.

 

[Robinrs]

I'm a BIG Universal enthusiast but can only afford the onsite hotels sporadically since we go a LOT. I stayed at the RP last month for one night so we could get 2 days FOTL due to the fact that it was Spring Break. It was priceless, let me tell ya!

We're going back for 7/4 week and the lines WILL be ridiculous again. I will be staying at a vacation home that week and purchasing Express Passes online for $40 each (for 2 of us) for Saturday only. The cheapest room (and I have a PAP) for those dates is $309! I'm renting a 4BR 3bA poolhome for $125 a night.... much better deal, more space and I cannot tell you how important it is for me to have my own pool in JULY....

On Sunday and the rest of the time there we do with flatline suggested, get there EARLY and beat the lines. My son and I are pros now, unless there is a mechanical malfunction you can get most of your fun done before the legions of crowds come out.

 

[Snoopymom]

Just try to get there when the parks open!!! Because the on-site people don't worry about getting there early, you'll be amazed at how much you can do in the first two hours without waiting! Save the shows for later in the day.

also, the parking is so nice, fast, easy, covered with moving sidewalks.

We were there for two days during the first week and two days during the last week of June and I really didn't think it was that bad! Ds was 5 so we weren't doing the roller coasters either and I don't think we waited more than 30 minutes for anything.

We left the parks between 2 and 4 and went back to our villa to swim, and then we went out to dinner later, which made the trip so relaxing compared to staying until closing like we do at the Disney parks.

I would definitely stay off site and take the money saved and splurge on the Spiderman breakfast and a meal at Mythos!

Having said all of that, LOL, we're leaving in two weeks and I added a night at the Hard Rock Hotel onto our villa stay so that we can experience front of the line access (and underwater music ) but I got the GA resident rate for $149, so for that price it should be worth it.

Have fun planning!

Oh and if you have the PT flyers on your list of things to do, the wait is deceivingly long because of the time it takes to load and unload, so hit that first.

 

[Robinrs]

.

I would definitely stay off site and take the money saved and splurge on the Spiderman breakfast and a meal at Mythos!

Having said all of that, LOL, we're leaving in two weeks and I added a night at the Hard Rock Hotel onto our villa stay so that we can experience front of the line access (and underwater music ) but I got the GA resident rate for $149, so for that price it should be worth it.

That's a GREAT deal! I usually get the Georgia rates too and it's a blessing to get one night onsite to get two days of FOTL!

Unfortunately I just started working at my job in December and can only go on holidays and when my son is out of school, in other words HIGH SEASON!! I earn a week in December and I'm planning that week NOW!!

 

[Snoopymom]

That's a GREAT deal! I usually get the Georgia rates too and it's a blessing to get one night onsite to get two days of FOTL!

Unfortunately I just started working at my job in December and can only go on holidays and when my son is out of school, in other words HIGH SEASON!! I earn a week in December and I'm planning that week NOW!!

I know, when that rate popped up, I couldn't hit the reserve button quick enough, LOL, especially when there wasn't a resident rate for the RPH!

Ds started Kindergarten this year and it's killing me to now plan around the school breaks. We're leaving the minute he gets out hoping that a lot of schools aren't out yet, but then we have Memorial Day weekend crowds.

I didn't realize how spoiled we were...gone are the days of going in Sept and Jan with no lines, no restaurant reservations... At least it's only a 7 hour drive!

Good luck with the planning!

 

[Snoopymom]

That's a GREAT deal! I usually get the Georgia rates too and it's a blessing to get one night onsite to get two days of FOTL!

Unfortunately I just started working at my job in December and can only go on holidays and when my son is out of school, in other words HIGH SEASON!! I earn a week in December and I'm planning that week NOW!!

I know, when that rate popped up, I couldn't hit the reserve button quick enough, LOL, especially when there wasn't a resident rate for the RPH!

Ds started Kindergarten this year and it's killing me to now plan around the school breaks. We're leaving the minute he gets out hoping that a lot of schools aren't out yet, but then we have Memorial Day weekend crowds.

I didn't realize how spoiled we were...gone are the days of going in Sept and Jan with no lines, no restaurant reservations... At least it's only a 7 hour drive!

Good luck with the planning!