Offsite for Universal

[jsmla]

I currently have two reservations for my early October visit:

Solo trip/AP holder

3 nights/early October

Royal Pacific Resort
Pros:
Very close to the parks
Early entry
Unlimited Express
Nicer pools

Cons:
Cost-$263/night plus $20/night parking
I will have to eat out for every meal

Homewood Suites (American Way)
Pros:
$116/night, no parking fee
Free breakfast
Full kitchen
Easy access to non Universal dining options

Cons:
Longer walk (but doable, I've walked further after a day at Universal)
No Express

For me it boils down to the unlimited Express vs cost and more flexibility with meals. I'm very tempted to go with the Homewood but am spoiled with the Express thing. Has anyone ever given up onsite? Did you regret it?

Thanks!

 

[BigredNole]

Tough to say for 1 person. For my family, it is onsite at one of the 3 main resorts or no US/IoA. That unlimited express pass is worth the cost of a room.

 

[jsmla]

Yep, solo isn't working for me when it comes to this. It will be $283 + tax for Royal Pacific. Even if I buy unlimited Express Homewood would be $206. Then there's the cost of eating out every meal.......

Last year I got Portofino Bay for $199, fingers crossed something happens.

 

[mya1k9]

You can do single rider lines if you decide to stay off site also. I would save the money

 

[pigletto]

We've done two trips at Cabana Bay without EP this year. One in late October and one in late May. We've stayed with express pass many times but the space of a family suite is more important to us these days. We didn't miss express in the least. We used single rider where we could, and used early entry to get the jump on a lot of things. I didn't stand in a line longer than 20 minutes all week.
So my vote would be Sapphire Falls or Cabana Bay for you. Close to the cost of offsite, with way better transportation and early entry.

 

[jsmla]

We've done two trips at Cabana Bay without EP this year. One in late October and one in late May. We've stayed with express pass many times but the space of a family suite is more important to us these days. We didn't miss express in the least. We used single rider where we could, and used early entry to get the jump on a lot of things. I didn't stand in a line longer than 20 minutes all week.
So my vote would be Sapphire Falls or Cabana Bay for you. Close to the cost of offsite, with way better transportation and early entry.

That's nice to hear about your wait times. I have to factor in parking and the cost of meals with an onsite stay. I tend to rope drop and leave late afternoon and don't mind the walk. I was further away on my last offsite visit and it really wasn't a problem. It's just me, no tired family members to worry about.

I should get Early Entry with my AP and do plan n taking advantage of that if it's available. It's definitely the Express that has me considering onsite. I love it!

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

We have done Universal twice in during the month of October, stayed offsite both times, and never felt we needed Express. It has been a great time to visit the parks.

 

[jsmla]

We have done Universal twice in during the month of October, stayed offsite both times, and never felt we needed Express. It has been a great time to visit the parks.

Thanks, definitely leaning toward offsite. I could add an extra day and still come out ahead!