Planning First Trip

[FayeW]

We are making our first trip in March, and originally had planned on "doin' Disney", however, we are now focusing on DC,SW, and taking advantage of the 5 day bonus pass for US/IOA/Citywalk, and only doing MK at Disney. We are staying for 9 days, and I won a skyauction bid which we will use for the first week. It was so inexpensive that I am considering springing for a Universal resort for the last 2 days, so we can go out in style with the FOTL. Are there any sites that offer discounts for universal resorts? Does US offer codes like Disney does at certain times of the year? Can I select a category with Priceline that will guarantee a hotel onsite? Any tips as to which resort is least expensive, and how to get the best rate would be appreciated.

 

[shpedly]

The best rate tends to be entertainment rate. You call 1-800-BEASTAR and see if ent, rate is avail for your dates. I don't believe they open ent rates for next March until Aug-Sept. Not sure you could ask the reservationist.

RPR is cheapest, ent rate is as low as $110/night. HRH is closest to park and as low as $125/night. PBH is the most expensive, but not sure on ent rate.

People have also gotten cheap rates on hotwire.

For ent rate, you don't need the ent book to make reservation, and the 2004 book doesn't come out until sept anyway. Make the reservation then buy the book online at www.entertainment.com. You could buy one for your town or for oralndo. I actually made regular full rack rate reservations in Jan for my April trip, and called every few days to see if ent rate was avail, and they finally were and they just changed the original reservation.

 

[beattyfamily]

There's AAA, Entertainment book and Universal Fan Club to name some discount rates out there...

I've done Entertainment rate twice and this year I'm doing the Fan Club rate of $129 pool view at HRH for this December.

Call and see what they have. Sometimes the Entertainment rate will start out higher and if you keep checking, can go down before your trip...that happened to us.

When I first booked this coming trip I got $146 standard view with the Entertainment rate. Then I read here that people were getting $125 standard view Entertainment rate so I called back and I was about to book it but I asked about the Fan club rate and got that great rate (better view) instead.


Good luck!