Planning March 2019 trip

[WaterLinds]

I’ve been reading through the many great threads here and the information is great, thanks to all who have compiled it. The last time I was at US was probably the year the park opened, so at this point I’m essentially a newbie to all of this.

We have an Orlando area trip planned for March 2019, and I think this time we will head to UO for a few days. I know it’s pretty far off for a lot of planning, but wanted to get some thoughts as I begin to get organized here!

Our UO dates will likely be during a busy spring break week—we’re in Ontario and it’s our March break, which is also Texas spring break, and many other places too. I assume things are crowded enough that time of year that we will want Express Pass, so I’m looking at the resorts that include that. A few questions that have come up so far:
-DH will be at a conference at a hotel near the OCCC that week. How long is the drive from the UO area to the convention center area at rush hour in a busy week? (Alternatively we could stay near to the conference and the rest of us drive—is it safe to assume a similar time frame, or is traffic typically noticeably different in one direction?
-I know the 2019 AP blackout dates aren’t available yet. When do they typically release them? Is it reasonable to assume such a busy spring break week will be one?
-Is there any chance of an AP hotel discount during spring break, or is that really unlikely?

I need to do a lot more reading about UO but I bet I’ll be back with more questions. Thanks everyone!

 

[soniam]

I can't help with most of your questions. However, we are Texans and have done Spring Break at Universal 3 times now. The last time was March 10-13 of this year. I got an AP discount for those dates at Hard Rock. On a previous Spring Break trip, we also got a discount at Royal Pacific. However, both of these discounts for pool/water view 2 queen bed rooms came out in late January or later. I just booked at the regular rate earlier and hoped one would come out. You just have to book what you are willing to pay without the discount and be patient on checking. You can actually check the AP rates from the Universal site without even having an AP. Check out the AP hotel discount thread as it gets closer. Hope you have a great trip.

EDIT: If you stay is long enough, 4 nights maybe, they have Stay More/Save More rate that can be better than the AP rate.

 

[WaterLinds]

I can't help with most of your questions. However, we are Texans and have done Spring Break at Universal 3 times now. The last time was March 10-13 of this year. I got an AP discount for those dates at Hard Rock. On a previous Spring Break trip, we also got a discount at Royal Pacific. However, both of these discounts for pool/water view 2 queen bed rooms came out in late January or later. I just booked at the regular rate earlier and hoped one would come out. You just have to book what you are willing to pay without the discount and be patient on checking. You can actually check the AP rates from the Universal site without even having an AP. Check out the AP hotel discount thread as it gets closer. Hope you have a great trip.

EDIT: If you stay is long enough, 4 nights maybe, they have Stay More/Save More rate that can be better than the AP rate.

Thanks! It’s helpful to know the discount ,goth be available that week, at least.

Right now even with the SMSM rate currently posted for those dates the deluxe resorts are likely going to be too pricey for us, but Cabana Bay is very doable. However I’m not sure we can afford EP for everyone on top of that, so we might have to make some tough decisions! I’m sure we will make another trip again in a few years, too (hopefully during a less busy season), so whatever experiences we don’t get to have this time we can have next time.

 

[soniam]

Thanks! It’s helpful to know the discount ,goth be available that week, at least.

Right now even with the SMSM rate currently posted for those dates the deluxe resorts are likely going to be too pricey for us, but Cabana Bay is very doable. However I’m not sure we can afford EP for everyone on top of that, so we might have to make some tough decisions! I’m sure we will make another trip again in a few years, too (hopefully during a less busy season), so whatever experiences we don’t get to have this time we can have next time.

Maybe you could do EP for 1 day only. It's definitely nice, but the price is outrageous.

 

[WaterLinds]

Maybe you could do EP for 1 day only. It's definitely nice, but the price is outrageous.

Yes, or it just occurred to me while reading other threads that maybe we could spring for a deluxe for one night (possibly as a throwaway, but most likely we’d use it if we’re paying for it) and get the two days of EP that way. That should get us through most of the attractions with big lines and any other park days we have we could just take it easy and do stuff without giant lines.

Lots of options to look into!

 

[soniam]

Yes, or it just occurred to me while reading other threads that maybe we could spring for a deluxe for one night (possibly as a throwaway, but most likely we’d use it if we’re paying for it) and get the two days of EP that way. That should get us through most of the attractions with big lines and any other park days we have we could just take it easy and do stuff without giant lines.

Lots of options to look into!

That's also a great idea! You will have a great time no matter what you decide.