PLEASE HELP! A US Newbie with desperate need of guidance

[Disney Newbies]

Hi everyone,

You were all so helpful in planning our first Disney trip that I knew I HAD to come back now that we are planning US for the first time...

OK so we are going the week BEFORE Christmas...DEC 19-23 to be exact. I got amazing airfare I could not pass up. I have DD 10 and DS 8 who are the most hard-core Harry Potter fans I have ever seen. They never ask for anything, but a trip to the new WWHP, they have actually begged us for...so here we go.

But the deal is I do have some hotel points I could stay for free at a Holiday Inn or Hilton Garden Inn and just buy tickets. Of course, just buying tickets= NO perks.

We are planning 3 full days at the US parks. But from what I can read everyone "in the know" seems to stay on property for the head of the line pass, among other things. Now I know theme park prices, but MAN, those properties are expensive. US quoted me $1662 for 4 nights with a one-park 3day pass at the basic 2 queen room at the Royal Pacific, the least expensive of the 3. No club floor or anything. That seems a pretty hefty price to pay for essentially, a nice room granted I am sure, but mostly I'd be paying for the FOTL pass. After all, chances are it will be too cold to take advantage of any swimming that time of year which seems to be a major draw of the on-site resorts.

With Harry Potter being what it is, and knowing how my kids are going to want to explore every last corner, am I setting myself up for failure not to have a FOTL pass? I know the VIP passes you can buy with your tickets only allow you ONE quick entry per day to each attraction. That certainly doesn't seem worth it. PLEASE help this newbie with advice/guidance.

Much obliged gang!

 

[universalfan]

Keep in mind that even if you stay onsite, you will only be allowed one FOTL use for each of the three Harry Potter rides for the foreseeable future (you will, however, get unlimited FOTL use of almost every other ride in the two parks). With that said, once you stay onsite you can't go back to waiting in those lines, and it is so wonderful to meander down the path to your chosen resort. It's completely worth the extra cost for us.

 

[pixeegrl]

The discounts for that time of year are not out yet. It is usually cheaper to book hotel and tickets seperately. Have you checked the AAA offices in your area to see if they have any of the $99 tickets left? I usually book our room at the regular rate and check back weekly to see if the discounts have come out and call and modify my rate. Right now your rate is $219 a night for a standard room. Thats $876 for rooms and tickets would be $545 for a 3 day 2park ticket for 3 adults and 1 child(3-9). Total $1421. Cheaper see You can always just book one night onsite for 2 days of FOTL.

 

[Disney Newbies]

I really think that buying the ticks and hotel seperately is a great idea. That way, if there are discounts/reductions the hotel, it's easy enough to adjust without making a whole package messy. Forgot to mention though that included in my price was breakfast at the 3 Broomsticks, but I am sure we can book that as a seperate item through Universal(?)

Trying to find discount ticket-only deals might be easier that way too...without being tied to a "package".

I will check with AAA, I am here in TX, so are you saying some might still be lying around before there was a price increase?

VERY interesting to know that even with on-site hotel FOTL priviledge that at Harry Potter you can only use it once a day for the time being...that does change things a little. I am leaning towards a 2 night on site stay. That will give us basically 3(?) FOTL days.... is that right?

PLEASE keep the advice coming, I only have my airline ticks on hold until midnight before I have to figure out if we can afford all this...

 

[cieslack]

Keep in mind that there is a whole world of entertainment outside of Harry Potter. Your kids may love Harry, but the Express ticket for onsite guests will be invaluable for all of the other rides at the parks. Harry Potter will be great, but you won't spend three days there. It is worth repeating that if you tour with Express, you'll never be satisfied with less.

 

[Selket]

Well, I'm a newbie too and I just booked this HP package yesterday for a trip this summer. I asked whether the "express" that comes with the room key would be good for HP and the agent said no. I haven't looked today but yesterday there was a discussion on this board or the Universal parks board as to whether this package would actually come with ANY "express" access to the HP attractions.

Some people have been told one time - and people like me have been told none at all....so don't book it JUST for that just in case.