Please help plan trip 2/21- 2/26

[magister16]

Hello--

Our family is my wife and I, with kids ages 14 and 12. We have never been to Universal before (or Disney for that matter!). We are all huge fans of Harry Potter, so booked flights 2/21 to 2/26. While in Florida we also plan on going to Spring training, so are thinking 3-4 days for parks.
Current plan is stay at cheap hotel on 2/21, stay on site 2/22 for two nights (maybe 3), then go to another hotel. Originally I planned on using wife's AMEX fine hotel and resorts to stay at Portofino for $359 per night, which is supposed to include breakfast and $100 food credit, and buying 4 day park to park tickets. Recently, I'm thinking of buying an annual pass and staying at Royal Pacific, either with standard room AP rate of $199 or Club room at $314.
We plan on renting a car. We plan to see Blue man group.

I'd appreciate any advice on which plan would be better, or cheaper. We recently went to Hawaii, and I think this Universal trip is going to cost more!
If I buy annual pass, what is best place to get it from?

Thanks!

 

[mischief32]

You can only get the annual pass from the Universal site.

 

[andyman8]

Well, first of all sounds like a lot of fun. I'm in an extremely similar position to you, because I am a dad with my wife and two kids (ages 15 and 13). We are FL Residents and go to UOR, often. I wouldn't do the AP, because it doesn't sound like you'll be a reoccurring visitor. I would see the Spring Training game either the 22nd or 26th.

Also, try doing the Spring Training the last day (haven't checked schedule) I would recommend booking at Econo Lodge Inn & Suites for the first and last nights of your trip. It is only $49 to $54 a night. Then, I would stay at RPR for three nights and purchase four day tickets. I would book the onsite component and theme park tickets through a Vacation Package. In fact, I would do the HP package. Here's a summary:

Tuesday, February 21
Arrive at MCO in afternoon and pick up car
Check In to Econo Lodge Inn & Suites
Pool & Arcade
Dinner: Hotel Restaurant

Wednesday, February 22
Breakfast: Hotel Restaurant
Check Out of Econo Lodge Inn & Suites
Drive to Royal Pacific Resort
Check In to Royal Pacific Resort
Rest of Day at Universal Studios Florida
Dinner: Emeril's Tchoup Choup (just a recommendation)

Thursday, February 23
Breakfast: Orchid Court (really fast, delicious, but affordable breakfast in Orchid Court Lounge)
Spend Day at Universal Studios Florida
Walk Around CityWalk
Dinner: Jimmy Buffet's at CityWalk (just another recommendation; do an early reservation (about 6pm))
8:30pm: Blue Man Group

Friday, February 24
Early Park Admission to WWoHP at IOA
Breakfast: Three Broomsticks (included in Harry Potter Package)
Explore WWoHP and Islands of Adventure
Resort Pool & Arcade
Dinner: Islands Dining Room at RPR (another recommendation)

Saturday, February 25
Breakfast: Orchid Court
Check Out of Royal Pacific Resort (Express Pass Still valid until 11:59pm that night)
Spend rest of Day at Islands of Adventure
Around 5:30pm, Depart Universal and Check In to Econo Lodge & Suites
Dinner: Hotel Restaurant

Sunday, February 26
Check Out of Econo Lodge & Suites
Drive to Spring Training Baseball Game
Spring Training Baseball Game
If you have any time left over, you might want to take your wife to one of the Outlet malls or Mall at Millennia. My wife enjoys them (I don't but it is only fair to her)
Arrive at MCO and Depart Orlando

I totaled up the trip and your lodging (all hotels) and theme park tickets will run about $1,821.47 (includes tax). Now, that DOES NOT include your Blue Man Group Tickets, Flight, and Car. I know it's expensive, but welcome to Orlando! Sorry.

Oh, big tip: Make your Dining Reservations at UOR in advanced on opentable.com. Hope this helps! If you have any other questions, just ask.

 

[macraven]

i would avoid using a package.
it is much cheaper purchasing everything separately.

when you break it down, you will see your savings.