Poke holes in my plan

[Ilurk]

I'm trying to get a true idea of cost if take a few days off our Disney trip and head over to Universal for a few days. Here's my idea, look it over and tell me what you'd do differently.

There will be 3 adults, 2 kids. We're planning for the first week in December 2014. We'll probably be at the Cabins in FWL Saturday-Thursday. We check out first thing Thursday morning, drive over to Universal, check in at the hotel there. I'm looking at Loews Royal Pacific. I'd like to stay on site to get their Express Passes. We want to spend 2 days there and be able to hop park to park. So, we check in on Thursday and check out on Saturday. That way we get Thursday and Friday to check it out. Then Saturday we can check out and head home. I'm assuming they'll hold our luggage Thursday morning until the room is ready and we can go straight to the parks. Am I right in this assumption?

On Universals website I "booked" Royal Pacific 12/4-12/6. I added a "2 day park to park" ticket for each of us. That puts us at $1355, plus whatever we spend in food while we're there. Does that seem about right?

I feel like their website is so much more confusing than Disney's. It could be that I'm only working on 2 hours of sleep and I need more coffee. haha!

 

[damo]

I'm trying to get a true idea of cost if take a few days off our Disney trip and head over to Universal for a few days. Here's my idea, look it over and tell me what you'd do differently.

There will be 3 adults, 2 kids. We're planning for the first week in December 2014. We'll probably be at the Cabins in FWL Saturday-Thursday. We check out first thing Thursday morning, drive over to Universal, check in at the hotel there. I'm looking at Loews Royal Pacific. I'd like to stay on site to get their Express Passes. We want to spend 2 days there and be able to hop park to park. So, we check in on Thursday and check out on Saturday. That way we get Thursday and Friday to check it out. Then Saturday we can check out and head home. I'm assuming they'll hold our luggage Thursday morning until the room is ready and we can go straight to the parks. Am I right in this assumption?

On Universals website I "booked" Royal Pacific 12/4-12/6. I added a "2 day park to park" ticket for each of us. That puts us at $1355, plus whatever we spend in food while we're there. Does that seem about right?

I feel like their website is so much more confusing than Disney's. It could be that I'm only working on 2 hours of sleep and I need more coffee. haha!

It sounds like you've "booked" a package. I wouldn't do that. There are hefty fees for making any changes and this far out, you certainly may want to make changes.

Go to www.loewshotels.com and do your room booking there. You can make any changes you want without fees until 6 days before you check in. Rates vary a lot, so you may want to be asking to have those rates adjusted. YOu can't do that with a package once you have put down your down payment without incurring change fees.

Also, tickets are cheaper at www.undercovertourist.com I would get them there.

 

[wookiebeck]

Here's my idea, look it over and tell me what you'd do differently.

We want to spend 2 days there and be able to hop park to park. So, we check in on Thursday and check out on Saturday. That way we get Thursday and Friday to check it out. Then Saturday we can check out and head home.

Depending on what time you are heading home...you will still have a valid express pass on the day of checkout. The tix at undercovertourist are only $15 more for the 3rd day. Might be worth it do re-ride your faves on the morning you leave.

Have fun.

 

[Lynne G]

Yes, bell services will hold you luggage if your room is not ready, and we've also used them to hold our luggage while we go to the parks on the day we leave in the early evening, while checking out very early that morning.

We enjoy the USO hotels. The three hotels are beautiful and you will get spoiled with the unlimited express pass.


Unlike Disney, Universal does not own the three onsite hotels. Therefore, it's better to buy your tickets separately from the hotel reservation. The other nice thing I have found is that you can call the hotel's reservation line, and they have been very helpful in applying the best discount for me. If you book a room only, you can change to a better rate if you see it. Just call the hotel.

Also, the perk of the unlimited express pass is from your room key, and has nothing to do with where you buy your tickets. Thus, you have your room key, express pass, and tickets to carry.

Have a great time! By that time, the Christmas decorations will be up, and the parks are nicely decorated.

 

[Ilurk]

Thanks for all the tips!! I wasn't really booking the package, I was just going through the steps to figure out the costs. Sounds like I'll get a better deal if I get the room directly through www.loewshotels.com and then get my tickets through undercovertourist. It's super nice to know that the express pass is through your room key and not tied to the tickets!

Thanks for your help!

 

[damo]

Thanks for all the tips!! I wasn't really booking the package, I was just going through the steps to figure out the costs. Sounds like I'll get a better deal if I get the room directly through www.loewshotels.com and then get my tickets through undercovertourist. It's super nice to know that the express pass is through your room key and not tied to the tickets!

Thanks for your help!

Perfect. I was hoping that's what you meant by "booking".