Pros of Univeral Hotels

[pentex]

I am a self-professed Disney maniac. I was one of the first Disney Vacation Club owners and have stayed in WDW on property 2x a year since 1993. On the bus work week, though, a woman was telling me how great staying at Universal was (at Hard Rock) but we got interrupted. Could you finish her thoughts....what are the Universal hotel pros???

 

[Deb in IA]

Fotl!

 

[damo]

Being able to walk everywhere, express pass for basically everything - all the time, beautiful hotels, being immersed in the on-site experience, the excellent prices during off season

 

[*Fantasia*]

You have the option to walk (5-112 minute walk HRH or RPR) to use the bus or to ride the boat.

You can pool hop from one resort to another.

There is a dive-in movies every Friday night at all three resorts.

RPR has the hula girls and the fire twirlers every night at 6:30pm at the pool. They also sing and dance at the Island restuarant. The Wantilan Luau (fee) is every Saturday.

The HRH has the underwater music. You can request for your room to face the parks. It is awesome to see the rollercoaster rides from your room. And let's not forget... FOTL!!! You can't beat that! Not even the Fast Pass nor the EE or EMH can beat FOTL. As long as you're staying on site, you can use FOTL anytime of the day at any rides/attractions.

All pools has the 0 depth entry which is wonderful for young children.

We love staying on Universal property. My favorite is RPR. See my tag?

 

[Muushka]

We are also DVC members and really enjoy the Universal hotels. As already stated, FOTL is priceless and the hotels are really nice (I think they are nicer than WDW hotels, but NOT DVC ) Also, their proximity to the parks, being able to walk where ever you need to go, is a great plus.

We always stayed at HRH or one of the others for the Fri/Sat stays either before or after DVC. The prices at Universal hotels are getting sort of steep, so when we can snag a good rate, we will return.

 

[pentex]

Bump up please...

First of all, thanks to all! Next, what exactly is FOTL? I'm assuming First On the Line but how exactly does it work?

And you guys are totally convincing me here....so, next step: Are they are good savings to be had for Universal hotels?

Thanks!
Joan

 

[Muushka]

Yes Pentex, you got the FOTL down pat. It can be compared to Fast Pass at WDW. Your room key is shown to the CM at the "express lane" of the ride
and you wiz past all the other people waiting in line. The perk IS priceless.

As far as savings to be had at Universal hotels, well, lately from what I have read on these boards the deals have been few and far between. We did not go this past Dec like we usually do, so I personally have not checked prices. Hopefully someone who has been recently can chime in. I know we got some great deals with our AP, Fan Club and sometimes a resident deal (even though we are from NC we got a NC resident deal ).

As mentioned, the 3 hotels are really nice places to stay.

 

[Briarprincess]

The whole walking thing is a huge plus in itself. You literally walk from one park to the other, through City Walk, to the hotels, and never be tired.
FOTL is amazing. If Disney even offered this to their Deluxe resorts only, the sales would be through the roof. You never have to wait more than 5 minutes for ANY ride, not even MIB.
At HRH, you get a cd player in the room, and a free sampler (at least when I was there).
RP is beautiful, reminds me of the Poly. I honestly don't remember the hotel room though we were only there in August!!! But we spent every waking moment in the parks or on the porch of Margaritaville I love Universal and City Walk. For me, they're only a step below Disney ( Disney is first cause of )

 

[pentex]

This is all very interesting to me...I've always felt Disney shortchanged loyal customers, i.e. DVC members who buy timeshares or like you said, deluxe resort guests. They should be given something better than so-what-Fast-Pass. I think it definitely is time for my family to try the Universal side of things.

 

[Donnask8pro]

Please tell me where we could look up the best rate for just 1 night? We have a time share and want to extend our stay. We already have 1 extra night booked at WDW but maybe the other staying at US. Any place like Dreams unlimited? They were great. I am assuming they dont handle US? Thanks...

 

[antmaril]

Fotl!

I totally agree - FOTL is the best

On top of that, the resorts are beautiful. We have stayed at all three and they are first rate. It just depends on what theming you want and your price range.

Did I mention FOTL is the best!!!!

 

[damo]

Please tell me where we could look up the best rate for just 1 night? We have a time share and want to extend our stay. We already have 1 extra night booked at WDW but maybe the other staying at US. Any place like Dreams unlimited? They were great. I am assuming they dont handle US? Thanks...

Go to the www.loewshotels.com website. There are three Orlando hotels to choose from. If you have AAA, use AAA as the discount code. Sometimes Travelocity and Expedia and other 3rd party reservations companies can have pretty good deals.

 

[highlander447]

FOTL is great and at busy times totally priceless u have more time to spend actually enjoying your holiday rather than queing and the RPR is such a beautiful resort always found the staff to be very good

 

[Donnask8pro]

I checked into it. I am paying through DU total 138 for 2 rooms at ASM and 190 also fri after Thanksgiving at ASM. Rooms at US were over 200 for just 1 room. Is there no other way to get it cheaper. I put in AAA. I was shocked. I would love to stay at US 1 of those nights, BUT....

 

[highlander447]

Unfortunately they have been very stingy with discounts this year but nearer time am sure u will see it cheaper I don't think discounts are in the system yet for thanksgiving

 

[Donnask8pro]

Thanks, I'll keep checking. Please PM me if you happen to see of any.

 

[highlander447]

Keep on checking the date & rate thread as its a good indicator as to when discounts are released

 

[Donnask8pro]

Date and rate thread? I must have missed that one. Where do I find it? I looked after you told me and could not find it. Sorry..I tried

 

[highlander447]

link
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=682494
its not a sticky but it wa statred by alex and nessa in nov 04 and its still on first page so its pretty popular but u rely on our members sharing there info

 

[keishashadow]

FOTL, of course! As a Universal 1st Timers, we were absolutley amazed by this perk. I too wish WDW would come up with this sort of program. Fast Pass cannot begin to compare.

The 10 minute walk (I'm sloooow, from HRH to Studios.

The convenient, on-site, day care program ($10/hour per child).

Parking at the hotels, seems alot closer than the garage by CitiWalk.

Can't wait to go back. Think we'll try RP next.