Read UG and have some questions......hotel

[cissy]

1. A lot of info to absorb! Trying to figure out best deal and it is a bit overwhelming. Is there a calculator somewhere I can plug all the info into or a worksheet someone had developed? If I give all the info to a Universal travel agent (hotel type, tickets, express, AP, etc) will they be able to look at everything and figure out the best rate for me?

2. On site parking....if we drive, it is an extra fee EVERY day to keep our car at the hotel? Is that not included in the hotel rate?

3. On Universal site it states on site guests, except CB, get into WWHP one hour earlier than anyone else. But I keep reading that if you get to park early, gates often open early for everyone. Am I missing something? Is it really a hotel perk?

Thanks!

 

[RMulieri]

1) If you stay at a deluxe resort ( Hard rock ,Portofino or royal Pacific) express passes come with the resort stay. Cabana bay would require to purchase them if you want it.There is no calculator that I know of .I go to loewshotels.com or call them directly and figure out the best rate ( AAA, APH, stay more, save more rates) anI go from there.
2) The Uni hotels DO NOT include parking . There is a daily charge for parking your car
3) Early entry is for ALL Universal resort guests .It allows you into the WWoHP area that is designated for that day. Generlly it is IOA, but certain times of year it can be both or change to Universal Studios. When we were there last MLK week, the weekend had it at the Studios.Starting on that Monday It was at IOA only.They do check key cards to check that you are eligible

 

[cissy]

Can I find out in advance which park will have the early entry?

 

[johde]

3. On Universal site it states on site guests, except CB, get into WWHP one hour earlier than anyone else. But I keep reading that if you get to park early, gates often open early for everyone. Am I missing something? Is it really a hotel perk?

Thanks!

Often everyone is allowed in the park, but there is a second check point where they check for the hotel key. When I was at USF, they allowed everyone into the park and up to the cross roads right by Despicable Me. There were barricades set up there and they checked for Hotel ID at that point. It would be about like at Disney being allowed into the entrance area where the welcome show is or maybe being allowed in Main St.

The other thing you may have heard is that gates often open 15 min. early.

 

[nkereina]

Can I find out in advance which park will have the early entry?

I've not been able to find it posted online anywhere, and I suspect it's so they can change it up as they see fit. Check the boards and there will be recent reports from people who are there and will stay where the EE was during their trip. It's currently IOA but when I was there last November, it was US.

 

[cissy]

Ok, I will check!