Really worth it to stay at a Universal hotel if..

[La2kw]

The FOTL access is great, but the hotels themselves are fantastic! It's win-win.

 

[Princess Sleepy]

On the flip side, if one really can't afford the on-site hotel and is only going to be at IOA for one day (end of October) are we really setting ourselves up for a disadvantage? We would still have early access to HP and FOTL doesn't work for that. I am hoping to still get everything done (don't care about Spiderman and the Hulk) without FOTL. Am I crazy?

 

[carolynob]

Bear in mind that if you don't stay on site and want to use the Express Pass you have to purchase it at the park. During April Vacation it is $49.99 per person. Would have been $200 for the four of us. And having just gone during President's week, I can attest to the fact that unless you are extremely patient waiting in lines, The express pass is invaluable. We got $186/nt with AAA when the regular rate was $239/night. I don't know what the Club level discount is but it can't hurt to ask. Hotel Express is also unlimited times and the only way to get in early for Harry Potter. Which again is essential if you want to see anything during vacation week. By 9:05am Monday morning of President's week, Harry Potter was shoulder to shoulder!

 

[CampbellScot]

If the Express Pass is purchased at the park, is it different than the access you would get staying onsite? I know if you stay onsite you get into the parks early, but are the express passes unlimited or are they valid for only one use per attraction? I was just reading that the express passes purchased at the park are valid for one time per attraction. I'm trying to decide if it's worth it to stay onsite. We only have one day for IOA and then we head to Disney for a week.

My step son is so excited about Hulk he can barely contain himself!! Me too!!

 

[bumbershoot]

If the Express Pass is purchased at the park, is it different than the access you would get staying onsite?

The purchased ones are good for one ride per attraction.

The hotel passes are good for as many rides as you want to do per attraction. DS and I rode Flight of the Hippogriff 14 times in a row, about half the time using our hotel keys (they scan them as you go in the express entrance), for instance. I used mine twice in a row on Men In Black when I rode first to see if DS would like it (he refused to even go in the building), and then when I came out raving about it he had already decided to ride, so I used it again with DS and DH. Most excellent.

So yes, they are different.

 

[CampbellScot]

The purchased ones are good for one ride per attraction.

The hotel passes are good for as many rides as you want to do per attraction. DS and I rode Flight of the Hippogriff 14 times in a row, about half the time using our hotel keys (they scan them as you go in the express entrance), for instance. I used mine twice in a row on Men In Black when I rode first to see if DS would like it (he refused to even go in the building), and then when I came out raving about it he had already decided to ride, so I used it again with DS and DH. Most excellent.

So yes, they are different.

Thanks so much for the info!! That's the stuff I just would not know! Now to convince the husband that staying onsite is SO worth it! Especially with just one day to see everything....hmmmm

 

[CampbellScot]

Bear in mind that if you don't stay on site and want to use the Express Pass you have to purchase it at the park. During April Vacation it is $49.99 per person. Would have been $200 for the four of us. And having just gone during President's week, I can attest to the fact that unless you are extremely patient waiting in lines, The express pass is invaluable. We got $186/nt with AAA when the regular rate was $239/night. I don't know what the Club level discount is but it can't hurt to ask. Hotel Express is also unlimited times and the only way to get in early for Harry Potter. Which again is essential if you want to see anything during vacation week. By 9:05am Monday morning of President's week, Harry Potter was shoulder to shoulder!

We also have AAA and will be there August 6...did you have to hunt for the deal with AAA or do you just book through them to get the discount? (I'm very new to AAA!!)

 

[Sammy Cat]

hi - I called the hotel booking line and the AAA/CAA rate they gave me was way better than what I would have gotten if I went through CAA. Not sure why, it just was.

 

[CampbellScot]

hi - I called the hotel booking line and the AAA/CAA rate they gave me was way better than what I would have gotten if I went through CAA. Not sure why, it just was.

Did you call the hotel directly and give them your AAA member number? I didn't know you could do that!!! I thought you had to go through AAA! Learn something new every day!!

I'm getting very excited for our Universal experience!!!

 

[Bethpremier]

I am wondering if this is worth it for us too. We will be going in September and I didnt want to spend the money unless its worth it. We are able to get an awesome deal of $130 a night. Throughts?

 

[bumbershoot]

I am wondering if this is worth it for us too. We will be going in September and I didnt want to spend the money unless its worth it. We are able to get an awesome deal of $130 a night. Throughts?

$130? I'd leap on it in a heartbeat! What sort of deal are you getting? We're going in Sept too, and that's definitely not the rate I'm seeing for the onsite hotels...

 

[CampbellScot]

$130? I'd leap on it in a heartbeat! What sort of deal are you getting? We're going in Sept too, and that's definitely not the rate I'm seeing for the onsite hotels...

WOW! That's an unreal price!! Where did you find such a great deal?! (if you don't mind my being nosy that is!)

congrats!!! nothing like a good deal to brighten the day!

 

[Bethpremier]

IATA rate

 

[CampbellScot]

IATA rate

what is IATA? I'm assuming something to do with travel agents? Is it something anyone can get or is it like AAA?

 

[Sammy Cat]

Did you call the hotel directly and give them your AAA member number? I didn't know you could do that!!! I thought you had to go through AAA! Learn something new every day!!

I'm getting very excited for our Universal experience!!!

Yes I did, and yes you can! Good luck! I hope it works out to be a good deal for you!

 

[Bethpremier]

what is IATA? I'm assuming something to do with travel agents? Is it something anyone can get or is it like AAA?

Yes, travel agent. It still seems pricey for me. Im wondering if we need the express pass during Sept.

 

[bumbershoot]

You're going about 2 weeks before us, and I sure am planning on making the MOST out of our hotel-based express passes!

I say it's a great price, the hotels (at least Royal Pacific Resort) are awesome and gorgeous, and you'll have a great time.

 

[damo]

Yes, travel agent. It still seems pricey for me. Im wondering if we need the express pass during Sept.

$130 is darn cheap for a deluxe hotel. However, if you don't want to stay onsite for the express access, the ability to just walk to the parks and back to the resort and just the ease of staying in one place for a few days, there are tons of offsite places.

 

[dd50]

The purchased ones are good for one ride per attraction.

The hotel passes are good for as many rides as you want to do per attraction. DS and I rode Flight of the Hippogriff 14 times in a row, about half the time using our hotel keys (they scan them as you go in the express entrance), for instance. I used mine twice in a row on Men In Black when I rode first to see if DS would like it (he refused to even go in the building), and then when I came out raving about it he had already decided to ride, so I used it again with DS and DH. Most excellent.

So yes, they are different.

Thanks! I didn't know that. Now I have to rethink staying in one of their hotels again.