Research and more questions. What would you do?

[debbs0723]

I just posted yesterday that there was no way I'd pay to stay onsite at universal but then I found out that staying one night allows express pass for two full days. I did the math and this might really work out for us. Please look at my two options and tell me what you would do.

Dates: Sunday Jan 22 and Monday Jan 23rd.

Stay in universal resort hotel Sunday night and only get 2 day base tickets but we will have express passes both those days.


Dates: Sunday Jan 22-Monday Jan 23rd and thursday 26th

Do not stay in universal resort and get 3 day park to park access tickets and no express passes.


Thanks so much for any advice or opinions. Just some background. We are not fans of lines or huge crowds which is why we take our kids out of school to do these trips. The difference between the two options is about $100 more to stay in the universal hotel once I account for all the parking charges that we would normally have and taking off a day and leaving out park to park access.

Sorry so long winded. I guess the overall question is with the express passes will we be able to see and do everything in 2 days instead of going 3 and not having them?

Thanks,
Debbie

 

[mnmmoney]

YES, with express pass you can do everything (some things twice because you can get right back on) in 2 days - it is worth the money - AND all 3 of the on-site properties are wonderful!

 

[Blazer24]

I have Some questions I am going to flordia at the end of august and was told this is the hottest week What are some things I can do to keep cool? any Suggestion how I can keep my hair from frizzing up? and what type of clothing should I wear

 

[debbs0723]

YES, with express pass you can do everything (some things twice because you can get right back on) in 2 days - it is worth the money - AND all 3 of the on-site properties are wonderful!

Thanks, mnmmoney. So you still think it is worth it in January and giving up the 2 park access? We really do want to see as many rides and shows as possible. I'm one of those "see and do everything" type people. I've read a couple of post saying that FOTL passes are worthless in January but again.... we are really spoiled with not waiting in lines. I guess it is all relative. Some people don't mind waiting 20-30 min... We do, but at the same time how much would it suck (excuse my slight french) to pay the extra, give up the 2 park access only to find out it was completely useless?

I'm sure the hotels are really nice but I'm thinking one night and two full days spent in the park we really won't get to enjoy them all that much. are the pools there heated during winter and do they stay open past park time?

Thanks,
Debbie

 

[macraven]

I just posted yesterday that there was no way I'd pay to stay onsite at universal but then I found out that staying one night allows express pass for two full days. I did the math and this might really work out for us. Please look at my two options and tell me what you would do.

Dates: Sunday Jan 22 and Monday Jan 23rd.

Stay in universal resort hotel Sunday night and only get 2 day base tickets but we will have express passes both those days.


Dates: Sunday Jan 22-Monday Jan 23rd and thursday 26th

Do not stay in universal resort and get 3 day park to park access tickets and no express passes.


Thanks so much for any advice or opinions. Just some background. We are not fans of lines or huge crowds which is why we take our kids out of school to do these trips. The difference between the two options is about $100 more to stay in the universal hotel once I account for all the parking charges that we would normally have and taking off a day and leaving out park to park access.

Sorry so long winded. I guess the overall question is with the express passes will we be able to see and do everything in 2 days instead of going 3 and not having them?

Thanks,
Debbie

you can stay onsite for 2 days.
you will receive the perk of unlimited express line usage for 3 days.

that is a perk for staying onsite.

you are allowed to have your luggage and belongings held for you with valet until you leave the hotel. anytime that is.

check out on day 3, go to the parks and use your hotel key card for the express lines.

return to the hotel, take a swim.
change in the rooms by the pool, shower, clean up, etc.
this is available for pool guests.
you can still pool hop .......

get your belongings at valet when you decide to leave the hotel.

no extra charge for this perk.

in reference to your statement on crowded ride lines, the first two weeks of january have crowds, the rest of january usually do not.

i would stay onsit on monday and tuesday.
those rates would be lower than the fri,sat,sun.
the sunday room rates are lower than F and Sa, but a bit higher than M-Th

 

[macraven]

I have Some questions I am going to flordia at the end of august and was told this is the hottest week What are some things I can do to keep cool? any Suggestion how I can keep my hair from frizzing up? and what type of clothing should I wear

good question for a first post.



wear a hat.
no one can see the frizz then.

spend time in the shows.
spend time in the shops.

if you stay onsite, use the pool.
and pool hop.

if a onsite hotel guest, go early morning, return to hotel for the pool around 1ish.
return to the parks around 5 to avoid the major heat.
at the end of august the parks hours are usually cut back from the summer hours.

 

[edamethyst]

I just posted yesterday that there was no way I'd pay to stay onsite at universal but then I found out that staying one night allows express pass for two full days. I did the math and this might really work out for us. Please look at my two options and tell me what you would do.

Dates: Sunday Jan 22 and Monday Jan 23rd.

Stay in universal resort hotel Sunday night and only get 2 day base tickets but we will have express passes both those days.


Dates: Sunday Jan 22-Monday Jan 23rd and thursday 26th

Do not stay in universal resort and get 3 day park to park access tickets and no express passes.


Thanks so much for any advice or opinions. Just some background. We are not fans of lines or huge crowds which is why we take our kids out of school to do these trips. The difference between the two options is about $100 more to stay in the universal hotel once I account for all the parking charges that we would normally have and taking off a day and leaving out park to park access.

Sorry so long winded. I guess the overall question is with the express passes will we be able to see and do everything in 2 days instead of going 3 and not having them?

Thanks,
Debbie

You first option sounds the best. go to hotel get your fotl passes on Sunday go to the parks all day stay over nite get up and go back to the parks on Monday...you'll be able to see everything in those 2 days with the fotl passes.

 

[skylock]

I have Some questions I am going to flordia at the end of august and was told this is the hottest week What are some things I can do to keep cool? any Suggestion how I can keep my hair from frizzing up? and what type of clothing should I wear

Wear cotton and put your hair up in a ponytail.

 

[Scrappy_Tink]

You first option sounds the best. go to hotel get your fotl passes on Sunday go to the parks all day stay over nite get up and go back to the parks on Monday...you'll be able to see everything in those 2 days with the fotl passes.

We rode the Men in Black and Mummy over & over & over.....it is sooooooo worth it!!

 

[macraven]

We rode the Men in Black and Mummy over & over & over.....it is sooooooo worth it!!

i love those rides!!


i use the express line always for it.
but, on some mornings when the regular line is short, i take the regular line just to see it all.......for both mib and mummy.

you do miss the beginning in the lobby when you only do the ep line for mib.


so, what was your highest score for mib?

you can tell me.
i won't blab.

 

[Scrappy_Tink]

Wear cotton and put your hair up in a ponytail.

Personally, I wouldn't wear cotton if you plan on riding any water rides. Lands end have some really nice quick-dry nylon type cargo shorts...you'd be dry within minutes....waterproof comfy sandals are nice too. They do have misting stations to help keep you cool too. I'd just give up on your hair, pull it into a poneytail, baseball cap, and sunglasses!

 

[Scrappy_Tink]

i love that ride!!


i use the express line always for it.
but, on some mornings when the regular line is short, i take the regular line just to see it all.......

you do miss the beginning in the lobby when you only do the ep line.


so, what was your highest score?

you can tell me.
i won't blab.

I honestly don't remember!!! We haven't been for over 2.5 years, but are going back in Dec....can't wait to see The Grinch!! I need to study up so I can whoop DHs butt!!

 

[Scrappy_Tink]

i love those rides!!


i use the express line always for it.
but, on some mornings when the regular line is short, i take the regular line just to see it all.......for both mib and mummy.

you do miss the beginning in the lobby when you only do the ep line for mib.


so, what was your highest score for mib?

you can tell me.
i won't blab.

What was yours, so I can set a goal to beat?

 

[macraven]

there was an older thread, some years back that i brought back from the grave here on the forums.

i'll see if i can bring it up again.

it had some tips on mib scoring.

i remember i posted about the table in the regular line for the mummy and the button.

it's something you can do to it ............don't know if many know the secret of it.

 

[Scrappy_Tink]

there was an older thread, some years back that i brought back from the grave here on the forums.

i'll see if i can bring it up again.

it had some tips on mib scoring.

i remember i posted about the table in the regular line for the mummy and the button.

it's something you can do to it ............don't know if many know the secret of it.

That's too funny, that was what I was referring to when I said I was going to study!!! I could have sworn it was a sticky, but I looked when you posted and saw it wasn't there. Didn't it give tips for the left lane and right lane? I want to know the Mummy secret too!!!!!

 

[ArielDreams]

Just got back and we stayed at the Double Tree right across the street. It was about a 15 minute walk to the parks and although our feet hurt, it was definitely worth it. Staying there and booking through AAA, we got the 1 hour early entry to Harry Potter which was so key. We went both days and were able to get Forbidden Journey and both Dragon coasters in plus a little shopping before the masses got to the area at 8:00. Islands of Adventure got extremely packed by noon but we had done all of the rides by then without the need for an Express pass. However, this was July and with hoards of tour groups.

The second day, we stayed at the Studios park from open to close and also were able to accomplish everything without an Express pass. We followed the exact touring plan in the Unofficial Guide book and it worked out perfectly. Studios was definitely way less crowded than IOA (due to lack of Potter). In my opinion, staying on-site just to get the Express pass is kind of a waste. The extra hour Harry Potter was worth it but I'm sure you can find deals at partner hotels that include this.

 

[AnjieNet]

Just got back and we stayed at the Double Tree right across the street. It was about a 15 minute walk to the parks and although our feet hurt, it was definitely worth it. Staying there and booking through AAA, we got the 1 hour early entry to Harry Potter which was so key. We went both days and were able to get Forbidden Journey and both Dragon coasters in plus a little shopping before the masses got to the area at 8:00. Islands of Adventure got extremely packed by noon but we had done all of the rides by then without the need for an Express pass. However, this was July and with hoards of tour groups.

The second day, we stayed at the Studios park from open to close and also were able to accomplish everything without an Express pass. We followed the exact touring plan in the Unofficial Guide book and it worked out perfectly. Studios was definitely way less crowded than IOA (due to lack of Potter). In my opinion, staying on-site just to get the Express pass is kind of a waste. The extra hour Harry Potter was worth it but I'm sure you can find deals at partner hotels that include this.

We will probably be booking through AAA as well. Did you get much of a discount from what was offered online and/or any other perks like they give you for WDW (parking, etc.) besides the WWoHP Pass?

Which Unofficial Guide did you follow?

Thanks!

 

[purple hippo]

Is it because you booked through AAA that you got early admission or because you stayed at a partner hotel?

 

[ArielDreams]

We will probably be booking through AAA as well. Did you get much of a discount from what was offered online and/or any other perks like they give you for WDW (parking, etc.) besides the WWoHP Pass?

Which Unofficial Guide did you follow?

Thanks!

From what I remember, the discount wasn't huge ($5-10 a night) but the extra perks were great. I think the Harry Potter extra hour was more due to our hotel being a partner rather than the AAA but we got it so that's all that mattered. With AAA, we got priority seating to 4 or 5 shows in both parks which was nice to get first pick of seats and get out of the sun earlier than the rest. We also got City Walk party passes so we didn't have to pay cover to any of the bars/clubs - I definitely recommend City Walk at night, it was great! We also got free souvenir cups, first fill free. We didn't really want to carry them around the park and they're nothing special but we got them on the way out one day which was great for free.

I bought the Unofficial Guide Beyond Disney and followed their suggestions exactly... it was perfect! It seemed like we just beat the crowds everywhere. The book is basically everything in Orlando that's not Disney - so Universal, Sea World, non-Disney waterparks, local restaurants etc. Highly recommended.

 

[damo]

Is it because you booked through AAA that you got early admission or because you stayed at a partner hotel?

You have to book a package through Universal (the AAA agent probably did this). It is the info on the back of the park ticket that you get with the package that allows you early entry. Just booking an overnight stay at a partner hotel will not get you early entry.