Shocked by Universal Resort Prices

[StitchesGr8Fan]

I'm starting to think about a trip next year for a big birthday celebration, and my friends and I decided we should go to the parks we didn't hit last month (aka Universal and Sea World). I was thinking that it would be good to stay in one of the Universal hotels so that we could get Universal Express privileges since Harry Potter will be open and the parks will probably be busier.

Lets just say I was shocked to see how much 4 nights would cost - $1200 at the cheapest! I know these aren't value resorts, but wow, what a difference. Maybe because it is the week before Thanksgiving and they know Harry Potter land will be so popular they feel that can have such high prices.

I have a feeling I might be staying at Pop and paying for a rental car and the Express pass!

 

[k5jm]

The Tisch family does not make their Billions off of "Holiday Inn" style hotels. All of the Loews' properties are "4 diamond or better" and have a price commensurate with being "4 diamonds or better."

Loews_Corporation

 

[mainegal]

That is a lot of $$$ for front of the line.

 

[ADP]

I'm starting to think about a trip next year for a big birthday celebration, and my friends and I decided we should go to the parks we didn't hit last month (aka Universal and Sea World). I was thinking that it would be good to stay in one of the Universal hotels so that we could get Universal Express privileges since Harry Potter will be open and the parks will probably be busier.

Lets just say I was shocked to see how much 4 nights would cost - $1200 at the cheapest! I know these aren't value resorts, but wow, what a difference. Maybe because it is the week before Thanksgiving and they know Harry Potter land will be so popular they feel that can have such high prices.

I have a feeling I might be staying at Pop and paying for a rental car and the Express pass!

Just a suggestion but you might consider purchasing a Universal AP. The AP rates at the 3 on-site resorts are very good and make a very big difference in price.
Not only will you save big on the resort, but you'll also save on food and souveniers.

 

[Kimberle]

They are beautiful resorts. It was REALLY hard to go back to a WDW resort after our US stay.

 

[firsttimemom]

we've stayed at HRH and the Royal Pacific. The rooms were much larger, and dare I say more luxurious than the Poly or AKL. We've been able to find discounts (AAA and others) which help.

And as far as front of the line access goes- being able to walk on to Hulk and Dueling Dragons in late May rather than stand in line with every graduating student in Florida was priceless!!

 

[LisaB08]

My husband and I stayed at the Royal Pacific October 30th and 31st. We were also shocked at how expensive it was. I think our two night stay was almost $600.00. In addition to that, you have to pay to park your car on the property because they told us they don't own the parking lot. I think we paid $15.00 per day. What a rip off. How do you not own the parking lot of your hotel? On the up side, the hotels at Universal are very nice, your key can be used as a front of line pass and they seem a little more accommodating than Disney hotel cast members. The only reason we stay there in October (we stayed 7 nights at Pop Century) is because we love Halloween Horror Nights. Next year, I think we'll just drive up for the evening and park our rent a car.

 

[Worfiedoodles]

It really depends on the time of the year, and the discount you can get -- AAA, AP, etc. We're going next week with an AP discount for $150/night at RPR. That's pretty hard to beat, and I personally think much nicer than a WDW mod. The other trick is to keep calling up until you go, the rates often go down dramatically the closer you get to your date. This far out, you are probably getting the highest rack rate.

Maria

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

Good tips everyone. Thank you!

Our plan is to do US, IoA, SW, and Discovery Cove. I really don't want to stay on Disney property just because it would be very hard for me to not go to the Disney parks. My friends aren't Disney crazy like I am (although they have already decided I'm going to get married there once I find the right guy ) so they really want to try something else next time. Staying on Universal property seems like a good idea since everything we want to do falls within their realm.

 

[kaligal]

They aren't cheap hotels, but they are nice. Disney has nothing to rival Portofino. And on the whole, the service is much better at the Uni hotels.

You can also skip the rental car if you're doing just Uni. Unlike Disney, it is much faster to take the Uni boat than it is to drive. It's a short but very pretty boat ride. Even the cost of a cab ride to/from Sea World for a day or two still saves over a rental car.

The FOTL thing just can't be beat. You can sleep in and still ride the popular rides without standing in line forever and a day (or skipping them entirely.)

 

[BriarRosie]

A few years ago, my friend who had a Universal AP was able to get us a couple nights at Portofino Bay at a fairly nice rate, which was mid-May that year.

I have to say, I've stayed from Value to Deluxe at WDW, and nothing could rival Portofino. The best value, IMHO, was the front of the line access. That was worth the cost alone, IMHO. But if I were blindfolded and plopped down at this resort, I would never have guessed I was at Universal. That's how impressed I was with it.

As far as parking there, I wanted to point out that the Swan and Dolphin are owned by Starwood, and they also charge for parking. Disney seems to be the exception, not the rule when it comes to free parking.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

Since it sounds like you normally stay at POP, I can understand the sticker shock for a Universal Resort.

I've been able to get discounts at their resorts. I just keep an eye on the rates at the website and when the supersaver discounts come out, I grab them. I also book as soon as I know I want to go so I can get the resort I want.

I always start with booking using my AAA card and keep checking the rates.

The hotels at the Universal area rock. They have fabulous pools, the rooms are much nicer (at least at RPR which is where I've stayed so far), the beds more comfy and the service is better to me. They are true deluxe resorts.

Sure you have to pay for parking but you do at most upscale resorts out of Disney World.

Head over to the Universal section of the disboards and check it out.