Should we go?

[MadamG2U]

Hello everyone! We are a Disney family have been going for the past 3 years. Tonight my brother suggested why not try Universal. I know nothing about Universal. I have been reading the boards and I feel my eyes are bugging out.

So far I like PH. Are there any codes or discounts I can use? How much are the tickets to get in the parks and are they discounted?

It will be myself, my brother and his daughter. She is nine and I am wondering if she will enjoy US/IOA. Will there be alot for her to do?

Dining - are there alot of kid friendly resturants?

I'm sorry for so many questions. We are looking at going Aug. 14-17th.

Thanks to all!

 

[robvia]

Should you go?
Yes. But if you can push your trip forward a couple weeks it would be better. August 14-17 is the busy time of the year. Two weeks later, its empty because kids are back in school.
Staying on site will help with the magic keys, but going in September would be much better if you can pull the kid out of school for a couple days.

 

[laf0165]

There are lots of restaurants at City Walk and I would consider them kid friendly.

As far as discounts, for hotels check out travelocity.com & Hotelkingdom.com to see if they have any stay so many nights get one free promotions. Note their prices and then call (800)232-7827 and ask for both the Fan Club & Entertainment Rates. If they have them pick the best one & the get the Fan Club card from Tinkerberb or buy the Entertainment book if you pick the entertainment rate. If you can get a better price on the web, pick that. (That's what we did.) They also have a AAA auto club rate that may be available, but it is more than the other 2. Book your best rate.

For tickets, I would go to https://tickets.universalstudios.com/USRG/us_store_secure2.jsp?merchant=UO and buy the 5 Day Bonus Pass. For 5 days it's $89.95 for adults & $76.95 for children 3 to 9.

You will have room keys that will give you Express access to most of the rides. It is nothing like Disney's Express. You will have a separate line. If you don't see the express line (sometimes they are hidden and through gift shops), ask the attendant at the regular line entrance. When we were there you could ride Express an unlimited # of times in a row with no restrictions. You will love this perk, especially going in August.

I think your niece will love it!

 

[MadamG2U]

Thanks so much for the replies. Unfortunately we can't change the time we are planning to go. So I guess we will have to deal with the crowds. No different than Disney so it wont bother us to bad.

I will look into the pricing (thanks for the advice!). I did some inclusive pricing last night and came up with the following (inlcudes air and park tickets)

Hardrock - $1978
Royal Pacific Resort - $1877.66
Portofino - $2212.16

So I will start with these and see where I end up.

Once again thanks so much!

 

[netnurse31]

That's WAY too much money for 4 days! Try booking the Entertainment rate for 3 nights. I believe the standard room rate being quoted is $180 a night. Then all you need to do is get an Entertainment book for the card which is going for about $10 plus shipping right now. A 5 day bonus pass for the 3 of you would run approx. $300 with tax. That brings your total to about $850 for 3 nights and 4 days. Sounds a lot better than $2212 to me!

I've found booking a package costs a lot more than doing it yourself in most cases.

 

[netnurse31]

Oops, didn't see that that price included air but you could get air on Orbitz for $160 per person out of LGA for those days. That would bring your grand total to about $1350. Still a lot better than $2212 if you ask me

 

[MadamG2U]

Ok here is where I am so far.

Portofino hotel - $180 per night/deluxe room for 3 nights Entertainment Book - $10
Air (still working on this one) - Delta @ $235 per person
Park tickets - $269 (2 adults/1 child) - Ticketmania

Is this ok or do you think I can do better.

Also thanks for the information about the entertainment book. I am hoping to be able to use it for a trip to Myrtle Beach

 

[Planogirl]

These prices aren't bad but you may want to check Expedia and the other travel websites to see if you can't get PB for less but it sounds like a good price to me. Also, check Universal's own website for tickets, etc. :
http://themeparks.universalstudios.com/orlando/website/tickets_and_vacations.html

 

[laf0165]

Spirit Airlines is $205 R/T pp including taxes & fees out of Laguardia. The flights I got for that price are:

Flight Date From To Departs Arrives Fare*
0863 14Aug Thu LGA MCO 11:00A 01:48P $94.00

0864 17Aug Sun MCO LGA 03:48P 06:29P $94.00

Breakdown Each Total Number 3

Airfare: $174.88 $524.65
Federal Excise Tax: $13.12 $39.36
Segment Fees: $6.00 $18.00
Passenger Facility Charge: $6.00 $18.00
Security Tax: $5.00 $15.00
Total: $205.00 $615.00

That will save you a total of $90.00

 

[karin037]

MadamG2U:

Have you tried www.flysong.com for your airfare? They have fares starting at $145 rt for August (JFK-MCO). They are owned by Delta. What part of Brooklyn do you live in? I'm in Bay Ridge. You will love the PBH, it is beautiful. I have photos of the PBH (deluxe room). If you would like to see them, just PM me your e-mail address. I'll send you an invitation to view my photos on Snapfish.com.

 

[MadamG2U]

Thanks so much for the info on the airfares. Going to check into it right now.