So expensive :(

[EnnEss]

Im at disney for 8 days for the third time in may and i've never been to universal. I'd like to stay near there but their hotels are so pricey. I'm at a mod at disney for about 110 a night during that time. Is there a cheaper option at universal than what I see on their site (about 270 a night).

 

[damo]

Have you tried the AAA rates? Give the hotels a call or check at AAA. You can get substantial savings. Remember, the Universal hotels are all deluxe hotels.

When in May are you going to be there. We'll check out some prices for you. You should be able to do much better than $270/night unless it is during Memorial Day.

Annual pass rate for Royal Pacific is under $150 during May, so I would assume that AAA rates should be somewhere around there eventually although maybe not quite yet. It is cheaper during the week than on the weekend too.

 

[EnnEss]

Oh wow, ok. The AAA disc is much lower for disney hotels. I'll look into it. Thank you. Thats what we're using at the disney mod, its about 15 percent I think.

 

[damo]

Rates change quite a bit at the Universal hotels depending on occupancy. What can start out at $200 can end up at $150 if things aren't selling out. So you may just want to keep watching for the rates to go down. They should be really good in early May since it isn't busy there at all. Someone just posted that their rates are around $150 but that is using the annual pass (which by the way is only $189/year and renewals are $99). Might be a good investment if you intend to go down for a while. And remember that a 7 day pass is only $87 as well.

There are lots of much cheaper off site hotels. The benefit to onsite is, of course, that you are closer and the hotels are great but you also get unlimited express passes (fast passes).

 

[keishashadow]

you could always do a split stay, 1 night onsite @ U gives you 2 days FOTL in the parks, could leave later in the day for home.

if so, i'd do the U part last; we did it before WDW our 1st visit and we're so spoiled by FOTL, Disney just wasn't the same

 

[tndisneyfan]

Im at disney for 8 days for the third time in may and i've never been to universal. I'd like to stay near there but their hotels are so pricey. I'm at a mod at disney for about 110 a night during that time. Is there a cheaper option at universal than what I see on their site (about 270 a night).

I agree that the US hotels are pricey. I wish they had an equivelent to a moderate resort. Here is something to think about though, ticket prices. We ordered the $85 seven day pass for our family. There's three of us, me, DH, and DS(12). We have seven day "park hoppers" for less than $300. At WDW, seven day park hoppers for us is almost $800 ($792 to be exact). So you can either pay more for the hotel or more for the tickets.

I know most on these boards like to stay on-site, but have you thought about staying off-site? I have a friend at work who stayed at one of the hotels very near US/IOA - sorry I don't know which one.

 

[kirbsam]

270 per night for four nights, plus tickets for a family of four, comes to less than 1500 bucks. four nights at a mod, plus four day park hopper comes to more than 1500 bucks at disney. when you add in fotl and the incredible convenience by staying onsite at universal, i think we know where the real value lies.

 

[Metro West]

270 per night for four nights, plus tickets for a family of four, comes to less than 1500 bucks. four nights at a mod, plus four day park hopper comes to more than 1500 bucks at disney. when you add in fotl and the incredible convenience by staying onsite at universal, i think we know where the real value lies.

 

[damo]

The problem with having a moderate hotel involves the express passes that are included with your hotel stay. They would have to not include these passes if they had a moderate hotel with rooms going for around $100 since the passes would end up costing more than the hotel stay!

Right now, at busy times the passes can go for around $40 each. It would make no sense to have an unlimited pass available for 4 people included in a room that only costs $100.

 

[nerdboyrockstar]

I hope they do add a moderate hotel on-site with no Express benefits.

 

[apparition]

Universal may be more than some of the Disney resorts but the overall benefits are worth the money. I'd rather spend money on a Universal resort than on any Disney resorts that don't give you anything.

 

[Atotty]

Hey,

I just checked AP rates vs Supersaver for May and for the dates we're thinking about going AP is actually higher. Is that normal? Should I keep checking?

 

[EnnEss]

Ya, im in the same boat, really dont care about the pass benefits. We'll see

 

[lynn71092]

What about people who don't have AAA?
Any suggestions for them (me)?

 

[calgarygary]

What about people who don't have AAA?
Any suggestions for them (me)?

Join AAA and keep watching for supersaver.

 

[Atotty]

Hey Gary...OT...how did your resort hop go last year? We're doing it this year.

 

[keishashadow]

What about people who don't have AAA?
Any suggestions for them (me)?

don't think you need to actually be a member to check on the rates on AAA website @ least not on AAA East.

you can always check & see if you find a great AAA rate, book it; then join AAA; think a single membership is around $40 or less for 1st timers in our area (think of the peace of mind for road service, towing, discounts,etc)

 

[damo]

What about people who don't have AAA?
Any suggestions for them (me)?

Stay for 3 nights and get the supersaver rates.

 

[Atotty]

Our membership is $55 for AAA right now.

And yes, you can check rates without having the card. That's how I figured it wasn't worth buying the card for us. Supersaver was the same as AAA when I called.

 

[calgarygary]

Hey Gary...OT...how did your resort hop go last year? We're doing it this year.

Our stay was excellent except for CBR - there is nothing I like about WDW's value and moderate resorts but that is a personal observation and many others love them. I would highly recommend Worldquest, it's not very well known, new and very spacious - we had a 3 bedroom/3bath for 159/night that included a continental breakfast, snacks and drinks. I am LF platinum and had a suite upgrade at booking the PBH and got upgraded again at arrival to a Hospitality Suite.

Moving around can be a pain but we were attending a dance workshop and the studio was using CBR for their base. Rooms are too small and with virtually no amenities so definitely would not return. You'll love AK - I've only stayed in hotel rooms there not the villas.