Some resort/rate planning questions

[Lucky'sMom]

Hello! I've been to US/IOA a few times, and stayed on-site twice. But, our family has changed and I have a few questions. We recently became a family of 7 (just adopted two teenage boys from Russia) so now we have 5 kids. We're overjoyed, but that just put us "way out" of one room at an on-site resort. We are planning an Orlando vacation for August, and I was wondering a couple of things. #1: Would it be possible for us to book one room (not to sleep in, just to get FOTL for 2 days) and to change off which of the 7 of us use the FOTL at one time, only using it for 5 people at a time? I just can't afford two rooms at the high summer rates. I looked into buying the Express passes, but that it really expensive for 7 people! #2: Can you book the AAA rate on-line, or do you have to call? I am trying to find out what that rate is, just in case I might be able to swing two rooms at RPR for one night (if the rate is decent enough). #3: the Meal Deal seems like a good deal for us. Can I book that at any time, or should I wait until closer to the actual dates we would be there. The sipper cup deal doesn't seem so good...just how expensive are beverages there? Thanks so very much!

 

[MassMom94]

#1: Would it be possible for us to book one room (not to sleep in, just to get FOTL for 2 days) and to change off which of the 7 of us use the FOTL at one time, only using it for 5 people at a time? I just can't afford two rooms at the high summer rates. I looked into buying the Express passes, but that it really expensive for 7 people! #2: Can you book the AAA rate on-line, or do you have to call? I am trying to find out what that rate is, just in case I might be able to swing two rooms at RPR for one night (if the rate is decent enough). #3: the Meal Deal seems like a good deal for us. Can I book that at any time, or should I wait until closer to the actual dates we would be there. The sipper cup deal doesn't seem so good...just how expensive are beverages there? Thanks so very much!

#1 - The room keys have names on them, so technically you're probably not supposed to switch off - but I don't think the TMs look at the names on the keys, only the date, when you're doing FOTL.

#2 - You can book the AAA rate online from your local AAA website, but not from the Universal website.

#3 - You can buy the meal deal when you're in the park. For beverage prices, allearsnet.com has menus for many Universal park restaurants.

 

[ky07]

it all depends when in august you are going and how many days

 

[Catrinabeach]

We decided to buy the annual passes for Dh and I because it was such a savings on the rooms. We bought each of the kids the 7 day 2 park passes for 89.00. We have 4 kids with us so we have to have 2 rooms as well.

DH and I went to the HRH for 2 nights in Sept with the 2 yr old and got a great rate using the APH discount.

And in December we are spending 5 nights at RPR (12/12-12/17) With the APH discount we had the rooms for 852.00 each room. Then the super saver rate came out and we were able to reduce the cost for each room to 802.00.

Still more than most places off site but we really wanted the FOTL so we decided to spend the extra to get it.

It may be cheaper for you to get an AP for the discount on the rooms.

What I did was booked it early at the higher rate and then just kept checking back to see if the rate went down. When it did I would log into my reservation and change it to the lower rate. I think I changed it 3 times in 3 months. We saved alot doing that.

As for the dining plan. We tried it in Sept. We didn't care for it. I think it would depend on the hrs the park is open too. We were there when they closed early (6pm) and they don't start serving for the dining plan until 11am so we had a lunch at 11 and then had to be sure to have dinner by 5:30 since they stop serving 30 mins before the park closes. It ended up that we spend more on the dining plan than we would have if we had paid out of pocket. We paid 25.00 (2park one) and ate 18.00 worth of food.

Also if you do decide to do it purchase it online before hand if it is a time that qualifies for the city walk dinner coupon. They do not go that at the parks even if it's during the right time frame. Has to be purchased online.

For drinks we bought one of the Universal cups while we were there for about 6 or 7.00 and then it was 89 cents for each refill. And you can bring it back for years to come and continue paying the refill price. We are bringing it back with us this month.