Something About Nothing ... #12

[tinydancer09]

The lower rates are only Sunday to Thurs, so since I'm staying Thursday to Sunday I'd only get two days at the cheaper rate, and fri sat would be rack ($174). Anywho, my roommate Adam let me borrow his cc to book SF with the APH rate.

I've read somewhere they're not letting people do that anyways. The split rate thing. Something about having to make two reservations and the one inside the deal rate has to be three days. Sounds like a hassle! Yay on your roommate and his generosity!

 

[macraven]

Robbie if you booked different resessie, you would have to check out and take your things with you to the lobby and then check back into the hotel again
That would be 3 different check ins
Thursday/Friday and Saturday/Sunday

Maybe Cbay would have a decent rate for all your nights there

Hope you get it set up so no worries about it

 

[tinydancer09]

Robbie if you booked different resessie, you would have to check out and take your things with you to the lobby and then check back into the hotel again
That would be 3 different check ins
Thursday/Friday and Saturday/Sunday

Maybe Cbay would have a decent rate for all your nights there

Hope you get it set up so no worries about it

SF has the same rate as CB for APH and it's newer/closer/boat taxi. The e-mail just had an even lower rate for people Sunday-Thursday. He booked the APH rate.

 

[macraven]

But he said 2 of the days are not valid for the code
Thought staying at Cbay would be less of a hassle of creating 3 ressies at SF

 

[tinydancer09]

Okay guys, I'm getting into crunch time here and will probably have a lot of questions as we head to Universal next weekend with the nephew. I really would appreciate any help and figure you guys know (I'm not finding answers by searching the forums, the UO page, or Lines chat that I'm looking for).

1. What AP should we buy? (I realize this is a personal decision). We had the Premier last time but pretty much never went after 4 for the EP or took advantage of the better parking (much of the time it wasn't better). We did use the HHN ticket but are thinking of just getting one of the Frequent Fear tickets for less than the difference that would allow us to go many times. Anything else I'm not thinking of if we get the Preferred instead?

2. EP's - I see lots of discussion but nothing in writing anywhere. Is Kong included? If not, did they open up FJ instead with EP? Or do I now have to squeeze that in along with all the HP stuff in the early morning hour?

HP express has not opened up. I'm not sure if it will or not. I'm hoping it will after this summer is up since kong is new. Kong is not included and at least yet they have not changed their literature to include Kong in early entry. If you don't get it all done in the morning visit late in the evening before park close. The potter areas tend to start emptying out since they're in the back of the park.

3. I'm really getting less optimistic that we'll make the early entry on the first day so if we get there later (say by 10 or so?), where would you go? On the one day early entry we do have, what would you do? (Only staying one night). Or should I throw an 11 year old out of bed at 5:00am, even if he flew in late the night before? Not sure that would be the best start to the day. Just in general, I know Minions is critical early in the day so I'm thinking we'd have to save that for Day 2 but which would have longer lines other than that - DA, Hogsmeade, or Kong?

One thing I do not remember about any of my childhood vacations is sleep! I do remember lots of fun, late nights, early mornings, and memories. It's really based on the kid though. If they're one of those that is just NOT happy without a good amount of sleep then definitely let him sleep in OR take a break in the afternoon. If they're easy going and go with the flow I'd try to do it. As mac said he can try to sleep in the car. You can always try to call it an early night!
On minions. Won't you have EP? So does it really matter when you do it? I've only done minions once so that's not an answer... I'm genuinely asking.
I would do the other three in the mornings and if you don't get them all done circle back close to closing. I have no opinions on Kong as I haven't been yet.

4. Any chance of Hulk being open in a week or should I assume no?

I don't think so. Most people are rumoring September 1 now. Not sure when you're going... They might start doing softs into August, but those are never guaranteed and are often for just a few hours. Not sure if they will since it's just a "Reopening" not a brand new attraction.

5. How long will it take us to get back to PBH if we want to take a break late afternoon the first day? If we do so on the second day as well, is there somewhere by the pool to take a quick shower and change? (Assuming we've checked out).

It took us maybe 10-15 minutes depending if we had to wait on the boat or not. I'd even reach to say only 5, but it was probably 10. It's a very nice boat ride and I would recommend that. You can walk, but if I remember correctly it took me about 20 minutes speed walking. That was a long time ago though.... I hear there's a short cut. I've never taken it.

6. I need to buy lanyards somewhere, right? Are the ones there durable plastic that actually hold up? I've bought several of the WDW ones and the plastic part that holds your tickets always seems to break off (rip), even when I add some packing tape to it. If Uni ones are the same (lack of) quality, I'll just reuse old ones but otherwise I think they'd make a good souvenir for the nephew if I don't have to worry about him losing his ticket/EP.

I always take people into the big universal store as soon as you go through the gates. There is a big store at city walk and there are also stores on site at the hotel. I just always do the one at universal out of habit. Not sure of the selection at the hotels. I've never had a problem with the universal plastic pouch. Well, one I did. It was from 2005 and this year it finally dry rotted and broke. I've been using it as a loaner for my non-universal savy friends until they get their own. I have heard you can ask someone who sells lanyards nicely and they will give you an extra pouch if yours breaks. I'm not kind with my lanyards. I get them stuck on things, smushed, thrown, etc. I've never had a problem! I did buy some military backs for my pins because I did have a problem with those staying put. They have character lanyards and plain universal lanyards. The plain ones are cheaper and smaller. The character ones can be longer. Not sure how tall he is! At 11 I'm sure he'll have no problem as I don't....

7. Is it safe to buy nephew's ticket from Undercover Tourist if it saves me $20 over the online Universal ticket directly? If his is then just a printed page, is there any way to swap it for a smaller ticket that will fit in his lanyard (either at a park ticket office or at PBH)?

Anything else I'm not thinking of? Sorry to have so many questions - thanks all!

[/QUOTE]

I can't help you here. I hope you all have a wonderful trip!!!

 

[tinydancer09]

But he said 2 of the days are not valid for the code
Thought staying at Cbay would be less of a hassle of creating 3 ressies at SF

Not valid for the PIN code. It is valid for the APH rate no need for three ressies. The APH rate was $129 per night for his entire stay.
The pin code lowered a few nights a bit, but increased the other nights so per his post earlier he just booked the APH rate at SF for I'm assuming $129 a night as that's what we talked about yesterday. Cabana Bay was also $129 a night for APH so it only made sense to go with the new SF.

 

[keishashadow]

Hey all, will be glad when this week is done & over bleech

Had crown on un-root canal'd tooth fall out yet again. So glad I only had to wait a day to be seen. Showed pics of my son's arms/back to the office manager who is dentists wife. Used to be a nurse at our area's burn hospital. Told me he had to seen again ASAP. Blisters were huge, half the size of a hard boiled egg and infected. The prescribed him handful of stuff and instructed him to slather himself with the silvadene. Guess he wasn't using quite enough but ER had only given him a tube the size of medium toothpaste. Has two large containers now. Turned out he was put on a new med and the pharmacy forgot to put the sun sensitivity sticker on it. Ridiculous IMO.

Hoping mrs bluer is feeing better, weekend off should set her right.

Tink - lol re the DTV dude, some consolation. Figure it's all good now. We had to move ours last year since a tree in the woods (owned by utility company) was blocking our view. They refused our request to have it trimmed, hmmph. Now on a lower roof I have over an addition but it far part of our yard. Here, they have to be low enough to ground that we can take a broom and scrape off the ice & snow.

Birthday. Bash tomorrow, need to make a few things tonight when it's a bit cooler. They keep promising the humidity is going to drop but IDK about that.

Carole thank you for the Happy birthday for granddaughter. My daughter-in-law and granddaughter had a spa day then we had a very nice family dinner out for her birthday yesterday evening. Her friends had a get together for her later in the evening after dinner. She had a wonderful birthday.

I can't believe she is already 19 and getting ready to start her second year at University. They grow up before you know it.

Aw, sounds like a lovely day!

Got a new PIN email to my other account for SF and PBH with even LOWER rates. Why can't I have money now??? lol

But he said 2 of the days are not valid for the code
Thought staying at Cbay would be less of a hassle of creating 3 ressies at SF

OT best way to snag a pin code is to register for info with them under an alternate email, then link it to your primary so you don't have to keep checking.

I got the pin code too. Called and surprised to find even though it's stated as Sunday to Thursday, you can book other days, just wind up paying prevalent rate those days. Rates are higher on Friday & Saturday than the posted Pincode $ but not by 'that' much.

I have a great rate @ RPH, with the suite upgrade @ $1,040. Tempting to switch to PBH but the Pincode rate is not Loews qualifying (or at least that was what I was told, also no benefits as to resort credits/upgrades).

I took notes as to my dates 10/6 to 10/10, JIK any interest here

PBH (Garden View)
Pincode GV $183, $318, $318, $183 = $1,128
Vs
SMSM $267, $283, $283, $267 = $1,238
Vs
APH $214, $269, $269, $214 = $1,086

SF (Water View)
$108, $188, $188, $108 = $666
Vs
SMSM $155, $167, $167, $155 = $725
Vs
APH $129, $169, $169, $129 = $670 (a few bucks more than the pin)

Always nice to get a Pincode offer and many loved how they were able to snag great rates with the Cheaptickets & orbitz coupon codes. Rates can fluctuate for specific codes, especially as the date gets nearer yet I'm torn when I have seen that the pin code is substantially lower than what I find for APH & SMSM rates in the past. This year they haven't been quite so generous with October dates as far as I can tell.

It's nice to see a company reward their loyal guests. Last year I wasn't thrilled to see the Cheaptickets rate come in much lower than what I was paying for my October trip that I had booked far, far in advance.

Watched a resort video today of SF. Looked very nice to me, will be interesting to see if they pull off the island vibe. If we weren't staying @ the BWV for 4 nights pre Universal in October with great access to F&W, I'd have lopped off a day to visit with friends @ U our first night since it priced out so low.

For some reason thought they would have a lazy river. The slide in the pool will be good option for those with kids staying @ RPH to hop on over. The guest room did look alot smaller in video vs the pictures I've seen. However, IMO it's a great option for regulars who are concentrating on HHN (and just a few of the ticket rides) over the course of a long weekend. If I were only staying 2 or 3 nights and especially if I ran into the block out dates for youfirst, would book it!

 

[macraven]

I thought the same thing Keisha
Took a glance at the room size and don't remember if this is correct but maybe 315 sq ft?

Thought the place looked lovely but the rooms looked snug with the furniture
That might be due to the angle of the pics

Hope son heals fine and feels better soon

Have a fun birthday bash and dont eat corn on the cob with the new corn this soon

 

[Lynne G]

 

[pcstang]

I thought the same thing Keisha
Took a glance at the room size and don't remember if this is correct but maybe 315 sq ft?

Thought the place looked lovely but the rooms looked snug with the furniture
That might be due to the angle of the pics

Hope son heals fine and feels better soon

Have a fun birthday bash and dont eat corn on the cob with the new corn this soon

Come on over in October and check it out. Not a big rum drinker but will have to check the rum bar out.

 

[RAPstar]

I didn't book different reservations, I just went with the APH rate for the entire weekend, approx $129/night ($119 Thurs/Sun, $139 Fri-Sat)

I thought the same thing Keisha
Took a glance at the room size and don't remember if this is correct but maybe 315 sq ft?

Thought the place looked lovely but the rooms looked snug with the furniture
That might be due to the angle of the pics

Hope son heals fine and feels better soon

Have a fun birthday bash and dont eat corn on the cob with the new corn this soon

I think the website said 321 sq ft

 

[macraven]

Robbie hope you enjoy SF when you stay there

Won't be long now

 

[RAPstar]

I'm sure the hotel will be fine, it's doing HHN without express i'm worried about lol

 

[macraven]

I thought you were buying ROF +
Changing things around for the budget?

 

[RAPstar]

I thought you were buying ROF +
Changing things around for the budget?

Possibly. Idk. I may just pay part of my rent late since my roommate is cool like that (he owns the condo). But my friend Mike isn't getting express and I think Vicky said she isn't getting it so I won't be alone in line and I'll have 4 nights of HHN.

 

[macraven]

Possibly. Idk. I may just pay part of my rent late since my roommate is cool like that (he owns the condo). But my friend Mike isn't getting express and I think Vicky said she isn't getting it so I won't be alone in line and I'll have 4 nights of HHN.

do the holding area and that way you will be able to knock off two houses without any waits.
by the time you are done with the 2, go to the next house that opens at 6:30.
should be a short line if you are in the first group or two that is i line.

then you only have 6 houses to do and bil and teds.
since you are going more than one night, you can hit the others sooner or later.

i've stood in the regular line before with friends that did not have the express.
i had it, but it was so nice to be able to have long conversations while line waiting for the house.
it's easier for me to be able to talk with someone in a line wait than trying to talk with them as we are walking throughout the park.
you know how loud that gets with screamers near the scare zones..

 

[keishashadow]

More screaming 'da better when it comes to HHN

Come to think of it, don't think the mr & I have ever done any HHN houses 'alone'. I wouldn't hesitate to go solo tho, IMO more of a community experience than day time visit to the parks.

 

[macraven]

how could i forget this big announcement i have.


we got rain yesterday around 9:30
a good 45 minutes of it.
not a gusher but a steady regular rain and no lightening or thunder.

and with the first fall of the rain, DISH went out.
no tv for that 45 minute period.

 

[tinydancer09]

how could i forget this big announcement i have.


we got rain yesterday around 9:30
a good 45 minutes of it.
not a gusher but a steady regular rain and no lightening or thunder.

and with the first fall of the rain, DISH went out.
no tv for that 45 minute period.

I bet you didn't mind one bit did you?

 

[macraven]

Sunday



I remembered!