Staying at DVC and visiting other theme parks

[Smugpugmug]

I didnt realize they include express passes when staying, do you get to just hop to the front of the line an unlimited amount of times or is it more regulated (booking rides, etc) like LL?

It's unlimited and you do not need to book times like at WDW. The only rides not included are Hagrid's and Pteranodon Flyers.

 

[Girlstar30]

Have you ever stayed at the top-tier UO resorts? They are run by Lowes, and in many ways provide a superior experience to Disney as a hotelier. There is also the possibility of using Interval getaways into one of the Orlando Marriotts. You'll have access to that once your DVC account is set up. We stayed at Cypress Harbour for a recent Universal stay, and liked it. That was an exchange, but it might have been even cheaper all things considered as a getaway.

I have never stayed at any of them. I just looked at pics of the cabana bay beach one because it seemed more themed and were traveling with kids and I didn't think that looked better and then I looked at hardrock and saw how expensive it was. So yes totally unfair assessment seeing as there are way more I should have looked at the ones in between. You can only use direct points for interval getaway im assuming? Well we will still have some points direct if thats the case! Which Universal hotels do you recommend? I've never stayed at a loews hotel either!

 

[Girlstar30]

It's unlimited and you do not need to book times like at WDW. The only rides not included are Hagrid's and Pteranodon Flyers.

Wow that is way better. Thanks guys this is really something to seriously look into! Is pteranodon a new ride, I've never never heard of that! I hope epic doesn't change the system for the worst

 

[Dis507]

I use my DVC resorts for all things Orlando. Been going for years and the only time we didn't venture out was a few times we used the Magic express and didn't have a car. But Up to that and since they ended it, we are back to exploring all that is Orlando and Central Florida.

I've several co-workers and friends that have taken advantage of the UO resorts and their version of fast pass for hotel guest. Its nice. But for me Universal is at best a day trip to do a few specific rides and shows anymore. Once Epic Universe is open it my change. But I will still use my Disney resort as my home base since I really like the availability of good restaurants and easy of getting a ride back afterwards with no concerns.

 

[Girlstar30]

I use my DVC resorts for all things Orlando. Been going for years and the only time we didn't venture out was a few times we used the Magic express and didn't have a car. But Up to that and since they ended it, we are back to exploring all that is Orlando and Central Florida.

I've several co-workers and friends that have taken advantage of the UO resorts and their version of fast pass for hotel guest. Its nice. But for me Universal is at best a day trip to do a few specific rides and shows anymore. Once Epic Universe is open it my change. But I will still use my Disney resort as my home base since I really like the availability of good restaurants and easy of getting a ride back afterwards with no concerns.

I'm definetely not just going to go to Disney parks every time we visit either. There is so much to explore! I think uber would be cheaper than renting a car to go to Universal daily especially with additional savings thru costco and stuff. But for drive to vero beach we are going to rent a car and I would like to explore other things as well (largest McDonald's, gatorland, Jesus park? Etc lol) I have a lot of family in Miami so I definetely can't stay at DVC for that but all the central Orlando stuff is think is totally doable. I have thought do I really need a fancy resort when I'm going to be out most of the day? But I don't think I'll ever be happy going to budget resorts after getting a taste so what i like to do and what we did last time was one day venture out, one day hotel stay with pool and restaurants, next day venture out etc. January was my first time staying at all these Orlando dvc resorts so I'm not tired of them and definetely have a lot more to explore! I am most excited to try beach club coming up i hope!

 

[Dis507]

Yeah there is a bunch just in the local area, plus its not that far from Tampa or Daytona for a quick trip either way. I'm saddened how some areas have declined over the years but I think once folks venture beyond the resorts they stay at they will find all of the shops and stores and restaurants outside of the bubble. Rt 192 used to be great for all kind of places but now its a bit on the run down side. Hopefully it will turn around soon.

Enjoy your BCV stay, that's my 3rd fav places to stay, outside of my home resorts. I love how close it is to Epcot and the Skyliner is right there.

 

[Sandisw]

I was thinking uber because it's pretty much the same as if we paid parking there I'm sure $22 one way and we're splitting with family.

I had to do some training there in October and stayed at SSR. I used Lyft and it was around $30 each way, not including tip!

So, it was definitely less expensive for me to stay on my DVC then rent an onsite Universal hotel!

 

[Girlstar30]

I had to do some training there in October and stayed at SSR. I used Lyft and it was around $30 each way, not including tip!

So, it was definitely less expensive for me to stay on my DVC then rent an onsite Universal hotel!

This is what I was trying to figure out and I agree. If I'm going to pay $300+ for a Universal hotel i think it's just cheaper to use my DVC points. I could spend less at a cheaper Universal resort but then the quality isn't there for the same price as dvc. Having to fork out $30 for Uber is worth it to me cuz in the end I'm going to have to fork out money anyways to get to Universal and back to dvc for the rest of trip. So I think I'm just gunna stick to my og plan of staying at DVC Plus you can't beat that moving your luggage resort to resort service. I hope they never take that away, such a great thing for the split stays we like

 

[CarolynFH]

This is what I was trying to figure out and I agree. If I'm going to pay $300+ for a Universal hotel i think it's just cheaper to use my DVC points. I could spend less at a cheaper Universal resort but then the quality isn't there for the same price as dvc. Having to fork out $30 for Uber is worth it to me cuz in the end I'm going to have to fork out money anyways to get to Universal and back to dvc for the rest of trip. So I think I'm just gunna stick to my og plan of staying at DVC Plus you can't beat that moving your luggage resort to resort service. I hope they never take that away, such a great thing for the split stays we like

If you’re interested in the UOR Unlimited Express Pass, which gives you unlimited access to almost all the most sought-after rides, I’d suggest doing the math and comparing the $ outlay for buying the UEP (which can be expensive depending on date) and the Uber/Lyft rides for everyone in your party vs. the cost of the deluxe hotel room that includes the UEP for checkin day through checkout day (so 2 days of UEP for 1 night in the hotel). Depending on your dates and size and composition of your party, it might be cost-effective to book the UOR hotel even if you don’t sleep there. We’ve done that twice and saved money both times, so I think it’s worth doing the arithmetic for that!

 

[Girlstar30]

If you’re interested in the UOR Unlimited Express Pass, which gives you unlimited access to almost all the most sought-after rides, I’d suggest doing the math and comparing the $ outlay for buying the UEP (which can be expensive depending on date) and the Uber/Lyft rides for everyone in your party vs. the cost of the deluxe hotel room that includes the UEP for checkin day through checkout day (so 2 days of UEP for 1 night in the hotel). Depending on your dates and size and composition of your party, it might be cost-effective to book the UOR hotel even if you don’t sleep there. We’ve done that twice and saved money both times, so I think it’s worth doing the arithmetic for that!

True that express pass is a huge draw. I've only been to UO once and it was sooo crowded I think we got to go on 3 rides

 

[eticketplease]

I agree with @CarolynFH.

When we went a few years ago we paid $960.74 (used CUR so 64,049 points)

When inside the park I inquired about the cost of the ExPass Unlimited since it is variable pricing. One day was $250 and the other was $300 I believe this was during Spring Break. So our party of 4 day 1 would have been $1,000 and another $1,200 for day 2. So ExPass Unlimited would have cost $2,200 for the two days for all 4 of us if we purchased it separately.

Renting the room for one night we only had to pay for 1 day of parking, had a place to lay our heads and saved $1,200.

 

[MarkNC2Disney]

If you’re interested in the UOR Unlimited Express Pass, which gives you unlimited access to almost all the most sought-after rides, I’d suggest doing the math and comparing the $ outlay for buying the UEP (which can be expensive depending on date) and the Uber/Lyft rides for everyone in your party vs. the cost of the deluxe hotel room that includes the UEP for checkin day through checkout day (so 2 days of UEP for 1 night in the hotel). Depending on your dates and size and composition of your party, it might be cost-effective to book the UOR hotel even if you don’t sleep there. We’ve done that twice and saved money both times, so I think it’s worth doing the arithmetic for that!

I’m running this playbook in August…

 

[🍀TwinsMom]

We’ve tacked on one day at Hard Rock and one at Portofino club level for our family of four. It’s an expensive night, but you get Express pass both days and food starting around 11 a.m., I think? I think it’s an excellent value. There aren’t that many breakfast/coffee options handy over there, but club level the spread is out early enough to scarf down food and coffee and take one with you to-go cup.

Check-in day, drop off bags and process tickets with express pass activated, possibly grab early lunch for free, hit the parks hard. Come back for a quick dinner and go back out for an hour or two. Come back for late night free desserts.

Wake up early, have coffee and breakfast, do early entry, bang out whatever you missed the first day.

That Express Pass is amazing. You can seriously hit everything in the two days.

 

[tom1944]

We will not be going to WDW next year (2026) and are deciding where we will take our vacation. It is possible we try out Universal and most likely we would book one of the resorts that includes the express pass.

Then back to WDW in 2027. By then we will know if we want an additional contract to be at Disney every year. Through 2027 we would have stayed 4 out of 5 years at Disney.

 

[Girlstar30]

I just inquired with DVC rental store how much would it be to swap points for Loews Portofino and Loews Royal Pacific since those two are the ones that include express pass as well as Hard Rock (didn't ask about hard rock, feel it will be too expensive for what we got going on with Aulani next year) i will let you know what they say and then we can dissect if swapping is "worth it" or not

 

[Girlstar30]

I just inquired with DVC rental store how much would it be to swap points for Loews Portofino and Loews Royal Pacific since those two are the ones that include express pass as well as Hard Rock (didn't ask about hard rock, feel it will be too expensive for what we got going on with Aulani next year) i will let you know what they say and then we can dissect if swapping is "worth it" or not

So apparently portofino is more expensive than hard rock (didn't know that) so I asked if they could price that out as well

 

[Brian Noble]

You can only use direct points for interval getaway im assuming?

No! Getaways are cash rentals, but quite often at a steep discount to timeshare owners. Also, you can use any points to exchange in Interval, but it is often not a very good deal.

how much would it be to swap points

IMO, the best use of DVC points is for DVC stays. Use cash or other assets for non-DVC vacations. And, for me, Universal is a non-DVC vacation.

 

[Girlstar30]

No! Getaways are cash rentals, but quite often at a steep discount to timeshare owners. Also, you can use any points to exchange in Interval, but it is often not a very good deal.


IMO, the best use of DVC points is for DVC stays. Use cash or other assets for non-DVC vacations. And, for me, Universal is a non-DVC vacation.

Oohh wow I just thought all other options were out for me as a resale owner, thanks for the info, I'm definetely going to look into getaways!

 

[tom1944]

No! Getaways are cash rentals, but quite often at a steep discount to timeshare owners. Also, you can use any points to exchange in Interval, but it is often not a very good deal.


IMO, the best use of DVC points is for DVC stays. Use cash or other assets for non-DVC vacations. And, for me, Universal is a non-DVC vacation.

I appreciate the information and advice you provide.

Your last sentence opens the idea of how we can go forward with either purchasing a second contract or visiting Disney every other year or now a third idea- going to Disney every year with points from our current contract and combining it with a Universal stay for cash.

 

[Girlstar30]

@Brian Noble is very knowledgeable and I have learned so much from him, definetely gives trustworthy advice, huge asset to the community