Staying at HRH really worth it? Really?!

[Beck's mom]

Okay someone convince me - we are going to be staying for 2 days in Orlando after our Disney cruise. It's Columbus Day weekend so everything is pricey that I have checked so far. I finally booked Hard Rock Hotel for us for 2 nights - it's $605. However, I could get the Holiday Inn for $190 for those 2 nights if I want to go the cheapie route.

I don't really mind paying to stay at HRH, but I want to be sure it's worth it.

Is having that resort Express Ride pass going to be my salvation while visiting Universal on a busy weekend? Is being onsite really going to be better than taking a shuttle in from a partner hotel?

I guess I just need some confirmation that it's going to be worth it. Another benefit I see of staying onsite is we are meeting up with other family members who are staying offsite and the mother-in-law would be able to go back to our room to rest midday or my sis-in-law can bring her little one up to nap if need be.

Thanks for your opinions!

 

[goofy!]

Yes, Yes and Yes.

FOTL is great, especially during a holiday weekend. You will be able to see everything you want and still have time to visit with the relatives.

And for exactly the reasons you state: HRH is only a short 5 minute walk from the parks on a beautiful path (no busy streets), so you can go back to the room for naps or short breaks whenever you want.

So much better than thinking you are trapped at the parks until the offsite shuttle gets there.

Staying onsite will give you a very relaxing end to your vacation!

 

[AlexandNessa]

That seems high for 2 days. Do you have AAA? That should bring the price down a little. AAA for a standard right now is $242.10.

But, yes, it's all worth it. USF will literally be in your backyard if you stay at the HRH.

 

[goofy!]

I agree with Jodi - the prices seem a bit high.

I checked AAA rates for that weekend:
HRH: $260.10
PBH: $239.20
RPR: $191.20

Would you be willing to stay at the Royal Pacific? It is more in the league with what you are looking at offsite and is not that much farther from the parks than the HRH. And you still get all the perks and benefits of staying onsite.

 

[Daisy06492]

Wouldn't do it any other way. We went last April '06 during Easter vacation. We stayed one night at some high rate...forgot what it was but it was def. worth it. We stayed in Disney for the week but wanted to check out universal for two days one night. To have the front of the line access during the crowded season was worth its weight in gold. We have two young teens who really appreciated it. By having front of the line it even gave us time to enjoy the resort which is amazing. The pool is awesome and the rooms are really nice. We loved it so much we are going back the week of 4th of July and staying at the HRH again. It really will make your vacation. No hassles, and the convenience is WORTH IT, BELIEVE ME.

 

[Beck's mom]

Oh thank you thank you thank you everyone for validating me!!!

I don't have AAA, sadly, but the $605 is from Universal Vacations and when I book through them they add the tax on too. I think the rate I am paying is $289/nt.

So I am okay with that amount - I have teenagers and I just know they will be very excited about staying at HRH, so I think my decision is a good one so I am going to pay for it right now!

What I think would be really cool is to hire a stretch limo to pick us up at the port after the cruise and take us to the hotel. Hmm, should I even bother to check into what that would cost?

 

[Fan2CSkr]

You may be interested in this.
http://www.halloweenhorrornights.com/
Your dates will fall out over a big HHN weekend.
Also booking through Universal Vacations is usually more $ than just booking with regular reservations www.loewshotels.com and purchasing your ticket separately http://www.universalorlando.com/tickets.html . The cancellation policy is quite different too.

 

[Beck's mom]

Thanks for the link to the Halloween thing! Is it happening over that weekend? That I will have to think about. I won't go, but oldest son and maybe my brother will enjoy it! I'll have to add that to my plans.

Thanks for the link to the Loews hotel website - it actually just links back to the same booking engine as when you check availability at the Universal website, did you know that?

I did sign up for the Loews First membership though!

Anyway, nobody but Universal Vacations has availability for just Oct 6 & 7. I can get it for a cheaper nightly rate for Oct 5-8, but that doesn't work for me. So I am paying a premium for getting the nights I want I guess.

I paid $90.53 for the 7 day tickets. I think that is about what I can them for anywhere.

Thanks for all the advice and tips!

 

[tlinus]

You may be interested in this.
http://www.halloweenhorrornights.com/
Your dates will fall out over a big HHN weekend.
Also booking through Universal Vacations is usually more $ than just booking with regular reservations www.loewshotels.com and purchasing your ticket separately http://www.universalorlando.com/tickets.html . The cancellation policy is quite different too.

I agree try it separately.....and I'm not too sure how much AAA would cost. I have the AAA Plus (the more expensive one) which is like 96 or so for the year. You can use AAA at the parks for souvieners and at the restaurants for a 10% discount.

 

[Fan2CSkr]

Thanks for the link to the Halloween thing! Is it happening over that weekend? That I will have to think about. I won't go, but oldest son and maybe my brother will enjoy it! I'll have to add that to my plans.

Thanks for the link to the Loews hotel website - it actually just links back to the same booking engine as when you check availability at the Universal website, did you know that?

I did sign up for the Loews First membership though!

Anyway, nobody but Universal Vacations has availability for just Oct 6 & 7. I can get it for a cheaper nightly rate for Oct 5-8, but that doesn't work for me. So I am paying a premium for getting the nights I want I guess.

I paid $90.53 for the 7 day tickets. I think that is about what I can them for anywhere.

Thanks for all the advice and tips!

Thanks for the link to the Halloween thing! Is it happening over that weekend? Yes it is.

Thanks for the link to the Loews hotel website - it actually just links back to the same booking engine as when you check availability at the Universal website, did you know that?
Yes, I knew that just wanted you to check rates that werent Universal Vacation rates.

Too bad you cant get the rates any other way but do keep checking things change often. Glad you signed up for Loews first program but I'm almost positive booking through Universal Vacations is considered a third party and voids out use of the program with that rate.

Like tlinus said if you can get AAA not only will you save on your room rate but almost all restaurants and gift stores located throughout the parks, hotels and citywalk. (some exclusions) It may pay for itself and then some.

 

[Motherfletcher]

I couldn't justify nearly $300/night for HRH. We have stayed at the HI International during HHN for $53/night through Hotwire. The guy that checked us in was a seasonal HHN stiltwalker and gave us the top floor USO view. The room was huge (>500 s.f.) with a microwave and fridge. We have found that during the day in October the parks are not that conjested to need FOTL. For HHN I would still do the RIP Tour.

 

[Beck's mom]

Too bad you cant get the rates any other way but do keep checking things change often. Glad you signed up for Loews first program but I'm almost positive booking through Universal Vacations is considered a third party and voids out use of the program with that rate.

Good info, thanks - I will keep checking and also I will look into that darned AAA!

We have found that during the day in October the parks are not that conjested to need FOTL.

Have you been there over the Columbus Day weekend? That is when we will be there and I have heard the parks are busy then. I am interested to hear if you say differently! Thanks for the advice!

 

[Motherfletcher]

I don't know of any Florida schools that are off on Columbus Day so park attendance should be similar to any other weekend when school is open.

http://www.whentoride.com/graph_park.asp?state=10&park=22&month=10

 

[Beck's mom]

I don't know of any Florida schools that are off on Columbus Day so park attendance should be similar to any other weekend when school is open.

http://www.whentoride.com/graph_park.asp?state=10&park=22&month=10

No kidding?! That is such interesting news! I have not heard that before!

THANK YOU for the info and the link!

As you can tell, I am new to this forum and I really appreciate everyone's helpful advice and ideas! You guys are great!

 

[macraven]

Good info, thanks - I will keep checking and also I will look into that darned AAA!




Have you been there over the Columbus Day weekend? That is when we will be there and I have heard the parks are busy then. I am interested to hear if you say differently! Thanks for the advice!

this will be my 4th year staying at hrh over the columbus day weekend.
parks will get congested around 2ish in the daytime as many are arriving to do the rides before the park closes at 5. people generally concentrate on the houses and scare zones during the hhn event and a few of the choice rides.

the park that hhn will be in will close at 5, the other park will close at 6.

i find that around 1:00 on columbus day, the crowds start coming in then.

 

[Jewelsy]

What I think would be really cool is to hire a stretch limo to pick us up at the port after the cruise and take us to the hotel. Hmm, should I even bother to check into what that would cost?
__________________
To Beck's mom - In regards to the above on the limo. I would definitely check into it. I did this for my teens one year when we stayed at the HRH. They were blown away when the limo was waiting for us at the airport to bring us to HRH. That was the first time they ever rode in a limo.
And having the FOTL was great - we didn't have much of a wait for anything.
And definitely look into AAA. It may pay for itself with the discount on the room plus the 10% off in the stores and restaurants.
My AAA already paid for itself this year since I had to get my car towed.

 

[D&R love Disney]

We loved staying at the HRH. My 4 stepkids LOVED it and the FOTL access is awesome!

 

[Beck's mom]

I would love to get a AAA rate and I would join if I could get a cheaper rate but when I check the AAA website they have no availability for HRH on my dates (10/6-10/8/07). Should I call?

I did check into a limo and it would be only $150+tax&tip for it so I am thinking I will book that! It's a long drive back to Orlando from Port Canaveral and it would be nice to not have to worry about driving since we will be up early and then going straight to the parks that day after we check into the hotel.

 

[macraven]

Beck's mom, i booked hrh from the 4 to 8 in october and recieved the aaa rate.

i booked at the beginning of the year. you need to call UO direct to book with the AAA rates. it does not show up on the UO website.

you can also call AAA to get the rates.

for me, i pay $48 a year for membership in AAA for greater chgoland area.
you can use your AAA card for on line shopping discounts for many known stores. can also use the card for the car...........lol

city walk places honors AAA for a discount.