Thoughts on these options for a universal trip...

[Squidgyness]

Hello! I’ve been looking at some options for our upcoming trip and just wondered what everyone thought. Sometimes it’s nice to get a second opinion if only to confirm yours. Trip is for September 2020, 14 nights, 2 Adults in one room, 1 adult in the other. Travelling from uk so 14 Days is a necessity. 5 or 6 days at Universal theme parks, the rest at Disney. Split stays are out as family don’t want to move hotels. Here are the options I’m considering...

1) Sapphire falls lagoon view rooms, economy flights. This is my base total price. The one I can definitely 100% afford and would not settle for less.

2) Sapphire falls lagoon view + premium flights there and back is +£700 to the total. Obviously nice flights would be a bonus when talking about a 9 hour trip each way, however seems a bit needless considering we flew economy last year and we survived. Not to mention...

3) Royal Pacific resort standard view rooms, economy flights is +£800 to the total. This would be good as we loved RPR, however... I’m not sure we need the passes in September. We actually booked sapphire falls last year and were bumped to RPR. Whilst we appreciated the bump I don’t think we’d have hated not having the passes, as nice as it was to have them. Plus, I’m a bit concerned about getting a bad view.

4) Royal Pacific resort water view rooms, economy flights is +£1200 to the total. The dream option. This is however at the top of my budget, and would be a real stretch, but doable I believe. Tempted to say this is my last trip for a long time ( probably last one with both parents anyway) so just save like mad and really make a go of it.

Currently my preference is 4>2>1>3.

In an ideal world I’d just pick number 4 but I’m having doubts about whether the cost is truly worth it, but then royal Pacific is such a lovely resort and we loved the atmosphere. Do you think it would be worth it to save the extra and enjoy the trip, especially given we like to spend time in our rooms and I loved reading and watching the pool/parks from my hotel room? Regardless, I’ll be monitoring prices over the coming weeks to see if I can snag a deal.

Thoughts from anyone who has stayed at both are especially welcome as videos can only go so far.

 

[FrankDIS72]

If you are spending 5-6 days at Universal, I don't think the Express passes would be necessary as you will have a lot of time to experience the parks. I would go for Sappfire Falls. If you can spring it, then go for Royal Pacific for the Express passes. I believe, hower, the extra money can go towards something else, like a nice dinner or more souvenirs.

 

[schumigirl]

There isn’t really a bad choice there with all your options.

However, saying you like to spend some time in your rooms may knock off the standard room at RP. There are rooms that don’t have a great view....looking out at the base of trees for example.

Option 3 would be the least preferable to me. I’d choose the same order you have listed, but obviously you know whats best for you money wise.

Are you looking at flights with hotel included or have you priced everything separately. We are biased towards Premium seats especially as it is a long flight from the UK, but if you are happy in economy it may not matter to you at all.

We love both hotels.......RP of course has EP which we find priceless whenever we stay.....however quiet, but we hate queueing and won’t do it, even with our longer stays.

But Sapphire is also a beautiful resort and we love our time there too......

You can’t really go wrong with any of the choices......do your parents have any preference at all? Do you eat in the hotel so food options may play a part in what they would enjoy more?

 

[jacksdadcan]

I'm just going to ask an interesting question: why don't you want to split stay?

For the hassle of a couple hours of packing and relocating you're now (again) closer to the action with the advantages of staying on Disney property vs. driving (uber?) back and forth every time you're heading to Disney from Universal.

 

[Lynne G]

If you are not fussy about your room view, then I would go with standard room. I'd also recommend splitting, and staying at 2 hotels. The ride between Disney and Universal, on a good day is around 20 to 25 minutes, or more, depending on which park you are going to. That would make very long days, and I would be tired doing it for 7 or 8 nights.

And, if you are okay with that long flight sitting in economy, I'd do it to save money, though if I could afford premium seats, even for one way, that would be the upgrade I would choose.

I stay at RPR or Portofino, when staying at Universal. I too, am one of those, that likes the express lines. I am going to stay 3 nights at SF this September, for the first time, and looking forward to staying there. (Though I am moving to RPR for 9 nights, after that, making it an all Universal trip.) I usually stay at Disney for 3 or 4 nights, before moving over to Universal, if we want to do both, or we stay longer at Disney, and shorter at Universal. We like both places, and the length between our split is based on our interests that year.

I tend to always book standard. I don't spend a lot of time in my room, but close to the boat, tower location is the most important to me, so I always note it as a preference when booking. I also note I like a high floor.

And I am one that likes to stay onsite, to be close to the parks. So, when we do Disney, we stay at Disney, and when at Universal, we stay at Universal.


I hope whatever you do, you have a fabulous time, and enjoy all the parks.

 

[Squidgyness]

If you are spending 5-6 days at Universal, I don't think the Express passes would be necessary as you will have a lot of time to experience the parks. I would go for Sappfire Falls. If you can spring it, then go for Royal Pacific for the Express passes. I believe, hower, the extra money can go towards something else, like a nice dinner or more souvenirs.

Yes this is definitely something I’ve been thinking about. Especially given we’ve gone for the last two years in a row, there aren’t many things we haven’t done that we will have to wait for. Otherwise we can leave it for another day given we’ve got several... thanks for the reply!

There isn’t really a bad choice there with all your options.

However, saying you like to spend some time in your rooms may knock off the standard room at RP. There are rooms that don’t have a great view....looking out at the base of trees for example.

Option 3 would be the least preferable to me. I’d choose the same order you have listed, but obviously you know whats best for you money wise.

Are you looking at flights with hotel included or have you priced everything separately. We are biased towards Premium seats especially as it is a long flight from the UK, but if you are happy in economy it may not matter to you at all.

We love both hotels.......RP of course has EP which we find priceless whenever we stay.....however quiet, but we hate queueing and won’t do it, even with our longer stays.

But Sapphire is also a beautiful resort and we love our time there too......

You can’t really go wrong with any of the choices......do your parents have any preference at all? Do you eat in the hotel so food options may play a part in what they would enjoy more?

Yes I’ve been thinking today that if it came to the push I’d like to avoid standard view rooms as thinking about it I do spend some time in there every day almost. I am looking at a package with both flights and holiday as parents are old fashioned and like the security of ABTA\ATOL. I’m paying about 80% of the total holiday cost with them contributing towards the remainder, but I respect their wishes RE packages vs DIY - I am still adding diy up though and if the savings warrant it I’ll go that route and tell them not to worry, I’ll foot the bill should anything go awry (I’m aware it won’t but they worry a bit).

I’ve talked through the options with them, my father says he isn’t bothered about premium flights, my mother would like them but it’s not a deal breaker, and both have no preference as to hotel hence my quandary. It’s good to know that sapphire feels great though, that’s reassuring and confirms that I’ll definitely be booking one of those two resorts. I suppose it’s just down to cost vs budget in the end... I’ll have to keep an eye out for a deal just in case RPR comes down a bit. If it’s still £1000 higher than sapphire in a few months I think I’ll just go sapphire and decide on flights then too.

I'm just going to ask an interesting question: why don't you want to split stay?

For the hassle of a couple hours of packing and relocating you're now (again) closer to the action with the advantages of staying on Disney property vs. driving (uber?) back and forth every time you're heading to Disney from Universal.

If you are not fussy about your room view, then I would go with standard room. I'd also recommend splitting, and staying at 2 hotels. The ride between Disney and Universal, on a good day is around 20 to 25 minutes, or more, depending on which park you are going to. That would make very long days, and I would be tired doing it for 7 or 8 nights.

And, if you are okay with that long flight sitting in economy, I'd do it to save money, though if I could afford premium seats, even for one way, that would be the upgrade I would choose.

I hope whatever you do, you have a fabulous time, and enjoy all the parks.

Hey guys, thanks for the replies! My parents honestly aren’t keen on split stays at all. I’ve explained it wouldn’t be too much of a hassle but they really weren’t going for it. Especially my mother, she’s the packer in the family and so she worries about losing things etc... that being said, I’ve gone ahead and added a section for a split stay at universal itself with a week sapphire a week RPR in my budget planner now, and if it comes out cheap enough I’ll do my hardest to persuade them!

Disney is a bit of a question mark re hotels as they are a little bit out of our comfort zone so I’m giving them a bit of research too but no firm favourites popping out as yet, as we like inside corridors but are limited in budget to moderate level in all probability.

Thanks for all the replies, just helps to talk it out. I can’t help but feel it will be decided for me in the end by prices and exchange rates (and savings ) but you’ve given me some great thoughts and input!