Tidbits for saving money on your trip to Universal

[DPCummerbund]

From looking at the AAA site, it appears that the change in discounts went into effect for 2015 (so the fact that some posters saw this in effect in January makes sense).

Here's the official policy from universalvacations.com, linked from AAA.com' s ticket purchasing site http://www.universalorlandovacations.com/GeneralInformation/aaaVacations.aspx:

"**AAA Discounts & Rewards benefits applicable to AAA/CAA member and up to five people. Must present valid AAA/CAA membership card and AAA Discounts & Rewards ticket at the register at time of purchase." So, it seems clear that you must purchase tickets or a vacation package from AAA, and present the Rewards ticket to get your discount.

It appears that not all Universal employees or departments are in line with it yet, so I would not be surprised if some people are able to get the discount for quite some time - until Universal decides to communicate it effectively to everyone.

 

[zbsigpi]

Am I missing something, or is staying at one of the on-site deluxe hotels much cheaper than buying express passes? We are going this weekend and for four of us, express passes for Saturday and Sunday would cost $760 before tax. Staying at the RPR for less than $400 after taxes.

It is almost always cheaper to stay at a deluxe resort over staying off property and purchasing express passes.

 

[Robo56]

No your not missing anything. It is more cost effective to stay onsite at one of the deluxe hotels if you want the advantage of express pass included at no extra charge to you as a hotel guest. Have a great time at the park.

 

[Lallybroch]

To stretch dollars, you can bring in your own drinks. We use an insulated backpack now that the kids are no longer in strollers. The negative with US/IOA is the mandatory use of lockers to store the backpack for some of the major rides. I'm pretty sure we took the backpack on every ride at all 4 Disney parks.

The ride lockers are free, though, so this doesn't affect how much money you can save by bringing food/water in with you.

 

[canadiankim]

Am I missing something, or is staying at one of the on-site deluxe hotels much cheaper than buying express passes? We are going this weekend and for four of us, express passes for Saturday and Sunday would cost $760 before tax. Staying at the RPR for less than $400 after taxes.[/QUOTE]

Funny you should ask that as we just said the same thing! We are going August and fast passes for us would have been $129 per person so one day for our family of 4 would have been $520. a room at RPH for one night with the 2 days fast pass and early entry is only going to cost us $304. Made the choice to stay much easier!

 

[damo]

Am I missing something, or is staying at one of the on-site deluxe hotels much cheaper than buying express passes? We are going this weekend and for four of us, express passes for Saturday and Sunday would cost $760 before tax. Staying at the RPR for less than $400 after taxes.

That is very often the case.

 

[lborne]

The ride lockers are free, though, so this doesn't affect how much money you can save by bringing food/water in with you.

Yes, I should have mentioned that they are free. Just a Royal PITA. Especially FJ.

 

[Lallybroch]

Yes, I should have mentioned that they are free. Just a Royal PITA. Especially FJ.

The FJ ones are pretty bad, but most aren't a bother at all, or at least, weren't for us. We were there in the off-season, though. I really appreciate that they do them for free though. We are also AP holders at Six Flags over Georgia and for a few of their rides (mostly just Goliath), you can't take anything on, but you have to pay for a locker to hold your stuff. We just never bring anything but a car key (clipped to inside of pocket) and a credit card into the park.