Tips & Tricks for Saving Money

[Shelli_5]

Hello,

I'm planning a trip to experience the "other side" of Orlando during the week of President's Day (2/19-2/26, 2011). We will be visiting Universal & Seaworld for the first time. I'm trying to figure out if we can afford to stay on-site at Universal since FOTL privileges sound amazing. Can anyone help me with a few questions?

Annual Pass Savings:
I've read that you can get a substantial discount at the Universal resorts if one member of your party buys an annual pass. Does this apply to your first visit or is it only good for return trips? Do you get any room discounts with the Power Pass or do you have to purchase a Preferred or Premier Pass?

Military Discounts:
Does Universal offer discounts to retired military?

Thank you so much!

Shelli

 

[Shelli_5]

Oh, I forgot to ask one more thing. Does anyone know when I might be able to check rates for February 2011?

Thanks again!

 

[goofy4tink]

There are a ton of us waiting for next years rates to come out. I'm heading over to US/IoA in August, just for a day. I did buy a one day/2 park pass that I'm hoping to trade in for an AP (and paying the difference obviously). Then, I can go in Dec for the day and then again in April for a night and two days. So, I'm anxiously waiting for rates to come out and hoping I can get a decent discount with the AP.

 

[mjohnson96]

Hello,

I'm planning a trip to experience the "other side" of Orlando during the week of President's Day (2/19-2/26, 2011). We will be visiting Universal & Seaworld for the first time. I'm trying to figure out if we can afford to stay on-site at Universal since FOTL privileges sound amazing. Can anyone help me with a few questions?

Annual Pass Savings:
I've read that you can get a substantial discount at the Universal resorts if one member of your party buys an annual pass. Does this apply to your first visit or is it only good for return trips? Do you get any room discounts with the Power Pass or do you have to purchase a Preferred or Premier Pass?

Military Discounts:
Does Universal offer discounts to retired military?

Thank you so much!

Shelli

Discounts are only good on the Prefered and Premier Pass and is good on your first trip. The AP rate is usually 30% off rack rate. For example this year we are going down for 5 nights, the Stay More rate was $182 a night but the AP rate was $159 a night. You also get discounts on additional tickets at the gate, 15% off multi day tickets and discounts on food and merchandise at the park.

2011 rates are not out yet, I am waiting too since we plan on going back in February, about the same time as you.

They do offer Military Discounts, I think you have to buy them at the PX if I remember right.

Other ways to save some money, we always hit up Walmart and get things for snacks and breakfast to help reduce our food cost a tad.

 

[black562]

Discounts are only good on the Prefered and Premier Pass and is good on your first trip. The AP rate is usually 30% off rack rate. For example this year we are going down for 5 nights, the Stay More rate was $182 a night but the AP rate was $159 a night. You also get discounts on additional tickets at the gate, 15% off multi day tickets and discounts on food and merchandise at the park.

2011 rates are not out yet, I am waiting too since we plan on going back in February, about the same time as you.

They do offer Military Discounts, I think you have to buy them at the PX if I remember right.

Other ways to save some money, we always hit up Walmart and get things for snacks and breakfast to help reduce our food cost a tad.

How do you use it on your first trip? I understand that you purchase an AP online and pick it up at will call at the park gate. If you do that, how will you show the resort your AP if you don't have it yet? Do you just show them your printout confirmation or will they let you bring it by anytime before checkout?

 

[mjohnson96]

How do you use it on your first trip? I understand that you purchase an AP online and pick it up at will call at the park gate. If you do that, how will you show the resort your AP if you don't have it yet? Do you just show them your printout confirmation or will they let you bring it by anytime before checkout?

As long as you bring it by before checkout you will be fine. The first time I just went over to the park and then when we came back that afternoon I showed them the pass. You can book the AP rate without having the AP in hand, which is nice so incase there is some other great rate that shows up that might be lower you can always change your mind prior to checkin.

 

[macraven]

i have the APH and AAA cards.
the last 3 years for the time period i go, the AAA room discount has been greater than the APH room rate.

the stay more, play more is the best rate of them all.
it is available to everyone.
no membership cards needed.

in years past, it was called the Super Saver rates.

i sometimes book 11 months in advance, sometimes only 10 months out.
i book at rack rate then call and modify my rate when the rates come out.

this way i have my room for the dates i want and just wait for the promos to come out or have the discounts be available.

 

[Shelli_5]

Thank you!!

 

[foreUT]

i have the APH and AAA cards.
the last 3 years for the time period i go, the AAA room discount has been greater than the APH room rate.

the stay more, play more is the best rate of them all.
it is available to everyone.
no membership cards needed.

in years past, it was called the Super Saver rates.

i sometimes book 11 months in advance, sometimes only 10 months out.
i book at rack rate then call and modify my rate when the rates come out.

this way i have my room for the dates i want and just wait for the promos to come out or have the discounts be available.
[/QUOTE


Great tips! Thank you so much.

 

[HelenSB]

Do we only need one of us in the party to hold an AP to get the discount, and can I book more than one room at AP rate?

Am I correct in thinking that we may be better off booking at 'Stay More, Save More' rates, then waiting to see if the AP rate is cheaper before actually buying an AP???

Sorry...I am easily confused!!!!

 

[mjohnson96]

Do we only need one of us in the party to hold an AP to get the discount, and can I book more than one room at AP rate?

Am I correct in thinking that we may be better off booking at 'Stay More, Save More' rates, then waiting to see if the AP rate is cheaper before actually buying an AP???

Sorry...I am easily confused!!!!

You only need one in your party to have an AP, sometimes they will let you book multiple rooms under one AP but that might be limited to families only. You can always check the AP rate by putting in APH in the promotion code. But if they are not out yet, then yes book the Stay More rate and you can always change it if the price is lower with another offer. You don't have to have the AP to book the room either, so you can always wait until a day or so before to purchase the AP pass.

 

[AJA]

Thank you!! Now to check dates!