Too many variables! Please help me decide where to stay . . .

[ClaireinTN]

My family (me, DH, three teens) will be at Universal for two days during the week of Christmas. My initial plan was to stay on-site for one night so that we could get early entry into HP and get the front of the line passes. A few things are making me re-think, but I am not sure I have all of the details straight. Please let me know where my thinking has taken a wrong turn!

Regarding early entry: There are some off-site hotels that offer early entry to HP if booked through Universal as part of a package. Right now the cost for one night (2 rooms, because there are 5 of us) on-site (Royal Pacific, which is the least expensive) is close to $700. I am guessing that I could save at least a couple hundred with an off-site hotel, even booking through Universal with the early entry package and adding the front-of-the-line option to the tickets.

Regarding front-of-the line passes: This I am more confused about, but it seems that this perk can be purchased as a kind of ticket upgrade? The kids are the only ones who will be riding the rides multiple times, so even purchasing this as an extra might end up saving us money if we only bought the upgrade for them. Is that possible? Can someone tell me how expensive this option is?

Many thanks!

 

[Bluer101]

The purchased add on express pass is not unlimited, it's once per attraction. Also the price will be between 59-69 per ticket, per day, very busy.

If it was me I would get 1 room, 1 night, and add the $25 rollaway bed. Yes it will be tight but you won't be spending much time in the room. With that one night stay it will give you 2 days of early entry, 2 days of unlimited express pass, and being so close to the parks with no travel time.

Remember Xmas week is very busy and staying onsite would be a big plus.

 

[damo]

I totally agree with Bluer101.

 

[macraven]

if you go christmas thru the new year, it will be very busy in the parks.
stay onsite and only book one room.

bring an aero bed for the 5th to sleep on.
housekeeping will provide linens, pillows, blankets at your request for it.

for what you would pay off site, transportation or parking, express tickets for all 5, you would be better off staying onsite for one night.

you will get two days of perks.
unlimited usage of the express lines and early entry to parry hotter ville.

 

[ClaireinTN]

One room would be workable for us for one night. I guess I have been "trained" by Disney to think that only four people are allowed in a standard room. Would we really get 5 early entry and front-of-the-line passes with just one room? Would we need to buy tickets from Universal as part of a package? I was thinking of getting the three-day passes from Costco and saving one day for a future trip.

 

[macraven]

if you stay onsite, 5 are allowed in rooms at universal.
2 adults and 3 children, under 18, for the room rate.

if you have 3 adults and 2 kids, there is a $25 extra fee for the third adult.
just like at disney.

everyone in the room on the ressie will be issued a hotel card.
this is what is used for the express lines.

you can have 'no charge' listed on your kids hotel cards.

you get the same perks for the day you check out of the hotel until the parks close.

you can pool hop to the other 2 onsite hotel pools.
show your room key and you will get towels for that pool.

you can charge anything at the other 2 hotels on your room key.

many stay onsite and have a fifth person.
you aren't in the room very much, just to sleep basically for the most part since you are doing a short stay there.

you can manage one night with 5 in the room.

 

[macraven]

don't book a package. it will end up costing more.

book the room only, buy the park tickets from a cheaper source such as cosco that you mentioned.

any one that stays on site is allowed the perk of early entry, one hour before the park opens to parry hotter.
each guest is allowed unlimited usage to the express lines for rides and shows.

 

[drinkme]

if you go christmas thru the new year, it will be very busy in the parks.
stay onsite and only book one room.

bring an aero bed for the 5th to sleep on.
housekeeping will provide linens, pillows, blankets at your request for it.

for what you would pay off site, transportation or parking, express tickets for all 5, you would be better off staying onsite for one night.

you will get two days of perks.
unlimited usage of the express lines and early entry to parry hotter ville.

I agree with this. We had 5 of us at Royal Pacific in a standard room last summer. We actually brought 2 twin sized air mattresses. We brought our own sheets from home. 2 of the kids slept on the air mattresses, and they were fine. Kids will sleep anywhere!

 

[Metro West]

Regarding early entry: There are some off-site hotels that offer early entry to HP if booked through Universal as part of a package. Right now the cost for one night (2 rooms, because there are 5 of us) on-site (Royal Pacific, which is the least expensive) is close to $700. I am guessing that I could save at least a couple hundred with an off-site hotel, even booking through Universal with the early entry package and adding the front-of-the-line option to the tickets.

Regarding front-of-the line passes: This I am more confused about, but it seems that this perk can be purchased as a kind of ticket upgrade? The kids are the only ones who will be riding the rides multiple times, so even purchasing this as an extra might end up saving us money if we only bought the upgrade for them. Is that possible? Can someone tell me how expensive this option is?

Many thanks!

You won't get early entry unless you either stay onsite or book a package through Universal. Christmas week is going to be nuts and WWoHP will be wall-to-wall all day...every day. Anything to help during this week will be a huge plus!

You can purchase the VIP Express tickets but remember...they include your park admission. Express access is unlimited with these tickets.

Here is the link so you can check out the cost and ticket duration options:

https://secure.universalstudios.com...ryGroupExternalID=UO&CategoryExternalID=UOVIP