Total Newbie... please help

[startingtopanic]

We are planning to be at Universal March 31 - April 4. First time, and no experience with a big theme park trip like this at all. Our boys are 12, 9, and 7.

We have a reservation at Cabana Bay. I thought this was GREAT, until I started reading on these forums, and now I am worried.

1) Wondering if our trip is going to be miserable without the Express Pass.

2) I wonder after seeing others post about prices -- are we getting a good deal? I thought we were... But now I am not sure. Am I missing a discount out there that I should know about? Our TOTAL for 4 nights in a Family Suite -- Poolside is $765.48.

ALSO -- I had looked at ticket prices for the "Buy 2 days get 1 free" promotion a couple of months ago, wrote all my prices down, etc. But then I got on their website today and see all of the prices went up! Sigh... Really bummed out about this. We will be paying the higher prices because of the new Harry Potter stuff that is coming -- but ISN'T going to be ready for us to experience any of it! For our family of five, this is a difference of paying $761.45 to what it is now -- $905.20!

Any tips would be appreciated. I have spent a great deal of time reading here on this forum this afternoon, and I thank you all. --I really appreciate the info about choosing to print tickets at a kiosk instead of using printer paper!--

Maybe I am just looking for reassurance. LOL The thought of paying in the ballpark of another thousand dollars (either by adding it on or by staying at another hotel) for Express Pass is outrageous to me, and would probably kill our entire trip!

P.S. I have looked and not found the info anywhere... I am sure it is in some obvious place that I would love to be directed to -- Are we allowed to bring food or drinks into the parks at all?

THANKS!

 

[Rach78]

Hi,
We are going to be at Universal for the first time April 1st and 2nd so first of all see you there!!
Undercover Tourist are selling 3 days for price of 2. They worked out cheaper than directly from Universal for me. Worth having a look?
Regarding food and drink, this is taken from the website -

Acceptable items:

Bottled water
Small snacks that do not require heating
Any food required for medical purposes and medically–indicated nutritional supplements
Any food required for special dietary needs
Baby food/baby formula
Soft-sided insulated bags no larger than 8.5" wide x 6" high x 6" deep

Prohibited items:
Picnic lunches
Food that requires heating or refrigeration
Alcohol and glass containers
Hard-sided coolers
Soft-sided coolers larger than 8.5" wide x 6" high x 6" deep
Coolers, suitcases, and bags with wheels

I fully intend to take food into the parks with me, including some small sandwiches etc. I do not foresee major problems with this.
We are staying at the Royal Pacific for one night simply to get two days worth of Express Passes. In the universal t and c's you have up to a few days before to cancel with full refund. Is it worth looking at changing your booking to one of the hotels with express pass included? If not just get there early, do the major rides first and I am sure you will be fine. Crowd calendars seem to have the parks as 'moderate' for those days so I wouldn't worry too much. As for the price you paid, some will pay less, some will always have paid more. If you are happy enough with the price, try not to worry about it. Hope you have a great time!

 

[RMulieri]

1) it is going to be moderately busy, not insane .If you get to the parks for opening , and use early entry ( which you do get at Cabana Bay) and be prepared to go, you may be able to beat the worst of the crowds.
2)There are discounts out there, but the better ones lately person specific targeted discounts sent out by Universal.i wouldnt stress too much about it at this point.
3)Universal hiked the tickets right after Disney did.Usually one raises their prices than the other does.Happens every year.This year it happened earlier than usual.Sorry you got caught unaware.
4) yes you can bring food and drinks in

 

[startingtopanic]

Thank you both for your responses!

I think I am just going to calm down now, lol.

I am going to stick with Cabana Bay... they have microwave & refrigerator, plus room for all five of us without a rollaway.

Undercover Tourist only worked out about $15 cheaper for our family, since I have waited too long to figure all this stuff out, and I would have to pay for expedited shipping. Plus you get the $150 coupon book when you purchase on Universal's site, which I really *think* we will get some use out of.

Bottom line... I just wasted my entire afternoon...

But I really appreciate your help!

 

[damo]

I just saw some new photos of Cabana Bay on WDWmagic forums. You're going to love it!!! Please take lots of photos and bring us back a nice trip report.

 

[startingtopanic]

I just saw some new photos of Cabana Bay on WDWmagic forums. You're going to love it!!! Please take lots of photos and bring us back a nice trip report.

Cool! I haven't seen any recent photos at all... just some old ones from when they first started construction.

We are going to be there on the very first night you could make reservations. I will definitely come back and post here about it!

 

[tweak89]

Thank you both for your responses!

I think I am just going to calm down now, lol.

I am going to stick with Cabana Bay... they have microwave & refrigerator, plus room for all five of us without a rollaway.

Undercover Tourist only worked out about $15 cheaper for our family, since I have waited too long to figure all this stuff out, and I would have to pay for expedited shipping. Plus you get the $150 coupon book when you purchase on Universal's site, which I really *think* we will get some use out of.

Bottom line... I just wasted my entire afternoon...

But I really appreciate your help!

If you find the parks to be on the busy side when you go, you can always add the regular (once per ride) Express Pass. Details here.

I wonder if Universal ever considered including the regular Express Pass to Cabana Bay guests. Other than being an "official" hotel with close proximity, you get the same early entry perk by booking at the Holiday Inn Universal(through the Universal website) or any other partner hotel. Sure it's a longer walk (in the case of that particular hotel) but you save a nice chunk of change.

 

[damo]

If you find the parks to be on the busy side when you go, you can always add the regular (once per ride) Express Pass. Details here.

I wonder if Universal ever considered including the regular Express Pass to Cabana Bay guests. Other than being an "official" hotel with close proximity, you get the same early entry perk by booking at the Holiday Inn Universal(through the Universal website) or any other partner hotel. Sure it's a longer walk (in the case of that particular hotel) but you save a nice chunk of change.

I wouldn't be surprised if offsite hotels booked through universal soon don't have that perk.

 

[startingtopanic]

I have another question if anyone wants to help!

Backpacks: Somewhere I saw "reasonable size"... But then the dimensions say 8.5" tall, 6" wide, 6" deep. Seriously? Trying to picture a backpack with these dimensions kind of makes me laugh.

We have just a regular, school-size (not giant, but big enough for books etc) backpack. Are they really not going to let us take that in? We want to take some water, some snacks, sunblock, etc....

 

[tweak89]

I wouldn't be surprised if offsite hotels booked through universal soon don't have that perk.

Hmm..very interesting point! Right now there is no real incentive to book Cabana Bay other than the newness of it.

 

[tweak89]

I have another question if anyone wants to help!

Backpacks: Somewhere I saw "reasonable size"... But then the dimensions say 8.5" tall, 6" wide, 6" deep. Seriously? Trying to picture a backpack with these dimensions kind of makes me laugh.

We have just a regular, school-size (not giant, but big enough for books etc) backpack. Are they really not going to let us take that in? We want to take some water, some snacks, sunblock, etc....

You have misread your info, that is the dimension for soft-side coolers.

Direct form the Universal website (full of useful information):

Soft-sided insulated bags no larger than 8.5" wide x 6" high x 6" deep

Backpacks and shoulder bags. A small, soft-sided bag is always handy to have with you when exploring the parks. Please be advised that your bag will be inspected by Security before you enter the theme parks, and you may have to check it in a rental locker before boarding certain thrill rides and roller coasters. We recommend that you pack only basic essentials and leave valuable items at home or in your hotel safe.

 

[startingtopanic]

Something else I wonder about: Is there any reason I should not just wait until the morning we are ready to go to Universal, order the tickets online, and pick them up at the kiosk? I guess I wouldn't have a printer... but is there anything I need to print?

I have been hesitant to go ahead and purchase $915 worth of tickets right now... since they are non-refundable, and "what if"... "what if" keeps going through my head. What if something horrible happens and we aren't able to go there?

Will I still be able to get the $150 coupon book if I go this route? All I've been able to figure out about this coupon book is that you have to go to a store of some kind and ask for it. Can I just show them my online receipt on my phone or something?

 

[startingtopanic]

You have misread your info, that is the dimension for soft-side coolers.

Direct form the Universal website (full of useful information):

Soft-sided insulated bags no larger than 8.5" wide x 6" high x 6" deep

Backpacks and shoulder bags. A small, soft-sided bag is always handy to have with you when exploring the parks. Please be advised that your bag will be inspected by Security before you enter the theme parks, and you may have to check it in a rental locker before boarding certain thrill rides and roller coasters. We recommend that you pack only basic essentials and leave valuable items at home or in your hotel safe.

Thank you very much! I guess I need to slow down and read a little more carefully.

 

[Metro West]

Something else I wonder about: Is there any reason I should not just wait until the morning we are ready to go to Universal, order the tickets online, and pick them up at the kiosk? I guess I wouldn't have a printer... but is there anything I need to print?

I have been hesitant to go ahead and purchase $915 worth of tickets right now... since they are non-refundable, and "what if"... "what if" keeps going through my head. What if something horrible happens and we aren't able to go there?

Will I still be able to get the $150 coupon book if I go this route? All I've been able to figure out about this coupon book is that you have to go to a store of some kind and ask for it. Can I just show them my online receipt on my phone or something?

Picking up tickets at the kiosk would be fine...there isn't usually a long line. All you need to bring is the credit card and confirmation # you get via email. It takes less than five minutes in most cases. Then go right to the gates.

Tickets are not valid until activated (unless you get a special deal) so those tickets will not expire if you don't use them this trip. They won't refund the cost but you can use them any time in the future.

From what I understand, the coupon book isn't really that great and if you have AAA, you would get about the same discount or more.

 

[startingtopanic]

Picking up tickets at the kiosk would be fine...there isn't usually a long line. All you need to bring is the credit card and confirmation # you get via email. It takes less than five minutes in most cases. Then go right to the gates.

Tickets are not valid until activated (unless you get a special deal) so those tickets will not expire if you don't use them this trip. They won't refund the cost but you can use them any time in the future.

From what I understand, the coupon book isn't really that great and if you have AAA, you would get about the same discount or more.

Did I also read somewhere that they have these pick-up kiosks in the Universal hotels? I wonder if they have one at Cabana Bay... that would be even more convenient.

I am going for the "Buy 2 days Get 1 free" tickets, which expire May 22.

And unfortunately, we don't have AAA... I have never even looked into it. Are you saying there is a discount on Universal tickets, or hotels, restaurants, etc?

Since they raised their prices {which was a shock to me and I could just KICK myself for not buying tickets before!}, and since it is so close to time and I won't save much at all with Undercover Tourist... unfortunately, that coupon book is the only thing making me feel better at this point. I am hoping there is *something* in there that will save us money!

 

[startingtopanic]

Is there a calendar somewhere for SHOWS in April? Like if we wanted to watch Fear Factor, etc? ...I have looked all over their site, and I don't see any dates past this week...

 

[startingtopanic]

Now I've really confused myself...

Am I seeing this right? I could buy a Power Pass for myself instead of the regular ticket, and get a major discount on hotels at Universal?

I just did a search with the "APH" code, and the savings is considerable.

The Power Pass would only cost $25 more than my ticket was already going to be... Is this too good to be true?

 

[glocon]

True.

Just call the resort and double check, and if it IS true, add the discount!

 

[Metro West]

Is there a calendar somewhere for SHOWS in April? Like if we wanted to watch Fear Factor, etc? ...I have looked all over their site, and I don't see any dates past this week...

Show schedules depend on park hours and since those hours sometimes change, they will not publish a show schedule most of the time. Everything will be listed in the park map you pick up that day.

 

[damo]

Now I've really confused myself...

Am I seeing this right? I could buy a Power Pass for myself instead of the regular ticket, and get a major discount on hotels at Universal?

I just did a search with the "APH" code, and the savings is considerable.

The Power Pass would only cost $25 more than my ticket was already going to be... Is this too good to be true?

Nope. It is good and it is true.