Universal booking tips for 1st timer

[tinkertaylor05]

Hi all,

We had an amazing first trip to WDW this year and will be heading back to Florida next May for another cruise

I'm trying to decide what to do with our pre cruise time and we're thinking about trying to visit Universal as we didn't do it this year.

I'm finding the Universal site not as clear as WDW's and having a bit of a struggle getting the facts so thought I'd bring it to the experts!

We would be looking at a short stay max 3 nights, we mostly want to see WWOHP.

I can see booking on Universal's site gives you perks, early entry to WWOHP and FOTLP. If you book elsewhere ie Expedia do you still qualify for those perks?

We won't have tickets so will need to add those onto our stay, is it best to buy these direct from Universal?

We won't be driving so any options we consider must have good transport options.

Appreciate any advice, would like to make a trip to Universal happen but I'm struggling to work it all out.

Thanks

 

[Tony Bush]

We booked HRH through Expedia, which worked out cheaper than booking direct, even with AA discounts. Universal tickets we booked through Atraction Tickets Direct. Excellent price and service. Whoever you book through you qualify for the perks if you are staying on site (except for the Cabanna Bay hotel)

Tony

 

[tinkertaylor05]

We booked HRH through Expedia, which worked out cheaper than booking direct, even with AA discounts. Universal tickets we booked through Atraction Tickets Direct. Excellent price and service. Whoever you book through you qualify for the perks if you are staying on site (except for the Cabanna Bay hotel)

Tony

Thankyou! Do you know if you get the early entry to WWOHP if staying at Cabanna Bay? Not sure how necessary the FOTLP are?

 

[Tony Bush]

Yes Cabana Bay resort guests get the hour early admission but not the FOTL access. Also if you're on a Virgin holidays package and buy your Universal tickets through them you also get hour early entry.

 

[zippy99]

We always book with Lowes direct for Royal Pacific Resort.

Pay a deposit up front and the balance when you check out.

 

[DLPDreams]

Hotels4u have had really good prices recently - my friend is a TA and the quotes she got me were over £200 more than their price, and she tried a few different avenues. I also looked online and couldn't get any prices near them.

Only downside is at booking I was only offered full payment, although there appeared to be a deposit only option, I couldn't find out how to do it!

 

[scoobydooby]

I also booked through Hotels4u for Universal ( Hard Rock). Good price but had to pay in full a year in advance.

 

[joolz1910]

Also booked with Hotels4U - paid in full. Don't forget Quidco as I got an additional £24 cashback on my booking.

 

[Rach78]

Went to Universal this year for the first time and loved it! As others have said no matter who you book through for Universal Hotels you will still get the perks, early entry and FOTL passes, except Cabana Bay, early entry only. Therefore go with whoever is cheapest. You can also check in as early as you like and grab your passes and head to parks. We were there before 7am to make the most of our FOTL passes. Three days is plenty of time to see and do most things. We went at a busy time and que's were not long at Universal on the whole, so in May I would not expect crowds to be big. However if you have FOTL passes it wont matter anyway. FOTL passes were great, worked really well. We used the early entry for Forbidden journey. Also buy a refillable cup, well worth it. Any questions feel free to ask.