Universal "front of line" in late October

[bobemsam]

I posted this in the wrong place yesterday. So, I am rewriting it here since it seems to be more appropriate.
We're going to Disney/Universal during the last week of October. We'll be doing Universal Sat. and Sun., October 26-27. I love the Portofino Bay Hotel especially for the front of line passes but is FOL really necessary for this time of year. I'd rather stay a little cheaper since we're moving to the Polynesian on the 29th.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions!!

 

[tarheelmjfan]

We were only there once during that time of year, & it was the month PBH opened. Needless to say, my experience wouldn't be very useful to you now. You'll be there on a weekend during HHH, so I think it will probably be pretty crowded. I know you said you had already posted this elsewhere, but you may want to try once more & post on the Universal Board on this site. There's several people who go every year during Oct. to attend HHN.

 

[webray]

I would guess you would need them, especially if HHH is going on..the parks will be busy.

If you want to reduce your resort stay cost..try the Royal Pacific Resort. We have stayed many times, as well as many times at Portofino. We love them both. The rooms are a bit smaller of course. Other than that..a fantastic place to stay. Beautifully decorated, wonderful restaurants, still a Loews Hotel. Royal pacific is considered the "low end" universal hotel..but it blows most of disney's deluxe resorts right out of the water!

 

[bobemsam]

Thanks everyone. We are now looking into the Royal Pacific. Some weekends are sold out around that time. But, it is also my understanding that Nov. 1-4 is the Disney Golf Classic and many people stay at the Loews resorts because they are incredible.

 

[mbb]

Did you have a boo on the Universal Resorts Board??

I think I'll pop your thread over there for you ..I know, we have soo many boards for so many parts of Orlando!!

Have a wonderful trip, and book Club Level if you can!

 

[goofy!]

If you are planning on doing Universal over the weekend before Halloween - I would say that FOTL would probably be better than not. That is going to be a busy weekend due to Halloween Horror Nights, so if you can swing it, I would think FOTL would make your stay just a bit more pleasant.

 

[robvia]

Actually, the mornings in October have light crowds. It's the afternoon when things pick up quickly for HHN. Plus you are planning a weekend visit.

While FOTL is a huge perk, the other stuff adds to the experience. When you stay onsite, you "feel" like part of the action. So yes, I'd say you want to stay onsite, especially if you plan on going to HHN.

The other thing you can do if the dates are not working out, is to put the Universal stay at the end. Once you have FOLT, you'll be spoiled. So I always tell people to put Disney first, then Universal at the end. Halloween is on a Wednesday night, and believe it or not, crowds will be light because the locals have work the next day and most stay home passing out candy.

 

[minijeanie]

Pay any price!!!!

FOTl is worth every penny!!!

almost makes us not want to go to WDW after a stay at Universal. I would stay at PBH and then do a moderate at WDW before I would trade in my FOTL access at Studios

You will be so sorry if you go outside US parks. It takes about 30 minutes to get to front entrance to parks if you stay outside .....

just my opinion

 

[macraven]

Thanks everyone. We are now looking into the Royal Pacific. Some weekends are sold out around that time. But, it is also my understanding that Nov. 1-4 is the Disney Golf Classic and many people stay at the Loews resorts because they are incredible.

weekends sell out quickly at rph during hhn period.
if you want to stay there, book now.
if rph does not have the dates you need, try the other 2 hotels.
hhn is extending into november dates this year.

rates are $25 higher on the weekend for hrh.
i know, i do this every year.

you can book now and if you decide you can't stay on site, you can cancel days in advance for a refund.

btw, ioa will close at 6 and studios at 5 on the nights hhn will happen.

 

[Akdar]

I booked my weekend at HRH for the 26th to 28th of October, even though I am not 100% sure I am going yet, with being able to cancel and get a full refund of your deposit up to 5 days before your booking date, you can't lose!