Universal hotel and park package or separate hotel booking?

[mollyseven]

We are planning a trip December 2nd for 4 nights and I see that Universal website shows a 4 night package with hotel and 3 day park passes and also a harry potter package that is about 65.00 more that includes breakfast at 3 broomstiks and commemorative tickets....
My question is..... would it be cheaper to just book the hotel and then purchase our tickets separately or go with a package from universal.
We are planning on staying at Royal Pacific Resort or Hard Rock Hotel.

We have always done Disney and never done universal but this is for my daughters 16th birthday......any thoughts?

 

[Hemlock]

Also wondering the same as above. The DIS boards have never let me down before, so I know someone out there knows the answer to this one.

 

[mjohnson96]

Also wondering the same as above. The DIS boards have never let me down before, so I know someone out there knows the answer to this one.

The packages tend to be higher than if you book everything out separate. You can usually find good discounts for the hotels through AAA, being an AP holder, or staying multiple nights.

Right now if you purchase any multi day ticket through Universal you get the commemorative ticket and if it is available you can walk in and have breakfast.

But you can also get good ticket specials on Undercover Tourist or Maple Leaf to name a few.

When we go to Disney I usually will book a package but when we go to Universal I do it all myself.

 

[Clemson Bama Fan]

We just booked our December trip separately and saved hundreds over the package price. We also used Undercover Tourist for tickets.

 

[mollyseven]

Hundreds?? wow....how long are you staying?
We are only staying 4 nights and getting 3 day tickets. I don't really think the 64.00 extra for the harry potter package is worth it seeing as it only gets you each a breakfast at 3 broomsticks and the commemerative tickets but I was thinking the hotel/tickets were a good price. no?
Are you staying at the onsite hotels? We were hoping to stay onsite at the Royal Pacific and not get a car rental.

 

[Clemson Bama Fan]

We are staying 9 nights at The Hard Rock Hotel. This is the first time I have booked separately but the price was right.

 

[mollyseven]

did you use AAA or find another code/deal for that many nights?

We usually stay at disney for 9-10 nights but I can't imagine staying at Univeral that long.

...will you be there over christmas?

 

[rpbert1]

If you book a package, you cannot apply lower room rates if any come out.
I always book room only and get my own tickets, then apply any lower rates that come available.

 

[mollyseven]

yes that's true.
Our hotel portion of the package is working out to 650 for the 4 nights including taxes though which seems pretty good to me. The cheapest rate I see right now for the RPR is 219 per night plus tax. and HRH and Portofino are showing at 274 per night plus tax. all these are quite a bit more than what I have right now.

 

[Clemson Bama Fan]

did you use AAA or find another code/deal for that many nights?

We usually stay at disney for 9-10 nights but I can't imagine staying at Univeral that long.

...will you be there over christmas?

I found the rate by clicking around the Universal website and wound up with the rate. I had to call and speak to someone because I could not believe it. They confirmed it and booked it. I then called another number to cancel my package and received my refund within 24 hours as well as my email confirmation for my new booking. We will not be there over Christmas. We will be returning home on 12/20. We don't stay at Universal for the entire trip. We will spend 3 days at their parks and 1 day at each Disney park and 1day at Seaworld. We just enjoy the Hard Rock and the FOTL. Not to mention how much less expensive it is over Disney Deluxe Resorts and is just as nice or better.