Universal in July

[Julia M]

We have a week at WDW (with friends). They go hom and we are staying an additional five days. My kids would like to try Universal. I anticipate buying the $89 passes.

How crowded and crazy will it be? My kids are 13 and 11 (my oldest is going hom earlier-football practice), so won't be into the "kiddie" areas.

I thought about buying the FOTL pass, but it's about $41 per person or $51 (depending on which days we choose) for 2 parks or $36 por $46 for 1 park. That's between $144-$204 for our family, depending on what we choose.

Or, I could book one night at a hotel, which is $244 + tax, to get 2 days of FOTL privileges. (We are staying at a timeshare, so I would just bring what we needed-a change of clothes and maybe a swimsuit)

Our other option is getting up and getting to the parks early, and only staying awhile, and leaving as it gets crowded.

I have never done Universal, and truly have NO idea what to do. We are not used to the heat, and I thnk the combo of unfamiliarity, long lines (we are very good at maximizing fast passes for Disney, so my kids aren't used to long lines) and the heat could be a disaster (not the way I want to end my trip)

PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!!!!!!!!

Julia

 

[disneycatz]

The APH rates just came out & the RPH can be had for as little as $146

 

[ky07]

We have a week at WDW (with friends). They go hom and we are staying an additional five days. My kids would like to try Universal. I anticipate buying the $89 passes.

How crowded and crazy will it be? My kids are 13 and 11 (my oldest is going hom earlier-football practice), so won't be into the "kiddie" areas.

I thought about buying the FOTL pass, but it's about $41 per person or $51 (depending on which days we choose) for 2 parks or $36 por $46 for 1 park. That's between $144-$204 for our family, depending on what we choose.

Or, I could book one night at a hotel, which is $244 + tax, to get 2 days of FOTL privileges. (We are staying at a timeshare, so I would just bring what we needed-a change of clothes and maybe a swimsuit)

Our other option is getting up and getting to the parks early, and only staying awhile, and leaving as it gets crowded.

I have never done Universal, and truly have NO idea what to do. We are not used to the heat, and I thnk the combo of unfamiliarity, long lines (we are very good at maximizing fast passes for Disney, so my kids aren't used to long lines) and the heat could be a disaster (not the way I want to end my trip)

PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!!!!!!!!

Julia

I think it would be a good idea to buy the 7 day unlimited tickets and yes its going to be hot and humid so I would do the staying onsite for the fotl cause if you buy them then they are just express passes that are only good for once per ride and when staying onsite they are unlimited and can be used for as many times as you want on the rides .
plus the day you check out they are good for that day too so its like you get 3 days of fotl instead of 2
hope this helps

 

[DonnaLeah]

I would highly recommend staying one night onsight for the "unlimited" front-of-the-line priviledges! You won't require a "plan" and that is the only way to go during the hot and humid busy season!!
A AAA discount may be available by calling Loews.

 

[macraven]

the cost for me for AAA membership in the chicago area is $45 a year.

with that, i get 10% discounts at many hotels, resturants and stores when i travel anywhere in the united states. it also is valid for discounts for online shopping such as Target, florists, etc.
and it is also good to have if you run out of gas or have a flat tire. one call to the AAA 800 number sends out help no matter where you are.

for that $45 fee i pay, i also am entitled to use it for hotels.
at disney, i receive a 10% discount on room only rates.

at universal, i get up to 35% discount with my AAA for the onsite hotels.

add it up, you come out ahead to book a room on site for the discount alone you get with triple a.

the aph rate is only for universal rooms and park/merch discounts.

the AAA is nation wide, did i mention it also covers car rentals?

julia, you said above that there will be 4 of you.
you also mentioned the epp could be about $50 pp for each day.
that would be an additional $200 you would be spending in order to enjoy all the rides and attractions at the parks.

put that $200 that you would be paying for the express passes towards the room cost to stay on site. You said the room would be $244 + tax.
you would only be coming up with an additional $55 total then for the room.

and, you could be receiving a good discount on that room if you had the AAA card.

think about it.
you book one night on site, you get TWO full days of fotl perks as a hotel guest. you get fotl on the day you check out of the room until the park closes that night.

hmm, gee right there you would have saved $400 of buying epp for 2 days of express...............

when you use the express pass plus, you are entitlted to one time only to use the express lane for each ride, attraction and show.
you buy the pass and once you use it on a ride, you then have to use the regular lines to repeat that ride.

if you stay on site, your hotel key is the fotl pass. it is unlimited....

you can do as many rides as you want, no limitations.

you share the express lanes with the ones that have the epp. that line could be 10 minutes long while the regular line could be an hour.

to have a great trip and good memories, book one night on site at the royal pacific hotel. ask for the obscure room view for a discount. or get the aaa and get that discount.
it is hard to have fun in a park during the summer days of july when you spend an hour in the line for a 3-4 minute ride.

forgot to add, if you show your AAA card in the park, you will get a 10% discount on food and merch in the park and at city walk.

i'll stop here. don't want to overwhelm you.....

i just get excited in helping others save money and trying out universal...

 

[bell.of.the.ball]

QUESTIONS

to have a great trip and good memories, book one night on site at the royal pacific hotel. ask for the obscure room view for a discount. or get the aaa and get that discount.
it is hard to have fun in a park during the summer days of july when you spend an hour in the line for a 3-4 minute ride.

forgot to add, if you show your AAA card in the park, you will get a 10% discount on food and merch in the park and at city walk.

..

What is an obscure room view discount and do all hotel have it. Do you know if CS take AAA for a discount/

 

[ky07]

QUESTIONS

What is an obscure room view discount and do all hotel have it. Do you know if CS take AAA for a discount/

Don't know if they offer a aaa discount on those rooms and an obstructed view is usually an over grown trees outside the window and maybe more than that but you do have to call the hotel about them

 

[macraven]

QUESTIONS

What is an obscure room view discount and do all hotel have it. Do you know if CS take AAA for a discount/

at hrh and rph, many of the trees and foliage have now grown up and block some of the views for the rooms.

some rooms have a view of the roof eaves at hrh.
(a few corner turn rooms that face the pool get that)

the main blockage are the palm trees that have reached 5th and 6th floors at hrh i am familiar with.

if you get the obstructed view discount rate, you can not also use the AAA for an additional discount. you pick one or the other.
the obstructed view rate is the cheapest and better rate of the two.

i know personally that rph and hrh have those rates, as i have used them.
i have not used those rates at pbh.

you need to request those rooms if you want them.


for counter service, yes, the AAA gives you a 10% on food and beverage.
(also for merch)

most places will ask to see your card. a few write down your number for statistical purposes.