Universal in July

[Mrs Doubtfire]

We will be flying out at the start of the holidays and towards the end of July are planning to go to universal. I have been looking at FPs but the price is sky high.

If you have been in July/August do you think it is worth booking 1 night say at the RPR for the 4 of us to benefit from the express pass for 2 days. Or do you think if we got there early we would manage?

Also, do you pay parking fees at the hotels? Thanks

 

[dixonsontour]

Yes the hotels charge parking. $20 a night ($12 cabana bay).

I'd be tempted to do the 1 night stay to get 2 days express passes for 4 of you.

 

[chmurf]

I would do one night at RPR (granted that there still is availability in standard.)

july is busy.

 

[abbysmama]

We stayed 1st week in June and the express was worth it. We walked on rides and most lines were 60-70 minutes long.

 

[scoobydooby]

Yes definitely book a night at one of the deluxe hotels on Universal property for front of line and two days early entry into the Harry Potter areas. Worth every penny.

 

[Kath2003]

If you arrive early you will be fine. We have been in July and never needed FOTL.

 

[Princess Leia]

I have done July with and without express passes. The first couple of hours were fine without passes but after that the lines become unbearable. This year we are staying one night at Hard Rock in order to get express passes.

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

Thanks for all the replies, the majority say go for it, so I will look at booking 1 night!

 

[GibboFLA]

We are booked into the Portofino Bay for one night after doing it two years ago, we still go to the parks ahead of our stay and then decide which rides to Express Pass, then head back to the hotel for a swim and return at night to do a bit more. Well worth the price of the room in my view, plus the hotel is great.

 

[irenep]

Absolutely worth it!
We have been in July a few times and always book a Universal hotel. It makes for a more relaxing and stress free time in the parks.
We have been to all 3 of their deluxes but our favourite is RPR and that's where we are going again in August for 2 nights.
Found a good deal on ebookers for club level too.
You won't regret staying there

 

[1andrea]

Absolutely worth it!
We have been in July a few times and always book a Universal hotel. It makes for a more relaxing and stress free time in the parks.
We have been to all 3 of their deluxes but our favourite is RPR and that's where we are going again in August for 2 nights.
Found a good deal on ebookers for club level too.
You won't regret staying there

Oh what what the deal? We're looking for RPH for July too! x

 

[saintrob]

I wouldn't do Universal without staying onsite. We've tried every way possible - off site, express plus and nothing beats having FOTL. We normally stay in July although we stay did for two nights last Christmas too. We're booked in at RPH again in July in a standard room. We're AP holders and this has enabled us to get fantastic room discounts but so far nothing has come out for the upcoming trip so fingers crossed.

 

[irenep]

Oh what what the deal? We're looking for RPH for July too! x

It was a 20% off deal back in November.
I am still looking for a better deal (AP/AAA etc) but nothing yet. I will be happy enough with what I have though even if nothing comes up. They seem to be very reluctant to give deals this year and with all the HP stuff, they probably don't need to (well at least in peak summer time).

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

At the minute Expedia seem to have the best price at £238 for a 1 night stay at RPR.

 

[1andrea]

I wouldn't do Universal without staying onsite. We've tried every way possible - off site, express plus and nothing beats having FOTL. We normally stay in July although we stay did for two nights last Christmas too. We're booked in at RPH again in July in a standard room. We're AP holders and this has enabled us to get fantastic room discounts but so far nothing has come out for the upcoming trip so fingers crossed.

I am an annual pass holder too but I don't actually know where to look to find the Annual Pass Holder Discounts. Can you point me in the right direction please? x

 

[1andrea]

At the minute Expedia seem to have the best price at £238 for a 1 night stay at RPR.

I paid about £180 last year, the prices have really increased this year x

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

I paid about £180 last year, the prices have really increased this year x

Wow that is an increase but still worth it I suppose for the Express Pass benefits. If I go through Quidco then I may get 10% back.

 

[Minniesgal]

I wouldn't do Universal without express pass, especially not in July. So worth it

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

Just a quick update to say I booked 1 night at RPR. Anything I need to know about this hotel, or any tips?

 

[laurab84]

We're going next July and staying at the cabana bay and doing seaworld, universal and aquatica before moving over to disney. We chose cabana so we didn't get the passes! My view was if we just walk to the front of the lines in universal for 3 days then when we get to disney it's going to be a hell of a shock for my 5 year old that he has to queue! He might as well get used to quing from day 1!