Universal just p@#*% me off!! (UPDATE)

[zippehsmom]

OK, if you seen my other thread you seen that I could not decide whether to skip Universal or what. Well, I finally decided to just book one night room at HRH (Just for the FOTL), and go for 2 consecutive days. I really wanted to see Universal.

Well when I called to cancel my 2 rooms at HRH (AAA discounted rate) ,and rebook just one night. She said they had nothing available. I said how is that possible I just cancelled two rooms. She went on to explain that was different. I could not just book one night. She then proceeded to tell me that PBH, RPR & HRH are totally sold out for one night stays for 8/13/2005. I find that unbelievable. So I said you mean Universal does not want my money if I only want to stay one night? She said yes they are sold out.

Now I'm gonna go online just to see if they are really sold out.

This really makes me angry.

Sorry just had to vent.

zippehsmom

OK just checking over our itinerary and US website, I found I could get 2 rooms at HRH with AAA discount for 8/2. This our arrival day. We would be getting in to ORlando around 930 am. I figure we could check in (if rooms are not available, we could go to IOA). IF rooms are available we could have lunch, relax and head to IOA at about 4pm. Stay until park closes. The next day we could check out in AM, and then head to US. Stay until 3pm or 4 pm. Leave head to Disney and check into WL. Does this sound feasible.

Last time we went to IOA, we did everything in half a day. We spent one whole day at US.

Tell me what you guys think of this plan. Definitely not as much time as I would have liked to spend at US, but with Hotel costs as high as they are, this is definitely better than nothing.

 

[BriarfoxinWA]

That's just crazy! I was thinking about changing my 3 night stay to just one - wonder if they'll be sold out for my "1" day stay!

 

[d4est]

Well, I checked...8/13 comes up unavailable at universalorlando.com and hotelkingdom.com and aaa.com

I get availability at orangevacations.com 1 night at HRH for $234.

Maybe this helps?

 

[GOOFYFREEK]

Call back see if you get someone else. I have done this on several occasions and been able to get what I want

 

[Cora]

zippehsmom,
Shortly after you posted last nite, I checked the Loews Hotels website and found RPR and HRH as soldout. However, I found a 1 nite at the Portofino. If I recall correctly, it was over $300 for one night.

 

[zippehsmom]

Thanks d4est. I think that I'm just gonna pass on Universal right now. We'll see what pops up in terms of discounts later.

You know I was really looking forward to going to Universal, but their hotel booking system is crazy. I wonder if they are trying to discourage single night visits. We only planned on renting the room and not actually staying there. With 7 people (1 under 3 and Mom doesn't ride). We just wanted the FOTL. So I figured I could get 2 days of FOTL for about $850 (1 nights room & admission) versus paying $2,200 for 2 rooms at HRH (we originally planned on being there 4 nights) + $600 admissions.

Oh well, maybe next time...

 

[robvia]

I'm sure they've caught on to people booking rooms and not staying in them. They want people eating in the restaurants, buying drinks by the pool, and all the tips that go with it.
08/13/2005 is just after school starts, it's really a dead time of the year.
08/02/2005 is a holiday weekend, so I could see that being sold out.

I wouldn't give up on Universal if you can't stay onsite. Crowds will be light in September, so you can stay in your Disney hotel or one of the offsite hotels here.
http://www.nogodforme.com/offsite.htm

 

[zippehsmom]

We rea going in August, since I teach September is not an option. Universal had availability for 8/2, but not for 8/13. What holiday is on 8/2?

zippehsmom

 

[robvia]

It's labor day, which is Monday September 5th.
With many having Monday off, it will be a busy weekend.

 

[mrp4352]

Many hotels in Vegas do that, too. They can make more off of people who stay multiple nights, so they try to make sure there's availability for those people. One work around is to book the multi-night stay and check out early. (Just call the hotel before hand and find out if there's an early check out penalty before you commit to this course of action.) When I worked for a hotel at DFW airport, we didn't penalize unless you were part of a group that asked us to make sure everyone stayed the entire length.

Also, you can visit Universal without staying at their hotels - I would much rather give my hotel dollar to Disney, with the new Express Pass system the lines aren't too bad, and you can pay at the gate to upgrade your Express Pass so you can have more than one (or so that you get one auto express pass for each ride, or something like that). Mummy, Spiderman, and Men in Black are fantastic!!

 

[gschmerl]

OK just checking over our itinerary and US website, I found I could get 2 rooms at HRH with AAA discount for 8/2. This our arrival day. We would be getting in to ORlando around 930 am. I figure we could check in (if rooms are not available, we could go to IOA). IF rooms are available we could have lunch, relax and head to IOA at about 4pm. Stay until park closes. The next day we could check out in AM, and then head to US. Stay until 3pm or 4 pm. Leave head to Disney and check into WL. Does this sound feasible.

Last time we went to IOA, we did everything in half a day. We spent one whole day at US.

Tell me what you guys think of this plan. Definitely not as much time as I would have liked to spend at US, but with Hotel costs as high as they are, this is definitely better than nothing.[/QUOTE]
That plan is doable. You will get two days of FOTL with your one night stay.