Universal more $$ than DW?

[asmit4]

Maybe I'm just not comparing apples to apples- but by my calculations- DW is less $$ than Universal for the same time frame. To clarify- we booked DW during the free DDP promotion. We are going for 4 nights this year and staying at a value resort. Our 3 day hoppers were 260pp. For 4 nights, 3 day hoppers and basic DDP for 2adults we are paying about $907.

I was under the impression that Universal was less $$. We are considering doing a universal trip for Sept 2009 instead of DW. I looked up 4 nights at an onsite universal hotel in September, tacked on the 89.99 ticket deal per person and transport from the airport to universal (we don't rent cars), and the cost was 980 bucks or so, however this does not include any food at all. For 4 days we are likely to spend 300-400 in food.

Maybe I'm not comparing apples to apples. Universal tickets are less $$, but the hotels are nicer than a value at DW, and you get the FOTL passes for each ride- this alone is worth a lot of $$ to us.

I just don't know if I can justify spending 400 more dollars for a trip at universal over the 'same' trip to DW. (we are presuming they will be offering some type of similar DW discount as a bounceback this sept. for next sept. This is why we are looking at universal now- we would be booking sept. 2009 on our visit to DW in sept. 2008 which is coming up fast)

 

[Sleepy]

I do understand what you are saying, but your comparison is not a good example, because you are using a special promotion that Disney offers, being the free food. If you went during a different time, the food would not be free at WDW. Disney offers a value hotel and Universal does not. You really can't compare that. Would be better to compare a WDW deluxe hotel with a 5 day WDW ticket to what you would get at Universal for the price.

How much is it worth to you to get unlimited fast passes? When I stay at a Universal hotel, I rarely stand in ANY line. That to me is worth the extra money I spend over what WDW costs. I'd rather have the value of the unlimited fast passes over the free bus ride to and from the airport.

 

[asmit4]

I guess we are just bargain basement DWers I will have to research the hotels a bit more- I wasn't really aware the hotels were as nice as the deluxes at DW. That's something to consider. We'll probably just book a quick 3 night trip to do both parks and just deal with the added cost. DW is great but it would be nice to go to Universal- we haven't been in about 15 years! LOL!

 

[macraven]

the free dining program is only valid if you book a total package.
even if you have the ap, you still have to purchase a one day basic ticket.
no room discounts allowed when you buy the package for disney.
you lose the aaa discounts for the room then.


like sleepy posted, you are not comparing deluxe hotel at disney to the hotels at universal.
when you change your variables like that, you can sway the results to what ever you want it to be.


to eat one day under a meal plan at disney, it is $37 plus tax per day.
you don't get the gratuity included, or an appetizer. and you need to book it 180 days in advance if you want a ts for use of your credit.

at universal, there is no dining plan to compare it to.
uo has a meal deal that allows unlimited food from 11:00 to 30 minutes to prior to park closing. less than $37 at uo.

it really is a moot point on the dining.
the programs they have are not comparable to what it gives to the buyer.

 

[macraven]

I guess we are just bargain basement DWers I will have to research the hotels a bit more- I wasn't really aware the hotels were as nice as the deluxes at DW. That's something to consider. We'll probably just book a quick 3 night trip to do both parks and just deal with the added cost. DW is great but it would be nice to go to Universal- we haven't been in about 15 years! LOL!

then it is time to try it again.
city walk has expanded.
daily and nightly free entertainment in the walkways there.

ioa was added and the studios have changed and added rides and attractions.


try it for one night and stay on site and you get 2 full days of free hotel express passes. unlimited rides on everything, not the once only when off site guests buy the epp.

 

[Catrinabeach]

You can't honestly compare a value resort at Disney to one of the onsite US resorts.

We have stayed at Pop and it's nothing compared to US.

Now if you compared a stay at Poly to a stay at US that is more comparable.

And honestly the FOTL benefit at US is worth every extra penny. We usually do Disney and stay value resort too. But we love US onsite.

We bought AP's for Dh and I and get discounts on food and merchandise. The AP's are only 200 a person at US.

We got a Super Saver rate of 269 per night for Club level for this August. Club level gives us a continental breakfast, hot and cold appies at dinner time, desserts in the evening, bottled water, pop, tea and coffee all day, turn down service in our room, and other things that I don't even know of yet (We go on the 26th - 31st)

It may seem like it costs more but with discounts you can get the lowest priced room at RPR for about 132 usually. We did last Christmas.

 

[Nie0214]

The resorts at Universal are nothing close to the value resorts.

 

[Subi WRX]

Plus, you're forgetting that you can walk to everything from the Royal Pacific. You're waiting for a bus or driving your car everywhere from the Disney values. Everything is right at your fingertips at the RPR.

 

[Ileana]

Value Disney Hotel vs. Onsite Universal Hotel is a biiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiig difference.

Not to mention just about every sit down restaurant at Disney is WAY overpriced and the food just sucks. The more expensive restaurants have the good food, and those get booked FAST for a reason with those dining plans.

I'll take a $159/night florida resident or ap rate for Portofino Bay, take my butt to Mythos (no reservation needed!!) and enjoy every penny I spend.

 

[disneyfan67]

Comparing the beautiful onsite hotels at Universal Orlando to the Disney values is like comparing a Lexus to a Honda Civic. While they may be both good cars and transport you from one place to another, that's where the comparison ends. You can't compare the Disney values to what Universal offers onsite. I don't think you can compare them to the Disney moderates either. Also the free dining plan at Disney is a special promotion and shouldn't be used as your decision to go with Disney over Universal.

I have stayed at several Disney Deluxe resorts and a moderate. I consider the Polynesian my home resort and it's my favorite by far. I had the chance though to stay at the Portofino Bay last summer and it holds it's own against any Disney Deluxe resort. The bathroom in my room at the PBH was almost the size of a entire Disney value room and I'm not joking. The room at the Portofino was huge. The pools were awesome as well, especially the beach pool. It's that good and I was able to get it for $239 a night with AAA discount. There's several good discounts available as well.

 

[keishashadow]

Univ onsite properties r def. as nice as WDW deluxe resorts, if not more luxe in some instances imo

the rates @ what i consider comparable DVC Deluxes, say Contemporary Resort Magic Kingdom View can easily run over $400 a night...DVC studios would be close to $300 night

the magical express perc isn't offered @ U, not sure if that is a consideration for you

have u considered a split stay? Ex: 4 or 5 nights onsite @ WDW & 1 or 2 @ Universal?

 

[Sleepy]

Not to mention just about every sit down restaurant at Disney is WAY overpriced and the food just sucks. The more expensive restaurants have the good food, and those get booked FAST for a reason with those dining plans.

We don't do any sit down restaurants at WDW. We wait until we get to UNiversal where the food is much better and not as overpriced.

 

[macraven]

if we are comparing.........don't forget the coffee issue......

universal hands down beats that nescafe any day.

and i drink 10 cups of real coffee each day.


yea, i'm a coffee addict.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

If you want to throw in food.. you can add the meal deal at Universal. While the food is somewhat limited, for $21 per person you can eat all day long in the parks. What is Disney really charging you when you have to get a package deal for the free dining. They are also charging you per person for that package deal... it adds up.
Re-do your figures but do a comp hotel, not a value. Compare the Wilderness Lodge or AKL's rates, add in the pass you have to purchase for that price. Then price out Universal's RPR (their cheapest which is comprable to WLR & AKL), their 7 day pass and maybe a meal deal per day if you want.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

if we are comparing.........don't forget the coffee issue......

universal hands down beats that nescafe any day.

and i drink 10 cups of real coffee each day.


yea, i'm a coffee addict.

How very true, while I really do enjoy going to Disney, their coffee stinks!! It is colored water! When we stay onsite, I do get a refillable mug, but my DH will actually drive out to 7-11 or somewhere else to get real coffee

 

[asmit4]

I had no idea how nice the hotels were at Universal. I really don't know much about Universal. It was eye opening doing the research today. After looking into things- the cost may be a bit more- but the value seems to be A LOT more too! All 3 hotels seem deluxe to me with large rooms and lots of amenities.

I think I am going to discuss this with my family and decide what we want to do for next fall. I think we are going to be spoiled with a deluxe room, being able to walk to the parks and having the 'FOTL' passes!

 

[A Mickeyfan]

I had no idea how nice the hotels were at Universal. I really don't know much about Universal. It was eye opening doing the research today. After looking into things- the cost may be a bit more- but the value seems to be A LOT more too! All 3 hotels seem deluxe to me with large rooms and lots of amenities.

I think I am going to discuss this with my family and decide what we want to do for next fall. I think we are going to be spoiled with a deluxe room, being able to walk to the parks and having the 'FOTL' passes!

They are deluxe hotels!! They are not the All Stars or Pop by any means.. they are not even Disney's mods! The Royal Pacific is comp to Wilderness or AKL. The Hard Rock is comp to all the other deluxe's.. and PH is better than the GF! When you look at it that way, they are cheaper than Disney.....
The rooms are larger, you can walk to the parks, you get FOTL.. .. and you can pool hop unlike Disney

 

[d4est]

I had no idea how nice the hotels were at Universal. I really don't know much about Universal. It was eye opening doing the research today. After looking into things- the cost may be a bit more- but the value seems to be A LOT more too! All 3 hotels seem deluxe to me with large rooms and lots of amenities.

I think I am going to discuss this with my family and decide what we want to do for next fall. I think we are going to be spoiled with a deluxe room, being able to walk to the parks and having the 'FOTL' passes!

Yessss!!! Spoiled is right!!! You'll never want to vacay any other way after an on-site UO stay!

 

[keishashadow]

They are deluxe hotels!! They are not the All Stars or Pop by any means.. they are not even Disney's mods! The Royal Pacific is comp to Wilderness or AKL. The Hard Rock is comp to all the other deluxe's.. and PH is better than the GF! When you look at it that way, they are cheaper than Disney.....
The rooms are larger, you can walk to the parks, you get FOTL.. .. and you can pool hop unlike Disney

don't agree w/your assessment of the HRH being comp to the Disney deluxes you mention, cool, yet not my favof the three onsite . The great thing about having different choices @ both parks, is u can pick the theming that fits ur needs/desires. PS im quite fond of my home the VWL think it's one of the best hotels Disney has in overall amenities (bay lake marina, proximity to MK) & theming...course it's just my personal opin.

I had no idea how nice the hotels were at Universal. I really don't know much about Universal. It was eye opening doing the research today. After looking into things- the cost may be a bit more- but the value seems to be A LOT more too! All 3 hotels seem deluxe to me with large rooms and lots of amenities.

I think I am going to discuss this with my family and decide what we want to do for next fall. I think we are going to be spoiled with a deluxe room, being able to walk to the parks and having the 'FOTL' passes!

disney has raised their hotel rates dramatically, especially on the weekends . Cost aside, some peeps just use their room to sleep, spending all their time in the parks; so value resorts work out fine for them. However, the value rooms are very "cozy" 260 sq ft, compared to standards @ U: 335 @ Royal Pacific, 375 @ HRH & 460 @ PBH; so if personal space is important to u that is a consideration.

fyi, just for comparison's sake, sample of deluxe resort standard room's sq ft @ WL 340; BW 380; CR 436; GF 440

I do think that most 1st time guests don't factor in what FOTL perc would cost them "ala carte" when factoring in the nightly room rate too; especially when u can stay just 1 night & have the privledge day of arrival & departure.

 

[2Kds2K9]

Got to throw in my 2 cents here. We are Disney lovers through and through, but just got back from an awsome vacation at Universal.

Two things that I love more about Universal.

1. Front of the line! We are spoiled, spoiled, spoiled. It will be very hard to go back to Fast Pass.

2. Loved the fact that I didn't have to make dinner reservations 5 months in advance to eat where I wanted. We were able to walk into ANY restaurant and have a great meal. (Ate at Margaritaville at 7pm and NBA at 6:30pm with no wait!) I truly don't know now what I want for dinner tomorrow much less 5 months from now. Therefore the idea of having to make reservations so far in advance is a big turn off.

We also liked that Universal seemd to have a few more snacking deals than Disney. You can buy the refillable drink mugs and the refillable popcorn. Both are very economical, especially in July when it's hot!

I think you could spend hours trying to figure out the best deal. We were all prepared to go to Disney again until my DD mentioned that there was nothing really new this year and that Universal had several new rides since our last visit 4 years ago.

Enjoy!