Universal Orlando Annual Pass advice please!

[scottishgirl87]

Ok, looking for advice from you DISers out there who happen to have Annual Passes for Universal! Planning our trip for 2 weeks in May 2010, 2 adults (aged 22 & 24 when we go).

I see online I can get a Universal Preferred Annual Pass for $229.99 (which at current exchange rate works out at about £140). While I don't expect to be able to go to Orlando more than once next year I think this may suit our needs more than the predicted Orlando FlexTicket/Plus.

We would only really be using the FlexTicket for Universal/IOA as we're not interested in visiting Aquatica or Wet n Wild in the slightest, would like to visit SeaWorld again (I've been, boyfriend hasn't) but doubt we'd spend more than 1 day there, plus with us not having a car I think it'd be difficult for us to visit Busch Gardens (as much as we'd like to!). I also see online I could get a combined SeaWorld/Busch Gardens ticket for around $100 (around £62) so not that much of a difference in price between them.

I know it might look like I'm wanting to spend more money as it's working out about £15-£20 dearer but that's basing on us going to Busch Gardens, if we don't and just do SeaWorld it's about the same price.

PLUS with the AP we would get various discounts around Universal/CityWalk etc. (including up to 30% on hotels, and I'd really LOVE to stay at RPR in Universal) so we would probably "make" the money back that way.

So what do you guys think? Am I just being stupid? Would FlexTicket/Plus really just make more sense. Looking for advice please!

 

[Twilight Terror]

We are getting Disney APs this year. What we are planning to do, not this year, but next, is get our passes renewed for October, when we go, and then the year after, we will be going in September, so we will effectively get two years worth of trips out of one annual pass. The pass will be valid from Oct 1 2010 until Oct 1 2011 - we will go Oct '10, then Sept '11 just before it runs out.

Is there any chance you maybe taking a vacation the following year, which you could time to happen just before the passes run out?

The FlexiTicket is rubbish, unless you plan to go to every single park, and more than once. Otherwise, there are plenty of other discounts and offers out there that will get you what you want, and for cheaper.

Last time we went to Busch Gardens (2005), we didn't have a car, but there was a free shuttle put on by SeaWorld/Busch Gardens that picked you up early from SeaWorld and returned you there at the end of the evening. Okay, so you will be limited to the time and schedule of the transfer, but at least you can get there! There was a special number (obtainable at SW) that you can call to pre-book your seats on the coach.

 

[scottishgirl87]

Thanks for the advice

Yeah I been thinking about the following year as well, as would even cover the April next year (if we should be so lucky to go again, lol). Also one of my mates is currently in the process of buying a villa over there which could mean a bargain trip later on

The Flexiticket just kinda puts me off when our main focus is Universal/IOA. I just kinda feel that with the AP we could make our mind up later on about SeaWorld/Busch Gardens and not feel pressured just coz we have the FlexiTicket. But then part of me is thinking if we're thinking about it then why not get the FlexiTicket and it covers the bases just incase! Ahhh!

Secretly as well I'm hoping the AP would persuade the BF to go again soon after, lol.

EDIT: Just checked as well at the moment Universal are doing a 1 Week Unlimited ticket for $99.99 so even to buy that for 2 weeks would be $200 anyway, so for the extra $30 we're getting discounts and a year (albeit a year we might not use).

 

[Twilight Terror]

Exactly. We are getting a 2-year annual pass to SeaWorld, and it's $149.99 plus tax. On the door entry, which is what we would have done, is $74.99 plus, so effectively just two trips to SW with on the door entry, and the money would be made back. Then of course you get the other luxuries like better parking, 10% merchandise/food/drink.

I would say you have a choice between the Annual pass, and two one-week passes really. There really is no point forking out for the Flexi-Pass if the only place you are definitely going to visit at the moment is US/IOA. The Flexi-Pass works out at around $240. Well, a one-week pass to US/IOA and the SW/BG would cost you $200, or $330 with annual pass/SW-BG tickets.

I think if you have a look at VH's site, they do the 2-Park Unlimited Bonus ticket to Universal, but it has the added extra of covering 14 days not 7 days. However, it works out at about $120. Plus, if you don't already have a booking with them, I'm not sure whether you can buy just tickets, although I'm sure someone else on here can tell you.

 

[scottishgirl87]

Thanks! Haven't booked anything, and especially not from Virgin! Their offerings from Glasgow are just useless! Plus I hate their website, it gives you no indication of other dates available just tells you there's no availability, grrr! If they had some better deals from Glasgow then I'd consider it, but they don't even fly in May

 

[rpbert1]

I have a universal AP, i bought it a few years ago, due for renewal this year, Preferred renewal price is $117 approx. We have not been to disney for a few years, only Universal and Sea World, so works out well for us as we usually stay 3 weeks at RPR, discounts on food and merchandise as well as hotel can work out really good, although have never used it to book rooms, as i have had better rates using AAA, or offers they have on. just pays to look for any good offers that the hotels offer. If you are planning doing Universal the whole of your holiday, i would go with the AP.
I would wait till nearer the time you are planning to go, and see if they have any offers on AP, as they could be due to do the buy 1 year get the 2nd year free.

 

[scottishgirl87]

Thanks Robert!!

We are gonna do Disney as well but rollercoasters are more our thing and obviously Universal caters to that a bit more.

Damn, I was really interested to know how much you paid for RPR but you use a different discount, ahh well. It's so far the only Orlando hotel I've went "wow! I love it!" so far, as not interested in staying on-site at Disney, although some of their hotels are amazing. But the Universal FOL pass as well is definitely a big plus!

Not planning to book anything till about January, but I can't stop looking, lol, I want to go NOW! Plus I've tried looking at prices for RPR in May but every single hotel comes up as Unavailable

 

[Purseval]

If I were you I'd be asking questions about the Universal passes on the Universal forum, they have more experience with all of the options. I have a PAP and the main advantages of it are no blackout dates, which probably wouldn't apply to you anyway, and free parking. Since you don't have a car you miss out on the main benefit. IMO you'd probably do just as well with one of the cheaper season passes unless Universal comes up with another free year promotion. I've been waiting all year for just that and it hasn't happened. You have a long time to plan, that's in your advantage.

 

[brer_rabbit]

Not planning to book anything till about January, but I can't stop looking, lol, I want to go NOW! Plus I've tried looking at prices for RPR in May but every single hotel comes up as Unavailable

Don't worry its not that they're unavailable its just that they haven't started to release bookings for 2010 yet. I think they release rooms around August this year so you've got plenty of time to work out the best deal I'm waiting to book the Portofino for November 2010 - want to get it all sorted now too!!

I'm planning to do the same as you with regards to the annual pass because I think I'll save a few quid in the shops and hotel, plus I'll hopefully go back within a year

 

[rpbert1]

Thanks Robert!!

We are gonna do Disney as well but rollercoasters are more our thing and obviously Universal caters to that a bit more.

Damn, I was really interested to know how much you paid for RPR but you use a different discount, ahh well. It's so far the only Orlando hotel I've went "wow! I love it!" so far, as not interested in staying on-site at Disney, although some of their hotels are amazing. But the Universal FOL pass as well is definitely a big plus!

Not planning to book anything till about January, but I can't stop looking, lol, I want to go NOW! Plus I've tried looking at prices for RPR in May but every single hotel comes up as Unavailable

I had my booking this year on the AAA rate, but changed to the Supersavings promo, got our room at RPR for $144 + tax a night and PBR for $172 + tax