Universal Resorts...what's the secret?

[DanenRox]

Does Universal ever offer On-Site Hotel deals that are in fact a "deal"? The resorts look beautiful but are too pricey! We can stay just outside the park for so much less...No value hotels inside Universal I guess. I'm not cheap but I just can't justify the cost of the Universal Hotels...

 

[bubba's mom]

At the website, there is a SuperSaver rate...more you stay, more you save. You can use AAA (if you're a member) for a discount too (or AP). They are 4 star resorts, so yes, they are a bit more than "value"..... All 3 hotels are Loews 4 star hotels...and the way we "justify" the cost is: unlimited Express Pass for the length of your stay...no waiting in lines. Priceless

 

[damo]

The secret is going in non peak times when you can get a room for under $150

 

[bubba's mom]

The secret is going in non peak times when you can get a room for under $150

Yeah, but then the unlimited express isn't necessary as the wait times are low

 

[damo]

Yeah, but then the unlimited express isn't necessary as the wait times are low

That's true but you still get to stay onsite which allows you to walk to the park and get that really nice "Universal" vacation in a luxury hotel for moderate prices. I find that even at slow times, some rides still have a pretty long wait.

To me, staying onsite is always more enjoyable than staying off.

 

[bubba's mom]

To me, staying onsite is always more enjoyable than staying off.

Wouldn't know about "off"...never been, never plan to....

 

[rpbert1]

I would love to go off peak and get cheaper rates, but unfortunatley i am tied to taking my vacations during school holidays. So guess i will just have to put up with high prices.

 

[Catrinabeach]

We managed to get Dec 12-17th for 129.00 a night at RPH with APH rate. I don't consider that high. And it's basically Christmas holiday time.

 

[memomuffin]

We managed to get Dec 12-17th for 129.00 a night at RPH with APH rate. I don't consider that high. And it's basically Christmas holiday time.

What's APH rate mean? I was trying to set up something for Dec. of 08 and the best I can find is $214 a night. For four nights with tax it's a whopping $963!!
I just came back from WDW staying at a nice moderate (POFQ) for 7 nights, 8 day park hopper plus water parks and more tix, and the Disney Dining plan for only $400 more than that (and that wasn't even super value prices!)

I always thought Universal was cheaper but apparently not!! Any suggestions for me?

 

[Motherfletcher]

APH is annual passholder rate. I'm getting $164 for APH and $167.20 for AAA rates on your dates here:
https://universalhotels.ibe.netbook...o;jsessionid=4744CD36E979250DD7558DF95AF3FB5A

 

[calgarygary]

Does Universal ever offer On-Site Hotel deals that are in fact a "deal"? The resorts look beautiful but are too pricey! We can stay just outside the park for so much less...No value hotels inside Universal I guess. I'm not cheap but I just can't justify the cost of the Universal Hotels...

This is the old apples to oranges comparison. You can not compare the nearby local hotels with the onsite hotels as they are not the same class. If you were to compare the prices of Universal's onsites to WDW's deluxes, you would find that they are not too pricey. There are often better rates for the Loew's in Orlando than elsewhere in the chain.

 

[AlexandNessa]

That's true but you still get to stay onsite which allows you to walk to the park and get that really nice "Universal" vacation in a luxury hotel for moderate prices. I find that even at slow times, some rides still have a pretty long wait.

To me, staying onsite is always more enjoyable than staying off.

I could not agree more!

 

[mslclark]

Like someone else mentioned, Universal's resorts are more comparable to Disney's deluxe. POFQ is an entirely different class of resort. We've never paid more than $150/night for a Universal resort, and we've went during Spring Break and twice in July. We watch for specials. Sign up on their website. Every now and then they mail out special offers.

And - the great thing about AP rates is that an AP is reasonable enough to make buying one just for the hotel rates worth it.

 

[dbragas]

We watch for specials. Sign up on their website. Every now and then they mail out special offers.

Did you sign up at the Universal site or at the Lowes site? I checked the Universal site but didn't find anyplace to sign up for hotel special offers. Did I miss it?

 

[mslclark]

Did you sign up at the Universal site or at the Lowes site? I checked the Universal site but didn't find anyplace to sign up for hotel special offers. Did I miss it?

Try this:

http://signup.universalstudios.com/form/435

When you enter the contest, there is a box to check if you want to receive information from Universal. I'd sign up at the Loew's site as well, they have some type of membership there, can't remember the name at the moment.

I can't guarantee that this will get you on the mailing list, but it should help. I get emails and postcards from Universal from time to time. Good luck!!

 

[mareed]

We've never paid more than $150/night for a Universal resort, and we've went during Spring Break and twice in July. We watch for specials. Sign up on their website. Every now and then they mail out special offers.

Sure wish we'd see a rate like that. Cheapest room for us Spring Break next March is $324 + tax! No AAA offered - I already called! I'm seriously thinking it's not worth that much.

 

[shelly3girls]

Sure wish we'd see a rate like that. Cheapest room for us Spring Break next March is $324 + tax! No AAA offered - I already called! I'm seriously thinking it's not worth that much.

We are thinking of adding a night here in March also but I will only stay if I can find a rate lower than $300. Any chance of this during spring break 3/29?

 

[mslclark]

It's early yet for discounts to appear. I've found that the Universal operators are very friendly and helpful when I've called and asked about discounts. They usually tell me when they think the AP or AAA discounts will be available. So be patient - maybe something will turn up for you!

 

[bubba's mom]

We are thinking of adding a night here in March also but I will only stay if I can find a rate lower than $300. Any chance of this during spring break 3/29?

Easter/Spring Break is peak time....you will most likely not get a discount, as the parks are extremely busy. (Just like the week between Christmas & New Year's)...sorry! ...But you can keep your eyes peeled...ya never know.... Good luck to ya!