Universal Trip Savings Jar......

[Minnie_me]

My daughters just presented me with a jar in which they are putting their collective funds to save for a trip to Universal Studios.

We live in Western NYS, and have visited Disney World once, in 2007. Now that the girls are older, Universal is more their style (plus, they are huge Harry Potter freaks).

So what do you think is a reasonable budget for this trip? What are the accommodations like? Are there travel agents that specialize in Universal packages, as there are for Disney? I know NOTHING! LOL!

Give me all of your pointers please!

 

[RMulieri]

There are currently 3 onsite resorts .They are considered Deluxe by pricing.They are absolutely fantastic resorts and well worth the expense.There is also a 4th resort being built and it will be value/moderate pricing but will not come with some of the perks that the others do.There are packages available , but very often it is cheaper to book things separately.I recommend reviewing the info here on the disboards,going to UniversalOrlando.com and read up on all Universal has to offer.You can also purchase the book Universal Orlando by Seth kubersky..

 

[HarleyGirl514]

Go to http://www.undercovertourist.com/landing2.html?utm_source=yahoo&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=uct3 and check out their discount tickets. Very reliable & great pricing! Also, if you go to mousesavers.com and sign up for their newsletter, they will send you a link on the 15th of each month for even more of a discount on the Undercover Tourist page! My 4 day base tickets were $151.95 for us grown-ups and $135.95 each for my kiddos.

 

[Minnie_me]

going to UniversalOrlando.com and read up on all Universal has to offer.

Wouldn't you know it? UniversalOrlando.com is down for maintenance (and has been for a few weeks!).

 

[Metro West]

Wouldn't you know it? UniversalOrlando.com is down for maintenance (and has been for a few weeks!).

I'm on the website now and I'm not getting any maintenance notices. Everything is working fine.

https://www.universalorlando.com/Home.aspx

 

[Lynne G]

I find calling the hotel directly the best way to make a reservation. I have found both the Portofino and Royal Pacific very nice to deal with. I have no experience with the Hard Rock, but I would think their reservation line is good to deal with too. Check the hotel rates in the hotel forum. Many people have posted what rates they have had. That will give you an idea of what to expect pricewise. Also, all 3 on site have AAA discount, and right now a stay more save more discount. The longer the stay, the better the discount. Prices are generally lower in the off season.

Undercovertourist.com is one of the best sites to buy ticket at. Their prices also include tax and shipping to US destinations.

With the onsite hotels, you get 1 hour early admittance to Harry Potter area, and an unlimited express pass that gets you in the express lines for all but 3 rides, including the most popular Harry Potter's Forbidden Journey. It pays to be early.

Hopefully you can get to the Universal website. It's great to look around there to see what are the hotels, rides, stores, restaurants, and events.

Most of the time, if you have a specific questions, there are many helpful DISers here on the boards.

We love USO. I will always stay on site. I love being close and able to walk or boat to the parks, my kids want the express pass, as they can ride Spiderman 10 or more times in one day. I can send my purchases in the park back to my room, so I don't have to worry about my candy melting or cup broken toting it around the park. And, all the resorts are beautiful. Plus, you are welcome to pool hop within any of the 3 hotels. My kids and I like the Portofino the most, but we always spend an afternoon or early evening at the Hard Rock pool. With your room key, you can get towels and entry into the pool area.

 

[ksdave]

If you are planning a longer stay, consider buying at least on Preferred Annual Pass. The savings built in to the pass for merchandise, meals, hotels, parking, etc are usually more than worth the cost. PLUS, you can pay half now and the rest over eleven months with no interest charges.

 

[macraven]

minnie me,
you don't wipe butts.................that is the cutest tag!!


www.universalorlando.com

go to that site first and click the link "hotels"

check out the size dimensions and room types to decide which hotel would be best for your family.


since you are new to the darkside hotels, read some of the specific hotel stickies and trip reports to get an idea of each ones hotel set ups.

call the main reservation number and talk to the TM.
ask that person what deals are available.

they will gladly spend as much time as needed to give you information.

when i call and book, i have the TM give me the figures for the AAA discounted rate, any promo rate, AP rate or any discounts i am not aware of.

sometimes i book during that call, other times i wait and call back.

i book many months out (11 or 12) and still check for discounts after the fact.
i book early in order to get the room type and dates i need.
my price is secondary when i book that far out.

if you have a hotel ressie, you can modify the rate later.


everybody that stays at the darkside resorts has their favorite hotel.
some have 5 in their group and want the larger rooms.
some just want a place to sleep at night and room size is not an issue.


you ask about a budget.
when i go in the fall, my budget goes out the window.
i stay in a king suite for 10-11 nights and hit a hard ticket event for quite a few nights, and do a private vip tour for hhn.

when i go at other times during the year, i still do the king suite but for shorter stays.
with discounts and going in a low period, it is more affordable for families.

check out the date/rate thread for this year and last to see what some homies are paying for rooms onsite.
that might give you a decent idea of what to expect.

weekdays are cheaper than weekends.
some months have cheaper rates for rooms.

anytime you have a question, be sure to post.
quite a few homies will always be able to help out.

 

[bumbershoot]

I like this specific page for finding the hotel rates.

First trip we got tickets through a discounter (maple leaf), second trip also from a discounter( undercovertourist). Now we all have APs.

 

[Nancy for Disney]

I have yet to go but it will be here soon.
Here is my budget for a family 5:

14 day 3 Park Tickets (Undercover Tourist) $969.00
Vista Cay Condo (7 nights) $836.00
Gas (We are driving) $400.00
Food $1,300.00

Parking $100.00
Travel Hotel (2 nights) $250.00
$3,855.00


We shall see how it all works out. I have teens so we need more space. Staying on site was not going to work for us. I am hoping I over estimated on the food too.