Universal Weekend on a budget

[clerikka]

Hey looking to go to Universal this weekend to celebrate an anniversary. Will be driving arriving Friday AM and leaving out of orlando on sunday.

What is the most economical way to do this trip? Book through universal's site (which would include hotel and tickets) or go through hotwire and buy tickets online (on universals site).

don't think we have time to do a timeshare presentation to get free tickets

Which park would you recommend we do on each day? I was thinking IOA on friday...

Is the meal plan worth it? What about the express pass(if so, which park).

 

[donaldduck352]

Super Value weeks are still going on.Check the US website.This to us is the easy way.The best deal going is the 7 day tick for $80 something.Stay on-site RPR is the cheapest,you will get FOTL pass which will give you unlimmeted access to all the major rides.
Hope this helps
The meal deal tik is a good buy(if you are hungary and it's all counter service)

 

[Planogirl]

It's so easy to do a cheap trip to Universal with their great 7-day passes and we also normally stay offsite when we're watching our money. My problem is how to get there without it costing a fortune. Stupid gas prices!

 

[Jonny_Duck]

Hey looking to go to Universal this weekend to celebrate an anniversary. Will be driving arriving Friday AM and leaving out of orlando on sunday.

What is the most economical way to do this trip? Book through universal's site (which would include hotel and tickets) or go through hotwire and buy tickets online (on universals site).

don't think we have time to do a timeshare presentation to get free tickets

Which park would you recommend we do on each day? I was thinking IOA on friday...

Is the meal plan worth it? What about the express pass(if so, which park).

I am not sure what your budget allows but if staying onsite allows for that I would say go for it. Check the website to see the deals.

I personally didnt do the meal deal. It would depend on what you like to eat and for snacks etc. I went with nephew and I wanted to get ice cream and squishys moreso then a little cookie or the jello they give you. Plus their meals are like 8$ ish and you would pretty much have to eat 3 times in a 7 hour period for it to be worth it.

If you are FL residents tickets are cheaper for you and you can get great deals from hotwire and priceline. I just got the Hampton Inn that was close to Universal for $30 a night. I thought it was a great deal, the beds were incredibly comfortable. If you check betterbidding.com they are really good about guessing which hotel you get so it is less of a guessing game. But you can find very nice deals there doing that and with hotwire.

I think the cheaper way to go would be to get your hotel from one of the websites and to either buy your tickets online or if your FL residents go that way to get the cheaper tickets. If you can afford the onsite stay you will have FOTL access and I believe their hotels are 4 stars. I have yet to stay in one but they look nice. I am one who stays in the hotel just to sleep so I rly enjoyed my stay at the Hampton for such an incredible price we got an amazingly comfortable bed which was wonderful after the night before having 3 hours of sleep. It also had free breakfast which was a nice addition. My next trip I will be staying onsite for the FOTL access but thats not for months and I will save up for that. Onsite you also do not have to drive to the parks which is a nice touch.

Hope this helps,
Jonny

 

[Planogirl]

Let me add: If you decide to stay offsite, do NOT stay at the LaQuinta by Universal. The location at WDW is wonderful but the Universal one is hideous for some reason.

 

[donaldduck352]

Let me add: If you decide to stay offsite, do NOT stay at the LaQuinta by Universal. The location at WDW is wonderful but the Universal one is hideous for some reason.

The 1 on Jamaicen Ct.??

 

[Planogirl]

The 1 on Jamaicen Ct.??

I don't remember the street name now but it's down a ways from the Universal entrance and the side road it's on loops around. The LaQuinta is in a group of 3 or 4 budget hotels and unless they've remodeled the place very recently, it's a literal dump IMO.

I think there's one on International Dr too and I don't mean that one. It's a shame because I really like this chain when I need to save money.

 

[macraven]

that la quinta is in the system for anyone that books thru sam's club travel.

big discount at different times of the year for that place.


the one on jamacin court is the one sam's uses.

 

[Kimberlyfamilyfv]

get an entertainment card www.entertainment.com walgreens also sells these discount books with the discount card inside

then go to www.priorityclub.com (Holiday Inn Website)
pick the Holiday inn at 8214 Universal blvd.

the card as mentioned above gives a very significant discount for regular rooms and discounts. for my stay I am paying 64 dollars a night in aug. the rooms are nice.

if you want something a little nicer I suggest the doubletree castle on Universal blvd. www.doubletreecastle.com

if you want nicer than this then I suggest the embassy suites on jamacian court www.embassysuites.com



the hotels I listed for you are among my favorites.

if this doesn't work for you this is my favorite website to search for hotels www.hotelmartusa.com or www.aavacations.com there should be something in your range.