UO Newbie Help

[lchuck]

Hi all! I'm relatively well versed in the goings on at Disney, but I have a wife and 2 boys who LOVE all things Harry Potter and I'm looking to spend a few days in the Universal parks next June when we go down to Florida (and possibly a night this December for the HP holiday decorations). We are planning on staying at the RPR in order to get EP and will be there on a Thursday night, Friday night, and Saturday in early June 2018. Some questions for you Universal geniuses out there:

1. If we get the lowest level AP's, will we have any issues with block out dates in early June?
2. Is the recent addition of the HP rides to EP a test or does it seem like something permanent?
3. Is 2.5 days enough to really soak in the HP areas and also spend some time on other rides?
4. Is the AP purchase the same as at Disney, where they will sit in your account after purchase until they are activated on-site?
5. How well does Touring Plans do at predicting crowds for UO? (We have found it very reasonable for WDW)
6. How far in advance can I expect to see any possible AP discounts on rooms and how likely are they to be available for early June?
7. How difficult is it to book rooms and change them later if an AP discount is released?
8. How far out do people typically book rooms for UO?

I'm sure I'll have a million more questions, but THANK YOU for an help or advice for this newbie!

 

[Disney Ron]

1) No block out dates in June.
2) Pretty sure it's permanent.
3) With Express Pass 2.5 days should be enough time to do everything you want to do.
4) Yes.
5) I'd say they are pretty good.
6) Most likely a couple of months before your trip.
7) Room only reservations are very easy to change.
8) I've booked a year ahead and also 2 months ahead, but I also don't book around holiday periods where rooms could be more difficult to come by.

chuck, I don't pretend to be an expert. There are plenty here who know more than I, but I figured I'd get it started and let the experts correct any incorrect info I may have provided.

 

[macraven]

There are some time periods in the year that the SMSM/stay more, save more discount only requires a 3 night booking for this general discount code.

The calendar period for the 3 or 4 night bookings are on the UO site.

If you do not have the ap and if the smsm covers a 3 night not a 4 night stay in June, that is a good way for getting a discount.


The discount amount varies based on time period.
I booked Oct 1 for over 7 nights.
My time period for a 7 night stay allows a 35% discount on each night I stay.

Do not know the discount level for June or your dates.
Do check the site out for more info in case it will help you.


If you book a room, you can call and modify the rate you are paying to the AP rate.
You do not have to have the AP in hand to do this.

Just buy the AP in advance and activate it when you get to the parks after you check into the hotel.
It can always be shown after you check in and before you check out of the hotel.

I have gone in early June before and rates are lower until the end of June.
Weekends, friday/saturday have a higher rate cost than the rest of the week.

Not to contradict anyone but be careful with Touring Plans advanced crowd predictions.
I have seen them change their statements once closer or the week before hitting the parks.

They do adjust their predictions.

But if you are booking many months out, it might change when you do arrive at the parks.
If you stay at RPR, you will be using the EP and less line waits.
You will be good no matter what then.



I book some trips over 11 months out and see lower prices for RPR.

And I have booked 3 months out and only saw a small jump in price.
A lot depends on special events at the parks that can bring in more peeps to the hotels.

I did book early January for opening weekend of Mardi Gras this year and still got a fair room price this year for it.

Have to agree with Disney Ron, ep for the potter rides are here to stay.

 

[gotomu212]

Just wanted to add that if you have EP you don't have to worry much about touring plans and crowds. One of the reasons a lot of us love the dark side is the lack of hardcore planning. My only "plan" is typically to avoid HP areas during the busy day (go early and then clear out until 4 ish and you'd be amazed at the crowd difference-even with EP on the rides it can be hard to stroll and appreciate all the details when it's crammed full).

Otherwise we stroll around and ride as we come to each attraction (EP waits really are 5-15 minutes unless there's a ride problem or you're there between the Christmas new year).

On tickets I'd recommend park to park-it's super easy to switch and with EPs we find ourselves bouncing back and forth multiple times. Plus you need park to park for Hogwarts express.

 

[Kivara]

I would recommend booking early, if possible (you can change or cancel your reservation by calling in, no hassel or fee, as long as it's booked by itself)

Last time, we booked a late May or early June in February with a SMSM discount. By April, as the hotel was filling, nightly rates had almost doubled.