What is the cheapest way?

[caroline1851]

I feel like I know a lot about planning a Disney world vacation, but just nothing about Universal.

CROWDS: I'm assuming the least crowded time to go is the same as Disney, right?

RESORTS: I think we want to stay at Universal resort so we get the FOTL pass. it's free, right? Does Universal do transportation from resorts to parks like disney?

DINING: There is not a meal plan like Disney's right?

TICKETS: I think we want to go 6 nights and have maybe 4 day passes-figuring 2 days at each. Plus, i want time to relax, etc. so not to be running to parks the whole time we're there.

PRICE: What is the cheapest way to go about this? Do they have deals as certain times of the year typically like Disney?

It seems overwhelming.

Thanks for any help you can provide.

 

[IdesOmarch]

No, its pretty simple. Check into their 7 day tickets, I have not checked recently but I think you can get them for something like 175 each, and 150 each for the 4 day. I have not been in a little over a year so I'm a little out of date on the latest deals with tickets, but I think I'm at least in the ball park on this.

Staying onsite does give you free front of the line access to almost all the rides, with only a few exceptions. You just use your hotel room key. Getting around the Universal area is very easy. You can take a boat into the parks from all of the hotels and is the easiest and best way to get around. No need for shuttles or anything, and you can even walk from your hotel into the parks, there are walking paths specifically from the hotels into the parks, its all right there on the same property.

Yes crowded times of the year should be roughly the same as Disney, and IMO I would not bother with their meal plans. They only have a few restaurants on their plan, not worth it IMO, plus their best restaurants like Mythos (a must do inside IOA) and others are not on their plan. Just plan on budgeting for food and/or to extend budget, you know just buy some food from the grocery for some meals or breakfast or whatever if you need to save $$$ on food.

 

[Metro West]

I feel like I know a lot about planning a Disney world vacation, but just nothing about Universal.

CROWDS: I'm assuming the least crowded time to go is the same as Disney, right? The crowded times are pretty much the same at Disney and Universal.

RESORTS: I think we want to stay at Universal resort so we get the FOTL pass. it's free, right? Does Universal do transportation from resorts to parks like disney? The hotels are parks are close together so walking is the most common means of getting around. But there are also boats and rickshaws running all the time from the resorts to the parks. Onsite guests receive unlimited Express access during their stay and it comes with the room.

DINING: There is not a meal plan like Disney's right? The Universal meal deal is not a great deal unless you're going when the parks are open late. It's standard theme park fare and only three restaurants in each park are on it. The better places (Mythos, Thunder Falls Terrace, Finnegan's) are not available on the meal deal and you would be better trying one of those places. Plus...you can not share plates.

TICKETS: I think we want to go 6 nights and have maybe 4 day passes-figuring 2 days at each. Plus, i want time to relax, etc. so not to be running to parks the whole time we're there. Sounds like a good plan.

PRICE: What is the cheapest way to go about this? Do they have deals as certain times of the year typically like Disney? With the popularity of WWoHP, you won't be seeing too many specials around and certainly nothing seasonal. You might want to check on AAA, Costco, Undercover Tourist and other online ticket places for discounts.

It seems overwhelming.

Thanks for any help you can provide.

See my answers above...