What's going on May 5-9?

[3jsmom]

Does anyone know what is going on during these dates? According to all the guide books I've read, May is an ideal time to go and crowds are relatively low. However, as I search diligently for an inexpensive hotel during these dates, the deals are either blacked out for only May 5-9 or the hotels are sold out! I asked 1 desk clerk what was going on and she said nothing special, just business as usual. I'm really stressing out, what have I gotten our family into? Can anyone suggest a nice hotel for a decent price near Universal, I have to be able to accomdate 6 people and resort prices are not an option ? I have read so many trip reports and searched so many websites I'm about ready to abandon the entire trip! Pleeeaasseee help

 

[sunnydee]

Try both Homewood Suites. One is more near Universal, the other is right on International Dr. Both are close and free shuttles. Free breakfast, free managers reception Mon-Thur, with drinks and food, free internet, free newspaper on weekdays, no resort fee, free parking. and it is reasonable. We loved it. They have seperate bedroom with either a king or 2 queens, and pull out in living room. If your 6 includes 4 children it should work out. We stayed there in Feb and loved it.

 

[phamton]

The Comfort Suite is the cheapest and is pretty close. It is just 2 miles from Universal straight down Turkey Lake Road. http://www.hotel-rates.com/us/florida/orlando/comfort-suites-orlando.html#hotel-search I'm not sure it would be accomodate 6 people though.

Nothing special is going on at that time. I doubt it will be very busy.

 

[manceor]

Try breaking up the days. We are going to US May 3-6 and I found that the Royal Pacific didn't have 2 Queens on the first night but they did on the other 2. The lady said to keep calling and sure enough all 3 nights became available-and at a cheaper rate. Go figure? So I would call and ask if it's just one night that's not available and they are telling you that the whole time is booked. Keep calling too. Stuff does open up.

Marianne

 

[sunnydee]

I Just popped in your dates for the Homewood Suites Universal. its only $119 a night. and its 1 mile from Universal, read the reveiws on Tripadvisor- its currently the # 1 rated hotel.

 

[3jsmom]

Thanks to everyone who has posted so far I will admit $119 is not really in our budget though. Phantom, you mentioned a hotel that is cheap and near, but is it clean? Do you have any personal experiences staying at that hotel? Again, I've read horrible reviews. I wish there was a way to know who's telling the truth and who isn't.

 

[Sylvester McBean]

we've stayed at that comfort suites a couple of times, and it's a pretty average hotel. nothing special, nothing lacking. at the very least, make reservations for the $79.00 rooms now. you can always cancel if something else opens up.

 

[Jeanne B]

Try looking on travelzoo.com. There are usually some really good deals on there for Orlando area hotels.

 

[sunnydee]

YOu need to remember that the $119 includes a free huge hot breakfast, all you can eat, and they let you bring anything back up to your room for later. So if you stay at a cheaper hotel and have to get breakfast for 6. I am sure THe $119 is still cheaper, and the managers reception Mon-Thur, is practically a meal in itself.

 

[granmaz]

I agree with sunnydee. We stayed at the homewood suites Universal for a week in March and were very impressed. The Managers reception saved us having to buy a big meal on three of our days, and the breakfast is very good.
We booked on www.crshotels.com and got a good rate. I checked your dates and suites are available for $84 + tax.


Maz

 

[3jsmom]

Thank you everyone for the tips and ideas. I called Homewood suites directly and they quoted me $158 for the first night and $114 for each night after. I mentioned the CRS website rate for $84 to see if they could match that rate. They said they couldn't but I was welcome to book thru CRS. I can't believe the huge difference in rate! Is CRS something alot of people have heard of? I've never heard of them before and hope they are legit. Thanks everyone for bringing my stress level down several notches

 

[Mainebound]

We expect to be at US on the 7th of May and I was looking up costs of the express pass booklet online ... and as stated below they are quite expensive for May 2-6 ($35 for 1 park), but lower in price May 7 ($15).
Wonder why???

 

[granmaz]

3J'smom. I was like you about the CRS booking, and didn't rest till I phoned Homewood Suites Universal a week before we left to check, and there was our booking! We were treated no differently, and when we asked for a higher floor the receptionist found us another room, no problem. Another great thing is you don't pay till the end of the trip, unlike many reservation services where you have to pay up front!
You will love the hotel.
Oh, and I know it seems obvious, but double check you are booked at Homewood Universal and not Universal IDrive! I read of someone getting there and finding out their ressie was for the other one!


Maz

 

[Akdar]

We expect to be at US on the 7th of May and I was looking up costs of the express pass booklet online and if I remember corretly they are not available for the first several days in May (but will be available from May 7). No idea what that means -- maybe crowds are too low for them?

They are available, just scroll down the page, they are $50!!!!! Here is the breakdown for the week as I see it (for a 1 day, 2 park pass) April 30th and May 1st = $25. May 2-6 = $50, then back to $25 on May 7th. This kind of makes me mad, I'm going to be there from April 30th to May 7th. Why are they jacking up the prices when it will probably (hopefully) be less crowded at the parks. Thinking that was the case, this is why I booked the time I did. I am staying offsite so FOTL isn't an option. Oh Well, we'll just have to ge there early and hit all the good stuff before noonish.

 

[3jsmom]

I believe those prices are directly related to how busy the park is predicting it will be. So if prices are up thru May 6 takes me back to my point something must be going on With hotel prices going up, up, up and I'm running into more and more sold out rooms, maybe its not a specific event and just inspiration to visit Orlando has hit for that first week of May. uggg

 

[Mainebound]

We were looking at ONE park per day express plus passes, which for our date (May 7) is $15, but is $35 for May 2-6:

"$35 1-Day/1-Park Express Plus Pass

This pass allows you to bypass the regular lines by providing Express Access to almost every attraction at either Universal Studios Florida® OR Universal's Islands of Adventure® theme park. (Theme Park selection is required when entering the quantity of tickets.) Express Access is a separate line at each valid attraction with an average wait of only 15 minutes or less.
Please note that the Express Plus is not valid for admission to either theme park.

This Express Pass is valid on one (1) of the following dates (based on availability):

4/28 - 4/29, 5/2 - 5/6, 5/13, 5/19 - 5/21, 5/26 - 6/19, 6/21 - 6/23, 6/25, 8/6 - 8/19, 9/3, and 11/24 - 11/25/2006. "

http://secure.universalstudios.com/...goryGroup=UOMain&SalesCategory=UO1ParkUEPLive