Where do I start?

[puffkin]

I have decided to do Universal for our honeymoon.

Now, I convinced my fiance to go to WDW in December with my mom, so he is getting Disney'ed out. Our honeymoon is June/July 2004. We are doing the 4-night Disney Wonder at the beginning of our honeymoon. I thought, to make him happy, lets do Universal for a few days and then finish up with a week at Disney (we are going for 2 weeks). So....

I know nothing about Universal. We will probably be there 3 days and would like to stay onsite to take advantage of front of the line access. Which resort is better? Money will be a slight issue, so how do I go about getting discounts? When should I book for next summer?

What type of pass should I get? Is a two-day enough, or will I feel rushed in the parks. Remember, this is our honeymoon, so we want to take it easy but still see most of it. Plus, we will probably take an afternoon break to beat the heat. Would it be better to get a three day pass and take our time or just two days and spend one day at the resort?

Finally, will Universal hold your bags after you check out like Disney resorts do? Thanks a lot!!!!! I consider myself an expert on Disney, but I have always overlooked Universal. I want to keep my hubby to be happy, and I think that we will both enjoy Universal. Thanks in advance for the info!!!

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I would do 3 days so you can do the parks at a slower pace and still have some time every day for the resort. HRH is walking distance so it's extra easy to get back to the hotel.

Try for an entertainment discount, assuming that you can get it for only 3 days. Other people might give you more discount information.

The resort will hold your bags like WDW does.

Have fun! We've been married for 20 years and still haven't had our honeymoon... Nice vacations with our kids, yes, honeymoon, no. Maybe for our 25th.

T&B

 

[PartyofSix]

I agree with the above poster, but wanted to recommend the PBH it's very romantic and at times you rarely see other guests. They are there just not in your face.LOL It's rare we have ever shared an elevator or saw a guest in the corridor.

 

[nhrenee]

I definitely agree with t&b: get the 3 day, it's much more relaxing.
Dh and I never had a honeymoon either, so for our 10th anniversay we went to Universal for 4 days.We had the most
wonderful time.(We'd already done it w/the kids.)

The Portofino is a beautiful, relaxing hotel; very romantic. It also has a beautiful villa pool away from the main beach pool. There are hot tubs at both.

Puffkin, you don't sound that thrilled about going to Universal. Keep an open mind and try not to compare it to WDW. They're both amazing in different ways!

Discounts offered, as available are: Annual pass (is sometimes worth getting for the hotel,food and merchandise discounts), entertainment rate, airline, fan club, AAA....I think that's it.

PS: Congratulations btw!

 

[treasuredude]

We stayed at Hard Rock Hotel. They will hold your bags before you check in and after you check out.

The front of the line is awesome! You can relax and enjoy the parks at your own pace.

One thing you might want to think about is an annual pass. It is more money than the normal passes but you can get discounts on food, merchandise, and also hotel rooms. Call 1-800-BE-A-STAR. Ask for the rate. Then ask for the annual passholder rate. It is usually significantly lower. These savings will more than pay for the price difference in the passes. Universal was running a special on these passes. Not sure if they still are or not.

You'll LOVE Universal. Do not, repeat NOT, miss Terminator.

 

[CPanther95]

I would definately stay at the Portofino. Much more romantic. You can get the entertainment rate but must stay 4 nights. Get the Deluxe room for $180 - the bathroom will make your jaws drop. If budget is extremely tight the standard room (which will still blow away most WDW rooms) is -I believe - around $150 a night.

If there is any chance you'll be going back to Universal within 12 months, the best price I've seen on an Annual Pass is $109 from AAA if purchased by the end of Feb I think. Otherwise, Universal has a special on their website for a 5-Day Pass for 89.99 each. This is good for both parks and includes Park Hopping and CityWalk.

 

[KFISCHER]

If it was my honeymoon, I'd stay at the Royal Pacific.
It's amazing how gorgeous this place is. VERY romantic.
Great pool. Lush landscaping on the entire property. They make great mai tai's at the lounge near the lobby. We sipped ours under a full moon at the adjacent courtyard, with orchids all around.
And you'll have Emeril's latest restaurant right there to celebrate.

The other hotels are very nice, but I wouldn't overlook the Royal Pacific.

 

[CTrumble]

Look at the 2-park annual power pass at www.universalstudios.com. The price is like $5 more than the 5-day pass. If the block-out dates work for you, it might be a GREAT value. I used it last year, got a great room rate with it & will utilize the pass for park entrance again this year before it expires.

Have fun planning your trip!

 

[kellymonaghan]

Another vote for Portofino.

And since it's your honeymoon, budget for one dinner at Delfino Riviera. Very romantic, very expensive. Let 'em know it's your honeymoon. Ask to have dessert and brandy served on the terrace overlooking the piazza.

Also, every "land" in IOA has an area near the water that's secluded, for those moments you want to get away from it all and snuggle. The best/most romantic IMHO are the rocky park at the tip of Port of Entry and the jungle terrace at the back of the Discovery Center in Jurassic Park.

 

[BarryHom]

If you wander around Camp Jurassic, you can find a hanging bridge over some lava pits. I thought it looked pretty cool and may be a good secluded spot for honeymooners. Just save some stuff for the hotel room. I don't want to see people get escorted out of the park for having too much fun!