Where to find best deals? Help!

[caroline1851]

I priced out 2 rooms at Royal Pacific for 5 nights, 4 day tickets for 4 (2 adults, 2 kids) and it seems so expensive.

$1847 hotel (2 rooms) 25% discount for 5+ nights
$598 park passes (4 days)

$2445.00

Is there a cheaper way to do this?

Thought maybe of going to SW for the day....is there a shuttle? Also, then that's another $250+

Is it warm enough in December to go swimming. We're looking at going between 12/10-12/16.

 

[Lynne G]

I find hotel rates are alot like airline tickets. Best to get a rate, then keep checking. If you see a better rate, call the hotel and ask for a rate reduction. I had no trouble with the Portofino when I found a lower rate after I booked. For US/IOA tickets, I found the mousesavers newsletter link to undercover tourist was a good price for US/IOA tickets. Free shipping, and tax included too. For Seaworld, people have used cosco and aaa. I bought my tickets direct from SW website and printed at home. No problem using them at the kiosk at SW. I think there are shuttles to SW from the US hotels. I'd check with the hotel to get information on rate, if any, and times it runs.

We really liked IOA/US. It will most likely be a few nights on our vacation next year. I liked the Portofino alot. Kids liked the HR, but one visit to the pool area, and I was glad we stayed at the much quieter Portofino.

 

[Bluer101]

With 2 adults and 2 kids you can get one room.

 

[kohlby]

I agree that one room is an easy way to save money. Last time, we did RPR, there were 5 of us, though one was a baby.

Keep checking RPR rates. They change a lot. We've stayed there the last three trips and every time, the rates changed. If they change in your favor, then call up and they may honor it - they have for me every time. Get them to mail you a confirmation and print it out. We've had them not believing our low rate since they were never sent when our rate was agreed to be the lower rate. Having something printed out made them accept it.


Sea World used to always have special ticket deals, so keep looking on their site and searching for promotions.


I do use Undercover Tourist for my Disney tickets. I have always managed to find US/IOA using credit card points or amazing deals that rarely pop up. Our next trip to US/IOA for any amount of time is likely 2 years away. But I bought our tickets almost 2 years ago. Snag good prices when you see them.

 

[Bluer101]

The other thing I was checking, is you say 5 nights but the 10 -16th is 6 nights. Please let us know what the exact check in and check out dates are to get a good price worked out for you.

 

[Bluer101]

December 10-15th. Which is 5 nights.


Annual Pass discount:

1 Royal Pacific 2 queen room with tax $781.88

1 Preferred Annual Pass $270.04
3 4 day park to park Adult passes $175.99 - %15 = $475.71
Total=$1527.63


Without AP discounts:

1 Royal Pacific 2 queen room with tax $923.95
4 4 day park to park tickets $673.12
Total=$1597.07



With 2 rooms and AP discount:

2 Royal Pacific 2 queen room with tax $1563.76
1 Preferred Annual Pass $270.04
3 4 day park to park Adult passes $175.99 - %15 = $475.71
Total=$2309.51


Without AP discount:

2 Royal Pacific 2 queen room with tax $1847.90
4 4 day park to park tickets $673.12
Total=$2521.02


If you do the AP route, you will also get discounts on just about everything in the park also, so this makes it well worth it.

 

[DCTooTall]

To be perfectly honest as well... with it being early December, you may not need the 4 day tickets. With the low off-season crowds + the express from staying onsite, You should have no problems at all seeing everything at the parks in 2 days. I can see throwing in a 3rd day to revisit all your favorites, but 4 days may be overkill unless you are the type who loves to ride the same ride over and over and over.

That being said, You can also always upgrade your tickets once you are there. So if you decided to get a 2 day ticket and decided on your 2nd day you definately wanted to come back for a 3rd or 4th day, you can always upgrade at the park at Guest Services.

You may also be able to save some hotel $$ if the primary reason for your staying onsite is the express. If you are done with the parks after only a couple days, then you could potentially look at moving offsite for the remainder of your trip. There are several very nice hotels nearby that cost a lot less than the Royal Pacific.

 

[caroline1851]

With 2 adults and 2 kids you can get one room.

I know that I CAN get 1 room, but we want 2. I'm going with my mom and my 2 kids and after Disney last year and all being in the same room, she definently wants her own room.
Okay, well now my dad is going to , so no question, 2 rooms. And we definently want to stay on site and not switch resorts partially through our vacation.

 

[caroline1851]

December 10-15th. Which is 5 nights.


Annual Pass discount:

1 Royal Pacific 2 queen room with tax $781.88

1 Preferred Annual Pass $270.04
3 4 day park to park Adult passes $175.99 - %15 = $475.71
Total=$1527.63


Without AP discounts:

1 Royal Pacific 2 queen room with tax $923.95
4 4 day park to park tickets $673.12
Total=$1597.07



With 2 rooms and AP discount:

2 Royal Pacific 2 queen room with tax $1563.76
1 Preferred Annual Pass $270.04
3 4 day park to park Adult passes $175.99 - %15 = $475.71
Total=$2309.51


Without AP discount:

2 Royal Pacific 2 queen room with tax $1847.90
4 4 day park to park tickets $673.12
Total=$2521.02


If you do the AP route, you will also get discounts on just about everything in the park also, so this makes it well worth it.

Can I just buy one AP but book 2 rooms with the AP discount?
Can I just buy the Power AP or does it have to be preferred?

 

[caroline1851]

The other thing I was checking, is you say 5 nights but the 10 -16th is 6 nights. Please let us know what the exact check in and check out dates are to get a good price worked out for you.

10th-15th...sorry about that!

 

[zack123]

Can I just buy one AP but book 2 rooms with the AP discount?
Can I just buy the Power AP or does it have to be preferred?

You have to buy a Preferred or Premiere annual pass to get the discounts. The Power Pass is for admission only, and it has blackout dates.

Be sure to read the fine print - I think there is a limited number of additional tickets you can buy at the discount.

 

[Metro West]

Be sure to read the fine print - I think there is a limited number of additional tickets you can buy at the discount.

Six additional theme park tickets is the limit for the AP discount...per AP.

 

[DCTooTall]

Hmmm... for that matter... can you book 2 rooms with the same AP?