Where to stay, on property or off??? HELP!!

[Dianelouise]

My family and I are coming down May 2-9, 2009 and can't decide where to stay. Here is what I have: 5 people (2 adults and 16, 13 and 8):

Got a vacation quote of $3200.00 to stay at Royal Pacific, includes the meal plan for US and IOA, Sea World (2nd day free as it always is) and Wet n' Wild. This is 5 of us in a room with a rollaway. Price doesn't include the $25 extra per day I have to pay for this.

Offer to stay in a house 15 minutes max away for $695 for the week. 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, pool and tennis courts. Wal Mart around corner to shop for food at. I researched and think the best bet would probably the Orlando Flex ticket so I'm thinking with 2009 price increases that will be approx. $1500 max. That is for the package that also includes Busch Gardens. We'd have US, IOA, Sea World (2nd day free), Wet n' Wild, Busch Gardens. I also read somewhere they will bus from Sea World to Busch gardens with the Orlando Flex.

Problem is my husband thinks the Express Pass if staying on site is so worth staying on site and paying the extra. I don't see myself spending the extra money on it if staying off-site.

HELP me make this decision. What is your honest opinion????

Diane

DIS 03/2000
DIS 05/2005

US/IOA Newbie 05/2009

 

[damo]

Don't do a package. Price it out individually. You aren't going to want to use the meal plan for that length of time. The restaurants are restricted.

I would purchase the 7 day passes now, which are around $90. They include Wet 'n Wild. Then add on later.

You should be able to get a room for under $200 for early May. I would try to get the deluxe at HRH since it has two queens and a pullout.

$3200 seems really high.

 

[Dianelouise]

Hang with me, I'm new to this:

7 day passes? What parks are they good for? Are they better than Orlando Flex for the 6 parks right now is $275? Where do you get them? Would it be better to stay off property if I can get an entire house for $695? We'll have our car as we are driving from PA anyway.

Thanks,

Diane

 

[LilMommyBug]

You can get 2 Park 7 day passes for like $90 or something? They are good for Universal Studios & Islands of Adventure for 7 consecutive days.

 

[damo]

Personally, I wouldn't do the flex. I would do the 2 park passes and then choose one other location but not choose it in advance. You may find that you have plenty to do just with IOA/USF.

The 2 day passes with Wet 'n Wild are $99 right now. I would purchase those before the special ends and stick with that for now.

http://www.universalorlando.com/tickets.html

I would also stay onsite and enjoy the pools, Citywalk, etc instead of renting a house. That, however, is a very personal decision. Some people prefer having the space to having the convenience of being able to walk to everything from their hotel.

 

[DJCorey01]

I'm new to these boards but have visited US many times. Damo is right. Price everything out seperately. Even the Flex ticket is not a good deal. If you get the seven day US/IOA ticket with the Wet 'n Wild right now it is $99 each for 7 days. At the SW site they sell a 3-Park (14-consecutive day) Ticket for Seaworld, Aquatica and Busch Garden (includes shuttle) for 124.95 each for adults and children. That is at least a $50 savings per ticket compared to the full price of the adult flex ticket and the only trade off is that the US/IOA ticket is only good for 7 consecutive days.

My suggestion. 1) Find out how much it is for the room only. 2) Find out how much it is for the room only with an annual pass discount. (an annual pass is only $199 for 18 months if purchased by the end of this month, you may save more on the room than the cost of one annual pass. You will also get discounts on food and merchandise with the pass) Please post your results on prices but if the annual pass makes sense because of the discount you only have until the weekend to get it with the extra months.

My wife and I get one annual pass each year and just pay for the other tickets. The two of us save more $$ in discounts than the cost of the pass each year!

 

[minniejack]

AAA gives you great deals, too, plus 10% off of most food and merchandise locations.
Look for supersaver rates--your dates might qualify.

try this link http://www.universalorlando.com/hotels/hard-rock-hotel-orlando/rates-and-offers.html

 

[DJCorey01]

AAA gives you great deals, too, plus 10% off of most food and merchandise locations.
Look for supersaver rates--your dates might qualify.

AAA will give you deals (usually just the lowest advertised price -- passholder prices are not advertised but are not always better) but supersaver rates are only for certain dates in 2008 only. Unfortunately, you will need to call to discuss prices for any 2009 stays. FYI: here is a link for the current 2008 seasonal rates at RPR for comparison: http://www.universalorlando.com/hot...ay-hotel/rates-and-offers/seasonal-rates.html

 

[Darcy03231]

Unless you're going to be there for 14 days I wouldn't do the flex pass. We did it because we were there for 16 days and wanted the flexibility for the two weeks.

We stayed offsite and found we didn't need the FOTL priviledges and we were there in August 2007. If you get there for park opening it really doesn't get busy until noon. Since you're going the first week in May I really don't think you'll have any issue with crowds. By that time spring break is over and school aren't out until later in May. If you get there and think you need FOTL you can buy the Express Pass for the days you need it.

 

[donaldduck352]

Just did alittle number crunching for ya..This comes from the US website!!!

1>7day RPR stay $2005 total with taxes

2>rollaway for 7 days @$25 a night $175

3>parking at this time is $14 a day $100

4>7 day tickets for US-IOA-Waterpark $563
_________
Total$2843


Now all this was done seperate,without AAA discounts..

That alone is a $357 savings.Now with AAA that savings will be higher

The diff of staying on-site,FOTL,once your there you donnt have to put up with Orlando traffic.

I would do it,but get AAA card for the discounts.Just think of it as a 7 day getaway @ a tropical resort..

Eighther way you choose I would jump on the ticket deal soon.There is no telling how long its gonna stay at that price..

Hope this helps

 

[damo]

Just did alittle number crunching for ya..This comes from the US website!!!

1>7day RPR stay $2005 total with taxes

2>rollaway for 7 days @$25 a night $175

3>parking at this time is $14 a day $100

4>7 day tickets for US-IOA-Waterpark $563
_________
Total$2843


Now all this was done seperate,without AAA discounts..

That alone is a $357 savings.Now with AAA that savings will be higher

The diff of staying on-site,FOTL,once your there you donnt have to put up with Orlando traffic.

I would do it,but get AAA card for the discounts.Just think of it as a 7 day getaway @ a tropical resort..

Eighther way you choose I would jump on the ticket deal soon.There is no telling how long its gonna stay at that price..

Hope this helps

I think that room rate is extremely high and will come down.

Here are some RPR rates from this year:
5/8: $139 + tax
5/9 - 5/10: $169 + tax
5/11: $139 + tax
Annual Pass Rate

I think you should be able to find something around the $175 range at RPR but the discounts probably won't be out for a few months yet.

 

[donaldduck352]

I think that room rate is extremely high and will come down.

Here are some RPR rates from this year:
5/8: $139 + tax
5/9 - 5/10: $169 + tax
5/11: $139 + tax
Annual Pass Rate

I think you should be able to find something around the $175 range at RPR but the discounts probably won't be out for a few months yet.

I was doing the worse case thing..

We stayed at the end of April and our Fl ressie rate at RPR was $145 anight if i remember correctly.This was with all the taxes-parking excluded.

Thats why everyone should not get the package deal(sorry all you travel agents on the boards)..

 

[damo]

I was doing the worse case thing..

We stayed at the end of April and our Fl ressie rate at RPR was $145 anight if i remember correctly.This was with all the taxes-parking excluded.

Thats why everyone should not get the package deal(sorry all you travel agents on the boards)..

I agree. I just wanted to point out that even though the rate might be as you quoted right now on the Loews website, it is likely that the price will come down.

 

[Dianelouise]

If I go about booking everything by itself, how long/when should I book our room?

I still don't know what to do with the passes. We will want to do 1 day at each Universal Park, 1 day at Sea World and 1 day at Wet n Wild. Other days are relax by the pool day. Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Diane

 

[patster734]

I agree. I just wanted to point out that even though the rate might be as you quoted right now on the Loews website, it is likely that the price will come down.

And when the prices come down, it will be easier to modify the rate if its hotel only versus a package deal.

If I go about booking everything by itself, how long/when should I book our room?

I still don't know what to do with the passes. We will want to do 1 day at each Universal Park, 1 day at Sea World and 1 day at Wet n Wild. Other days are relax by the pool day. Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Diane

If you're sure of the date and can afford the one day deposit requirement, book your hotel room now. Then watch the hotel rates like a hawk. When discounted rates are released for AP/AAA/SS during your stay, call the Universal Studios hotel reservations number and have the new rate applied to your reservation. If you do get a discount rate for AP(Annual Pass), you will need to purchase 1 Preferred Annual Pass or Premier Annual Pass and will probably have to show it at check-in. For AAA, you'll have to join AAA and show your card at check-in.

 

[damo]

If I go about booking everything by itself, how long/when should I book our room?

I still don't know what to do with the passes. We will want to do 1 day at each Universal Park, 1 day at Sea World and 1 day at Wet n Wild. Other days are relax by the pool day. Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Diane

I would look at the 2 park unlimited passes with Wet 'n Wild for $99 that is offered right now.

Then you can decide on a different park later.

 

[d4est]

If I go about booking everything by itself, how long/when should I book our room?

I still don't know what to do with the passes. We will want to do 1 day at each Universal Park, 1 day at Sea World and 1 day at Wet n Wild. Other days are relax by the pool day. Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Diane

Even though you can do 1 day at each park, I bet that you will find you want to go back more. I'd bet at least 1 day per park and another day to redo favorites at each.

And, if you chose to stay on site you will love it. FOTL is amazing, needed or not, and you will feel spoiled and pampered!

 

[francie57]

Do you have AAA. We just were at the HRH on Aug. 14 and we used our AAA discount and paid under $500 for two rooms! We also bought our park tickets through AAA and received a discount on them also. Also AAA gets you a 10% discount on food in the parks and at City Walk. The price for the rooms is more than staying at RPH but we like the convenience the HRH location offers to both parks and City Walk.