Where to stay with 2 young boys, and how to get best rate?

[disney-super-mom]

We've never been to US/IOA before. Heck, we've never been to US Hollywood before, and we go to Disneyland a lot. We are planning on visiting US Hollywood this November though when we make our next trip.....DH and I think our boys are finally old enough that they will enjoy it.

Anyway, I'd like to start planning a trip to US/IOA in Orlando, and although I've read a lot here on the threads, I'm a novice through and through.

Okay, so it's DH, myself, and our two boys who will be ages 11 and 7 when we go. (They're almost 10 and 6 now.) Here's a few question to start with. (I'm sorry. I know you've probably answered these types of questions a million times.)

We'd like to wait to go until the new Harry Potter themed area is open, which I heard will be in 2010. Is that correct?

Which Universal hotel would a couple of little boys like the best? They love to swim and slide, if that makes a difference in which one we should choose.

What are the lowest rates to be had at the hotels? AAA? Something else? How much should we expect to pay per night?

When is a great time to go? Is an off-season time good? Is holiday time the best?

Thanks for any advice you can give me.

 

[damo]

If they love to slide and swim, I would suggest the Hard Rock or Portofino since the Royal Pacific does not have a water slide. All the hotels are very nice and you will want to stay onsite to get your unlimited express passes especially once the Wizarding World opens. It is supposed to open in early 2010 but anything more specific has not been announced, so don't go booking anything just yet!!!

The best rates seem to be the supersavings rates which you get by staying a minumum of 3 nights. Prices vary a lot depending on the season you go.

 

[disney-super-mom]

If they love to slide and swim, I would suggest the Hard Rock or Portofino since the Royal Pacific does not have a water slide. All the hotels are very nice and you will want to stay onsite to get your unlimited express passes especially once the Wizarding World opens. It is supposed to open in early 2010 but anything more specific has not been announced, so don't go booking anything just yet!!!

The best rates seem to be the supersavings rates which you get by staying a minumum of 3 nights. Prices vary a lot depending on the season you go.

That's it.....supersavings rates! For the life of me I couldn't remember what it was called. Thanks a bunch!

Are they offered all year long with a min 3 night stay, or only offered during slower seasons?

If a supersaver rate is available during my dates, will it automatically show up on the online reservation site, or is there a code I need to enter?

 

[NashvilleTrio]

The SS rate will automatically show up. The SS rates run now through ~ Oct 9 with very few blackout dates, but I believe you have to book by TODAY, Sun, Mar 29. I could be wrong about that as they've extended the deadline a few times.

 

[pixeegrl]

The SS rate will automatically show up. The SS rates run now through ~ Oct 9 with very few blackout dates, but I believe you have to book by TODAY, Sun, Mar 29. I could be wrong about that as they've extended the deadline a few times.

That is just the special SS rate they put out where you buy 4 get 3 free or what have you. They will have more SS rates when you are coming ....we stayed at RPR with our 3 boys and loved it, it is the least expensive of the hotels but in know way is it considered low end....it is just gorgeous...we pool hopped to the HRH a couple of times because the boys loved the slide there but they also loved the water play area and movies at night at RPR. Have fun planning and just ask away for what ever questions you may have, everyone here is wonderful....we had our first trip last Christmas and it was so easy to plan with the DIS.

 

[disney-super-mom]

That is just the special SS rate they put out where you buy 4 get 3 free or what have you. They will have more SS rates when you are coming ....we stayed at RPR with our 3 boys and loved it, it is the least expensive of the hotels but in know way is it considered low end....it is just gorgeous...we pool hopped to the HRH a couple of times because the boys loved the slide there but they also loved the water play area and movies at night at RPR. Have fun planning and just ask away for what ever questions you may have, everyone here is wonderful....we had our first trip last Christmas and it was so easy to plan with the DIS.

I remember reading here before that pool hopping is allowed, but how do you get from one hotel to the other......water taxi?......walk? How long does it take to get from one hotel to the other?

I agree RPR looks gorgeous! I've only seen pictures, but it looks like a tropical island paradise.

 

[damo]

If you are staying at the RPR, a walk to HRH would be about 20 minutes. It would probably be just about as long by boat since you must go to Citywalk first and then change boats. HRH is in the middle. You can walk to PBH in about 10 minutes from HRH. Again, to take the boat you must first go to Citywalk and then change boats. It is a nice walk along the waterways.