Which DVC when you are planning to go to Universal?

[snoopy5386]

We are planning our next trip to Orlando and while we will use our DVC points we plan to go only to the Universal Parks.

We can stay at AKV, SSR, OKW or BWV all for the same points. We'll be in a studio, will be gone all day every day except for the first night where we can fit in some swimming. We'll have a rental car. AKV is our home, have stayed there many times and love it, have stayed at BWV and loved it too. SSR and OKW are new to us. Thinking OKW or SSR would be convenient for getting to our car, but I like the idea of the extra bed in BWV. What would you choose?

 

[BigEeyore]

I would go with SSR or OKW as 2nd choice just to be close to Disney Springs - it would be nice after being at Universal all day to come back and have an evening at DS for dinner, shopping, strolling etc. The downtown Universal area doesn't compare.
Just to mention though - you may want to consider a couple of nights at one of the universal hotels so you can get the early entry, especially if you are into Harry Potter and definitely if it's a busy time of year.

 

[com_op_2000]

I 2nd going with SSR as it is the closest DVC to US/IoA.
Also, I 2nd choosing at least one night to stay in an US hotel. It is worth it just for the two days of FOTL that comes with the stay. I would do this even if you have to take the stay at US hotel during the middle of your vacation. Just close up your DVC room for the night and let it set empty for until you return the next evening.

 

[jimmytammy]

We like driving up Apopka-Vineland Rd to Universal(to avoid I-4)so we tend to like staying at SSR or OKW for this reason. Those 2 are closest

 

[snoopy5386]

We actually will be there at a busy time, right after Easter....

But we are only staying in Orlando 2-3 nights, staying with SIL in Tampa for a few days before that. We have 3 days in the Universal Parks, was hoping that would be enough time to do everything we wanted without FOL. I don't want to pack up and move 3 or 4 times in one trip. If we stayed one night in a universal hotel it would mean
Tampa-DVC-Universal-DVC to make the most of our days on Universal property. If anything I'd skip staying at DVC altogether, stay an extra night at SIL's and do two nights and Universal, but it's an extra $1000. Hard to swallow when we can stay at our DVC for "free" and we have the points to use. I don't think I could bring myself to waste a night of DVC points and keep the room when we aren't there. We only own 100 points so one night is a significant number of points for us!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Since you have a limited number of points I'd go with the least expensive room at OKW, SSR or AKV. There isn't a significant difference in driving to US from any of them. OKW is best for parking but Kidani would also be good. SSR is also good too. BWV I'd skip because of the parking not being as convenient.

 

[Anal Annie]

The only time we went to Universal we went in the middle of a 9 or 10 night stay at BWV. We took a taxi and an overnight bag realllllly early one morning - booked 1 night at the HRH so we could have the FOL access for 2 days. Stored our bag with their bell services while we were in the parks. At the end of our 2nd day (around maybe 5:00) we took a taxi back to BWV. With FOL we got thru everything in 2 days (although it stormed some and things were closed on & off due to lightening etc). The FOL access was KEY to enjoying ourselves and worth every penny spent on the room at the HRH. If we were to go again tho I'd not waste expensive BWV points tho - I'd do it from a cheaper resort they didn't call for so many points / night. Wasting high points from BWV probably wasn't my brightest plan...

 

[bumbershoot]

If you plan to only go to Universal, stay onsite at Universal! Rent out your points and stay there. The perks of being onsite there are too good to pass up.

 

[ssxa]

We recently got back from 11 days at Disney and 3 at Universal. I would definitely stay onsite at Universal, as was mentioned above, the perks are too good to pass up! It was well worth it!

 

[crisi]

Stay at Universal. Seriously, with FOTL you can get through the Universal parks in two days, you'll breeze through lines in minutes (except the Harry Potter stuff). Without it, lines will be hours long. Rent out your points to cover costs.

 

[mel&me]

If you plan to only go to Universal, stay onsite at Universal! Rent out your points and stay there. The perks of being onsite there are too good to pass up.

I completely agree with this, stay onsite rent your points.

 

[bumbershoot]

For instance, when you buy something and have it set back to the hotel, they don't leave it at Bell Services to be picked up. They deliver it to your room.

Express Pass (included from checkin to park-close of check out day at Royal Pacific, Hard Rock, and Portofino) does include Flight of the Hippogriff and Dragon Challenge, fwiw.

 

[zavandor]

If you're doing more than a day, then rent your points and book a room at a Universal Resort. On site benefits are quite good for Universal and the whole resort is walkable. Cabana Bay has a shuttle because it's a bit more far away, but still around 20 minutes walk if you want to, I think.

 

[kniquy]

I agree w/ PP rent your points and stay on site at US. There are many benefits to staying onsite - especially with just the express pass alone and early hours. I was initially planning on doing the same as you, but after looking at the pluses of staying onsite at US it just makes sense.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

For instance, when you buy something and have it set back to the hotel, they don't leave it at Bell Services to be picked up. They deliver it to your room.

I remember when Disney used to do that. It was sooooooo nice.

 

[cemeb4dk]

As others have mentioned, do at least a night at a universal deluxe hotel. We did this last year. We had a week stay at OKW, mid trip we grabbed an Uber early in the am with an overnight bag. Checked into the Hard Rock, let bag services hold our bag. Enjoyed the park and the unlimited express pass. Slept in the HRH room that night. Checked out of hotel once again had bag services hold bags and once again enjoyed the express passes. Once we were done, went grabbed our bags and took Uber back to OKW. Yes we basically wasted a nights point at OKW, but it was worth it for not having to pack up etc. We saved so much more than what the hotel cost when you compare, transportation multiple times, parking and then the expense of the express passes. It was the way we will do it once again this year, we only now do UNiversal with Express pass, even this trip the first week of Dec when crowds should be low, but saving 20-45 minutes a ride really adds up especially when the park has shorter hours.

 

[puffkin]

If you are just doing a day, SSR works well for Universal. But if the focus is on Universal, definitely rent your points and stay there. It is so nice and convenient and lots of great onsite perks.

 

[Novakm]

I was just looking at the universal web site. Looks like only certain hotels offer the front of line pass.

 

[bumbershoot]

I was just looking at the universal web site. Looks like only certain hotels offer the front of line pass.

Yes. It's included from checkin to park-close of check out day at Royal Pacific, Hard Rock, and Portofino. They also get Early Entrance to one (sometimes both) Wizarding Worlds every day.

The other two resorts, Cabana Bay and Sapphire Falls, include Early Entrance to one or sometimes both Wizarding Worlds every day.

 

[loveswdw]

If you plan to only go to Universal, stay onsite at Universal! Rent out your points and stay there. The perks of being onsite there are too good to pass up.

Yep! Totally agree with this.