Which hotels have early entry to Harry Potter?

[ClaireinTN]

Is it just the three on-site Universal hotels? I have read some references to other hotels that offer packages with some kind of special benefits, but do any of-site hotels offer early entry?

We are going the week of Christmas, so early entry is super-important, but at the same time the on-site hotels are super-expensive . . .

 

[damo]

Is it just the three on-site Universal hotels? I have read some references to other hotels that offer packages with some kind of special benefits, but do any of-site hotels offer early entry?

We are going the week of Christmas, so early entry is super-important, but at the same time the on-site hotels are super-expensive . . .

There are many off-site hotels that offer early entry but they have to be booked through www.universalorlando.com with a package.

 

[macraven]

if you don't buy the universal partner hotel package through them, you won't have early entry access.

 

[ClaireinTN]

Thanks! A few more questions: Do the off-site packages include front-of-the-line passes too? And are there any particular off-site hotels (that offer these packages) that are especially good deals or otherwise especially recommended?

 

[Metro West]

Thanks! A few more questions: Do the off-site packages include front-of-the-line passes too? And are there any particular off-site hotels (that offer these packages) that are especially good deals or otherwise especially recommended?

Only onsite hotels offer unlimited Express access to guests. You can't get that perk unless you stay onsite.

 

[macraven]

i stay onsite and receive the extra perks.

it is great that i don't have to deal with transportation from offsite hotels to the parks.

but, there are posters that prefer to stay off site and they don't mind the travel back and forth.

 

[ClaireinTN]

There are so many considerations! I think since we are only going for two days, and at a very very busy time, the perks of early entry and front-of-the-line probably justify the cost of an on-site hotel. I wouldn't mind the greater hassle with transportation, in exchange for a lesser cost, if we could get the same perks staying at an off-site hotel. But since we can't, I will go back to rationalizing the cost by appreciating that my teenage kids are really excited about a family vacation.

Thanks for the information about this. I am pretty good with Disney planning now (after a good half-dozen trips) but Universal is a whole other story . . .

 

[bumbershoot]

There are so many considerations! I think since we are only going for two days, and at a very very busy time, the perks of early entry and front-of-the-line probably justify the cost of an on-site hotel.

Remember that you get 2 days worth of onsite benefits for staying there just ONE night.

 

[macraven]

There are so many considerations! I think since we are only going for two days, and at a very very busy time, the perks of early entry and front-of-the-line probably justify the cost of an on-site hotel. I wouldn't mind the greater hassle with transportation, in exchange for a lesser cost, if we could get the same perks staying at an off-site hotel. But since we can't, I will go back to rationalizing the cost by appreciating that my teenage kids are really excited about a family vacation.

Thanks for the information about this. I am pretty good with Disney planning now (after a good half-dozen trips) but Universal is a whole other story . . .

after few visits to the darkside you'll get the hang of it and be a pro.