Which Universal Hotel?

[mom2dzb]

Never been to US/IoA and I want to go all out on this trip! My travel party is Myself and my husband, DS 16, DS 14, DD 8 and DS 5. We'll be booking two rooms. I can't decide which hotel. Any suggestions on which would work best with my party? Are any of the hotels closer to the parks? Also, is there a general consensus on whether booking a package saves money?

 

[Metro West]

I'm going to move this to the Universal Resorts board.

 

[macraven]

it usually is much cheaper to book everything separate.
hotel/tickets.

packages cost more when you break it down compared to doing it separately.


all 3 of the onsite hotels are close to the park.

 

[mom2dzb]

I'm going to move this to the Universal Resorts board.

Oops! Sorry. I thought I was in the right place. Thanks for the redirect.

 

[mom2dzb]

it usually is much cheaper to book everything separate.
hotel/tickets.

packages cost more when you break it down compared to doing it separately.

I suspected that might be the case.

Would you suggest Undercover Tourist for tickets? Are they upgrade-able, like Disney's?

 

[macraven]

I suspected that might be the case.

Would you suggest Undercover Tourist for tickets? Are they upgrade-able, like Disney's?

UT is cheaper than buying directly from UO.
you can upgrade any ticket at universal.

you would pay the difference from the amount you paid for the ticket against the upgrade.
this can be done at the park guest services.

if you get a ticket from UT for $85/one day and want to upgrade to a 2 day ticket, you pay the difference of the 2.
(meaning, what you paid for a discount ticket would be applied to the total cost of the new tickets.)

if you think you want more than a one day ticket or a 2 park hopper, might as well buy that from UT instead of doing the upgrade at the parks.

 

[mom2dzb]

UT is cheaper than buying directly from UO.
you can upgrade any ticket at universal.

you would pay the difference from the amount you paid for the ticket against the upgrade.
this can be done at the park guest services.

if you get a ticket from UT for $85/one day and want to upgrade to a 2 day ticket, you pay the difference of the 2.
(meaning, what you paid for a discount ticket would be applied to the total cost of the new tickets.)

if you think you want more than a one day ticket or a 2 park hopper, might as well buy that from UT instead of doing the upgrade at the parks.

Here's where I get confused (and I think I'm in the wrong forum, again) . . .

How does US know how much I bought the ticket from UT for? Wouldn't the upgrade cost the difference between what UT paid for the ticket and the price of the new ticket? Or, is the cost to upgrade the difference between the current advertised price of the ticket I have and the price of the ticket I want?

I'd had problems with this at WDW in the past. A rookie CM tried to credit only the amount that UT paid for my ticket, not the price I paid or the current value of the ticket when I upgraded.

 

[francie57]

Can't help you with the ticket upgrade but my recommendation for a hotel would be the Hard Rock. Your older ones would love the pool and the whole atmosphere. If you are a member of AAA they offer room discounts and their garden view rooms are guaranteed connecting when you book two. We have been doing this for years now and have never had a problem.

 

[AJA]

All the onsite hotels are gorgeous. You can't make a wrong decision.

I'll suggest Royal Pacific. It's a little cheaper since you need two rooms. Remember the kids can always pool hop if they want to check out Hard Rocks pool. The pool bar/restaurant at RPR is awesome. The overall feel of the resort is very relaxing (A mom traveling with 4 kiddo's needs a little relaxing on vacation ) Jakes bar (more of a family atmosphere than the name suggests) is also a great place to grab a quick dinner if everyone is tired and wants to skip the crowds of City Walk.

You will have a great trip. With the four kiddo's and variety of ages you'll love the unlimited express pass!

 

[JessicaR]

Never been to US/IoA and I want to go all out on this trip! My travel party is Myself and my husband, DS 16, DS 14, DD 8 and DS 5. We'll be booking two rooms. I can't decide which hotel. Any suggestions on which would work best with my party? Are any of the hotels closer to the parks? Also, is there a general consensus on whether booking a package saves money?

HRH is closest to Universal and RPR is closest to IOA. However, it makes no difference, they are all close or a short walk or boat ride away. I also think your older sons would love HRH. I would like to suggest buying one annual pass - getting the discount for the hotel stay as well as everything you may purchase - tickets - meals - shops.

Price it every which way.

 

[macraven]

Here's where I get confused (and I think I'm in the wrong forum, again) . . .

How does US know how much I bought the ticket from UT for? Wouldn't the upgrade cost the difference between what UT paid for the ticket and the price of the new ticket? Or, is the cost to upgrade the difference between the current advertised price of the ticket I have and the price of the ticket I want?

I'd had problems with this at WDW in the past. A rookie CM tried to credit only the amount that UT paid for my ticket, not the price I paid or the current value of the ticket when I upgraded.

i suggest you email guest services at UO and inquire about their procedures regarding upgrading the UT ticket.

 

[mom2dzb]

HRH is closest to Universal and RPR is closest to IOA. However, it makes no difference, they are all close or a short walk or boat ride away. I also think your older sons would love HRH. I would like to suggest buying one annual pass - getting the discount for the hotel stay as well as everything you may purchase - tickets - meals - shops.

Price it every which way.

Oooh. That's a good idea. Do you know if you have to have an annual pass to book the discounted rate, or just have one by the time you check in?


Thanks to all for the advice!

 

[macraven]

Oooh. That's a good idea. Do you know if you have to have an annual pass to book the discounted rate, or just have one by the time you check in?


Thanks to all for the advice!

first, check and see if the ap is available for your dates.

if the dates for the ap discounted rooms have not been released yet, you can book and modify when they are released.

you can buy the annual pass in advance or buy it while you are in the park.
just show the pass at the lobby check in during your stay.

if you have the AAA, you get the same discount of 10% for food, merch, tickets, room. it's valid at the parks (carts excluded) and at city walk.
(you would need to call and book w/ the AAA for the room)

 

[bumbershoot]

Oooh. That's a good idea. Do you know if you have to have an annual pass to book the discounted rate, or just have one by the time you check in?


Thanks to all for the advice!

Just around the time you check in.

I like using this page for rooms, because it shows all three hotels at once. Put "APH" into the code field, and if there's an AP rate for your dates at that moment it will show it; otherwise, it will show all the other available rates! (season, stay more save more, etc) You can book at a rate then change the rate later on if a better one comes up.

If the APH rate ever comes up and you get it, then look into getting an AP! Must be Preferred or whatever the higher level one is for the discounts (power pass doesn't work for discounts).

 

[damo]

Guest services uses the barcode on your ticket to know how much you paid for it.

 

[disneyfan59]

I'd sujest HRH, it's closest to the parks and has the best pool

 

[Bluer101]

I'd sujest HRH, it's closest to the parks and has the best pool

It's a nice pool, but it's like knee to waist deep. That's the only problem with it.