Worth booking through the Harry Potter package on Universal's website?

[sbevione]

We are going on our first trip to Universal in July of this year. Our main objective is the WWoHP, though we are excited about the rest of the parks as well. I considered booking the Harry Potter package through Universal's website - but doing it that way would cost me approximately $600 more than booking the same hotel (the Four Points by Sheraton) through Travelocity. So how much are the early entry and the breakfast at the Three Broomsticks really worth?

 

[mesaboy2]

Early entry is very helpful, but not worth $600 IMO. The breakfast from what I've read is nothing spectacular. I would pass.

The parks will be very crowded, but have a plan and you'll be fine.

 

[damo]

Instead of the Harry Potter package, check the Getaway Package. It doesn't include breakfast but does include early entry.

 

[sbevione]

Instead of the Harry Potter package, check the Getaway Package. It doesn't include breakfast but does include early entry.

I will check that out! Thanks!!

 

[TallandGoofy]

The getaway package is what we are doing in June. I booked the Holiday Inn at the Entrance to Universal for one night - $80 + the tickets I was gonna buy anyway. We can park at the hotel for free (it's only like a 10 or 15 minute walk) plus get the early entry.

 

[ky07]

To get the early entry does not have to be booked thru Universal
It just has to be a universal partner hotel cause I booked thru orbitz and the hotel we book said it had early entry although after dealing with crowds last year I am in no hurry to see WWOHP this year

 

[sbevione]

To get the early entry does not have to be booked thru Universal
It just has to be a universal partner hotel cause I booked thru orbitz and the hotel we book said it had early entry although after dealing with crowds last year I am in no hurry to see WWOHP this year

Really? So if the Four Points by Sheraton is a Universal partner hotel, even if I book it through Travelocity we will get early entry? How do they know you have early entry then, does the hotel give you a special ticket?

 

[ky07]

Really? So if the Four Points by Sheraton is a Universal partner hotel, even if I book it through Travelocity we will get early entry? How do they know you have early entry then, does the hotel give you a special ticket?

No they won't give you a special ticket but I have stayed at the doubletree at entrance to universal and they are a partner hotel and at that time it was just discounts on merchandise and restaurants and had to show my room key and a sleve they give you and assume it would be the same for the early entry cause we are staying offsite in july and like I said earlier when I read about the hotel it said added bounus early park entry since they were a universal partner

 

[damo]

To get the early entry does not have to be booked thru Universal
It just has to be a universal partner hotel cause I booked thru orbitz and the hotel we book said it had early entry although after dealing with crowds last year I am in no hurry to see WWOHP this year

I called Universal and asked about this and they said you couldn't just book a partner hotel to get early entry. It had to be a package including tickets through them.

What hotel did you book through orbitz because I am not seeing anything saying anything about early entry on the write ups on the partner hotels there? Maybe there is a special deal going on with one of the hotels?

 

[mesaboy2]

damo beat me to it. See Post #24 in this thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=40524595&highlight=package#post40524595

 

[sbevione]

Well darn. I was excited there for a moment!! Anyone have any opinions on the Four Points by Sheraton vs. Doubletree at the Entrance to Universal? I can get the Doubletree through the Getaway package for about $150 more than the Four Points on Travelocity. I am thinking $150 might be worth it for the early entrance?

 

[ky07]

I called Universal and asked about this and they said you couldn't just book a partner hotel to get early entry. It had to be a package including tickets through them.

What hotel did you book through orbitz because I am not seeing anything saying anything about early entry on the write ups on the partner hotels there? Maybe there is a special deal going on with one of the hotels?

It must have been damo cause I went back to look and its gone and I am sorry for causing any trouble

 

[damo]

It must have been damo cause I went back to look and its gone and I am sorry for causing any trouble

lol...you rabble rouser you

 

[ky07]

lol...you rabble rouser you

Thats me

 

[TallandGoofy]

Well darn. I was excited there for a moment!! Anyone have any opinions on the Four Points by Sheraton vs. Doubletree at the Entrance to Universal? I can get the Doubletree through the Getaway package for about $150 more than the Four Points on Travelocity. I am thinking $150 might be worth it for the early entrance?

I found these to be very helpful and informational:

http://www.orlandoinformer.com/2011...tner-hotels-full-map-essential-hotel-details/

http://www.orlandoinformer.com/2011...best-hotel-nearest-universal-studios-orlando/

http://www.orlandoinformer.com/2011/01/31/universal-orlando-partner-hotels-within-walking-distance/

 

[eeudj]

is the bonus benifit card a better discount than showing your AAA card?

 

[OrlandoInformer]

It's about the same--10 percent of select food and beverage throughout the resort and a few discounts on merchandise.

However, the AAA card also gets you priority seating at some of the restaurants so definitely bring it with you.

 

[eeudj]

great thanks!!

 

[TallandGoofy]

Thanks for this! I was wondering what all coupons/discounts I'd be getting. Just bummed that Bubba Gump isn't on there as that is the one place we HAVE to go to eat.

 

[OrlandoInformer]

We go to Bubba Gump a lot too. It's where my wife and I had our very first date--except it was the one in Minnesota at the Mall of America.