Worth staying on site just for express pass?

[Bluer101]

We started out our vacations to Universal staying offsite to save money but after staying onsite at RPR we can't even imagaine not staying onsite and not to mention when WWOHP opens you will be glad that you stayed onsite

We were the same way. We only live 2 hours away and been visiting US since it's grand opening when I was in high school. Now we have about 10 stays at RPR in 2 years. We always thought the people that paid the extra money for the onsite hotels ( when they got built 1998 ) were foolish. Then we said let's give it a try 2 summers ago and we have been hooked. It makes a vacation a real vacation.

 

[JAL2525]

We were the same way. We only live 2 hours away and been visiting US since it's grand opening when I was in high school. Now we have about 10 stays at RPR in 2 years. We always thought the people that paid the extra money for the onsite hotels ( when they got built 1998 ) were foolish. Then we said let's give it a try 2 summers ago and we have been hooked. It makes a vacation a real vacation.

It's the only way to go...

 

[keishashadow]

Our family doesn't care about staying in a nice hotel when we go on vacation to Orlando. We only go back to the hotel at night to sleep, so on all our trips to Disney we stay at Shades of Green and have always had a great time. I would plan to stay there for my first trip to Universal, but I noticed if you stay on site you get the free front of the line pass. It looks like the cheapest hotel on property is $270/night. We pay $90 for SOG which is actually a really nice hotel for the money. Do you think it is worth an extra $180 per night to get the FOTL pass for three people?

it's my understanding that SOG is considered a 'deluxe' resort in disney speak. Why not do a split stay, with perhaps 2 nights onsite (to give you 3 days FOTL perc) @ U & the rest of your trip @ SOG?

 

[arthursiew]

I hear a lot of people saying that they get rates of under $200/night with AAA. I looked at the official website for the RPR and it's not that much of a difference. Is there a difference if I called AAA and asked for the rates? Right now, it costs $269 and I have locked in a rate of $229 with perfectescapes. If AAA is lower, I can cancel and book with AAA.

Also, what's a PIN rate?

 

[pixeegrl]

I hear a lot of people saying that they get rates of under $200/night with AAA. I looked at the official website for the RPR and it's not that much of a difference. Is there a difference if I called AAA and asked for the rates? Right now, it costs $269 and I have locked in a rate of $229 with perfectescapes. If AAA is lower, I can cancel and book with AAA.

Also, what's a PIN rate?

Call the hotel directly and see what they have to offer. Ask them the AAA rate or the obstructed view rate.

 

[Sleepy]

This is what you need to do. Call Loews reservation line and ask them specifically for the military rate on the onsite hotels. Those rates are absolutely unbelievable! Spend one night there to get FOTL for 2 days (check-in and check-out) and on the day of check-out, have them hold your luggage until you are finished in the parks.

 

[ksc37]

I just called and a one night AAA rate at the Royal Pacific is $228.65 ($257 w/ tax). I think it's worth it for the FOTL pass, though.

One note, you only get one FOTL pass per day for Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey - everything else is all day long.

 

[Sleepy]

For those who are military, keep in mind that there is a big difference between SOG and the other hotels.

SOG charges NO tax. The price listed is what you pay.

Other hotels charge tax. The price you see listed is NOT the price you pay. You need to add I think it is 12.5% tax.

Just wanted to add that since it is easy for us to forget the tax thing when we are trying to figure out what is best for the budget.