Would you book a deluxe resort under these circumstances?

[borgthe]

We already have a room at Disney through the 17th of August, but will be doing Universal on the 15th and 16th. We have gotten into the annual pass holder night on August 16th from 7pm to 11pm.

The room is costing about $350 and there are 2 of us. We probably won't even use the room, just the express passes. Do you think it's worth it for that time of year or will lines be short enough.

I wish we had 4 people, that would definitely be worth it.

We should start a board where people can be added to someone's room reservation to get express pass for a few, lol.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

If it's not much cheaper than outright buying EP, and you're not spending the night in the room anyways, what's the point?

You might do better to go to Universal 8/16-8/17, end your Disney hotel a night early, and spend the night of 8/16 at Universal - especially since you'll be up late for the AP night on 8/16 and can just meander to your hotel rather than fighting crowds/traffic on the way out in the middle of the night. Then since it's replacing another hotel, vs being in addition to the other hotel, the math works out better.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

We should start a board where people can be added to someone's room reservation to get express pass for a few, lol.

That sounds good until someone charges stuff to your room, uses their key to enter your room, etc.

 

[barb969]

We were there last year in the middle of August although not on a weekend. If you are a coaster lover or Harry Potter fan and like to ride multiple times the EP is definitely worth it. It will be more crowded on weekends.

 

[CynBeth]

If it's not much cheaper than outright buying EP, and you're not spending the night in the room anyways, what's the point?

You might do better to go to Universal 8/16-8/17, end your Disney hotel a night early, and spend the night of 8/16 at Universal - especially since you'll be up late for the AP night on 8/16 and can just meander to your hotel rather than fighting crowds/traffic on the way out in the middle of the night. Then since it's replacing another hotel, vs being in addition to the other hotel, the math works out better.

I agree.

 

[wdwrule]

That sounds good until someone charges stuff to your room, uses their key to enter your room, etc.

In addition, I believe the reservation holder is charged an additional $40-$50 per person, per night if I’m not mistaken.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

I believe it is $55 per extra adult (18+) per night, over 2 adults.

 

[drenalin'junkie]

We'll be there on the 16th. Look for an old guy with nonstop bubble machine

 

[borgthe]

Thanks everyone. 16th to 17th not an option. I will just go to universal with no express pass. Hopefully it won't be too crowded.

 

[AaronRif]

I am also seeing the Annual Pass rate for $350 for Portofino for the one night. I am one who think Express is worth its weight in gold, so I think $175/person for two days is reasonable (that's--$87.50/day, the going rate for Express for your dates is $180/person/day, so you're saving a huge amount). However, you need to deal with the hassle of checking into the hotel, although you could just Uber from Disney to Portofino and then enter the parks. I think for the extra $88 it's worth it to do whatever you want, whenever you want, with no lines. Just keep in mind Hagrids doesn't have Express, so you'll wait for it regardless.

If you wanted to save the money, my strategy would be to do whatever has lower waits during the day and save the longer line rides for the Annual Pass night when the waits will be lower. However, I'd also do Hagrids during the day if you all want to ride that since my guess is everyone will think the line will be lower during the AP night but in fact will have a consistently long line (I'd love to eat my words, but I wouldn't take the risk).