Wow! more $$ than I thought

[shoney]

We've been to Universal in the mid 90's, 2002, 2004, 2009 and it was always fun, but always more economical than Disney.

I've just spent some time pricing out a trip for 5 nights in June.
Hotel 1500.00 (royal pacific)
3 day tix for 4 ...approx 600.00
Airport transfers...approx 100.00 round trip

5 nights 2200.00

Last Feb, we stayed at Disney....7 nights (moderate), 6 day park hoppers, free dining (Table service one).... 2800.00

I know we get the express passes for staying onsite and that is a true bonus and worth every penny. I am just surprised about how much it is....

My boys are now 11 and 13 and just prefer Universal for the thrill rides and characters (Harry potter, simpsons vs. Mickey and Buzz light year, for example)

I guess this is just a vent...I was hoping it would have been cheaper!

 

[RMulieri]

Once Harry Potter opened, it made Universal more of a vacation destination in direct competition with Disney.Those cheap prices went bye bye.

 

[LUVIOA]

You can count on the hotel rates dropping, probably significantly. The special stay more, save more rates aren't posted yet. Also you might want to consider getting an annual pass, that will save even more money on the hotel. I always go in June/July and usually book around February to lock in the room and call when I see the rates drop to either SMSM rate or APH rate.

 

[patster734]

Your hotel is $300 a night, I take it that rate is for a standard-view room. Have you called Universal and checked to see if they have either an AAA discount or AP discount price available? If a discount price is available for either one, the savings could justify purchasing either an AAA membership or an AP ticket. Besides, its always good to have either an AAA membership or AP ticket to save around 10% on food and merchandise at most places at Universal.

Also, keep checking weekly, if not daily, to see if SMSM rates get released for your dates. I would also check the rates of the other two Universal hotels (HRH and PBH) to see if they are cheaper.

 

[shoney]

Thanks everyone!

It actually is a SMSM rate. I was including tax and rounding up!
It is averaging $250 per night and then tax for a grand total of 1429.00

The portofino and hard rock are coming in at an average of $300 per night plus tax.

These rates are for the bottom of line standard rooms.

I called and asked about AAA rates and they were higher.

I guess this is the best it is going to get.

Now for my airfare issue (already posted on the transportation board). It went up alot from Saturday night to Sunday morning! Ugh! I have time so I'll just keep checking.

The whole purpose of this trip was to use up a $500.00 credit with Delta airlines. My ds11 loves roller coasters and Universal, so we thought it would be nice to celebrate his 12th b-day there.

I guess I just wasn't prepared for the total cost...considering we need to add food/drink/misc. stuff.

 

[fizbobunny]

What dates are you looking at?

 

[skmoore07]

Thanks everyone!

It actually is a SMSM rate. I was including tax and rounding up!
It is averaging $250 per night and then tax for a grand total of 1429.00

The portofino and hard rock are coming in at an average of $300 per night plus tax.

These rates are for the bottom of line standard rooms.

I called and asked about AAA rates and they were higher.

I guess this is the best it is going to get.

Now for my airfare issue (already posted on the transportation board). It went up alot from Saturday night to Sunday morning! Ugh! I have time so I'll just keep checking.

The whole purpose of this trip was to use up a $500.00 credit with Delta airlines. My ds11 loves roller coasters and Universal, so we thought it would be nice to celebrate his 12th b-day there.

I guess I just wasn't prepared for the total cost...considering we need to add food/drink/misc. stuff.

Although I realize that you want to use up a $500 credit with Delta airlines, you may want to check allegiantair or spirit if they offer flights near you. They both offer really cheap flights, and allegiantair is all nonstop flights. We are flying roundtrip from Michigan and we are paying an average of $162 per person. We have a party of eleven and they only had 9 seats left at a lower price so we booked 9 at the cheaper rate and then did a separate transaction for the other 2 (I believe that an adult needs to be included on each transaction though). They do charge extra for bags and seat selections, but each person can take one personal item on the plane with them for free that can be up to 7x14x15

 

[shoney]

June 26th to July 1st. DS11's b-day is the 29th.

 

[skmoore07]

We've been to Universal in the mid 90's, 2002, 2004, 2009 and it was always fun, but always more economical than Disney.

I've just spent some time pricing out a trip for 5 nights in June.
Hotel 1500.00 (royal pacific)
3 day tix for 4 ...approx 600.00
Airport transfers...approx 100.00 round trip

5 nights 2200.00

Last Feb, we stayed at Disney....7 nights (moderate), 6 day park hoppers, free dining (Table service one).... 2800.00

I know we get the express passes for staying onsite and that is a true bonus and worth every penny. I am just surprised about how much it is....

My boys are now 11 and 13 and just prefer Universal for the thrill rides and characters (Harry potter, simpsons vs. Mickey and Buzz light year, for example)

I guess this is just a vent...I was hoping it would have been cheaper!

According to their website, June rates are less up until June 6th, so if you are okay with those dates that may help as well. Here is the link to their seasonal rates:

http ://www .universalorlando.com/Hotels/Onsite-Hotel-Rates-and-Offers/Seasonal-Rates. aspx

Sorry, I can't post links yet, so you will have to delete the spaces after http and www and before aspx

So, if you did the SMSM from 6/1-6/7 it would only be $1072 for the hotel.

Or, you could chose a close partner hotel, some of which offer shuttles and are about a mile away. I believe several of them offer free breakfast. Others also offer a lite dinner, drinks, and snacks during the week (normally sun-thur or mon-thur), so you would only really need to worry about lunch for those ones. For example, a few people I have recommended Drury, which for the same dates of 6/1-6/7 it would cost $604 for the hotel. Park tickets would be $623 for 4 day base tickets for 4 people. It is within 2miles of Universal, offers shuttle service (not for early admission though), you do get early admission to IA (minus the shuttle service though), breakfast (Wake up each morning to a free Hot Breakfast! Take your pick from a selection of great breakfast items including scrambled eggs, biscuits & gravy, sausage and make-your-own Belgian waffles), 5:30 Kickback (In the evening, enjoy the 5:30 Kickback® for free hot food and cold beverages. The rotating menu features a variety of hot food, including hot dogs, chicken strips, macaroni & cheese, baked potatoes, a nacho bar and more! Plus, beer, wine, mixed drinks and soft drinks are served everyday). This same hotel would be the same price from 6/16-6/21.

I have also heard wonderful things about Homewood Suites by Hilton. They are within a mile of universal and offer the following: (Daily complimentary hot extended breakfast buffet served each morning from 7AM to 10AM. Enjoy an array of fresh fruit, yogurt, cereals, muffins, pastries, breads, bagels and more. Also provided are hot eggs, choice of breakfast meat, waffles, and a selection of juices, fresh hot coffee, teas, hot chocolate, and milk. Evening Manager's Reception (Monday-Thursday) features complimentary light dinner fare, beer, wine, and assorted beverages (excluding holidays). However, they are a little more pricey at $915 for 6/16-6/21.

 

[skmoore07]

June 26th to July 1st. DS11's b-day is the 29th.

Gotcha, mine has a June birthday too.

 

[damo]

There will be a big difference between rates for Feb and rates for end of June. I think staying onsite at that time will be worth it though. With Transformers and the new Simpsons area opening for summer, it is going to be packed. You are going at a peak time.

 

[shoney]

There will be a big difference between rates for Feb and rates for end of June. I think staying onsite at that time will be worth it though. With Transformers and the new Simpsons area opening for summer, it is going to be packed. You are going at a peak time.

OOhhhh! Will both of those be open by June 26th? that would be nice. My kids would love both!

I realize it is prime time. Our kids aren't out of school until June 21 st. I thought it would be special to be somewhere actually on his b-day.

I did look at the end of August and it is much cheaper, but we are already going away Labor Day weekend, so it would be too close.

I'm going to keep tracking the airfare. If it goes down under $250 pp, I'll book it.


I made the mistake of going to Disney last Feb. It was just way too crowded for our tastes. We need the FOTL! so, It is either onsite or nothing!

 

[damo]

OOhhhh! Will both of those be open by June 26th? that would be nice. My kids would love both!

I realize it is prime time. Our kids aren't out of school until June 21 st. I thought it would be special to be somewhere actually on his b-day.

I did look at the end of August and it is much cheaper, but we are already going away Labor Day weekend, so it would be too close.

I'm going to keep tracking the airfare. If it goes down under $250 pp, I'll book it.


I made the mistake of going to Disney last Feb. It was just way too crowded for our tastes. We need the FOTL! so, It is either onsite or nothing!

The projected dates are for summer...fingers crossed!!!

 

[shoney]

Oh, boy...what to do!

I just started poking around and found lots of construction pics of US. The place looks a bit rough! I would hate to pay the premium and not have transformers and simpsons open.

I did notice that the "power pass option" for an annual pass shows the entire month of July blacked out for US. That may be a great sign that it will be open July 1st. Not good for us if we leave on July 1st!

http://www.universalorlando.com/Theme-Park-Tickets/Annual-Passes/2013-Power-Blockout-Dates.aspx


Maybe August is looking better...

 

[bumbershoot]

I guess this is the best it is going to get.

There's really no way of knowing that.

I use this page to (compulsively) check rates. Throw APH into the code field to see if a great AP rate shows up at some point. If it does, quickly check to see if buying someone to a Preferred or Premium AP would save money overall. (don't forget the discount on merchandise and food with an AP!)

Don't forget to check undercovertourist.com, or maple leaf tickets, for discounted tickets. It's not a huge discount, but every bit helps.


I'm not sure the Power Pass would ever allow admission during the serious summertime, so I'm not sure if that would show you when things will open. Maybe it does, I don't know, I just would be nervous changing dates solely because of that.

 

[shoney]

There's really no way of knowing that.

I use this page to (compulsively) check rates. Throw APH into the code field to see if a great AP rate shows up at some point. If it does, quickly check to see if buying someone to a Preferred or Premium AP would save money overall. (don't forget the discount on merchandise and food with an AP!)

Don't forget to check undercovertourist.com, or maple leaf tickets, for discounted tickets. It's not a huge discount, but every bit helps.


I'm not sure the Power Pass would ever allow admission during the serious summertime, so I'm not sure if that would show you when things will open. Maybe it does, I don't know, I just would be nervous changing dates solely because of that.

Thanks so much for the info...I will be doing my research!

I guess my assumption on the power pass was that it was only blocking out US and NOT IOA in July. That pass is a little cheaper and would work for us if we want access to the parks on all the days we'll be there.

 

[RMulieri]

Oh, boy...what to do!

I just started poking around and found lots of construction pics of US. The place looks a bit rough! I would hate to pay the premium and not have transformers and simpsons open.

I did notice that the "power pass option" for an annual pass shows the entire month of July blacked out for US. That may be a great sign that it will be open July 1st. Not good for us if we leave on July 1st!

http://www.universalorlando.com/Theme-Park-Tickets/Annual-Passes/2013-Power-Blockout-Dates.aspx


Maybe August is looking better...

I might be wrong, but I don't think the simpsons ride is closed.They are just re-theming the area around it, particularly the old International foods fest restaurant .

 

[damo]

I might be wrong, but I don't think the simpsons ride is closed.They are just re-theming the area around it, particularly the old International foods fest restaurant .

You are correct! They are retheming the restaurant to several restaurants, adding a lot of theming in the area and a new flat ride.