I've gotten so much out of this forum over the last 3 years, that I don't think i could ever give back enough. I've been meaning to write up my strategies for scheduling a Universal trip for a long time, but just never got around to it. Hopefully it gets the points across without too much rambling. If you have any suggestions for changes, just let me know...
The key to planning a Universal Trip is getting your room booked at an acceptable rate. Unlike Disney, you don't need to make reservations for dining 6 months in advance and you don't have to reserve rides 30-90 days in advance. You really can just show up and enjoy a relaxing trip.
That does not mean that there is no learning curve for Universal. There are a lot of choices to be made that will impact how long the waits will be and how much the trip will cost. Before I get in to the steps for planning a trip, there are some general topics that need discussion:
Annual Pass Holder (APH) Rates
You will see mentions of APH all over the forums. That is because having an annual pass gives you access to some of the best room discounts available, usually 20-30% off the seasonal rate. Given the room savings alone, an annual pass is a virtual no-brainer for at least one of your group. To see if APH rates are available, simply go to this link and put in your dates:
https://res.windsurfercrs.com/ibe/d...promo=aph&iata=&group=&hotels=&ada=0&currid=0
Annual Passes (APs)
The Seasonal Pass is only $10 more than a 2-day park-to-park ticket. The only downside is the "blockout dates" that keep you out of one or both parks. If your trip does not fall on a blockout date, then I recommend getting everyone an annual pass if:
1. You plan on going more than two days to the parks
2. You might come back to Universal within 12 months
Even if there are blockout dates, all is not lost. For $50 per pass, you can upgrade to a Power Pass, which removes some blockout dates.
If you end up buying Power Passes, then you should consider upgrading one to the Preferred Pass. It removes almost all blockout dates, but more importantly, gives you lots of discounts around the parks, hotels, and CityWalk. See https://www.universalorlando.com/we...nnual-passes/uoap-types#preferred-annual-pass for details. There are other benefits like free parking and Early Entry, but if you stay onsite, those don't really matter
Express Pass (EP)
IMO, Express Passes (EPs) are the key to a relaxing Universal trip. There are VIP tours that completely remove the lines, but they are quite expensive. There are two ways to get EPs: buy them directly or stay at one of the Deluxe Hotels (RPR, HRH, PBH). When you look at the price to buy EPs separately (up to $169), the Deluxe Hotels really start to look like bargains. Because the hotels give EPs for checkin and checkout days for up to 2 adults and 3 minors, people staying offsite or at value hotels often book a "throwawy room" for one day. Check in to get your room keys early on the first day, which double as EPs, and you are set for two days.
All three of our trips have been during busy times, once for Spring Break and twice at Thanksgiving. Our first trip we stayed at Cabana Bay for 4 nights and did not have EPs. We got up for Early Entry (EE) every morning and rode until early afternoon when the parks got crowded. To avoid the crowds, we ate a late lunch and took a nap. Then we returned for the last couple of hours. We had a blast, but we felt like there was much that w missed.
For our second trip, we got a really good APH rate at Royal Pacific which gave us EPs. We were able to sleep in, ride more rides than we did on our first trip and have more free time for CityWalk, shopping, etc. We were completely sold on the value of EPs, especially compared to the price to buy them separately. For a family of four, it was like they paid us to stay at the Deluxe Hotel. So when the price of hotels jumped from $200 in 2017 to $300 in 2019, we did not hesitate to stay at the Deluxe Hotels.
So now that the basics are out of the way, let's start planning...
Step 1: How long to stay?
-------------------------
I recommend getting a solid 3 days in the parks, especially if this is your first visit. While you could probably ride all of the rides in 1 day with EPs, I don't think it is a very enjoyable way to see Universal. The shows are great (especially the HP and Horror Makeup shows). The parade is nice as well. And the resorts are great to just walk around or spend time at the pools. The Universal bubble has a lot to offer.
Step 2: What are the date(s) for travelling?
--------------------------------------------
We have two kids in school, so we're limited to Spring Break, Summer Break, Thanksgiving, Christmas/New Years, and a smattering of 4 day weekends during the school year. With the exception of the 4-day weekends, these are all peak times for Universal, so getting APH rates are a must.
What I do is have a folder in my browser called Universal Dates, filled with res.windsurfercrs.com links for every set of dates I am interested in going to the parks for 12 months. If you right-click on the folder and select "Open All", then I get separate tabs for each of my dates. I look at each one to see if there are APH rates for my preferred room type at my desired hotels. If I see one, then I book immediately. The cancellation policy is very good. I think you have until a week before the stay to cancel and get your deposit back. Having lost out on APH rates because of waiting too long, I learned to book first and ask questions later.
Step 3: Which Hotel to stay at?
-------------------------------
For us, we are only looking at Deluxe Hotels because of the EPs, but have stayed at CB on our first trip. While everyone has there likes and dislikes about each property, I can offer the following advice:
- RPR has a nice tropical theme but the rooms are quite small (335 sq ft). It is close enough to walk to the parks, but I still prefer the boats. It seemed like a good place, but something just didn't feel right about it for us. Others totally love it.
- PBH is the farthest away from the parks but have large rooms (450 sq ft). I didn't think the room size would matter to us, since we spend so much time in the parks. But the Deluxe 2 Queen room (490) felt massive compared to RPR for our family of four. I loved the old Italian theme, so the slightly dated look actually felt good. The employees there seemed much nicer, and were very proud of their hotel. I'm sure others could say the same about RPR, but I didn't get the same feel. The view of the hotel as you come in by boat is stunning. So if you are looking for a more upscale hotel, this might be your best bet.
- HRH is our next trip in mid-March 2020. The room are mid-sized at 375 sq ft and it is the closest to the parks and CityWalk. The general feel I got from the forum is that it is a hip place, but I can't give my full impression until I stay there.
- I think the Deluxe Hotels all have Priority Seating at most of the restaurant s at Universal. I don't know the details, since we've never had any problems getting a seat at one.
- CB was our first trip. That is where I learned about boats vs buses. I didn't like taking the bus to the parks/CityWalk, but I loved the the boats. At CB, it meant a fairly long walk to SF to catch the boats, but was worth it unless we were very tired. So if we were ever to stray from the Deluxe Hotels, SF would be my choice.
- I can't help much with the other onsite hotels, as I've not stayed at them nor have plans to do so.
Step 3: Planning Over
---------------------
If you are coming over from WDW, you were probably expecting discussion about dining and ride strategies. But they aren't needed for Universal. There are no dining reservations to make 180 days in advance or fastpasses to sign up for 30/60/90 days in advance. If you have your EPs, then enjoy your leisurely walk around the parks and grab a meal when you are ready. Withour EPs, then you might need to prioritize your morning to get on the rides you want, but you don't really need to plan in detail.
Hope this helps!
The key to planning a Universal Trip is getting your room booked at an acceptable rate. Unlike Disney, you don't need to make reservations for dining 6 months in advance and you don't have to reserve rides 30-90 days in advance. You really can just show up and enjoy a relaxing trip.
That does not mean that there is no learning curve for Universal. There are a lot of choices to be made that will impact how long the waits will be and how much the trip will cost. Before I get in to the steps for planning a trip, there are some general topics that need discussion:
Annual Pass Holder (APH) Rates
You will see mentions of APH all over the forums. That is because having an annual pass gives you access to some of the best room discounts available, usually 20-30% off the seasonal rate. Given the room savings alone, an annual pass is a virtual no-brainer for at least one of your group. To see if APH rates are available, simply go to this link and put in your dates:
https://res.windsurfercrs.com/ibe/d...promo=aph&iata=&group=&hotels=&ada=0&currid=0
Annual Passes (APs)
The Seasonal Pass is only $10 more than a 2-day park-to-park ticket. The only downside is the "blockout dates" that keep you out of one or both parks. If your trip does not fall on a blockout date, then I recommend getting everyone an annual pass if:
1. You plan on going more than two days to the parks
2. You might come back to Universal within 12 months
Even if there are blockout dates, all is not lost. For $50 per pass, you can upgrade to a Power Pass, which removes some blockout dates.
If you end up buying Power Passes, then you should consider upgrading one to the Preferred Pass. It removes almost all blockout dates, but more importantly, gives you lots of discounts around the parks, hotels, and CityWalk. See https://www.universalorlando.com/we...nnual-passes/uoap-types#preferred-annual-pass for details. There are other benefits like free parking and Early Entry, but if you stay onsite, those don't really matter
Express Pass (EP)
IMO, Express Passes (EPs) are the key to a relaxing Universal trip. There are VIP tours that completely remove the lines, but they are quite expensive. There are two ways to get EPs: buy them directly or stay at one of the Deluxe Hotels (RPR, HRH, PBH). When you look at the price to buy EPs separately (up to $169), the Deluxe Hotels really start to look like bargains. Because the hotels give EPs for checkin and checkout days for up to 2 adults and 3 minors, people staying offsite or at value hotels often book a "throwawy room" for one day. Check in to get your room keys early on the first day, which double as EPs, and you are set for two days.
All three of our trips have been during busy times, once for Spring Break and twice at Thanksgiving. Our first trip we stayed at Cabana Bay for 4 nights and did not have EPs. We got up for Early Entry (EE) every morning and rode until early afternoon when the parks got crowded. To avoid the crowds, we ate a late lunch and took a nap. Then we returned for the last couple of hours. We had a blast, but we felt like there was much that w missed.
For our second trip, we got a really good APH rate at Royal Pacific which gave us EPs. We were able to sleep in, ride more rides than we did on our first trip and have more free time for CityWalk, shopping, etc. We were completely sold on the value of EPs, especially compared to the price to buy them separately. For a family of four, it was like they paid us to stay at the Deluxe Hotel. So when the price of hotels jumped from $200 in 2017 to $300 in 2019, we did not hesitate to stay at the Deluxe Hotels.
So now that the basics are out of the way, let's start planning...
Step 1: How long to stay?
-------------------------
I recommend getting a solid 3 days in the parks, especially if this is your first visit. While you could probably ride all of the rides in 1 day with EPs, I don't think it is a very enjoyable way to see Universal. The shows are great (especially the HP and Horror Makeup shows). The parade is nice as well. And the resorts are great to just walk around or spend time at the pools. The Universal bubble has a lot to offer.
Step 2: What are the date(s) for travelling?
--------------------------------------------
We have two kids in school, so we're limited to Spring Break, Summer Break, Thanksgiving, Christmas/New Years, and a smattering of 4 day weekends during the school year. With the exception of the 4-day weekends, these are all peak times for Universal, so getting APH rates are a must.
What I do is have a folder in my browser called Universal Dates, filled with res.windsurfercrs.com links for every set of dates I am interested in going to the parks for 12 months. If you right-click on the folder and select "Open All", then I get separate tabs for each of my dates. I look at each one to see if there are APH rates for my preferred room type at my desired hotels. If I see one, then I book immediately. The cancellation policy is very good. I think you have until a week before the stay to cancel and get your deposit back. Having lost out on APH rates because of waiting too long, I learned to book first and ask questions later.
Step 3: Which Hotel to stay at?
-------------------------------
For us, we are only looking at Deluxe Hotels because of the EPs, but have stayed at CB on our first trip. While everyone has there likes and dislikes about each property, I can offer the following advice:
- RPR has a nice tropical theme but the rooms are quite small (335 sq ft). It is close enough to walk to the parks, but I still prefer the boats. It seemed like a good place, but something just didn't feel right about it for us. Others totally love it.
- PBH is the farthest away from the parks but have large rooms (450 sq ft). I didn't think the room size would matter to us, since we spend so much time in the parks. But the Deluxe 2 Queen room (490) felt massive compared to RPR for our family of four. I loved the old Italian theme, so the slightly dated look actually felt good. The employees there seemed much nicer, and were very proud of their hotel. I'm sure others could say the same about RPR, but I didn't get the same feel. The view of the hotel as you come in by boat is stunning. So if you are looking for a more upscale hotel, this might be your best bet.
- HRH is our next trip in mid-March 2020. The room are mid-sized at 375 sq ft and it is the closest to the parks and CityWalk. The general feel I got from the forum is that it is a hip place, but I can't give my full impression until I stay there.
- I think the Deluxe Hotels all have Priority Seating at most of the restaurant s at Universal. I don't know the details, since we've never had any problems getting a seat at one.
- CB was our first trip. That is where I learned about boats vs buses. I didn't like taking the bus to the parks/CityWalk, but I loved the the boats. At CB, it meant a fairly long walk to SF to catch the boats, but was worth it unless we were very tired. So if we were ever to stray from the Deluxe Hotels, SF would be my choice.
- I can't help much with the other onsite hotels, as I've not stayed at them nor have plans to do so.
Step 3: Planning Over
---------------------
If you are coming over from WDW, you were probably expecting discussion about dining and ride strategies. But they aren't needed for Universal. There are no dining reservations to make 180 days in advance or fastpasses to sign up for 30/60/90 days in advance. If you have your EPs, then enjoy your leisurely walk around the parks and grab a meal when you are ready. Withour EPs, then you might need to prioritize your morning to get on the rides you want, but you don't really need to plan in detail.
Hope this helps!