Universal Studios experts

[bigbillf]

Last time we went, we spent $229 plus tax to rent a room for one night at the Royal Pacific Resort onsite (sometimes there are better deals). We put the grandparents in the expensive room overnight while we stayed at a cheap place on I-drive, and the old folks and toddlers used the room to rest during the day..

It was an awesome experience. Showing the room key takes you to near the front of the line at all the major attractions. The hotel desk will give you the keys as soon as you arrive the morning you check in, whether the room is ready or not. The keys are good the whole day you check out too.

This was an idea I considered and sounds good that you tried it and it worked out. I could see if you had a large number in your group you could get four room keys and pass them around all day.

We are down to one left in the nest who will go away on vacation with mom and dad. And for just the three of us we will buy the Express Plus passes vs. spending an extra $275 (going rate plus taxes for late June) for a room we do not need. A couple years ago we went to U studios in August and it was packed and you could only have one free express pass out at a time. The one free one we had made us wait three hours to use. So by the time that came up all the good free express passes were sold out :annoyed: . So we elected to buy the Express Plus for IOA and it made the day much more enjoyable.

 

[Timeshare Von]

About four years ago, we bought annual season passes for Universal from an online vendor for just $99 each. We have been able to renew them annually as that same price, making it a real bargain if you just go to the park(s) for two days. Additionally you get free parking (about an $8/day savings) plus 10% off all food purchases inside the parks.

An added bonus is that when you buy your "renewal" it isn't actually activated until the next time you go after your current "year" has expired, so there's not a lot of dead unused time between "years." I don't know if you can still find the deal somewhere on the internet, but I'd suggest trying. It is definitely worth it!!!

Yvonne

 

[rickandcindy23]

I have been looking into the possibility of extending a week by two days, with a stay at one of the Universal Studio hotels. $199 + taxes per night is outrageous to me. I cannot do it. I would love to try Universal Express, but that price is so ridiculous compared to a timeshare stay.

I think we will just hit the park very early and ride MIB early in the morning. If that is a bust, and I don't get to ride my favorite ride twelve times in a row, :whoopie: I might consider the hotel next time around.