Looking for advice on Universal Hotel in Oct 22 please

[trekkerglenn]

Hi all,

Ok, with half terms halving we've got a semi flexible calendar as we'll get fined whatever the date we go!

We have Annual Universal tickets on the back burner so won't need to purchase those but to beat the queues we are looking at staying at one of the Universal hotels to get the free fast passes included.

Would this be the best way or would we benefit more from a villa for the holiday and purchasing the fast passes separately? I've tried to fathom the Universal ticket website but ended up in knots haha

If anyone has gone either route I'd love the advice and tips

As always, thanks for any help

[loldis]

It's almost always financially better to book the hotel rather than pay for Express passes, since the latter are expensive to purchase on their own - often more than the day ticket price. Especially if you have annual passes, since you can use the AP discounts if available on your dates.

But you wouldn't need them the entire time, so you can do a split stay with the villa if a villa holiday appeals to you more than a hotel stay. Some people don't even use the room, just check in to get the passes and head back to their villa in the evening.

[Softy]

Most of us will book a villa for the trip and then book 1 night in one of the hotels to get 2 days worth of express passes. Some book a 2nd night a week or so later for another 2 days of express passes.

[trekkerglenn]

Oh really, we looked at staying in the Hotel for the full 7 nights, then 7 nights in a Disney one to take advantage there if it's an option. Tbh we absolutely hammer Universal when we go but our eldest isn't going this time to maybe your option would be wiser and cheaper!

[loldis]

Originally Posted by trekkerglenn

Oh really, we looked at staying in the Hotel for the full 7 nights, then 7 nights in a Disney one to take advantage there if it's an option. Tbh we absolutely hammer Universal when we go but our eldest isn't going this time to maybe your option would be wiser and cheaper!

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There's barely any advantage to staying onsite at Disney specifically for rides. It's half an hour early entry which may help you rope drop one headliner (not all attractions are open, especially in MK) and also the ILLS rides (blue ones on this chart - https://DIBB.in/15169205) are available to book at 7am for onsite guests where offsite can book at park open. From what I've seen so far, RotR is the only one booking up so quickly where that extra hour or two makes a difference.

[trekkerglenn]

Can you clarify the 1 night 2 days of passes?

If for eg we fly in and land mid afternoon we'd be daft to book the Hotel that day no?

Thanks

[firemanyoz]

Originally Posted by trekkerglenn

Can you clarify the 1 night 2 days of passes?

If for eg we fly in and land mid afternoon we'd be daft to book the Hotel that day no?

Thanks

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Your passes are valid for the day you check in and the following day when you check out.
You can check in early and head to the park before your room is available so you don’t want to book for the day you arrive.

[loldis]

Originally Posted by trekkerglenn

Can you clarify the 1 night 2 days of passes?

If for eg we fly in and land mid afternoon we'd be daft to book the Hotel that day no?

Thanks

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You get the express passes all days of your stay, including all day on check in and check out days. So a one night stay gets two full days of passes.

Usual recommendation if you want to cut the budget is to stay somewhere either near the airport or on I Drive, depending what you want to do that evening. Then transfer over to the Universal hotel first thing the next morning. Check in to collect your passes, leave your bags with bell services and head to the parks for early entry.

[Claudette]

Originally Posted by trekkerglenn

Can you clarify the 1 night 2 days of passes?

If for eg we fly in and land mid afternoon we'd be daft to book the Hotel that day no?

Thanks

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We have landed and gone straight to a Universal hotel, but as part of a longer stay. If I were only doing one night in a Universal hotel, then no I absolutely would not make it the night I land. You would miss out on a days worth of express passes if you do that.

[welshmum]

What dates are you looking at and how long are you looking at staying?

I have just booked 5 nights at the Portofino Club Level between 24/10/22-29/10/22 for 2A, 3C for £1600 and then we are moving over to a villa from the 29/10 for the duration of our holiday.