Universal Hotels

[lothaerna]

Hi,

I wondered if anyone has any advice. I was thinking as a surprise for my wife and daughter about maybe booking into a Universal Hotel for one night during our 3 week holiday. We plan to do US and IOA the day after each other.

Can anyone recommend if this is a good idea, would there be any benefits - early entry, fast pass, or anything similar?

TIA
Jayne

[dav220588]

If you book Hard Rock Hotel, Royal Pacific or Portofino you get early entry as well as an unlimited express pass.

For the others, you get early entry only.

Both these perks cover all days you're there, so if you book a 1 night stay you'd get the perks on both check in and check out days.

[Hopefulholiday]

Originally Posted by dav220588

If you book Hard Rock Hotel, Royal Pacific or Portofino you get early entry as well as an unlimited express pass.

For the others, you get early entry only.

Both these perks cover all days you're there, so if you book a 1 night stay you'd get the perks on both check in and check out days.

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I wouldn’t do Universal any other way except by staying at one of these 3 hotels, the Express passes are invaluable particularly if you’re there at a busy time. You should be able to easily get everything done in 2 days with the passes

[lothaerna]

Oh awesome, it says on booking.com that Hard Rock is £450 for the one night. Good to know that we can arrive then to the hotel and go to the park one hour early, use fast passes all day and the same the next day? Is parking free if you are staying at the hard rock as well?
Does anyone have any links to get it cheaper than £450?

[Hopefulholiday]

The price really fluctuates depending on when you are going. Try looking on Tripadvisor for the cheapest site and if you’re not already a member of a cash back site like Quidco then see what deals they are offering.
Royal Pacific is the cheapest of the three if cost is the main criteria and is a very nice hotel.

Re parking, no there is quite a steep parking charge at HRH I think it is about $25-30 a day next year we won’t be taking our car there as it is the last 3 days of holiday!

[lothaerna]

Cost isn't really the factor i thought that DD (11) would prefer hard rock as a surprise I just like to get deals.

Have you booked with Amoma or Otel before?

[croy1985]

We've managed to get Royal Pacific for around £220 a night...same benefits as Hard Rock and it's a beautiful hotel.

[swiper]

Have a look at Travel bag. BA. Travel republic.
Doesn’t matter who you book with... the benefits are the same!
Club level is a nice touch!

[lothaerna]

Awh it says: Paid theme park admission required. Only valid at Universal Studios Florida™ and Universal’s Islands of Adventure™ theme parks. Not valid at Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey™, Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts™, other select attractions, separately ticketed events and Hogwarts™ Express.

NOT VALID at potter!

[LLamb]

Originally Posted by lothaerna

Awh it says: Paid theme park admission required. Only valid at Universal Studios Florida™ and Universal’s Islands of Adventure™ theme parks. Not valid at Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey™, Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts™, other select attractions, separately ticketed events and Hogwarts™ Express.

NOT VALID at potter!

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Where is this taken from? Assuming they just haven’t updated their website. The Harry Potter rides didn’t used to be covered by express pass but they are now regardless of who you book with.