Is booking a Universal Premium Hotel for 1 night worth it?

[Cambs]

Have 10 nights booked at Aventura, but thinking of booking a 1 night stay at one of the premium hotels for both a treat and the universal unlimited express. Were travelling off-peak in Feb 2023 so wondering if paying for 1 night on top of Aventura is really worth it?

[Jaspercat10]

I wouldn’t bother if you have 10 nights to do the parks you won’t need the fast passes
Save your money x

[Bozza]

It might be worth checking out the Cheers Ears vlogs on YouTube to get an idea.

They've done two recent sets, the first of which would have been Jan/Feb at a guess. They were staying on-site at Endless Summer, I think it was, but booked a single night at a premium hotel mid-stay to get two days Express Passes. I'm pretty sure they didn't actually use the room, which feels like a bit of a waste, but simply checked-in to get the Express Passes.

We're doing six days at Universal in three weeks and are doing four nights at Aventura and two nights at Royal Pacific (just switched from Portofino Bay) because it's very difficult to do the Universal parks without Express Passes once you've had them, and we always have!

[Bozza]

Edit: blimey, I forgot a key detail!

We visited Orlando during the Feb half-term for a non-park trip, but had a change of heart halfway through the week and bought Universal annual passes, and we spent two days in the main parks.

It was the first time we've ever done the Universal parks without express passes, and the parks were rammed, despite it being low season. We still did quite a few rides, but I did miss having those magic queue-skipping bits of plastic!

Next Feb may be different once the wave of pent-up demand subsides of course - it's difficult to know.

[Gill H]

If you were only going for 2 days then yes. With a 10 night stay I don’t think so.

Personally I could only do maximum 4 days in Universal parks. But if you have been before and know you will spend that much time there, you will definitely get on everything.

[Softy]

Personally I wouldn’t bother. I’d go for early openings most days. Spend the first couple of hours walking on rides then leave for the day as it gets busy. Go back in evenings to the short queues and jump in the hagrids queue just before closure. Over 10 days you’ll ride everything multiple times with minimal wait and lots of time to chill/go to other places in between.

[Cambs]

Thanks everyone for your helpful replies. The 10 days will be mixed up with other places to, but as you say save the money and enjoy a more relaxing holiday.

[wozwebs]

Thinking the same thing. Have always done the Premium hotels but that’s because we had Disney parks and water parks to do also. This time we are doing 10 days. Getting Universal 14 day tickets and only Hollywood Studios so have plenty of time to go back on evenings. As stopping at the Rosen Inn International too might use the iRide as cheaper than paying parking.

Am I right though that stopping at the cheaper Universal hotels still gets you 1 hour early entry for the two parks and Volcano Bay the following day?

[Softy]

Originally Posted by wozwebs

Thinking the same thing. Have always done the Premium hotels but that’s because we had Disney parks and water parks to do also. This time we are doing 10 days. Getting Universal 14 day tickets and only Hollywood Studios so have plenty of time to go back on evenings. As stopping at the Rosen Inn International too might use the iRide as cheaper than paying parking.

Am I right though that stopping at the cheaper Universal hotels still gets you 1 hour early entry for the two parks and Volcano Bay the following day?

See more...

Yeah early entry at all the parks when staying at any hotel.

Also, don’t forget free parking after 6pm.

[wozwebs]

Originally Posted by Softy

Yeah early entry at all the parks when staying at any hotel.

Also, don’t forget free parking after 6pm.

See more...

Thanks for that. Yeah might book the cheapest one then as that first hour at Volcano Bay we went on the coaster ride about 6 times on the trot as we loved it then soon as everyone else came in the queue was over an hour each time. Good tip on the 6pm free parking, will use that. Do City Walk and go back into the parks