Perks of forking out for universal hotel

[millarmagic]

I am thinking about booking a few nights at universal hotel next year (before our villa) to take advantage of front of the line passes and early hours. I believe this only comes with the Premier hotels? Also does it include any kind of free dining or is this extra? Trying to weigh up if the extra cost is worth it.

[Dr.JumbaJookiba]

There is no free dining offered at Universal. FOTL is only offered by HRH, PB and RP hotels.
It is possible to get a good deal on a club level room sometimes which includes breakfast items, snacks, hot appetisers, beers & wine in the hotels club level lounge.

[Floridadreams]

We stayed at RPR (usually the cheapest of the three) in February for our first trip and absolutely would pay for it again! The front of line passes were worth their weight in gold, especially if it’s your first visit as it meant we didn’t miss out on anything. We did it at the beginning of our trip and to be able to just walk back when we’d had enough or get the water taxi was priceless! The food onsite was good and the pool, although we only used it once, was lovely. If we ever get back I’d definitely book there again

[OrlandoNick]

We love staying onside at the Universal hotels because we get to explore the parks without missing out on rides if the queues are too long, get to ride multiple times etc because of the front of line pass. I find the whole thing so relaxing - there’s no worrying about a touring strategy, rope drop etc. You just turn up at the parks when you want to and plod along without a care in the world. It is good to just walk to and from the parks to your hotel without worrying about cabs, parking etc.

We have used Club Level before which we enjoyed but it’s not the end of he world if you don’t - Club Level at the deluxe hotels include mainly cold breakfast buffet (pastries, cereals, breads etc), soft drinks and minimal snacks during the days, happy hour between 5-7 and small dishes such as chicken wings of an evening, desserts etc.

[millarmagic]

Thank you. So am l right thinking I get FOTL passes for each day we are there? So if we arrive late Saturday for example and stay 2 nights, checking out Monday, what days do we get passes for? A late arrival would waste a day l guess?

[Dr.JumbaJookiba]

Originally Posted by millarmagic

Thank you. So am l right thinking I get FOTL passes for each day we are there? So if we arrive late Saturday for example and stay 2 nights, checking out Monday, what days do we get passes for? A late arrival would waste a day l guess?

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Best possible use is check in early, dump bags and collect room key (your key is your FOTL pass) and head to park until room is ready. Your pass is valid until park closes on the day you checkout.

[JohnD]

Originally Posted by millarmagic

Thank you. So am l right thinking I get FOTL passes for each day we are there? So if we arrive late Saturday for example and stay 2 nights, checking out Monday, what days do we get passes for? A late arrival would waste a day l guess?

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Passes would be good for Saturday, Sunday and Monday. If possible, get there as early as possible. They will hold your luggage for you, give you a room key each which acts as your fastpass, even if the room is not ready and text you when it becomes available.

[Potterer]

Club level works for us as you can see from my signature. But then I have two teenage boys who can put away a lot of food and drink.

Club works well for us, we are up, dressed and ready to go at 7am, get breakfast, hit the parks. Return early afternoon for snacks. Sleep or swim, more food around 4/5pm and back into the parks. Make it back for sweet treats and sleep! We take bottles of water or cans with us for the park and our room. Love it.

FOTL means you don't have to worry about leaving the park and coming back in, especially in August.

[Gward]

Dining is extra but it doesn’t have to be mega expensive even in their deluxe hotels.

We managed to have breakfast for 4 for around $30 ( cereals/toast/coffee/juice). A one course meal at the pool bar cost $100 for a family of 4 (pizza/pasta/hot sandwich)

[dee slack]

I presume it's still the same but you only pay to park your car per night, not day rate so 1 night hotel = 2 days car parking