Staying in Universal for 1 night - advantages?

[Baggieflan]

Hi all - we're going this Easter and staying in an off-site Villa and have already booked our 14 day Disney and Universal tickets.

With this in mind, would you recommend a one night stay in a Universal hotel for both the experience and early hours start (?) bearing in mind we already have our park tickets?

Never done Universal before therefore any advice would be hugely appreciated!

Many thanks in advance!

[Moorlandman]

Definitely recommend staying at one of the deluxe hotels for the express passes but you could be looking at £500 over Easter!

[chmurf]

if you stay at one of the 3 deluxes (RPR, HRH or PBH) your stay includes unlimited express passes from check in (as early as 6:30am) to the end of your check out day

so one night, 2 days of express.
The sole value of the express passes often exceeds the value of the room, so that's a real bargain if you want to skip the lines

lower hotel categories do not have express passes included

[kiwiinabd]

Personally I don't think early opening was much benefit but provided you stay in one of the three main hotels then the Perk of Express Pass for 2 days is very beneficial especially at easter

[Susethomasx]

Hi, Easter is often one of the busiest times of the year so if you opt for Portofino, Hard Rock or Royal Pacific, then the included Express pass per person will be a major benefit, saving you a lot of time from lines.

[Guest]

Originally Posted by Baggieflan

Hi all - we're going this Easter and staying in an off-site Villa and have already booked our 14 day Disney and Universal tickets.

With this in mind, would you recommend a one night stay in a Universal hotel for both the experience and early hours start (?) bearing in mind we already have our park tickets?

Never done Universal before therefore any advice would be hugely appreciated!

Many thanks in advance!

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I would only book a Universal hotel if it is one with the express passes. I don't think the early morning entry is particularly important, I would probably do it if I was only there for two nights, but it is really the express pass that is advantageous.

[WhereIBelong]

We did this at Easter a couple of years ago. WELL worth the express access alone - ride after ride, after ride with low wait times (so would only book one of the hotels that offer express access). Not worth the early entry - too many hotel guests heading for one or 2 rides.

Would warn that you need to book a few weeks in advance for Easter. Some classes of room were sold out 5 weeks before our Easter stay.

Also be aware that Grad bash takes place in April (not Easter weekend) and Gradventure in May - on dates below, for 2020, both parks close at 7, both parks and citywalk become busy from 4pm and the non-express hotels get booked up.

Grad Bash (Seniors)

April 3, 17, 18, 24 & 25, 2020 | 7:00 PM – 2:00 AM

Gradventure(middle school)

May 1, 8 & 15, 2020 | 7:00 PM – 12:00 AM

[Baggieflan]

Thank you all for your kind responses

[florida girl]

The only way to do Universal for us 1 night stay 2 days in the parks front of line worth every penny.

[Moorlandman]

Originally Posted by florida girl

The only way to do Universal for us 1 night stay 2 days in the parks front of line worth every penny.

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For a family of 4, that would work out at £1250 minimum for two days at the theme park - ouch!