Where to stay...

[Carole]

I need to book six nights "somewhere" to stay before we check into the Beach Club. I have no idea at all where we want to stay

I'd thought maybe a Disney moderate, but I'd want AP rates and the first night is in the holiday season so it gets a bit complicated booking it as we'd have to make two separate ressies if we didn't want to pay Holiday rate for the whole six nights. Plus we'd have to pick the APs up at the airport on the way in

Or possibly one of the Universal hotels. I'm getting APs for there, but I don't fancy going to get them before we can check in so that just leaves us with All Access or AAA discount and I don't think I'd get a rate that I'd want to pay.

Or somewhere else. The problem there is the choice. How do you pick one? And once picked, how do you book it? Do you use any particular site, phone the hotel direct, use a TA?

I haven't gone the DIY route before and I've realised that I don't have a clue what I'm doing
Can anyone offer advice, please? Otherwise I can see us sleeping on park benches...

[BevS97]

I usually look at MouseSavers, see what codes are available and what I can afford and then book direct through CRO. Depending on your dates, the rates can be as good as AP rates.

I haven't stayed at Universal so I can't really help you there.

Staying offsite - I would probably either book direct with the hotel, or through a site like hotelkingdom or hoteldiscounts (I have to say I haven't used either but I check a lot of prices on them and have heard people using them on the Dis).

I find it easier to pick a location first, and then what sort of accomodation do you want? I-drive in a suite, 192 in a budget hotel, etc etc that way you can narrow it down quite a bit.

Bev

[Stu]

Carole,
I've just been doing the same thing for our first couple of nights.

I was looking at either a Disney Deluxe or the HRH, when I phoned HRH they gave me the rates for Royal Pacific, I'd never even thought of this.
They had some great offers for our dates in october, expecially with Universal Fan Club card.

The hotel looks amazing and I've only read good reviews, but then it only opened last year.

If you fancy being up at Universal then you could try this hotel.

[Carole]

I do fancy the Royal Pacific Stu, but I don't have the fan card. I might see if they have any decent rates though.

Bev, I'll take a look on those sites. I'm just so undecided where to stay

Thanks guys

[ANGEL]

Ive only seen the Royal Pacific form the outside Carole but it looks wonderful so it could be worth trying I reckon

[Carole]

A plan is hatching

If we can add one or two days onto the start of the Beach Club, (which we don't have to pay for) then that's less days to pay for at "wherever we end up" and so I won't have to fret so much about the rates. It just means that next year, we'll have 44 less points to play with.

Well, it makes sense to me

I really do fancy the Royal Pacific, it does look very nice..

[Stu]

Carole,

re the Fan Club card, a couple of years ago I just clicked the link on the link below and asked if it were possible for them to send me a complimentary card. I explained I was dedicated fan but couldn't get the card in this country. They sent me a card straight away with no questions.

Unfortunately it's only made of card and mine got destroyed, so I've just done the same again. You could always try aswell, you have nothing to lose.

universalfanclub/Orlando/UORFaq.asp

[Carole]

Cheers Stu, I'll give it a go

I've just had a look, and I can't see where to go from the link
There's a form to fill in, but just for the HR director. Is there an e-mail address somewhere, or did you phone?

[Stu]

Carole, the email address I used is

fanclub@universalorlando.com

[Carole]

Thanks, I've sent an e-mail.

Fingers crossed