Comparing scenarios...seasonal pass?

twinkletoe · Nov 30, 2016

I am planning our vacation for the end of August which isn't during a black-out period. We plan on staying 7 nights at Royal Pacific Resort (Aug 18 - 25). Should I buy 5 seasonal passes to help with the cost of the hotel? Should I buy 1 seasonal pass and then multi-day tickets for the rest of my family? I need some advice from the experts, please and thank you!

macraven · Nov 30, 2016

If you plan to buy 7 days of p2p tickets, cheaper to buy the AP you listed for all

twinkletoe · Dec 1, 2016

Thank you, macraven. So seasonal passes for all 5 of us. Do you suggest booking our room now and then changing the reservation when APH rates come out? Will club rooms be discounted for season pass holders, too?

bumbershoot · Dec 1, 2016

twinkletoe said:
Do you suggest booking our room now and then changing the reservation when APH rates come out?

Book a rate you can live with, then check for APH rates and modify if needed. There are no guarantees that APH rates will be there for your dates or that they will be beneficial. In fact with a 7 night stay, it's far more likely that the Stay More Save More rate will be better than any APH rate that might show up.

But if you're going to the parks all those days and want park to park, the finances work in favor of the pass, even without a hotel discount, as far as I have known in the past.

twinkletoe · Dec 1, 2016

Oh, it didn't cross my mind that there might not be APH rates and I also didn't know that the Stay More Save More rates could be better that APH anyway. See? That's why these forums are so helpful! Thank you!

macraven · Dec 1, 2016

When I do two week stays in October,
The smsm rate always beats the AP rate for my dates

It the one time a year that 30-35% kicks in on my dates

Mom3girls · Dec 2, 2016

twinkletoe said:
I am planning our vacation for the end of August which isn't during a black-out period. We plan on staying 7 nights at Royal Pacific Resort (Aug 18 - 25). Should I buy 5 seasonal passes to help with the cost of the hotel? Should I buy 1 seasonal pass and then multi-day tickets for the rest of my family? I need some advice from the experts, please and thank you!

Just for reference, we visited in mid Aug this year. Stayed Sun-Wed and the APH rate was $169 for a 2 queen standard or a king standard. Weekend nights (Fri and Sat) will be a bit higher

twinkletoe · Dec 3, 2016

As I continue collecting prices, I called Universal reservations today and learned that the seasonal pass I was looking at will not include Volcano Bay. The Explorer Passes that are part of Universal's hotel + tickets combos will include it. That was important information for me to have. At this point, then, I think I will book RPR club with 5 Explorer Passes. I will wait on flights until Southwest releases their August flights. If anyone thinks I could do better with another scenario, please enlighten me! Thanks!

tarheel618 · Dec 11, 2016

explorer pass is a new annual pass? sorry I haven't heard of it before

twinkletoe · Dec 11, 2016

The Explorer Tickets are not annual passes. Here's the definition I found: Enjoy 14 consecutive days of unlimited park to park access² to Universal Studios Florida™, Universal’s Islands of Adventure™, the all NEW Universal’s Volcano Bay™ water theme park, and select live entertainment venues of Universal CityWalk™. This ticket is not available at any park’s entrance. Ticket valid for arrivals from 1 June 2017.
We ended up putting a deposit down on the American Express package on the Universal Studios Orlando website. I am pleased with the package inclusions and price. I tried to get better prices buying the tickets and club room at RPR separately, but the package kept coming up less. The package also includes two rounds of Hollywood golf and the discount coupons for dining etc. I will keep checking prices closer to August and see if buying annual passes will give us a room discount but for now I'm satisfied.

damo · Dec 11, 2016

twinkletoe said:
The Explorer Tickets are not annual passes. Here's the definition I found: Enjoy 14 consecutive days of unlimited park to park access² to Universal Studios Florida™, Universal’s Islands of Adventure™, the all NEW Universal’s Volcano Bay™ water theme park, and select live entertainment venues of Universal CityWalk™. This ticket is not available at any park’s entrance. Ticket valid for arrivals from 1 June 2017.
We ended up putting a deposit down on the American Express package on the Universal Studios Orlando website. I am pleased with the package inclusions and price. I tried to get better prices buying the tickets and club room at RPR separately, but the package kept coming up less. The package also includes two rounds of Hollywood golf and the discount coupons for dining etc. I will keep checking prices closer to August and see if buying annual passes will give us a room discount but for now I'm satisfied.

Keep an eye on your cancellation dates.

Comparing scenarios...seasonal pass?

twinkletoe

Earning My Ears

macraven

Proud Redhead

twinkletoe

Earning My Ears

bumbershoot

DIS Veteran

twinkletoe

Earning My Ears

macraven

Proud Redhead

Mom3girls

DIS Veteran

twinkletoe

Earning My Ears

tarheel618

DIS Veteran

twinkletoe

Earning My Ears

damo

Proud Redhead

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