Switching hotels from Disney to Universal??? - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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We are planning a 5 day Disney vacation with 2 days at Universal from June 5-13. (My DH got the QSFD pin, which we have upgraded to the regular DP. ) My question is this: Would it serve us better to continue our stay at POR and just spend the two days at Universal, or switch hotels to the Royal Pacific Resort? Originally, we had planned on staying at RPR but since HP won't be open , I don't know if I want to spend the extra money to stay onsite.
Any suggestions are appreciated! We are also thinking about switching to the Buena Vista Suites 6.11 and 6.12 (our 2 Universal days) if we decide not to stay at POR the entire time or go to the RPR.
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I'd stay onsite, because you will get the unlimited Express pass option with your room key - just show you room key to the ride attendant and you can enter the Express line as many times as you wish. Since you are going at a fairly busy time it will probably be worth it! There is lots to do at Universal without HP!
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For several years now, we had done 5-6 days at Disney, then moved to Universal. At Universal, we have stayed at Hard Rock Hotel & Royal Pacific. We loved both. It was definitely worth the money for the Express Line. The close walk is also a bonus.
For several years now, we had done 5-6 days at Disney, then moved to Universal. At Universal, we have stayed at Hard Rock Hotel & Royal Pacific. We loved both. It was definitely worth the money for the Express Line. The close walk is also a bonus.
You're right - that's a great perk that I forgot about - the ability to walk back to your room for an afternoon break is so worth the money!!
If you do decide to stay off site at US - becareful what hotel you do get - SHOP AROUND and know what you are getting and make sure you bring confirmation numbers etc especially if you book via Expedia or some site like that! I was not pleased with the one we ended up with at Calypso Cay. Kind of out of the way - noisy (lots of kids from a pee wee football team took over the hotel!!!) - musty smelling when we first got there - crappy breakfast buffet...I could go on! Just all around screwed up. However - on the bright side, it wasn't expensive!!!! About the best thing I can say about it!
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We've stayed at Royal Pacific twice now and are going back for 2 nights in August. I think it is definitely worth it to stay on-site at Universal. RP is beautiful and the perks - express pass, boat transportation to parks - makes it worth it for our family.
Have nver done US so I can't comment on the hotels. But I'd definately switch to a hotel closer to US -- no point in paying Disney for the dining plan for two nights if you won't be at Disney to use the credits.
We stayed close to US (Hyatt place at US) - they offered a shuttle in the morning with returning trip in the afternoon. We decided to return early (DH was with a terrible migraine due to the long hours in the flight) - the taxi ride cost only 5 $ (with tip!)
We got a great rate using the best price guarantted by Hyatt (20% off the lower price).
If we had to pay regular rate I´d choose RP - they´ve offered a pay 3 day, stay 5 day.....
We´ve got online the express ticket (as we bought in advance it was cheaper than on site).
You can purchase a "front of the line" ticket. You do not need to stay onsite for this. As far as...... credits on the meal plan. We used the "extra credits" to do signature and character dining. We will be going to US for 2 days and NASA for one day this trip. We are staying at WL.
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( 1990/ Disney Cruise/CBR, 1992 Disney Cruise, 2003 WV,2008 WV.
Thanks for all the suggestions! After our stay at POR, we will staying at RPR one night (for the FOTL perk), and our last night we are staying at Buena Vista Suites. Hopefully all will go well.
You can purchase a "front of the line" ticket. You do not need to stay onsite for this.
Just wanted to clarify - there are 2 different options:
If you stay onsite, you get "front of the line" access - this means you can show your room key at selected attractions and enter the "express pass" line an unlimited amount of times. We've done it 10 times in a row at certain rides such as MIB.
If you purchase an "Express Pass" it allows you to enter the "express pass" entrance once per attraction - or at least that was the case the last time I was at Universal.
As others have said, not every attraction is included in either of these options.
Stay at the Hard Rock or another on site hotel for sure. It is totally worth the extra money. The front of the time access, you are close enough to walk back to your room if you want to go back early or jump on the water taxi.
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, I don't know if I want to spend the extra money to stay onsite. 
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