Is Universal Cutting Back, Too? About This Page:

[Swazie]

After reading through all the cutbacks at Disney, I just wondered if Universal is doing the same thing? I'm not going to revisit the economy, traveling, war, etc. But if the downturn is because of these things, wouldn't Universal be half closed?

But they have added hotels, hours are about the same and tickets are up just a little from what I paid last year. We are staying on DVC points at Disney in May, but when I made arrangements for the five extra days we would be there, Disney had nothing to offer me. For the first time, we are staying off site for the other five.

I called to check with Universal for the those nights and the prices were too high for me. But the CM said, "Let me see what I can do". By the time we were done, she had cut my room rate in half (off rack rates). Needless to say, we booked there.

I would much rather stay at Disney, but they just keep giving me less and less for more money. We overcame our fears and stayed two weeks in December immediately following 9/11. We returned last October and here we go again in May.

My travel magazine says people are traveling within the USA and have cut back on overseas travel. Just makes me wonder. . . .

[AKLRULZ]

I hope you enjoy your trip - I'll tell you that having stayed at the Hard Rock right when if opened that it's a fabulous resort complex with phenomenal amenities - right on par with the best of Disney's deluxe resorts - I think you'll love it.

[Swazie]

This trip is just DH and myself (first time) and from what I've read, I'm sure we will love it.

But. . . I still feel as if I am betraying (that sounds alittle strong) the Mouse. We would both be happier staying at the World . . . but they just haven't done anything to make us feel any kind of special for many trips.

Thanks for the kind thoughts.

[AKLRULZ]

Originally posted by Swazie:
But. . . I still feel as if I am betraying (that sounds alittle strong) the Mouse. We would both be happier staying at the World . . . but they just haven't done anything to make us feel any kind of special for many trips.

<font size="2" face="Comic Sans MS, Arial">Omigosh, I know just how you feel - I felt very "sneaky" staying at another resort other than Disney, but I'll tell ya, that I'd do it again and again now after staying there. I know Michelle C stayed onsite at Universal last summer and is a big fan of theirs now, too - maybe she'll come along and give ya her perspective too! [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[Shell_of_the_South]

Here I am!!

First let me say, I love Disney, I am addicted to Disney! My pocketbook just doesn't fuel my addiction!! Last year our family visited Universal over Disney because they had annual passes for $99 - half of a 4 day park hopper ticket at Disney. I was a little apprehensive because I didn't think Universal could ever meet Disney standards. I was pleasantly surprised!! We loved it! We had a blast at the parks and were very comfortable at the Royal Pacific Resort. We're going back in April and June and staying at the Hard Rock Hotel -- we got a great rate of $125/night with an entertainment card. You can get a card for about $25 at www.entertainment.com - well worth the savings at this one resort alone!!

So now I still love Disney, I love Universal, I guess I just love Orlando!!! When we stay at Universal we still visit Disney property to eat at their restaurants - and get a big kick wearing our Universals shirts! I think you'll have a blast!!

[Swazie]

Well, DH loves Spiderman as much as I love TOT. We usually spend one or two days at Universal when we are down there, but always stay on Disney property.

I think your right, MichelleC, we just love Orlando. But I'm not sure we would travel down there as much if Disney wasn't there. But I am looking forward to staying at the HRH. We booked with Entertainment rate also. But the difference over Disney? The CM I spoke with at Universal actually told me how to get the cheaper rate. Wouldn't it be great if when you called for a reservation they actually told you the cheapest one instead of having to do all the searching! LOL.

[greystone98]

May I add my 2 cents too?

We've always visited Universal each WDW trip but last year was the first time we actually stayed at a Universal hotel, the Royal Pacific, and we loved it! As Steve and Michele said, the amenities are on par with Disney, the service you've already had the opportunity to experience is equally excellent, and you just cannot beat the "first in line" access which puts Fast Pass to shame, IMHO.

Well worth the additional dollars. We're returning in October and look forward to Universal every bit as much as WDW. Hope you have a wonderful trip - just keep telling yourself, it's good to try new experiences!

Debbi

[AKLRULZ]

Oh yeah! Universal has some of Orlando's BEST attractions too - don't even get me started on how much I love the parks! LOL!!

Hey - one thing to be aware of - and this did irk me but I got over it quickly - you'll have to pay a daily rate to park at the resort for self parking and even higher for valet.

[Swazie]

You have to pay for parking even if your a resort guest? That's not cool. If you are an AP holder is there a break on parking?

We aren't, and won't be anytime soon. We actually have several days left over from previous tickets from previous trips. That's a long stupid story on my part (I left all of our tickets back at Disney hotel when we went the second day, we were there early and weren't going to go all the way back (to DH's credit, he didn't even yell at me) we actually bought 7 more tickets when they had the "get the extra day free" thing going). Made that trip expensive, but we will reap the benefits this time.

Thanks for the heads up.

[AKLRULZ]

Originally posted by Swazie:
You have to pay for parking even if your a resort guest? That's not cool. If you are an AP holder is there a break on parking?

<font size="2" face="Comic Sans MS, Arial">I think you still do have to pay, but not 100% certain - it's like $6/day - so not a biggie, more of a principle thing - but I was pretty ticked [img]images/icons/mad.gif[/img] at first - then it all went away once we stepped foot in the resort! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[Shell_of_the_South]

Originally posted by Dad2jbj:
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Comic Sans MS, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Comic Sans MS, Arial">Originally posted by Swazie:
You have to pay for parking even if your a resort guest? That's not cool. If you are an AP holder is there a break on parking?

<font size="2" face="Comic Sans MS, Arial">I think you still do have to pay, but not 100% certain - it's like $6/day - so not a biggie, more of a principle thing - but I was pretty ticked [img]images/icons/mad.gif[/img] at first - then it all went away once we stepped foot in the resort! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Comic Sans MS, Arial">DH felt the same way - he was quite miffed about paying for parking. The resort said the charge is from Universal (the hotels are owned by Loew's) for parking at the parks. DH asked, what if you're not going to the parks? They had no answer for them.

I do think an annual passholder does get a break on parking, not sure how much though. We have power passes which are annual passes with certain days blacked out, so they're not exactly the same as an Annual Pass with all the perks. But we're still getting 3 trips out of them!

[Jay]

Universal has 2 different AP's

One is $100, Minimal Blackout Dates, No discounts, No free self-parking.

The other is $150, 365 Days admission, No blackout dates; Free self-parking; Discounts on food, merchandise, hotels, etc.

http://themeparks.universalstudios.c...i_tickets.html