My first overnight stayt at a Universal Resort

[Spike-in-Berlin]

I would love to stay at the polynesian one day too, but we have never been able to justify the price of staying there for even 1 night. Almost $400 for a regular room? seriously? And there is no added benefit other than being able to take the monorail to the mk. Maybe one day soon when I win the lottery

I have to admit I would think twice at the moment if I would really want to stay there again if I would have to pay the prices US-citizens have to pay. As Germans we payed about 250 € last year per night and room for garden view and stayed 5 nights and that was quite affordable. Poly was a lifelong dream since childhood and since the last year was quite a successful year for me I saw no major problem with the price. But as I was not completely satisfied with the Poly the next deluxe will be either be again the Wilderness Lodge or we try the Contemporary. Poly is a beauty (with several flaws) but not worth the money at the moment.

 

[Zummi Gummi]

To clear up some confusion about the Express Pass and ticket options...

From the Universal Orlando website:

For 2 Park Express Plus Pass:
•Allows you to bypass the regular lines by providing Express Access to most attractions at both Universal Studios Florida® AND Universal's Islands of Adventure® theme parks.
•Express Access is a separate line with a shorter wait time at each valid attraction.
RESTRICTIONS:
•Express ticket is valid for one (1) express entry per each participating ride and attraction.
•Express Plus access is not available at Harry Potter and the Forbidden JourneyTM, Hollywood Rip Ride RockitSM, and Pteranodon Flyers®.
•Universal Express Plus ticket is not valid for admission to either theme park.

They also have a 4-Day VIP option, which is slightly different:
•The above Admission Media is non-refundable, non-transferable, and must be used by the same person on all days.
•*This 4-Day Park to Park VIP Ticket allows one (1) guest to bypass the regular lines an unlimited amount of times by providing Express Access to most attractions at both Universal Studios Florida AND Universal's Islands of Adventure theme parks for any four (4) calendar days during a fourteen (14) consecutive calendar day period which includes the first day any portion of the ticket is used. Valid at participating attractions only.
•Express Plus access is not available at Harry Potter and the Forbidden JourneyTM, Hollywood Rip Ride RockitSM, and Pteranodon Flyers®.

So, for unlimited front of line privileges, you would need a VIP ticket. For one trip to the front, you just need the Express Pass.

Neither pass, however, is good for Forbidden Journey.

 

[Mukta]

Thank you for the report, MickeyMind.
I love both Disney and Universal. I stayed at the Hard Rock a few years back and the express pass was wonderful. The room was great and the price was reasonable.
I too enjoy how walkable the resort is.

I don't know what the smell in ET is, but I have been talking about it for years. When they closed the ET ride here in LA, the smell was the thing I missed the most. Whenever I go to Universal, I ride it 3 or 4 times. I think it is a great ride.

My favorite restaurant in Mythos, so I don't get the meal plan.(it isn't on the plan) For $13, I can get a great meal in a beautiful setting.

 

[MickeyMind]

Thank you for the report, MickeyMind.
I love both Disney and Universal. I stayed at the Hard Rock a few years back and the express pass was wonderful. The room was great and the price was reasonable.
I too enjoy how walkable the resort is.

I don't know what the smell in ET is, but I have been talking about it for years. When they closed the ET ride here in LA, the smell was the thing I missed the most. Whenever I go to Universal, I ride it 3 or 4 times. I think it is a great ride.

My favorite restaurant in Mythos, so I don't get the meal plan.(it isn't on the plan) For $13, I can get a great meal in a beautiful setting.

That smell is intoxicating! we seriously stood in the line and just let other people pass us so we'd have more time to smell it. sigh if only theme parks would capitalize on these scents

 

[WDWmazprty]

That smell is intoxicating! we seriously stood in the line and just let other people pass us so we'd have more time to smell it. sigh if only theme parks would capitalize on these scents

Maybe they're trying to drug the guests so they keep coming back. :lookaroun:lol::lookaroun

 

[Patrick_Ears]

Maybe they're trying to drug the guests so they keep coming back. :lookaroun:lol::lookaroun

You know thinking of it, i was standing in line and yes you are right i started to feel light headed and everything slowed down to where people was like in real slow motion. Then i came to and a Universal worker said, Welcome to Universal please give us your money.

All i could do is shake my head....... :lookaroun

 

[KingdomofDreams]

For on-site resort guests -

* Early Park Admission† to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™, one hour before the theme park opens (valid theme park admission required) before nearly all other guests. This is your opportunity to avoid significant wait times due to the area’s immense popularity.

* Universal ExpressSM ride access* to skip the regular lines throughout both theme parks - a FREE benefit worth up to $87 per person, per day^ (valid theme park admission required). It's the fastest way to ride – enjoy unparalleled access all day long, as often as you'd like, just by showing your hotel room key card at each express entrance.

* Priority seating at select restaurants throughout both theme parks and enjoy first available seating at select Universal Orlando and CityWalk restaurants.


Don't get me wrong. I absolutely LOVE WDW and it has that magic which Universal doesn't, but I've been saying for years that Universal has the superior plan with regard to perks for their resort guests. Yes, they only have 3 resorts, but they are very nice ones, all comparable to Deluxe at Disney. Actually Royal Pacific was our least favorite and the Hard Rock is our favorite, but I think that's just a matter of personal taste. The prices are high, but not as high as Disney and the Express Pass using your room key is a huge perk. As the OP stated, the one negative is having to pay for parking. That's something I've noticed about staying at the Disneyland resorts also.

Universal/IOA doesn't have the Disney magic, but they are nice parks with some great rides. In recent years, we had noticed some negatives which had us starting to think we might skip it on future trips, but last year we went for one day to do HP and we were so glad we did. I found the parks noticably improved and much more enjoyable all the way around and the kids loved it.

 

[SleepingMonk]

We're always much more likely to renew our Universal annual passes than our WDW ones.

As mentioned already Universal has nicer resort options, included ExpressPass, HHN, great concerts, more thrilling rides, amazing dining, fewer strollers, etc...

 

[notslim99]

Great report. However, when the wife and I went this past March, there were three things that drove us nuts, and I'd like to get your opinions on them.

- Wizarding World looked as though the maintenance crews had neglected some things. When we went in July 2010, the snow was white and crisp, and the banners were in great shape. In March of 2011, the snow on the rooftops looked dingy, and the banners looked tattered.
- The lockers at Forbidden Journey are a nightmare to get into and out of. Their placement between the entrance and gift shop of FJ is thoughtless at best.
- There were people from some home improvement company doing surveys at Studios, which I found annoying and distracting.

Other than that, Universal is a great day trip while in Orlando.

 

[SleepingMonk]

I've never stayed at a Universal or Disney hotel but the Universal ones in particular I think look pretty dated and "tramp-ish" on the outside. Maybe i'm mistaken though..

You must be thinking of some other resorts?

Disney POP/value maybe?

 

[SleepingMonk]

Great report. However, when the wife and I went this past March, there were three things that drove us nuts, and I'd like to get your opinions on them.

- Wizarding World looked as though the maintenance crews had neglected some things. When we went in July 2010, the snow was white and crisp, and the banners were in great shape. In March of 2011, the snow on the rooftops looked dingy, and the banners looked tattered.
- The lockers at Forbidden Journey are a nightmare to get into and out of. Their placement between the entrance and gift shop of FJ is thoughtless at best.
- There were people from some home improvement company doing surveys at Studios, which I found annoying and distracting.

Other than that, Universal is a great day trip while in Orlando.

Wizarding World is the crown jewel at this point and they do near constant work to keep it that way. We've never seen a single issue there.

Yes the lockers are crazy, the line to use them is usually longer than the line for the actual ride.

And yes they do odd marketing surveys at the studios, last week it was Frito-Lay, a few weeks before that I think it was a travel company.

 

[KingdomofDreams]

Oh yeah.... the lockers. I understand the need for them, but yikes! Another thing to consider for getting in 1 hr early and avoiding the HP crowds altogether.

 

[ABigBrassBand]

Nice post! It's always interesting to see how they do it over there, because frankly Disney has to have some competition and step their game up.

As for the express pass, how much does that cost? You can only use the express line once per ride, or you can only be taken to the front once?

 

[SleepingMonk]

There are different versions but your room key from the Loews resorts on property serve as your pass and can be used as many times as you like.

 

[kashmir]

The scent from E.T. ride is like Egyptian Cotton by Laura Ashley and Winter Wonderland from Yankee Candle!:wave:

 

[MickeyMind]

The scent from E.T. ride is like Egyptian Cotton by Laura Ashley and Winter Wonderland from Yankee Candle!:wave:

I've read that before.. the day I came back I was obsessed with finding something that smelled like it. Ive managed to find the winter wonderland candle, ordered a tiny one to see if its true but I cant find that laura ashley egyptian cotton spray anywhere!

 

[wdwfan22]

I would love to stay at the polynesian one day too, but we have never been able to justify the price of staying there for even 1 night. Almost $400 for a regular room? seriously? And there is no added benefit other than being able to take the monorail to the mk. Maybe one day soon when I win the lottery

If you do a little research for special promotions it's easy to stay at the Polynesian for less. Summer stays for example could go for as low as $292.00
Having stayed at both Universal & Disney resorts, The universal resorts (loews operated hotels) in my opinion have nothing over Disney properties.

 

[captainkidd]

Royal Pacific has become one of my favorite places to stay in Orlando. They treat customers WONDERFULLY! Just wish the rooms were a bit larger.

I agree - The hours at Universal kind of stink, but with Express, you don't need to be there late, so it's a non-issue for me.

 

[captainkidd]

If you do a little research for special promotions it's easy to stay at the Polynesian for less. Summer stays for example could go for as low as $292.00
Having stayed at both Universal & Disney resorts, The universal resorts (loews operated hotels) in my opinion have nothing over Disney properties.

We stay at both the Royal Pacific and Polynesian. Interesting to compare the 2.

-RP is much more authentic/Poly is more laid back and fun.
-RP front desk and luggage services are better/Poly's restaurants are better.
-Location is a toss up.
-Rooms, hands down are better at the Poly.

The biggest advantage RP has - Universal Express.
The biggest advantage the Poly has - You're at Disney.

 

[Mukta]

The scent from E.T. ride is like Egyptian Cotton by Laura Ashley and Winter Wonderland from Yankee Candle!:wave:

I want this so badly. I wish they sold it an Universal! I scoured the internet, but no hits to buy the spray.