Universal Trip Report

[danpam1024]

I would stay away from the meal deal, even the refillable cups. Unless you have someone who is not riding the rides, what do you do with them, spend money for a locker?? If I want a decent burger at Uni, I'd walk out to City Walk to the BK Bar (but usually I'd hit Moe's).

Lockers are free for a period of time while you ride

 

[JillC LI]

Well, the DW and I are planning our first onsite stay and visit to USO this May. After visiting DL last February, the wife put her foot down against a back-to-back Disney vacation. She hinted that she was interested in the Harry Potter thingy, so I acquiesced. The last time we visited USO (and my first visit) was in 2006. It was hot, crowded, and most of the rides either didn't work, or shut down with us on board. It is good news that they have done some major improvement to the park(s). We will be staying at the Royal Pacific Hotel. It is pricing out to be considerably higher than a Disney Moderate (wife's favorite is POR), so we hope that the stay will be more enjoyable. I am looking to book room only, and use Undercover Tourist for our 4 day/two park tickets. The meal plan seems to be OK too. The DW says that she could probably find enough to satisfy her and my picky tastes (salads, lighter fare).

Still, it will take an awful lot of magic to overcome the pixie dust I am addicted to......

The "Harry Potter thingy" is really quite spectacular (although I do understand your disappointment at being so close to WDW yet so far). We just stayed at RPR, and while it was more expensive than a Disney mod, we were able to get a better deal by asking for the AAA rate, and we were lucky enough to be upgraded to a Kids Suite which was great. All the rides were working while we were there, although we did get stuck very briefly on Cat In the Hat before it started up again. The express pass for staying onsite is a great perk, as is early entry to WWOHP.

 

[DryCreek]

Thanks for all of the input.
I guess that I should have been more specific. By "picky", I meant that I don't like (or usually ever eat) fried foods or cheese/cream laden stuff. If I can find something like a bowl of soup or a salad, I am good with that. I avoid burders, fries, pizza and the like. If their food is similar to Disney's counter service fare, then I'd be OK with that. I see that many of the participating locations offer salads, grilled chicken and some oriental choices, as well as pasta with tomato based sauces. Now those are things that get our seal of approval.
And yes, we pretty much spend ALL day in the parks. We are still park commandos even though we no longer travel with our grown son. We like to see it all, and do it all.
Did someone say that one of the places offered something that is considered breakfast? I have been trying to find menus for those participating restaurants.

 

[DryCreek]

The "Harry Potter thingy" is really quite spectacular (although I do understand your disappointment at being so close to WDW yet so far). We just stayed at RPR, and while it was more expensive than a Disney mod, we were able to get a better deal by asking for the AAA rate, and we were lucky enough to be upgraded to a Kids Suite which was great. All the rides were working while we were there, although we did get stuck very briefly on Cat In the Hat before it started up again. The express pass for staying onsite is a great perk, as is early entry to WWOHP.

I wonder if I should ask for an AARP rate? I don't have triple-A, and they probably only offer an active-duty discount, not one for veterans.

By the way - how many people there know (remember) that there was once a Naval Base right there in Orlando? I went to boot camp there (C-173, 1980) and also Naval Nuclear Power School (class 8104).

 

[JillC LI]

I wonder if I should ask for an AARP rate? I don't have triple-A, and they probably only offer an active-duty discount, not one for veterans.

By the way - how many people there know (remember) that there was once a Naval Base right there in Orlando? I went to boot camp there (C-173, 1980) and also Naval Nuclear Power School (class 8104).

It's worth asking about the AARP discount. And thank you for your service.

 

[DryCreek]

It's worth asking about the AARP discount. And thank you for your service.

You're welcome.
No AARP discount, but the Stay More, Save More got the price of the King Suite room down to an eye-popping (to me) $291 per night. The tightwad in my nature was screaming while I booked the five nights at that rate, but, it's done now.
I will diligently monitor the rates for a price drop!

 

[Disneyhead'71]

The King Suite is a lot of room. A living room and a separate bedroom. Very well appointed:

 

[DryCreek]

Wow, I'll say! That's quite a room.
But, the inner Scotsman in me yearns for the standard room pricing. At nearly $500 more for the 5 night booking, I can see why. That place is huge. We really only use our room as a box to shower in and sleep until the next day. I will keep checking the reservations site and see if a standard room becomes available. I called and asked, and they said that they would be more than happy to allow me to change the reservations right up to (almost) arrival.

Now, to get there. I have narrowed it down to Super Shuttle, or Mears. I am leaning towards SS due to the very unflattering online reviews for Mears.