Planning to take my family to Universal this November.

I know 3 that specialize in this. Drop your email and I can link their Facebook pages

Stay onsite at hotel that gives
You free express pass. Nicer
Hotels, that cost the same as the lower tier plus the express pass, if you payed separately.

Don’t get the meal plan. Food is not that good in the parks. City walk is steps outside the gate with Mich better options. All expensive mindyou …

The Harry Potter motorcycle coaster, and the Jurassic park foster
Doesn’t take express pass.
Go their first thing in the morning. Then utilize the single rider line- you’ll sit next to a stranger, but should be on the same cart. Or at least 2 of you, and 2 on the next one.

Churros there are good. Have a beer in Moe’s bar ,
If you e ever been a fan of the Simpsons.

Heard they did away with the rip, rock, coaster , or whatever it is. Shame…
That was a good one.

Must of changed t for those rides. I went 3 years ago

Regarding the hotels… that’s why I said stay at the the ones THAT GIVES you the free pass. I didn’t say all of them did.

But you sound like you want to know more than anyone, so go right ahead.

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Stay onsite at hotel that gives
You free express pass. Nicer
Hotels, that cost the same as the lower tier plus the express pass, if you payed separately.

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They absolutely DO NOT cost the same. It is much higher, but worth it.

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The Harry Potter motorcycle coaster, and the Jurassic park foster
Doesn’t take express pass.

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They are both now on express pass.

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Heard they did away with the rip, rock, coaste

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Started tearing it down last week.

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I know they don’t cost the same, that’s why I said n cost the same PLUS the cost of express pass (for a family of 4)

Let’s make sure we read the entire sentence before correcting. Thanks

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Hard Rock and Portofino range anywhere from $750 to $1,000 (weekend stay) per night from now to the end of the year. Cabana bay is $200 to $230 (weekend stay), Express Pass will be $110 - $150.

As I said, not even close to the same plus express.

Express pass is person, correct? So that’s $150 (min for unlimited express) times 4= $600

$600 plus the $250 for the cheaper hotel is $850

So right about the same as the $750-1000 per night you quoted.

apology accepted

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apology accepted

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So So Sorry

Did this trip 9 years ago with middle and elementary school kids. We have traveled extensively and this is still the best remembered trip for all of us.

We stayed at whatever the brand new on site hotel was in 2016, had the express passes for rides and then our kids each became obsessed with different attractions / rides that the express passes didn't matter for.

Me and the wife alternated riding the Transformers ride with the son and one of the Harry Potter rides with our daughter. Over and over and over because that is what they wanted.

We had a plan to see it all, but scrapped it to just let them enjoy what they were enjoying in the moment. I would definitely have a plan, but just go with the flow, enjoy watching your kids have fun and don't worry about the cost too much.

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Is it cheaper to book through travel agent?

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I can't speak to the travel agent. I always book myself.

Cheapest room deal I found was through ID.ME which is for military and first responders.

Loews Royal Pacific Resort (2 nights 11/24-26): $2,113.87.

Hotels.Com had a similar rate so if you aren't military or first responder, try there.

We are checking in at 7:00am on the 24th to get our 3rd day in the park without having to stay an extra night at the $1k rate.

I bought the park tickets from the absolute cheapest site i could find:

Tickets2You


Universal Park Tickets (3 days, 4 people): $1,886.84

I chose the 2 Park 2-Day PTP Plus 1-Day at Epic.

Enjoy the trip

It helps to use an agent if you aren't familiar with the parks. I really like the on site Cabana Bay hotel for its retro theme and prices but they have better options. If you stay at the Hard Rock or Portofino hotel sometimes you get fast pass which is nice. Though November crowds usually aren't that bad and weather is nice.