Choosing where to stay is one of the biggest decisions for any vacation. With about two dozen on-site Disney World hotel options, guests face a huge host of choices. This post gives you the information you need to decide where to stay, how to save money on your Disney World hotel, and how to make the most of your Orlando vacation.

First we’ll discuss why you should choose a Disney World hotel, and how to sift through the choices. Then I share some advice for booking your vacation. And finally a complete listing of every Disney World resort with a quick guide to what makes each property special. Be sure to bookmark this article for future reference.

Why you should stay in a Disney World hotel

Hear me discuss the basics about Disney World’s hotels on Go Informed Podcast episode 59. You can listen right here or on your favorite podcast app.

The Disney Bubble

There are a lot of choices for accommodations in Orlando, so why should you choose to stay on-site at a Disney World hotel? One of the top reasons is the “Disney Bubble”. The Disney Bubble is the concept that once you enter the Manhattan-sized Disney World property you are leaving the real world behind.

By staying in a Disney hotel, you don’t have to leave the bubble even when you leave a park. All of the Disney resorts exude the same service, attention to detail, and touch of fantasy that you’ll find in the theme parks. Disney provides free transportation to all the theme parks, including some very unusual modes, so you don’t even have to drive. All of this adds up to a complete vacation experience that keeps the real world out for awhile.

Convenience

The on-property hotels are the most convenient to the Disney theme parks, both in terms of physical location and transportation. Some are just a monorail, boat, or Skyliner ride away from the park entrance. A few are even within walking distance.

If you choose to book your hotel in a Disney vacation package, you’ll have the convenience of making payments instead of purchasing your park tickets up front. And you’ll have one number to call if you need to make a change or have a question.

Staying on-site can also make your mornings a little easier. From room service to character wake-up calls, the Disney hotels offer tactics to get your family up and moving with less drama. Check out 7 simple ways you can improve your Disney morning here.

Perks at the parks

Disney offers lots of extra benefits for guests staying in their hotels, including:

• Priority for park reservations
• Convenient free transportation from the hotels to the Disney parks and Disney Springs
• Exclusive 30-minutes early theme park entry to every park every day
• An hour or two morning head-start on booking Individual Lightning Lane selections
• Extended evening hours for guests staying in Deluxe resorts, and the Swan, Swan Reserve, and Dolphin hotels
• Charge your purchases in the parks and Disney Springs to your room. Pre-order a Magic Band and you’ll just tap to pay.

Did you know you can leverage Disney’s early admission to beat the crowds twice in the same morning? Find out how to double-up your rope drop here.

The Disney World hotels are true vacation destinations

Every one of the Disney hotels is a true resort property, much more than just a bed for the night. From the most luxurious to the budget-friendly options, every property has unique theming, postcard-worthy swimming pools, meticulously landscaped grounds, and tempting dining options.

Anywhere else, these resorts would be destinations on their own. The sort of hotel where you could spend a long weekend just hanging out on the property. Make some time in your Disney vacation to explore and enjoy your resort.

How to decide which Disney World hotel is right for you

The Disney World resort categories

Disney splits their lodging options into several categories: Deluxe, Moderate, Value, and DVC Villas. While there are some distinct differences between the types, guests will enjoy the convenience, resort experience, and “Disney Bubble” at any Disney World property.

Deluxe

The Disney World deluxe resorts are high-end luxury properties with the pricing and amenities you’d expect at any five-star hotel. All of the deluxe resorts feature multiple dining options, including fine dining and often character meals.

At the Disney deluxe hotels you’ll find spectacular lobbies and the largest rooms on property. The only hotels within walking distance to a theme park* are deluxe resorts. These resorts also have on-site amenities like fitness centers and spas, which are not found in the other categories.

Disney World’s Deluxe resorts also include a very special perk: extended evening park hours at Magic Kingdom and Epcot. This benefit is only open to guests staying in the Disney Deluxe hotels.

*The Swan, Swan Reserve, and Dolphin, which I categorize as moderate, are the exception to this rule. And one more exception – the moderate Coronado Springs has a fitness center. You can get all these details in the hotel listings later in this post.

Moderate

Disney World’s moderate hotels provide lots of on-site amenities with a more casual design. Rooms here are smaller than at the deluxe resorts, soft goods like towels and sheets are a bit more pedestrian and the dining options are mostly less formal. Many of the moderate hotels are on sprawling grounds with lots of activities, like fishing, jogging trails, and bike rentals.

Most of the moderate hotels feature multi-story buildings with outdoor corridors. Don’t let this “motel” appearance fool you. Sited on park-like acreage, your room is more likely to look out on greenery than a parking lot.

Value

Often at rates that compare to chain off-site options, the Disney World value hotels provide all the delights of the Disney Bubble along with some of the most heavily themed environments. Dining options are extensive food courts, and buildings are low-rise with exterior corridors.

The value resorts take up lots of land, which allows room for incredible theming elements like a life-size homage to the Cozy Cone motel and huge themed pools. Rooms are the smallest on property and the towels are not Egyptian cotton, but for theming and atmosphere these are some of Disney World’s top options.

The DVC Villas

If you’re looking for a luxury condo-style accommodation on the Disney World property, you’ll want a DVC Villa.

DVC is the Disney Vacation Club, a time-share program that rents out excess inventory through the Disney World booking system. You absolutely do not have to be a DVC owner to stay in a villa, and you don’t have to worry about getting sucked into a time-share pitch if you book a villa for your stay. If you book your villa through Disney’s system, your reservation will be just the same as if you book any other hotel room.

The villas are located at most of the deluxe resorts and at a couple of all-villa properties. These are apartment-style units that range in size from studio to three-bedrooms. All have kitchen facilities and most have in-room washers and dryers. The villas share all the amenities of their adjacent resorts, so you get all the space of a condo with the experience of staying at a Disney property.

Questions to help you choose your Disney World hotel

When choosing where to stay, don’t assume one category is automatically the right one for you. Consider a few questions first to narrow down your options, then explore the properties that fit best your needs and budget.

What’s your budget?

The farther ahead you plan, the more opportunity you’ll have to find something within your budget. The Disney resorts usually range in price from about $100 per night at the campground to over $1000 per night for a large Deluxe Villa. There are LOTS of choices in between.

For real-time pricing, be sure to scroll down to the hotel listings later in this post for links to Disney’s website.

Don’t forget to include the price of your park tickets in your budget. Keep in mind that once you get beyond a three or four day ticket, the incremental cost to add another day can be very low. Booking your hotel and tickets in a Disney vacation package can sometimes save money on the total. If you use a travel agent, they can help you figure out the most economical way to purchase your Disney vacation.

Learn more about the different Disney World park ticket options, and how they add up, in this post.

Check out my tips below for more advice about saving money on your hotel stay.

What size room do you need?

How many guests are in your party? Will you all stay in one room or spread out?

Room size is biggest at the Disney World Deluxe resorts, but some of the value hotels have economical family suites that sleep up to 6.

Even for a typical family of 3 or 4, a DVC villa may be the best choice. Villas include a kitchen, separate living space, and multiple bedrooms and bathrooms (depending on the size you choose). This means more space for your group and makes it easier to get everyone going in the morning.

What amenities do you want?

While some amenities depend on the resort category (for instance, if you’re looking for fine dining and room service, you’ll want a deluxe hotel), every Disney World hotel has something unique to offer. If on-site activities are important, check out a resort like Fort Wilderness. If you want a fitness center, look for a deluxe or stay at the moderate Coronado Springs.

Be sure to scroll down to my hotel listings below for a synopsis of each resort.

75-second Disney World Quick Guide

What’s your favorite Disney World park?

If you have a theme park where you expect to spend the most time, look for a resort nearby or with easy transportation to that park.

Disney World hotels most convenient to Magic Kingdom are:

• Grand Floridian
• Contemporary
• Polynesian Village
• Wilderness Lodge
• Fort Wilderness Cabins
• Fort Wilderness Campground

Disney World hotels most convenient to Epcot are:

• Yacht and Beach Club
• Boardwalk Inn
• Riviera
• Saratoga Springs
• Old Key West
• Caribbean Beach
• Port Orleans French Quarter
• Port Orleans Riverside
• Swan, Swan Reserve, and Dolphin
• Pop Century
• Art of Animation

Note that Epcot is the most centrally located theme park at Disney World, resorts near Epcot are therefore most equally distant between the other parks.

Disney World hotels most convenient to Hollywood Studios are:

• Yacht and Beach Club
• Boardwalk Inn
• Riviera
• Caribbean Beach
• Swan, Swan Reserve, and Dolphin
• Pop Century
• Art of Animation

Disney World hotels most convenient to Animal Kingdom are:

• Animal Kingdom Lodge
• Coronado Springs
• All-Star Movies, Music, Sports

Do you want a hotel with lots of theming?

If you want the full 24/7 Disney experience, choose a hotel with lots of theming. In many cases these are not the most expensive resorts. In fact, some of the best theming on the property is at the value Art of Animation and Pop Century resorts.

Most of the deluxe resorts have understated theming, but not all. The Wilderness Lodge is a beautiful reproduction of a Western US National Park lodge, and at Animal Kingdom Lodge you can watch zebras graze right outside your room.

For animal lovers, some of the best options are Fort Wilderness and Animal Kingdom Lodge. Be sure to read my animal lover’s guide to Disney World for more info.

I’ve noted the theming at each resort in my listings below.

The post Essential Guide to the Disney World Hotels appeared first on Go Informed.

From total luxury, to inspired theming, to practical family accommodations, the Universal Orlando hotels offer something for everyone. If you are planning more than one day at the Universal Orlando theme parks, I highly recommend staying on-site.

These are the show notes for Go Informed Podcast episode 56. Click below to listen to the show!

Universal Orlando is more than just a theme park destination. The 541 acre property contains eight hotels; a sprawling outdoor shopping, dining, and entertainment district; and a lavishly themed water park. All surround the flagship Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure theme parks.

Universal Orlando Quick Guide

Here’s a 60-second look at everything Universal Orlando resort has to offer.

Why you should stay on-site at Universal Orlando

There are a number of reasons I recommend staying in one of the on-site Universal Orlando hotels. First is convenience. Starting your day already on the Universal property means less time getting to the parks. It also means you can easily return to your room or the hotel pool for a break during the day. Universal provides free transportation, and some of the hotels are only a short walk from the theme parks.

Secondly, regardless of which Universal Orlando hotel you stay in, you will have early admission to at least one of the theme parks every morning of your stay. Guests at the on-site hotels get an hour head-start in Diagon Alley or Hogsmeade Village (sometimes both), and this is a fantastic way to avoid long lines and experience the Wizarding World in relative calm.

Besides these perks, three of the hotels provide free Unlimited Express Passes to all guests. This is a huge benefit that can really make touring on a busy day a lot easier.

Before you select your hotel, be sure to find out what park ticket promotions are happening during your visit. Universal often offers free days or other discounts that may influence your decision about how long and where you’ll want to stay. Click here to read my detailed post about choosing your Universal Orlando theme park tickets.

The Universal Orlando hotels

There are eight different hotels on the Universal Orlando property, spanning a wide price range. Universal breaks them down into four categories: value, prime value, preferred, and premier. Besides price, the main distinctions between the hotels are location, luxury, and Express Pass.

The Hard Rock Hotel, Portofino Bay Resort, and the Royal Pacific Resort all include free Express Passes with the room, the other Universal Orlando hotels do not. This is an important distinction that needs to be considered when you choose where to stay. Express Pass can really improve your experience at Universal Orlando, especially if you travel during a peak time.

I’ve created an entire post and podcast episode (episode 33) all about Universal Orlando Express Pass and highly recommend you review this before you plan your visit.

Here is my breakdown of what you can expect at each of the Universal Orlando hotels. For more info about Universal Orlando, including detailed descriptions of all the on-site hotels, I highly recommend picking up a copy of The Unofficial Guide to Universal Orlando.

Want to hear what it’s like to stay in one of the Universal Orlando Express Pass hotels? Don’t miss Go Informed Podcast episode 70.

Portofino Bay Hotel

The Portofino Bay is a huge luxury hotel themed to look like an Italian seaside village. It’s located within walking distance to the parks, and includes free Universal Unlimited Express Pass. The rooms are spacious and this property really feels luxurious. The hotel also houses a Mandara Spa.

• Free Unlimited Express Pass to all guests: Yes
• Daily early park admission: Yes
• Walk to Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure: Yes, about 15 minutes
• Transportation to parks/CityWalk: Free Water Taxi
• Dining: 3 table service restaurants, plus multiple quick service options, including a Starbucks
• Pool: 3 pools, one with a sandy shore and water slide
• Themed Family Suites: Despicable Me (sleep in one of those bomb-beds!)
• Operated by: Loews Hotels
• Price: $$$$ – includes Universal Unlimited Express Pass for all guests for every day of the stay

Click here to check prices and availability at Portofino Bay.

Hard Rock Hotel

The closest to the parks of all the Universal Orlando hotels, the Hard Rock is less than a 10 minute walk from the entrance to Universal Studios. The Hard Rock is known for its cool vibe – you can borrow a turntable and vinyl records to play in your room – and for its pool, which has an underwater sound system.

Despite it’s rock ‘n roll theme, rooms at the Hard Rock are quiet and comfortable. I think they have the best beds in all of Orlando. Reserve a pool-view room and you’ll likely also have a view of the Universal Studios theme park.

This hotel includes free Unlimited Express Pass for all guests, and has the best gift shop on property.

• Free Unlimited Express Pass to all guests: Yes
• Daily early park admission: Yes
• Walk to Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure: Yes, less than 10 minutes
• Transportation to parks/CityWalk: Free Water Taxi
• Dining: 2 table service restaurants, plus several quick service options
• Pool: White sand beach pool with underwater speakers
• Themed Family Suites: Future Rock Star
• Operated by: Hard Rock/Loews Hotels
• Price: $$$$ – includes Universal Unlimited Express Pass for all guests for every day of the stay

Click here to check prices and availability at the Universal Orlando Hard Rock Hotel.

Royal Pacific Resort

Designed much like a contemporary Hawaiian resort, the Royal Pacific is surrounded by palm trees and has an expansive open lobby. This hotel even features a luau on select evenings, and the pool is a sandy lagoon.

There is a large conference space adjacent to the Royal Pacific, so at times the hotel can be busy with non-theme-park guests. We once ended up on the same floor as a bunch of contestants for the Latin kids’ version of The Voice (La Voz)! So be sure to request a quiet location if you plan to be in bed early before your early admission at the parks.

Unlimited Express Pass is included with your stay at Royal Pacific.

• Free Unlimited Express Pass to all guests: Yes
• Daily early park admission: Yes
• Walk to Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure: Yes, about 10 minutes
• Transportation to parks/CityWalk: Free Water Taxi
• Dining: 2 table service restaurants, plus sushi and several quick service options. Luau on select nights. Despicable Me character breakfast.
• Pool: Sandy lagoon surrounded by palm trees
• Themed Family Suites: Jurassic World
• Operated by: Loews Hotels
• Price: $$$$ – includes Universal Unlimited Express Pass for all guests for every day of the stay

Click here to check prices and availability at the Royal Pacific Resort.

Sapphire Falls Resort

Much like the Royal Pacific, Sapphire Falls has a tropical theme, in this case inspired by the Caribbean. Featuring a huge sand beach pool and a bar specializing in exotic rums, this resort exudes an island vibe.

Sapphire Falls neighbors the Aventura and Cabana Bay resorts. For all three of these hotels, Universal provides free near-constant bus transportation to the parks and CityWalk. Sapphire Falls is also on the walking path to CityWalk and has water taxi service.

• Free Unlimited Express Pass to all guests: No
• Daily early park admission: Yes
• Walk to Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure: Yes, about 15 minutes
• Transportation to parks/CityWalk: Water taxi, free shuttle bus
• Dining: 2 table service restaurants, plus rum bar and several quick service options.
• Pool: 16,000 square foot pool with white sand beach and water slide
• Themed Family Suites: Beach
• Operated by: Loews Hotels
• Price: $$$

Click here to check prices and availability at the Sapphire Falls Resort.

Aventura Hotel

Aventura is a modern high-rise hotel located right next to Sapphire Falls, and across the street from Cabana Bay. Featuring a wide-ranging food hall and a roof-top outdoor bar, this hotel is a favorite for guests looking for flexible dining options and sleek design. The Skyline view rooms have sweeping views of the Universal parks and Orlando.

• Free Unlimited Express Pass to all guests: No
• Daily early park admission: Yes
• Walk to Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure: No
• Transportation to parks/CityWalk: Free shuttle bus
• Dining: Extensive food hall plus outdoor rooftop bistro bar, Starbucks in lobby
• Pool: Pool, splash zone, and fire pits
• Themed Family Suites: Not themed
• Operated by: Loews Hotels
• Price: $$

Click here to check prices and availability at the Aventura Hotel.

Cabana Bay Beach Resort

Designed in a kitschy mid-century motel theme, Cabana Bay features large family suites, an extensive pool complex, and a moderate price level. This hotel neighbors Universal’s Volcano Bay water park, and some rooms have spectacular views of the signature lava-spewing volcano.

Cabana Bay has loads of activities on property, including two pools, a lazy river, a bowling alley, and even a Jack LaLanne fitness center. Dining is mostly casual, but more upscale options are just across the street at the Aventura and Sapphire Falls.

• Free Unlimited Express Pass to all guests: No
• Daily early park admission: Yes
• Walk to Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure: No
• Transportation to parks/CityWalk: Free shuttle bus
• Dining: Mainly casual burgers and pizza, Starbucks in lobby
• Pool: Two pools, lazy river, waterslide
• Themed Family Suites: Not themed – but family suites here are large. 2 bedroom/2 bath suites with kitchenettes are also available
• Operated by: Loews Hotels
• Price: $$

Click here to check prices and availability at the Cabana Bay Beach Resort.

Did you know you can leverage Universal’s early admission to beat the crowds twice on the same day? Find out how to double-up your rope drop here.

Surfside Inn and Suites

The Surfside Inn is part of a new resort area at Universal called Endless Summer. Many of the guest rooms at the Surfside are family-suite style, including two-bedroom suites with kitchenettes. The vibe here is surfer style and the price is competitive with off-property brands like Embassy Suites. This is a great option for budget-minded families who want to stay on-site at Universal.

• Free Unlimited Express Pass to all guests: No
• Daily early park admission: Yes
• Walk to Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure: No
• Transportation to parks/CityWalk: Free shuttle bus
• Dining: Food court, Starbucks in lobby, pizza delivery to room
• Pool: Surfboard shaped pool
• Themed Family Suites: Not themed – but family suites are abundant
• Operated by: Loews Hotels
• Price: $

Click here to check prices and availability at the Surfside Inn and Suites.

Dockside Inn and Suites

Located right next to the Surfside, the Dockside completes Universal’s Endless Summer Resort. At 2,050 guest rooms and suites, the Dockside is a huge addition to Universal’s total room inventory. Prices here are comparable to the Surfside, which means families can stay on-site for the same price or less than nearby chain hotels. As a suite-heavy hotel, guests can book two-bedroom family suites with kitchenettes, which offer plenty of space for large family groups.

• Free Unlimited Express Pass to all guests: No
• Daily early park admission: Yes
• Walk to Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure: No
• Transportation to parks/CityWalk: Free shuttle bus
• Dining: Food court, pizza delivery to room
• Pool: Two huge pools plus splash pad
• Themed Family Suites: Not themed – but family suites are abundant
• Operated by: Loews Hotels
• Price: $

Click here to check prices and availability at the Dockside Inn and Suites.

More Universal Orlando Hotel Tips

Pool hopping

At almost all of the on-site properties, guests at the Universal Orlando hotels are allowed to “pool hop”. This means you are free to visit the pool at any, or all, of the on-site hotels. So even if you stay at the Aventura, you can take the shuttle to the Hard Rock and party there all afternoon. The only resorts that aren’t included are the Endless Summer Dockside and Surfside.

Themed wake-up calls

One of our favorite little features at the Universal Orlando hotels is the wake-up call. You can choose from a bunch of options themed to the parks – and in the case of the Hard Rock, the hotel itself. Here’s the wake-up call menu at the Hard Rock hotel.

Character wake-up calls is one of my top morning tactics. If you have trouble getting your family up on time for rope drop, be sure to check out my list of 7 no-drama morning tips.

Save money with an annual pass

Universal often offers hotel room discounts of 25% or more to annual passholders. This includes discounts on the high-end Express Pass hotels. Even if you plan only one visit during the year, purchasing an annual pass may be worth it. Be sure to read my post all about the value of a Universal Orlando annual pass here.

Use points to book your room

If you are a member of the Loews or Hard Rock loyalty program, you can use these points to get a discount or even a free room. Loews actually operates every one of the Universal Orlando resorts, and the Hard Rock Hotel Orlando is also part of the Hard Rock loyalty program.

Get help from a travel agent

At no extra cost to you, travel agents often have access to package deals that you can’t get on your own. This can mean a total savings on your hotel and park tickets, or special deals like dining credits or discounted airport transfers. Plus a travel agent is indispensable in the event that you need to cancel or modify your vacation.

Add Universal to your Disney World vacation

It’s easy to combine Universal with your Disney World trip. Check out my post here to get my advice about the best way to add Universal to your Disney World vacation.

Here’s my Essential Guide to the Disney World Hotels.

More Universal Orlando and Disney World Tips

Here on GoInformed.net you’ll find tons of advice to help you have a fabulous Orlando theme park vacation. Be sure to check out the Go Informed Podcast, along with these posts:

• 33 Things to Know Before You Visit Universal Orlando
• 55 Things to Know Before You Visit Disney World
• All About Universal Orlando Express Pass
• How Universal Orlando compares to Universal Hollywood
• How to choose your Universal Orlando park tickets

Kick start your theme park knowledge with my 60-second quick start guides! Check them out right here.

Looking for a Universal Orlando crowd prediction calendar? The math wizards over at TouringPlans.com have you covered! Pick up a copy of their Unofficial Guide to Universal Orlando too.

Get free bonus tips delivered straight to your inbox

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The post All About the Universal Orlando Hotels appeared first on Go Informed.

One of the best ways to save money on your Universal Orlando vacation is to own an annual pass. An annual pass doesn’t cost much more than a regular multi-day park ticket, and your passholder discount at the on-site hotels can more than make up for the cost of the pass. Today I talk about how this discount can really help you make the most of your Universal Orlando vacation budget, and how an annual pass can be worth it even if you live far from Orlando.

Update: This post is old, but the concept still works just as well. Please read through for details. You can also find an updated example in this issue of my Go Informed Theme Park Tips Newsletter.

These are the show notes for Go Informed Podcast episode 40. Click the Play button to listen to the episode for lots more detail about this topic.

Universal Orlando Annual Pass Options

These are the different annual pass types at Universal Orlando as of November 2018. Note that the prices and the categories can change at any time.

Florida Resident or Non-Florida Resident

Yes, you can have a Universal Orlando annual pass even if you live far from Florida. If you aren’t a Florida resident you’ll pay more for your pass, but it is often worth it because of the hotel discounts. All of the pricing and savings I talk about in this post/episode are assuming non-Florida resident pricing.

Two-Park or Three-Park Passes

The two-park pass gives you admission to both Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. The three-park pass gives you admission to both of those parks plus the Volcano Bay water park.

For most guests, I recommend getting the two-park pass. Pricing and savings here are assuming you have a two-park pass.

Universal Orlando Annual Pass Levels

There are four levels of annual passes at Universal Orlando. The differences, besides price, are the dates you can use the pass and other perks like free parking. You can check out all the details about non-Florida-resident passes on Universal’s website here.

The four pass levels are Seasonal, Power, Preferred, and Premier.

No matter which level pass you hold, you get the same hotel discount rate.

Make sure you buy the annual pass that covers the dates of your trip. Be sure to check out the blockout dates before you choose your pass.

How Much You Can Save at Universal Orlando Hotels With Your Annual Pass Discount

Here are a couple of examples of the savings you can achieve by using a Universal Orlando annual passholder discount. Note that these are sample rates based on the day I checked the Universal website, they are not guaranteed and you should always do your own homework to find out the rates for your specific dates.

These examples are assuming you stay for three nights in one of the Universal Orlando on-site hotels. If you want to hear me explain these spreadsheets, click the play button at the top of this page and skip to about 15:00 into the audio.

Example Hotel Savings on a low-crowd week

You can see here that for a three-night stay, your hotel savings can really add up. For some of these hotels it might even make sense to get an annual pass just for a one or two night stay.

Another thing to note in this spreadsheet is that by using the annual pass discount, the rate at the Royal Pacific ($179) is actually lower than the non-discounted rate at the Sapphire Falls ($192). The Royal Pacific is a Universal Express Pass hotel, but the Sapphire Falls does not include Express Passes for its guests. (Learn all about Express Pass here). So you can use your annual passholder discount to upgrade yourself to an Express Pass hotel! (I cover this at about 19:00 in the audio).

Example Hotel Savings on a peak-crowd week

Here’s an example if you spend three nights at Universal Orlando during Thanksgiving week. Because of blockout dates, you’ll have to buy a Power pass instead of the Seasonal annual pass.

Note that I looked up these rates just a few weeks before Thanksgiving 2018. Which is why you don’t see availability for passholder discounts at the Express Pass hotels. If you check far enough in advance, you should almost always see a discount at these hotels.

Besides Hotel Discounts, an Annual Pass Will Save You Money on Future Universal Orlando Vacations

Are you planning to visit Universal Orlando again in the next couple of years? You should definitely consider buying an annual pass.

Free Months Added to Universal Orlando Passes Right Now

Universal Orlando is currently running a special offer for annual passholders. If you buy an annual pass before April 2019, you will get 15 months instead of 12 on a Seasonal or Power pass. And you get 18 months instead of 12 for a Preferred or Premier pass! So, if you expect to visit Orlando on more than one trip in the next 15-18 months, you should seriously consider buying an annual pass.

Here’s a quick example:

If you plan to visit Universal Orlando now, buying a 2-day 2-park ticket + visit again at this time next year, buying the same ticket (assuming the price doesn’t go up), your total ticket outlay will be $264.99 x 2 = $529.98. If you buy a Power Pass, with very few blockout dates, your cost is $354.99 – and it covers 15 months of admission. If you want 18 months of admission, you can buy a Preferred pass for $394.99 – still way less expensive than buying two separate 2-day park tickets!

Not sure you can outlay that much cash up front? If you choose the Power, Preferred, or Premier level passes, Universal will even let you pay monthly instead of all at once. They call it “FlexPay” and you can choose this option when you buy your pass.

Check the current Universal Orlando annual pass prices here.

Check current Universal Orlando park ticket prices here.

Awesome Renewal Rates on Universal Orlando Annual Passes

Even if you don’t plan to return for 2-3 years, it can still make sense to buy an annual pass. This is because the renewal rate for a Universal Orlando Seasonal or Power annual pass is lower than the cost of a 3-day 2-park ticket! (Current rates, of course Universal could change this, but they are generally very generous to renewing passholders).

The current renewal rate for a Seasonal pass is $243.99, renewal for a Power pass is $283.99. The regular price for a 3-day, 2-park ticket is $284.99.

Check the current Universal Orlando annual pass renewal prices for non-Florida-residents here.

Plus, of course, you get those great Universal Orlando hotel passholder discounts.

What if you buy a Seasonal pass but your return trip is during the blockout dates? You can upgrade your pass at any time to make sure it covers the dates of your visit.

Things to Know About Using an Annual Pass to Save Money at Universal Orlando

Only one person needs to have the annual pass to get the hotel discount. So you don’t have to buy a pass for everyone in your room. Only the person making the booking needs to be a passholder.

You don’t need to have an annual pass to find out the discounted hotel rates. Anyone can search for the annual passholder hotel rates on the Universal Orlando website here.

You don’t need to own an annual pass to book the annual passholder hotel rate. You just need to have an annual pass when you check in. You can buy your Universal Orlando annual pass on the UO website here.

Book the annual passholder hotel rates on the Universal Orlando website here. If you’re working with a travel agent, ask them if they can book the passholder discount and help you buy an annual pass.

Universal Orlando usually releases the annual passholder discount hotel rates about two months in advance.

If you’re planning your trip far in advance, don’t buy your park tickets until you see the annual passholder hotel rates. You can book a hotel room far in advance, but make sure the reservation can be canceled. That way you can change the booking if it makes sense to get an annual pass and make a new reservation using the passholder discount. (More explanation about this at about 30:00 in the audio – press play at the top of this page).

Universal Orlando park ticket advice

Don’t miss my post, and podcast episode 65, all about how to choose your park tickets at Universal Orlando. Click here to read it now.

Leave a Rating or Review on Itunes

Here’s a link to the Go Informed podcast on iTunes. Thanks for listening, and for your review!

Additional Resources for Planning Your Trip to Disney World and Universal Orlando

How to choose your Universal Orlando park tickets

55 Things To Know Before You Visit Disney World

33 Things to Know Before You Visit Universal Orlando

Adding a Visit to Universal to Your Disney World Trip

Complete Universal Orlando hotel guide

The Go Informed Podcast

Find all the episodes in the series 10 Days to a Better Disney World Vacation here.

Find all the episodes in the series 7 Days to a Better Universal Orlando Vacation here.

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The post How to Save Money at Universal Orlando with an Annual Pass appeared first on Go Informed.

Editor’s Note: For an updated, comprehensive look at the Disney World hotels, read my Essential Guide to the Disney World Hotels. Go Informed Podcast episodes 59-63 are an in-depth look at all the on-site Disney resorts, including details for each hotel and tips to help you choose where to stay and save money too. Listen on your favorite podcast app or on the Essential Guide to the Disney World Hotels.

There are a lot of options for where to stay when you visit Disney World. In this episode, I talk about what to expect whether you stay on the Disney World property or elsewhere in Orlando.

These are the show notes for episode 11. Listen to the episode for lots of detail about this topic.

Or listen on your favorite podcast app! Just search for the Go Informed Podcast.

This is day 3 of the Go Informed podcast series 10 Days to a Better Disney World Vacation.

Things to Consider About Staying Off-Site for Your Disney World Vacation

You have lots of options to rent a big condo or house and stay with your traveling companions all in one place.

You’ll have to work out transportation to the Disney parks. Make sure you know how long it will take to get from where you’re staying to the park gate.

Things to Consider About Staying On-Site for Your Disney World Vacation

There are over 25 Disney hotel properties at Disney World. Guests staying at Disney resorts get special park access and advantages when making dining and FastPass+ reservations.

Disney World resorts fall into three categories: Value, Moderate, and Deluxe

All of the Disney World resorts, regardless of category, have excellent theming.

Benefits of Staying at a Disney-Owned Resort at Disney World

You get to stay in the Disney Bubble.

You have full access to the free Disney transportation system, including the new Disney Skyliner.

You get to take advantage of Extra Magic Hours. Here’s my post about what you can do when you start your day during an early Extra Magic Hour.

You get an advantage for making dining and FastPass+ reservations. I will be talking all about this in the next episode.

If your trip is during the Christmas season, the hotels feature elaborate decor and special activities. Read this post to learn more about Disney World during Christmas.

Where to Get More Information About Where to Stay at Disney World and in Orlando

I highly recommend you get a copy of The Unofficial Guide to Disney World. This book has tons of details about both on-site and off-site hotels.

Episode 29 shows you how to figure out which room type to book and how to request a specific room when you stay in a Disney World resort. Read the show notes and listen to episode 29 here.

If this all seems super-overwhelming, consider getting a travel agent to help you book this vacation. Find someone who specializes in Disney World vacations.

Booking.com

If You Are Planning to Visit Both Disney World and Universal Orlando, Read This

Here’s my advice for where to stay when you visit both Disney World and Universal.

Be sure to listen to my 7 Days to a Better Universal Orlando Vacation here.

Tomorrow’s episode, Day 4 of 10 Days to a Better Disney World Vacation, is about making dining and FastPass+ reservations at Disney World. Click here to listen now.

Additional Resources for Planning Your Trip to Disney World

55 Things To Know Before You Visit Disney World

Adding a Visit to Universal to Your Disney World Trip

The guidebook I recommend: Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World

My Walt Disney World board on Pinterest

The Go Informed Podcast

Find all the episodes in the series 10 Days to a Better Disney World Vacation here.

Find all episodes of the Go Informed podcast here.

Join me on social media

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Instagram.com/goinformednet

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This post contains affiliate links.

The post Disney World: Where to Stay – Go Informed Podcast Episode 011 appeared first on Go Informed.

In this episode, I share tips for visiting the Universal Orlando parks no matter where you choose to stay. This episode also covers the basics of Universal’s Express Pass system, and theme park early admission for on-site hotel guests.

Hey guys – I’ve created a comprehensive guide to the Universal Orlando hotels that you can find right here. Be sure to check it out!

These are the show notes for episode 2. Listen to the episode for lots more detail about this topic.

Or listen on your favorite podcast app! Just search for the Go Informed Podcast.

When visiting Orlando, there are several options for where to stay

On-site at Universal Orlando

On-site at Disney World

Elsewhere in the Orlando area

In the episode, I discuss the pros and cons of staying on-site vs off-site for your Universal Orlando vacation.

On-Site Hotels at Universal Orlando

The on-site hotels at Universal Orlando Resort are:

Portofino Bay

Hard Rock Hotel Orlando

Royal Pacific Resort

Sapphire Falls

Cabana Bay Beach Resort

Aventura Hotel

My top tip is to stay on-site at a Universal Orlando hotel, especially the Hard Rock Hotel, Portofino Bay Hotel, or the Royal Pacific Hotel . Listen to the episode to find out why.

You can save big on your hotel if you have a Universal Orlando annual pass. Even if you live far from Florida it may make sense to get a pass just for these discounts. Episode 40 explains how to use an annual pass to save money on your Universal Orlando vacation.

Interested in hearing more about early admission at Universal Studios Florida? Episode 23 is your USF Early Admission plan of attack.

Find out more about early admission at Islands of Adventure on episode 26 of the Go Informed podcast.

Resources mentioned in this episode

Get lots more information about Universal Express Pass on episode 33.

33 Things to Know Before You Visit Universal Orlando

Adding a Visit to Universal to Your Disney World Trip

This One Simple Tip Can Save Money on your Entire Universal Orlando Vacation

Early admission schedule on Universal’s website

A guidebook I really like that has lots of info about the Universal hotels: The Unofficial Guide to Universal Orlando

My Universal Orlando board on Pinterest

Booking.com

Tomorrow’s episode, Day 3 of 7 Days to a Better Universal Orlando Vacation, is a virtual tour of the Universal Studios Florida theme park. Click here to listen now.

Find all the episodes in the series 7 Days to a Better Universal Orlando Vacation here.

Find all episodes of the Go Informed podcast here.

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The post Universal Orlando: Where To Stay – Go Informed Podcast Episode 002 appeared first on Go Informed.

November 2018 Note from Maven: Click here for an updated post and podcast episode about how to use an annual pass to save money on your Universal Orlando vacation!

Since original posting of this article, Universal has adjusted annual pass prices and added a fourth pass option. Even with these changes, an annual pass may still save you money on your Universal Orlando vacation. As always, please do your own math to determine what’s best for your family. Get an updated analysis about using an annual pass to save on your vacation here.

If you’ve read my post, 33 Things to Know Before You Visit Universal Orlando, you’ll know that besides getting to the park early, my top tip is to stay on-site at a Universal Express Pass hotel. (If you have no idea what I’m talking about or why I advise this, take a minute to read that post first. We’ll wait here…)

Of course it’s not cheap to stay at one of the Universal Orlando Resort hotels, especially those that offer free Express Passes to guests – the Portofino Bay Hotel, Royal Pacific, and Hard Rock Orlando. But annual passholders qualify for discounts that can knock up to 30% off advertised room rates.

Before I go any further, let me note that I don’t sell Universal annual passes, nor do I receive anything from Universal for telling you about this. (Although if Universal wants to comp me some tickets or something that would be great. Hint, hint). This is a tip I first learned from the Unofficial Guide to Universal Orlando. I think it’s brilliant, and it has worked for me.

One annual pass is all it takes

To get the discounts, only one person in your party needs to have an annual pass. And in fact, another benefit with the pass is that you can buy discounted tickets for the rest of your party. Annual passholders receive a 10% discount on up to 6 multi-day park admission tickets (note that these are single-park admission tickets).

You don’t need to have your annual pass yet to see and book the annual passholder rate

To get the annual passholder discount you’ll have to show your pass when you check in, but you don’t need it to make the booking. So you can make your hotel reservation now and buy the pass before you go.

Anyone can find out the annual passholder hotel rate. On the Universal Orlando hotels reservation page, just type APH into the “code” box. Then hit search. The next page will list the hotels and their rates – if an annual passholder discount is available you’ll see it.

Not every hotel will always have a discount, and Universal doesn’t always free up these discounts very far in advance.

If you’re planning your trip for a date that isn’t yet showing an APH discount, here’s my advice. Book the hotel of your choice now for the dates you want. This way you know you have a room. Then check back as your date gets closer, at some point the APH code should work. If you want to take advantage of this discount, make a new reservation using the APH code and cancel the original one.

The Math – How does this pencil out?

So, is the cost of an annual pass always worth it to get the other discounts? The short answer is it depends, but in a lot of cases it’s totally worth it. I’ll try to keep the geekiness to a minimum here, but at the bottom of this post you’ll find the spreadsheet I created to analyze the numbers.

For a family of 4 visiting Universal Orlando in July of 2016, based on rates I found in May, buying just one annual pass netted a savings of over $300. This is assuming a 3 night stay at Portofino Bay hotel – the least expensive of the Express Pass hotels for those dates, and the purchase of one non-Florida-resident Preferred-level annual pass, and three 3-day park-to-park tickets.

Here’s the numbers:

In fact, this family would probably save even more since the Preferred annual pass also includes shopping and dining discounts in the parks and at Citywalk.

A few notes about Universal Orlando annual passes

There are three levels of annual pass at Universal Orlando. I recommend purchasing the least expensive pass that will provide the discounts you need.

The cheapest pass option is the Power pass. This pass can work for you, and it is a great deal – only $30 more than buying a 3-day park-to-park ticket. BUT the Power Pass will not give you admission to both parks during most of the summer. The Power Pass has blockout dates – you can see the calendar at Universal’s site here.

If you’re lucky enough to travel outside these blockout dates, it will probably pay to get the Power pass even if you’re only staying at Universal for one or two nights.

The next level up is the Preferred pass. The Preferred pass has no blockout dates, so even if you travel in the height of the summer season or during the holidays you’ll have full park access. This pass costs more than the preferred pass, but as you can see in the numbers above, it can be totally worth it to get one.

Unless you’re a local, I don’t recommend the Premier-level pass. The extra benefits are mostly parking and mid-week special event access.

Speaking of being local, all the prices and assumptions I’m making here are that you’re a non-Florida resident visiting Universal Orlando for a few days. Florida residents, you lucky dogs, I’m sure an annual pass is almost always the right choice for you.

Are you planning a return trip to Universal Orlando in the next two years? Get a pass!

Obviously an annual pass makes a lot of sense if you’ll be visiting the Universal Orlando parks multiple times in the same year. But one of the biggest perks of the Universal annual pass is the renewal rate.

Universal annual passes renew at a big discount over the initial price. Here are the current (May 2016) purchase and renewal prices for Universal Orlando non-Florida resident annual passes:

Power Pass – purchase for $259.99, renew for $185.99

Preferred Pass – purchase for $344.99, renew for $259.99

For perspective, a 3-day park-to-park ticket currently sells for $229.99. And of course when you renew your pass you continue to have the APH hotel discount and any other associated savings.

When should everyone in your party get a pass?

In fact, especially if the Power pass works with your vacation schedule, you may wish to buy a pass for everyone in your party. It will cost a bit more than your park ticket this year, but if you renew for next year and visit again you will save money on tickets.

Purchase pass for 259.99 + $185.99 renewal = $445.98

Purchase a 3-day ticket this year for $229.99 + $229.99 for next year’s ticket = 459.98

And then you’ll have to go back, since you’ve got an annual pass!

The Spreadsheet

As promised, here’s the spreadsheet I used to analyze some sample rates. It’s big, so you’ll have to scroll to see it all. Or you can click where it says “download” to view it full-size.

Along the right side you’ll see the discounted hotel rates, and the ticket and pass prices. Along the left are some samples of savings for a family of four. In these examples, I chose the least expensive Express Pass hotel for the specified dates, and the least expensive pass that would give full park admission for the same dates.

Of course the hotel rates change all the time, and ticket and pass prices change too. Here’s where you can find all this information in real time on Universal Orlando Resort’s website:

Universal Orlando Resort hotel reservations: https://www.universalorlando.com/Hotels/Theme-Park-Hotels.aspx

Universal Orlando theme park tickets: https://www.universalorlando.com/Theme-Park-Tickets/General-Admission.aspx

Universal Orlando non-Florida resident annual passes: https://www.universalorlando.com/Theme-Park-Tickets/Annual-Passes/Non-FL-Annual-Passes.aspx

Have you used an annual pass to save money at Universal Orlando? Comment below and let me know how it worked for you.

More Orlando Theme Park Tips from goinformed.net

33 Things to Know Before You Visit Universal Orlando

55 Things To Know Before You Visit Disney World

Weather at Universal Orlando: 5 Cool Tips for the Heat and Rain

Is the Harry Potter Ride Too Scary? Use Universal’s Child Swap to Find Out

Plus more touring tips here!

Listen to the Go Informed podcast here.

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