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Post by Candy McIcicles on Mar 16, 2019 1:40:01 GMT
Sweet suite!
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Post by Dan_Mol on Mar 20, 2019 8:28:53 GMT
Looks good Merry McSparkles Grimes. I'm still interested how the new Universal hotels will do as they not "on site" it's a bus trip to the parks which is the worst part of Universal and Disney if staying on property.
Need to be so much cheaper than CBBR and SFR they'll be nice don't get me wrong but for a whole load less cash you can stay anywhere on International Drive.
Next time it's back to WG Lakes for us, probably our favourite location and ease to get where we want. |
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Post by MattLynch91 on Mar 20, 2019 9:55:27 GMT
Looks good Merry McSparkles Grimes . I'm still interested how the new Universal hotels will do as they not "on site" it's a bus trip to the parks which is the worst part of Universal and Disney if staying on property.
Need to be so much cheaper than CBBR and SFR they'll be nice don't get me wrong but for a whole load less cash you can stay anywhere on International Drive.
Next time it's back to WG Lakes for us, probably our favourite location and ease to get where we want. Any chances of a HHN visit this year? Or holding off until 30? It's weird, despite being just off IDrive the positioning of Endless Summer, is no worse than Cabana Bay. The shuttle time will be almost the same, in fact if hit the lights right, it could even be a minute or two quicker. The only real downside of ES vs CBBR, is that CBBR has direct walking access to Volcano Bay. ES you have to get a bus. I will be staying at Endless Summer for 9 nights in September, for my HHN trip. Kendall got a great deal on a 2 bedroom suite. Price isn't much more than what I paid last year at "Rosen Inn Closest Universal" for a standard room, and this is a suite. Once split, this trip works out much cheaper. Looking forward to seeing all the details once it opens in July and can't wait to stay there! Only time will tell if rates stay as cheap as they are now or if just an opening offer. |
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Post by Candy McIcicles on Mar 20, 2019 10:45:23 GMT
The EPA is a great perk, if you like to make use of that. I always do, even during slow times - it used to be that during slow times, the EPA was more crowded than later in the day. But now, even in slow times, it's more crowded all the time in WWOHP - that's where everyone is  Last time I was there, there were long waits for Gringotts and FJ and HE. Out in the park, 5- 10 min for everything else, except maybe Despicable Me. Personally, I think Universal underestimated us Harry fans. I mean, they spent a ton on Hogsmeade, but I don't think they expected us! Look at all the hotels they've built since Harry came on the scene. Anyway, I'm rambling now. MattLynch91 I think the prices will rise. Cabana Bay was supposed to be a great value and now prices are sometimes what I have paid at the Hard Rock. Disney has somehow managed to keep their value hotels still at somewhat value rates - probably because they have so many hotels. |
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Post by MattLynch91 on Mar 20, 2019 11:04:44 GMT
Cabana Bay was supposed to be a great value and now prices are sometimes what I have paid at the Hard Rock. Wow I've never seen that before, were a CBBR standard room was more than Hard Rocks... How strange. I suspect at the time, CBBR was almost sold out of some rooms and the demand pricing structure kicked in. Or it was only suites left, maybe. Weird. |
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Post by Véro on Mar 20, 2019 11:19:34 GMT
Wow I've never seen that before, were a CBBR standard room was more than Hard Rocks... How strange. I suspect at the time, CBBR was almost sold out of some rooms and the demand pricing structure kicked in. Or it was only suites left, maybe. Weird. The only room I could think of that would reach that high in price is the 2 bedrooms suite. I once had dreams of getting a bunch of people together to stay in that room lol I would imagine it's not booked very often. |
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Post by Merry McSparkles Grimes on Mar 20, 2019 11:57:51 GMT
HRH is often more expensive than Portofino, a few times I have seen (not always). CBBR has gone way up, it's not really "value" per se anymore, maybe value compared to the deluxe hotels. It basically went from roughly $100 or a bit more to well over $200 on average. They were offering a pretty good deal recently, bookings were limited but, that's the deal. DH thinks to stay on site, you should get the EP and I had mentioned stayed at SF but, to him, no EP and still a higher price than we'd pay off-site. ES looks like it's going to be themed really nicely. I don't mind the bus too much but do agree with Dan_Mol, we'll likely still be off site. DH is a fan of the boat, lol and sometimes the walking path is really nice to take. Not much technical difference by staying at EP or the Rosen, just one you park yourself and the other is the bus. |
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Post by Candy McIcicles on Mar 20, 2019 15:50:00 GMT
Cabana Bay was supposed to be a great value and now prices are sometimes what I have paid at the Hard Rock. Wow I've never seen that before, were a CBBR standard room was more than Hard Rocks... How strange. I suspect at the time, CBBR was almost sold out of some rooms and the demand pricing structure kicked in. Or it was only suites left, maybe. Weird. I think it was more time of year, but the last standard room I tried to book at CBBR WAS 272!!! I’ve paid 242 for HRH but at a different time. Still, I was never expecting Cabana to be that high. It has crept up |
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Post by Dan_Mol on Mar 21, 2019 8:07:03 GMT
Any chances of a HHN visit this year? Or holding off until 30? Not even looked at the moment, so currently a no. Plan really is to do the kitchen this year, so might have to sacrifice America for somewhere bit cheaper or not go anywhere.
Look forward to seeing peoples thoughts on Endless Summer and especially comparison to CBBR.
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Post by Rosie16 on Mar 21, 2019 9:16:13 GMT
HRH is becoming the most expensive of the 3 deluxe hotels unfortunately (for me especially). I still love the place but at the same time it’s not what it was.
The EP from the hotels is worth it as it’s unlimited rides. Having said that if you get there from EPA you can get a few rides in before the park gets busy. EPA is great for those of us with jet lag that are waking up at 4am on the first few days.
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Post by Candy McIcicles on Mar 21, 2019 10:41:21 GMT
Rosie16 Yeah, I've been finding HRH to be more than the other two quite often. EPA is usually awful on our first day as we usually arrive at 11:30 the night before on a work day, so getting up is difficult, but we do it because it's awesome! Agree about the EP and their unlimited wonderfulness  I'm wondering if Endless Summer is closer to the new park location? I hear that park is about two miles from US/IOA. I don't do very well with the Orlando maps. Anyone know?
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Post by MattLynch91 on Mar 21, 2019 11:30:58 GMT
I'm wondering if Endless Summer is closer to the new park location? I hear that park is about two miles from US/IOA. I don't do very well with the Orlando maps. Anyone know? Technically yes, by about a mile haha! Endless Summer is only just over 1 mile from Universal. The new park land is roughly 4 miles from Universal Orlando, adjacent to Lockheed Martin. So ES will be just closer. But not much. |
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Post by MattLynch91 on Mar 21, 2019 11:40:03 GMT
HRH is often more expensive than Portofino, a few times I have seen (not always). CBBR has gone way up, it's not really "value" per se anymore, maybe value compared to the deluxe hotels. It basically went from roughly $100 or a bit more to well over $200 on average. They were offering a pretty good deal recently, bookings were limited but, that's the deal. DH thinks to stay on site, you should get the EP and I had mentioned stayed at SF but, to him, no EP and still a higher price than we'd pay off-site. ES looks like it's going to be themed really nicely. I don't mind the bus too much but do agree with Dan_Mol , we'll likely still be off site. DH is a fan of the boat, lol and sometimes the walking path is really nice to take. Not much technical difference by staying at EP or the Rosen, just one you park yourself and the other is the bus. I agree in part, although it very much depends on when you go. Looking at that $200 average, I'm so pleased I only go at cheaper HHN haha! For example at the dates when I go for HHN, standard rooms have been roughly $100 per night and a Tower Suite is $140. Which I think is still value. For me as someone who has no car, the additional benefit of complimentary transportation helps. Which means I save $150-200 at ES vs using Ubers off-site. I think it was more time of year, but the last standard room I tried to book at CBBR WAS 272!!! I’ve paid 242 for HRH but at a different time. Still, I was never expecting Cabana to be that high. It has crept up Aah, that makes sense now, I thought you meant on the same dates. For the Theme Park hotels, as they're so busy; dates and demand drive the price. To my knowledge, the theme park hotels use demand pricing. So if Cabana Bay is almost full, the price will significantly increase! Not even looked at the moment, so currently a no. Plan really is to do the kitchen this year, so might have to sacrifice America for somewhere bit cheaper or not go anywhere. Look forward to seeing peoples thoughts on Endless Summer and especially comparison to CBBR.
That makes sense, especially when looking at putting in a new kitchen! I'm making most of going yearly while I've still got the chance, and currently don't have to think about expenses like that haha! |
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Post by Candy McIcicles on Mar 21, 2019 14:08:57 GMT
MattLynch91 I know the times of year vary, but to me, a value hotel should remain a value and 272.00 per night is never a value for me, without express passes. No matter the time of year, I feel that tgey should allow for folks to try to be able to afford to be onsite, if you tout a value resort. I’ve not looked recently, but I feel that the all star resorts at Disney remain at near-to-actual value prices. But I could be wrong:-)
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Post by Candy McIcicles on Mar 21, 2019 21:02:32 GMT
A rate of $272.00 per night for Cabana Bay was a surprise to me. And a hard pass. I don't care if Santa Claus himself would bring presents to my actual room on Christmas Day!! |
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