V-Flyer

Hi Guys,

We are travelling for our 2nd UCS trip from Man - Mco over Easter this year (it's cost me a fortune, but you did say i would never go back to econ )

I have been to Florida many times before and think I know how to get the best deals on hotels and car hire. I am trying to book the Hard Rock hotel for a couple of nights, and wondered if anyone on here knows of the cheapest way to get rooms there. They are currently around $300 per night. Also does anyone have any tips or recommendations for cheap car hire. I need to recoup a bit with travelling Upper again!!!

Thanks again in anticipation.

Danny

Don't know about the hotel, but I use either USRentacar or Netflights, depending on the best deal.

Only once ever used the Virgin Car Hire. It is normally much more expensive.

Thanks Spicek, I will have a look at them.

Danny

I've always shopped around for car hire - dollar, alamo and budget have all at some point been cheapest.

As regards the hotel, if you are travelling over easter, the Hard Rock will probably not be offering deals. Spring break is one of the prime holiday times.

Do enrol in Loews first as you can get free room upgrades - the service on the top floors (free breakfast, nibbles etc) is good.

We usually use USRentacar for our car hire, but it is worth checking all the agents to see who is the cheapest.

As for the hotel, all of the On site ones at Disney and Universal are expensive and only seem to have deals on in the quietest periods. Is there a specific reason why you want to stay there? There are many offsite hotels which are just as good, if not better, and you won't pay the premium for staying on site.

Hi Neil,

We stayed on site last year at the Royal Pacific, it was the unlimited express lines that really did it for us as well as being able to go back and to without too much walking. With it being Easter, we thought it might be a good idea with the parks being busier!

Cheers,

Danny

Carhire3000 or purelyamerica are the two carhire companies we use. Can highly recommend both.

Shop around for the hotel and if you can, use quidco.com to get additional cashback. We went to Boston in 2008 and got a deal through Expedia that gave us 20% off and a further 10% cashback through Quidco.

Hard rock is owned by the Loews group, there website sometimes have direct specials on there, worth a look. I live in orlando now and the room rates differ from UK to US for that hotel alot throughout the year dependant on what is on at the park like the concert series etc. If you know someone that lives in Orlando or Florida they will be able to do a florida resident booking for you as that ususally saves 20%. They would need to check in and pay the room , but once that is done it does not matter who stays. I do this for my friends and family quite alot of the time. Just one piece of advice, the Hard Rock rooms are actually pretty small for the money, and the walls are very thin. I much prefer the JW marriott nearby for that kind of money a night, but if you want to be ontop of the park its pretty good but expensive

We've always used UScarhire.co.uk the last 8 times we have been to Orlando. Always competitive and not a problem so far!

They also provide the facility to use the Dollar Express line which is a godsend at MCO!

quote:Originally posted by stevebrass
I've always shopped around for car hire - dollar, alamo and budget have all at some point been cheapest.

As regards the hotel, if you are travelling over easter, the Hard Rock will probably not be offering deals. Spring break is one of the prime holiday times.

Do enrol in Loews first as you can get free room upgrades - the service on the top floors (free breakfast, nibbles etc) is good.


The Hard Rock is still owned by Loews however, they no longer offer you first benefits of upgrades etc.

They use their own All Access scheme now and it's not very good.

Loews benefits are still available at Portofino Bay & Royal Pacific but despite being a platinum member of the scheme I still always opt for the Hard Rock, it's location and pool are spot on, shame about the gym though.

For the Hard Rock exclusion see http://www.loewshotels.com/en/YouFirst/ ... tions.aspx

quote:Non-qualifying Rates include: Internet Third Party, as well as rates through any other discount program, coupon, complimentary or promotional offer. The Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando does not qualify for YouFirst benefits.

Hi Danny-

I've stayed at the Hard Rock -it is nice, but that sounds really pricey to me. For that money, you will be able to get a 4 bedroom villa (which is what we do thee days, as it's more space, more private, and often cheaper than a really good hotel - it's certainly worth looking at), or if you prefer hotels, you should be able to get into the JW or the Ritz Carlton for around the same, and it'll be a nicer experience, although of course you haven't got the benefit of Universal close-by. Have you tried the rates at the new Waldorf Astoria - the first one outside NYC, they opened up mid last year, and don't know how successful they have been - there may be a deal there. Something for you to ponder..........

David