Orlando - Universal Studios - Virgin

Hello V-Flyers

Over the past month post our trip to NYC (trip reports uploaded ) Mrs Armstrong and I have been planning our next vacation.

Hawaii is alas too expensive for us to reach (one day!) so we are looking at Florida with 4 days at Universal Studios and a road trip to New Orleans. Universal Studio is more Mrs Armstrong who thinks I have no idea the new Harry Potter world opened - not sure how she thought that one would slip past unnoticed...

We are thinking of booking using VH - however we only need 4 nights accommodation with them in oppose to 10. Has anyone done this before - also would booking independent be a better idea (direct with VS and Universal) then separate for other hotels. I have researched, but I know a lot of people on here book Orlando so before I reinvent the wheel and all that any advise would be great. Also, I would imagine this holiday destination see's lots of 'sales' - is this the case or am I living in a dream world.

We would look to go last week May or first week June - is this a great time or would it be family / kiddie madness?

Thanks for any help you can offer

Dan

We would look to go last week May or first week June - is this a great time or would it be family / kiddie madness?

Last week May is generally UK school half term, so kiddie madness ahoy.

We would look to go last week May or first week June - is this a great time or would it be family / kiddie madness?

Last week May is generally UK school half term, so kiddie madness ahoy.

Bloody good call..! I shall delay a week in that case... Not that I don't like kids, but the place would be manic and I guess the price would also go up!

We would look to go last week May or first week June - is this a great time or would it be family / kiddie madness?

Last week May is generally UK school half term, so kiddie madness ahoy.

Bloody good call..! I shall delay a week in that case... Not that I don't like kids, but the place would be manic and I guess the price would also go up!

You may well find the shoulder weeks are pricy too, as not everyone adheres to their legal responsibilities under section 444 of the Education Act 1996.

[Neil]

Early/Mid May would be much better time, price, crowd and temperature/weather wise.

From early June that humidity really starts to ramp up and the afternoon rain storms become a normality. I was just speaking to a customer who arrived back in the UK last weekend after 2 weeks in Orlando and he said 11 of their 14 days they had heavy rain storms mid afternoon for 2/3 hours - far from ideal when doing parks.

I would always personally book direct, have never managed to find a package deal to be the cheaper option for Orlando.

Interesting, I though that may be the case... I would guess the prices are volatile for this trip as its a money maker, especially with park tickets too.

Avoid memorial day (normally last monday in may - I think) we were there this year and the whole of florida that weekend was manic.

Early/Mid May would be much better time, price, crowd and temperature/weather wise.

From early June that humidity really starts to ramp up and the afternoon rain storms become a normality. I was just speaking to a customer who arrived back in the UK last weekend after 2 weeks in Orlando and he said 11 of their 14 days they had heavy rain storms mid afternoon for 2/3 hours - far from ideal when doing parks.

I would always personally book direct, have never managed to find a package deal to be the cheaper option for Orlando.

Thanks Neil - that would really be an issue if it rained for 2 hours every day. For the road trip it would be great, but the parks a nightmare!

I have found ECO flights for £1300 and Park tickets for £500 so I will email VH to see if they can beat that...

Avoid memorial day (normally last monday in may - I think) we were there this year and the whole of florida that weekend was manic.

See, this wealth of knowledge is why this is one of the best forums on the whole of the interweb y)

[buns]

We would look to go last week May or first week June - is this a great time or would it be family / kiddie madness?

Last week May is generally UK school half term, so kiddie madness ahoy.

Bloody good call..! I shall delay a week in that case... Not that I don't like kids, but the place would be manic and I guess the price would also go up!

Having just got back myself, also be aware that US Schools break for the summer at the start of June (and go back in August), so the Theme Parks continue to be rammed with end of term school parties.

buns

If you want to use VH I usually find the staff in the little shops inside tesco or wherever they are popping up are usually good at finding what you want.
As the others have said avoid us holidays and uk school holidays.

If you do book flights/accom or anything with VH - I'd also buy Universal tickets from them if they still doing the "deal" - they are slightly more expensive but come with vouchers giving access to Potterland for 2 separate days for an hour before open to public. Wife and myself loved the calmness, and I went merrily around the Dragon coaster many times with no queue, front, back, middle, the staff don't mind you just getting back on.

^ is a deal that most of the other agents can't match. Of course if you staying on-site at Universal in the top hotels you get the perk anyhow.

My son did a four night stay recently at Loews Royal Pacific hotel, at around $200 per night but he said it was a great hotel and fantastic location. Pleasant stroll along the river to get to both theme parks. Also early admission to the parks in the morning and some sort of offer regarding HarryPotter World. On site hotels can often work out reasonable when you factor in car parking & fuel charges.
Price out a VH package vs own direct book arrangements.
Early to mid-May is a great time to do the parks, and flight prices are also competitive ie after Easter but before the end of May half-term y) 8D

My son did a four night stay recently at Loews Royal Pacific hotel, at around $200 per night but he said it was a great hotel and fantastic location. Pleasant stroll along the river to get to both theme parks. Also early admission to the parks in the morning and some sort of offer regarding HarryPotter World. On site hotels can often work out reasonable when you factor in car parking & fuel charges.
Price out a VH package vs own direct book arrangements.
Early to mid-May is a great time to do the parks, and flight prices are also competitive ie after Easter but before the end of May half-term y) 8D

We did similar, but we booked the Club Rooms at RP and it gives you park access for Fastpass (or whatever the terminology is) for the day you check in, each day you are there and the day you check out.

It was invaluable. It gave us half an hour in the parks before anyone else and FP access to all the best rides for free.

Coupled with the usual 'club lounge' benefits, the free tea/coffee and soft drinks through the day, the wine/beer in the evenings with the most delicious of cooked and cold snacks was an absolute 'no brainer'.

We booked direct and signed up to be Loews cardholders before we went.

I can't recommend it enough, plus you can use the affiliated hotels all within walking distance with a variety of pools etc.

Thanks for you help as always V-Flyers..! One day I hope I can help as much...

I did go to the VH shop I my local Tesco's and they are indeed offering a great price - with tickets to Universal. I have a few decisions to make, I was against the Royal Pacific as I have been told its very 'kiddy' - is this true? However, I guess the HR hotel will be as well (its Orlando).

On Flights - it seems there is a massive gap between ECO and PE, almost £1,000 which seems a lot? Is this normal?

Dan

The RP is like all the other resort hotels but has a boat in the middle or the pool.....not kiddy anywhere else I recall, but not as cool as Hard Rock with the underwater music.....which we tried but I couldn't hear!

For the money WE would go again and that's my 15 yr old son speaking.....

Don't get too bogged down, it's what you make it, but a club room will make you very happy!

A few years ago, we stayed at the Portofino Bay Universal hotel, and it was superb. Relatively expensive for Orlando, but I'd say well worth it. Lovely stroll or boat ride along the waterway to Universal parks and early entrance and fast pass benefits come as standard. Hotel is beautiful with courtyard restaurants and bar offering very peaceful and relaxing surroundings for an evening chilling out after a hectic day at the parks. Pools are also very secluded and superb if you want to spend a day away from the hustle and bustle of the parks.

We have stayed at RP. As others have said nice hotel and lovely walk to the Universal parks.
I think you get universal express - that is by pass the queues - for any grade of room. You have to buy the park passes of course.

If you sign up for Loews First you might have a better chance of an upgrade. The Club level is a nice option

I don't think I have spotted deals than booking direct with the hotel.

Thanks everyone..!

Going to book with VH today (if I can resist a pimms in the sun!) to the RL. Going to get a club room too so we get the lounge - will let you know if this is possible with VH.

Not sure if I can be bothered with the loyalty card for the hotel (unless I get this and transfer points to someone on here?). Which is strange, as I am a sucker for these normally - but don't think I will visit again for at least 5 years if not more!

Dan

On Flights - it seems there is a massive gap between ECO and PE, almost £1,000 which seems a lot? Is this normal?

Each? That is a lot - probably means the cheapest PE bucket has sold out and you're being priced into a more expensive (but more flexible) one.

On the subject of kids and Orlando - do British school holidays really make a huge difference to how busy the parks are? I'd argue not - they're vast places: the four Disney and two Universal parks between them probably have a capacity of around half a million, so the 5,000 or so people who arrive on flights from the UK each day are really just a drop in the ocean.

It's the American school holidays & public holiday weekends (which are more frequent and better spaced out than ours) and things like spring break that really make the Orlando area busy. Avoid those, and even if it's half term here it shouldn't be hugely busy (although flights, of course, will be more expensive).

I regret the avoiding all the school holidays is almost impossible for me - due to work time off etc. But I wont let it bother me, especially as these places will always be busy!

On a side note VH offer a K Class Ticket sale twice a year apparently. Its a 'flash' sale so comes and goes pretty quickly. One in September and one in Jan - so worth looking out for, especially if your after an upgrade.

Dan

Huzzar - I have booked said holiday and now cannot wait...

One thing that has interested me is hearing about the FVC (frequent Virgin Club) - I have done a search on here, but nothing has been posted in almost a year. On their website it appears that membership is 'closed' however it was only invitation only before?

Does anyone know if you can apply for this still, or more about it?

You get invited after using VH for a few years... got my invite (always been invite thing) after spending >3k 2 years in row as an example with VH.

You get 5% discount + free parking, or free hotel at lhr. (or free taxi to/from airport I believe if certain distance limit).
10% discount with no hotel
A 1 class hire car upgrade...

And v-room access as standard is my memory of recent perks.
Some hotels also give FVC perks/vouchers.

VS golds get the 10% but also get free clubhouse! There are also a few FVC exclusive things I get in mail from time to time. I'm too far away for the taxi perk, so really for me it allows getting online price on phone, and v-room + some hotel and car perks.

Ultimately its not a bad selection of perks - but I do get feeling it's being wound down.

Stayed two weeks in Royal Pacific, there is a kiddie pool area though I have to say I found it the most laid back and relaxing hotel out of the three. I did spend many days by the pool in Cabana 1 and enjoyed it. Food by the pool is nice.
Stayed Hard Rock and found it a bit much and my king suite was filthy.
Portofino was nice but the atmosphere is kind of dead there. I always do DIY.
Join the Leows loyalty scheme for the wifi.

Posted in another thread, but seems VH are more expensive than another carrier - by about 10% so calling to discuss a price match as its 48hours post booking!

Alas, they wont price match!