I have 3 ppl total and it’s still not enough. The hotel’s “pay for themselves” with 4 people in one room. I’d really like to stay at Portifino one day though!
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If you have a Costco membership and can catch it when there’s a ticket promo like there is right now then a 4-person package with CL at Portofino is a decent luxury deal. You get a fair discount, plus you get like $250 back to use at Costco.
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My DH normally does not want to go without EP. Our very first trip (2012?) was during spring break and it was so hot with crazy long lines. Next trip, we stayed at RPR one night for two days of EP and he (actually all of us) were hooked. Since then (6 more trips) we’ve always stayed at RPR for the closeness to IOA (we like to be close by for early entry and we go very early) and for EP. We’ve had APs for 5 years now so that helps with the rate.
Our next trip which will be our 2nd this year is in 24 days. I tried to get an AP rate at RPR for all 3 nights of the short trip but only got the first night. The rest were sold out completely or very high priced.
Our next few nights are at SF. He’s excited to try SF, I had stayed there on a trip with my sister. We figure we will use the EP our first two days and early entry + single rider the last day. Our flight arrives at 8:30 am on day 1 so we can check in early and get our EP and have mostly the whole day.
I’m still looking all the time though in case something else pops up.
We have SW points and a Delta credit for our flights so we feel like we can spend a little more on hotels but not $300-$800 per night 
ETA: It’s just the two of us for the last 5 years. Our DDs went the first few times but they older now and live on their own. Maybe someday we can bring grandkids. In the meantime, we like the small park feel of UOR and the ability to walk everywhere.
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I’m debating adding another day to this trip, but I need to find a good flight. I’m going to miss having all this built up vacation time. I can do my job and still a few days every other month! I either need to convince my boss for a lot more time off or just move to FL!
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We stayed at premier-only the first couple of time we went to HHN, because we’re princesses and also for EP, but we quickly realized that EP was mostly a waste at that time of year. One day we had a local friend visiting and were playing a game where half of us would go through standby with him and half would go through EP and see who got done first… when the EPs won it was usually just because he walk was shorter.
SF is nice for the boat and I like the pool, but TBH I’m not a fan of the hotel itself. I’d pay the extra $50-60 to stay at RPR if it’s available just because I like the hotel better or I’d like to try Aventura, but like you, on this trip I’ve been stuck with what I can get. Right now that’s SF (until yesterday it was Portofino, and until last week it was either Portofino or HRH CL! 
), but I’m still holding out hope that RPR will pop up before my cancellation deadline tomorrow night (for a check-in n the 14th).
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Yeah, RPR is our favorite for sure. We’ve generally gone during pretty busy times due to DH’s work schedule and are definitely spoiled with EP. I keep refreshing over and over on my laptop and phone to try to get more rooms to pop up. As I get closer to the trip, others may be switching around and I’ll get lucky. I’d prefer to be at RPR the whole time, because of EP but also, I don’t want to change hotels during a 3 day trip if possible. Aventura is available but I’m unsure if we’d like it and SF is closer to IOA and has the boat right there lol. Fingers crossed for both of us!!
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SF that came up yesterday is the very first thing that’s come up that was available all 4 nights… I was pulling my hair out over it. I mean, it was the last night that was the issue and we’re leaving early so just staying at the airport wouldn’t have been a terrible thing, but I like to have a place to go back to during the day.
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Work is insane and these posts have left me looking at hotels and flights, so I booked me and my niece in November for just 2 nights at Cabana Bay.
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I’ll be there the 18-19th, but that’s when we’re staying at Aventura finally
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I’m at Cabana Bay 17th & 18th! Dockside the rest of the trip. Can’t wait!
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Are you doing OIM?
Well that’s something new I’ve never heard before
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Wait? Is there one in Sept??
I can’t make the flights work. I either get there at midnight or get home at midnight with going back to work at 6am… A fella can dream though!
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Wait… I was saying in reference to FishingSpot’s booking in November
No worries! I am going to OIM in December though!
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I was going to ask if you needed a ticket in November… we have extra that we got at the early price. My sister can’t go, so we’ll have to find someone who wants it.
Nevermind… the cheapest plane ticket for Nov. dates is $670!! 
Wow
Yeaaaaah… that puts a damper on things.
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I’m doing the December one too!
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