Over the last 3 years, we've done three stays of 3-4 nights each (with a 4th in March that was cancelled, and another in October that isn't looking great for us). The savings on the room with APH was at least 10% better than SMSM rates, though we were there during big holidays (Spring Break and twice for Thanksgiving). APH rooms did not stay available long, so I had to check often to get them.
Since we try to go at least twice on an AP, it is really a no-brainer for us to have APs for all 4 of us. But we're within driving distance at 7.5 hours.
Universal definitely makes it tough to figure out exactly what goes into their pricing models. Every time I think I have it figured out, they throw in a new wrinkle. I just ran a quick check on our dates in October (starting on the 9th) at HRH. 1-3 nights the Be A Savvy Traveler (BAST) rate was only 10% off the seasonal rate. 4 nights is 20% off, while 5-6 nights is 25% off. 7 or more nights gets the discount up to 30%, which is what I've gotten for APH discounts on our previous trips.
Since we try to go at least twice on an AP, it is really a no-brainer for us to have APs for all 4 of us. But we're within driving distance at 7.5 hours.
Universal definitely makes it tough to figure out exactly what goes into their pricing models. Every time I think I have it figured out, they throw in a new wrinkle. I just ran a quick check on our dates in October (starting on the 9th) at HRH. 1-3 nights the Be A Savvy Traveler (BAST) rate was only 10% off the seasonal rate. 4 nights is 20% off, while 5-6 nights is 25% off. 7 or more nights gets the discount up to 30%, which is what I've gotten for APH discounts on our previous trips.