If you go over to the other board..... US/IOA forums, there is a lot of info avail. from all the room discounts, to rooms sizes etc... There are the AP rates, Ent. rates, AAA rates, fan club, etc.......... all the info you could ever want!
I know last aug. when we stayed at the RPR, we got the ent. rate of $110.00 a night, with excellent views of Hulk......... it was awesome. The RPR is gorgeous, And the fotl (front of the line) for hotel guest is the most amazing thing, with your resort room key, you get fotl on every ride, (except for a couple, like pterandon flyers) for as many times as you want.......... YES, you can ride hulk 45 times in a row, going in the express line, usually not waiting more than 5 - 10 minutes, and sometimes just walking on, when wait times are 90 mins. that's just amazing!!!! It is awesome!! My sons rode every single ride about 100 times....... ( we were there 8 days) each resort offers this, so it doesn't matter which one you choose. The fotl is from the moment you check in, until the end of the day, the day you check out. So, check in early, even if your room isn't ready, so that you get your room key and go!!! It's really great, especially at crowded times.
Also, the Ent. rate was cheaper than the AP rate, which we also had. The Ent. books are now avail. for $10.00, and with the card in the book you get the discount on your room, it also has tons of other discount coupons. You don't need the orlando book, any book will do, they all have the same card in the back of the book that you will need to show at check-in, should you go with the ent. rate. ( Last year we bought the orlando book, and wished we had bought the baton rouge (where we live) book, so we could've used it more!!)
What you need to do first is decide on which resort you want to stay at,(reviews are avail. also under the trip forum) then call that resort, ask about your dates, and what discount rates are avail., then decide which discount rate is best for you. Links to answer all your ???'s are on the other board.
You can also go to Loews website ( they own US/IOA) and become a Loews member....... it's free, and upon check-in you can upgrade your room, and get some very nice perks, i.e. cookies, fruit, wine, the newspaper........ etc.
If you do decide to use the ent. rate...... should it be the most economical, then you can get your book at....
www.entertainment.com
There is also a lot of discussion about tickets........ for example, the AP is now avail. with a code from Burger King, (6106111030025) for a 2 year AP for the price of one year!!!!! A fantastic deal!!! ( we did it last year) if you go that route, you go to the Univeral website, and buy the ticket online, using the code above, and you can pick up your ticket at the kiosk at the park!! Plus with the AP, you get discounts on food, gifts, etc.... and free parking at the park. There are also deals on other tickets.
So please post your questions over on the other board, you'll get a lot of help. I'll look for your post and try to help if I can.
Good Luck!!!