Ok, so this is me scared to death. I chose this hotel but since then it's like I read all these negative reviews. I mean there are positive ones but also ones talking about unclean bathrooms and cockroaches (I'm from Newfoundland I've never seen one before and wanna keep it that way). Seriously worried haha. While we probably will only be there to sleep I'd prefer not to have chosen a hotel my friend is gonna blame me for years to come. If anyone can comment one way or the other please please tell me?
florida has roaches - even sometimes at a Disney hotel you will see one. they are hard to avoid. they are everywhere and the winters are never cold enough to kill them off. so they multiply. sorry but florida and roaches are gonna be there. the holiday inn all have doors that open outside - so the roaches can just walk in. either get a hotel with only inside corridors - definitely more expensive. or just realize it. before I joined dvc and we stayed at places that would have roaches - I brought my cat. he had a good time chasing them all night long and none of them got near us. what I hate is a darn roach who will get in the bed..... oh now that is completely unliveable. to cut down on this - if you still want to go to the Holiday Inn - never leave the door open. Watch the floor when you come in. and make sure that the door closes completely. If it does have an opening along the bottom- put a towel tightly in the openning. sorry I know this can be upsetting for someone not to use these things - but they live in the South. even new developments will have these things - because they live outside. so spraying does not get rid of these things. they just go outside again. but being carefully with the door will definitely help.
As spicey said, Florida is home of roaches, snakes, and alligators (as well as sinkholes, hurricanes, etc.) - sounds fun doesn't it?? Roaches are everywhere - you won't find a 5* restaraunt in Florida that hasn't had one! All you can do is pick a clean property and you at least reduce your chances of seeing any! That said, if possible, cancel the Holiday Inn and bid on Priceline. 3* bids in the Universal area tend to turn up the Sheraton Studio City, Wyndham Orlando, and Crone Plaza, all of which are significantly nicer than the HI for $40-50/nt! If you need help, either post or PM me and I will gladly help you with exactly how to use the bidding system. Jim
Ok, obviously I didn't make myself clear enough haha. This post wasn't supposed to be all about the roaches haha. Seriously, I meant other things were given as examples that was just one. Unclean, smelly, and those types of things is what I'm talking about. The things that makes any hotel unenjoyable. So I'm glad to clear that up, I'm looking for good and/or bad experiences but please I know you get bugs but that doesn't mean I want them. Yes it's south you get roaches I get that. I'm looking for opinions on the hotel as a whole. Thanks again!
I've not stayed at the Universal Holiday Inn and cannot offer my observations about that property. However, I wanted to suggest, if it is doable for your budget, to consider staying onsite at one of the Universal hotels. I'm generally not an onsite advocate but a key perq for onsite guests is the front of line access for the rides/attractions at Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios.
