Advice for a "Cheapo"!

[lynn71092]

I've only stayed at the Value Resorts at WDW, usually $77.00/night. The rates for the Universal Hotels are way too expensive for my cheap blood. Does anyone have any recommendations for a hotel near Universal that is a bit more reasonable, but clean? I was thinking about the end of February.

 

[bubba's mom]

I can't recommend any hotels since we haven't stayed near UO. But, I did want to join your "Cheapo" club! We're "cheapo's" too... usually only stayed at the Values at Disney...but, with an end of June trip, DH said any amount of money was worth paying for FOTL.....so, RPR, here we come! btw....good luck w/ a hotel. I think a lot of people like the Days Inn Wingate....has a Denny's and is real close to park!

 

[markey]

It all depends when you go. We had RPH 8/16-21 for $129 Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Our 4th night was free and $159 for Saturday night using the AP rate. If you are going for at least 3 days and can get these rates 1 AP will pay for its self. These rates are cheap when you figure in FOTL because you can ride instead of standing in line. Even if you pay a higher rate and only stay for 1 night you will still get FOTL for 2 days. I'm not cheap, but very budget minded and I would never stay off site.

 

[travelin' tigger]

I've only stayed at the Value Resorts at WDW, usually $77.00/night. The rates for the Universal Hotels are way too expensive for my cheap blood. Does anyone have any recommendations for a hotel near Universal that is a bit more reasonable, but clean? I was thinking about the end of February.

Last Dec. I stayed at Microtel and thought it was great. It's a budget hotel chain that I found to be clean, tastefully decorated, small pool and only a couple minutes from US/IOA. Think I paid about $50/night.

Here's the link:

http://www.microtelinn.com/

HTH!!!

 

[robvia]

Nothing wrong with being cheap, I do it too, but splurge once a year and stay on site.
Like mentioned above, February is off peak season, so you may be able to get the RPR for a good rate. Then again, crowds are light so you really wouldn't need FOTL. But you'd be onsite and "feel" like you're part of the action. It's really a toss up. You have to think of the onsite hotels as a splurge.

Check my pages where I list the hotels I've stayed at.

http://www.nogodforme.com/orlando2004.htm
http://www.nogodforme.com/orlando2005.htm

We recently stayed at the Best Western across the street, it was clean, and has free breakfast.
The Amerisuites is even better, will cost a little bit more, but they also have free breakfast.

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

We spent a night at the Comfort Inn across the street from UO. Easy walk to the parks. Continental B'fast included. We booked through Hotelkingdom and paid less than $50 for the night we stayed.

 

[Mad4Dizne]

I love AAA!!!!!!!!!

 

[kitten25]

Have you considered using priceline? I am very cheap when it comes to hotels so I always use priceline. I got the sheraton studio city for $48 a night over thanksgiving weekend. Havn't stayed there yet but it looks nice though I was upset that there is no jacuzzi. Also looks very close to universal I think a 5 min drive or so. Of course you cant be sure of the hotel you would get but I think you would be safe to bid 3 or 4 star in the universal area.
Rachel

 

[DisneyWisher]

I've only stayed at the Value Resorts at WDW, usually $77.00/night. The rates for the Universal Hotels are way too expensive for my cheap blood. Does anyone have any recommendations for a hotel near Universal that is a bit more reasonable, but clean? I was thinking about the end of February.

End of Feb can be tricky as far as how busy it will be. Mostly because of Daytona 500. Thats will be on Feb 19th this year but past few years at Disney (never been to USO this time of the year) it can get packed. Figure Nascar fans will bring the family for a week long trip. Pres Day 2 years ago seemed every man had a favorite Nascar Hat on. It feel expensive staying at an onsite hotel but I think its so worth. We went for the first time to USO this past July (again yesterday). Figure middle of the summer when is it busier. With our FOTL passes we never waited more than 10 mins for anything. Shrek had a 80 min wait. We walked right into it. When we were buying our APs in July people next to us were buying the Express Pass (5 people @ $40 each) could have gotten a room cheaper onsite plus the FOTL is good for check in day through midnight checkout day. Think of it as a guaranteed fast pass. 1 time per ride. FOTL is unlimited and free with the hotel room. DD12 rode Hulk back to back 5 times in 45 mins.

2 downsides to staying on property. Unlike Disney there are no vending machines for cokes and snacks or a store downstairs that sell them. So make sure if you stay onsite to stop by a store to purchase some if you need them in your room. Even gas stations sell cokes for about $4 a 12 pack. It was 1 am when we got back from City Walk and I needed a beverage. My options were use the mini bar or order from room service. Well lets just say I paid about $9 for 3 cans of coke. Yikes. The other was they charge for parking. $7 a day to self park. But we had fun. So thats all that matters. Plus FOTL is so worth it. I don't think I could do it any other way.

 

[rie'smom]

We stayed at a Days Inn right across from the parks for one night.It was ok. There was a restaurant attached and there are many restaurants nearby. This is the info:

11639 East Colonial Drive
East Colonial Drive
Orlando, FL, 32817 US
407-282-2777

 

[Suzyq9241]

What are your dates? I can help if I knew of the dates!!

 

[rockin_rep]

Which off-site hotel is closest to the parks? We haven't been to Universal so i'm clueless.

Is it like WDW, where you still have to drive or take transportation to the parks, or is it like Disneyland where there are hotels literally RIGHT across the street from the main entrance?

TIA!

 

[robvia]

It's like Disneyland, some hotels are literally right across the street.

The Double Tree and Holiday Inn are the closest. But the Holdiay Inn has so so reviews. The Double Tree is ok. The Best Western is the next closest, along with the Amerisuites. For the cheap, there's a Days Inn.

The walk is about 15 minutes. You have to cross 10 lanes of busy traffic. But it can be done.

 

[lkohawaii]

Thanks for starting this thread. I'm trying to plan for 12/06. Since 06 rates are not out yet I'm basing them on 05 rates. I will be staying at WDW for 10 nights then moving over to RPH for Universal and the FTL pass. I will be moving over to U/O on 12/22 and flying out on 12/24. If I stay over 12/22 it'll take care of my FOL pass. Problem is from 12/22 to 12/23 the rate goes from $126 to $260. I don't really want to be lugging my luggage to another hotel the morning of the 23 only to have to go into the parks. Is there another hotel close by that I can move to? I just need to sleep for the night and then drive to the airport. The problem is with the luggage. I want a decent hotel. Doesn't have to be a resort or 4 star 3 is good enough. As long as it's clean. Any suggestions.
I know easiest way is just pay the $140 more...just can't seem to do that just for a decent bed for the night. I guess I belong in the chepo club.

 

[rockin_rep]

It's like Disneyland, some hotels are literally right across the street.

The Double Tree and Holiday Inn are the closest. But the Holdiay Inn has so so reviews. The Double Tree is ok. The Best Western is the next closest, along with the Amerisuites. For the cheap, there's a Days Inn.

The walk is about 15 minutes. You have to cross 10 lanes of busy traffic. But it can be done.

Thanks robvia!

Do you have to cross that much traffic for the Doubletree and Holiday Inn, or just the Days Inn? And do people actually do that, or do they take other transportation?

We stay on site at WDW but just can't justify the cost at Universal.

We loved staying at the BW Inn & Suites directly across from Disneyland, and were hoping for something similar at Universal, too.

 

[lkohawaii]

Rockinrep....your situation is just what I'm looking for. At DL we stay at Desert Inn & Suites just 2 hotels down from BW. I was looking for a hotel in that proximity also if I could. Heard Florida is huge so it's a little harder. Will be looking forward to someone who knows to post.