Avoiding CityWalk; Using the garden path from Hard Rock Hotel?

[gursk]

Hi all,

We are going to be taking a cab from WDW and would seriously like to avoid the gong show that is CityWalk. There are enough crowds in the park, without having to deal with them the moment you step outside the car, followed by oh-so-not-fun airport style moving sidewalks, and a series of shops I have no interest in, especially first thing in the AM.

Sooooo...., after a bit of looking there seems to be garden walking paths from the various Universal onsite hotels. We are planning to start the day at USF, so the most convenient option appears to be the garden walkway from the Hard Rock Hotel (HRH).

I've found this option mentioned on other sites, Orlandoinformer and Touringplans (don't think I'm allowed to past the direct URLs here).

Has anyone got any experience getting dropped at a Universal hotel lobby by a cab/Uber and walking to the park entrance using these very pleasant seeming garden walkways?

Any issues/concerns/roadblocks?

Thanks!!

 

[snoopboop]

One time during a split stay we did indeed do this. We had a taxi pick us up at our offsite hotel and drop us off at HRH and we walked from there. We walked through the hotel to get to the path. It worked fine... BUT I felt SOOOOO guilty! LOL!

 

[damo]

Should be no issues. It is a beautiful walk!

 

[Bluer101]

To be honest the cab drop in the am should be no issue from Citywalk.

If you get dropped at HRH you would have to walk through the hotel or around to the walkway and proceed from there. To be honest it sounds like more work.

 

[RMulieri]

It is doable,but I agree with Bluer. It is a beautiful walk though

 

[gursk]

Thanks all!

My impetus is not just to avoid crowds, but to start the morning with a bit of serene green. The garden walk seems a lovely way to start the day.

I can see exploring CityWalk on the way home, when things are open and we aren't hoping to get into the parks first thing. But last time I was there (my only visit thus far), the sprint from the taxi drop-off to the front gate was rather hectic. Perhaps I was too impatient to get into the park!!!

 

[Planogirl]

I like that morning rush while walking through Citywalk. The music helps wake me up and the only detour I might make is Starbucks. Plus everyone is moving in one direction unlike later when everyone is all over the place.

That walk from the resort is lovely though. That sounds like a great idea to me.