Can someone recommend a hotel near Universal Studios

[kantonburg]

We're planning our honeymoon and the majority of our trip is going to be at Universal. Basically we're looking for a place to stay. The cheaper the better actually. We plan on just coming in to rest and sleep. Something close to the park would be nice. There are just so many options I was just hoping someone could give a nice starting point. Maybe a recommendation that people love and any that should be avoided.

 

[kantonburg]

Well I did a search on kayak.com for anything close to the studios.

Several places look fine to us. My question is what is the real advantage staying at the hardrock vs. say a holiday inn?

 

[AlexandNessa]

Several places look fine to us. My question is what is the real advantage staying at the hardrock vs. say a holiday inn?

At the HRH, RPR, and PBH your hotel key gives you unlimited access to the express lane for all rides that have express (most do). If you are going during a busy time, this is a God send! Also, staying at one of these 3 resorts puts you within walking distance to IOA, USF, and Citywalk. It's your honeymoon... splurge and stay on-site. RPR is the least expensive of the hotels, and the setting is very tropical. We love it. Don't forget to check for AAA discounts, if you're an AAA member.

The Holiday Inn is an off-site hotel, and I wouldn't think you'd want to walk from there, and it wouldn't give you unlimited express.

 

[kantonburg]

Thanks for replying.
So I'm looking for the Orlando Hotel thread now. It is our honeymoon but we do have a certain amount we want/can spend. We've both discussed and agree that we'd rather spend it on activities than a place to stay since we don't 'plan' on spending a ton of time there. I know we aren't far off and need to book pretty soon.

I'll look into RPR. Thanks for the tip.

 

[AlexandNessa]

I am not sure what your dates are, but you can start by looking at rates for all 3 on-site hotels here:

https://universalhotels.ibe.netbook...UEHRH+UEPBH+UERPR&lookAndFeelId=969&locale=en

If you have AAA, just type in "AAA" where it has the promotion code.

Good luck!

P.S. We spent our honeymoon at the RPR.

 

[kantonburg]

Thank you.

We'll be flying in May 28th (night) and flying out June 4th (night).

 

[chobie]

Can you splurge and spend just a couple of nights at RPR? It is so much nicer to stay on site, much more relaxing. You might want to spend some time in the pools, it can get very hot the time you are going and you can pool hop if you stay at RPR. The pools are the Portifino are really nice. Also most of the inexpensive off-site hotels are dingy, damp and depressing from what I have experienced.

 

[kantonburg]

Yeah we're actually looking into staying at the RPR for a few nights.

Are there any discounts offered by them? I 'thought' I read somewhere that AAA gets discounts but I tried the AAA promo and it wasn't available for our week.

We figured that if the FastPass was going to cost us $80 a day anyway we might as well stay a few nights at an onsight hotel with unlimited fastpass.

 

[AlexandNessa]

Since they changed their website, AAA rates only come up on the first page so you'd probably have to call (888-273-1311). It looks like a standard room at RPR would be $199/night.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

JMHO but staying onsite really makes a difference at US/IOA. We been there lots of times but stayed onsite for the 1st time last Sept. OMG!!! That room key is worth its weight in gold. We are the type that just wants a clean place to sleep & shower but we will never go again and not stay onsite at least 1 night.
To maximize our $ and time onsite, we flew down the night before after work, crashed at an airport hotel and went straight to RPR in the am. You can check in to your room and get the keys to use in the parks even if your room isn't ready. They'll store your luggage in a locked room/closet.
This way you pay for 1 night of hotel but get 2 full park days to use the keys for FOTL priviliges.

I've never had any luck at entering "AAA" in USO's website but you can go to AAA's website and book thru them. They ask for a cc to hold ressie but they don't actually charge your card like they do when you book direct thru USO.
Good luck and enjoy!!!


btw, the water taxi is really so great too. Our boys (6 & 10) still talk about how much they enjoyed it.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I just checked our local AAA website. The only dates that offered a AAA discount during your stay were:
check in May 30, May 31, June 2, June 3.

The rate was $191.21 (plus 12.5% tax)

I wouldn't wait too long, the other nights of your stay that I didn't list above were either completely sold out or the allotment of AAA rates was sold out (only reg. rate available)

good luck!

 

[kantonburg]

I just checked our local AAA website. The only dates that offered a AAA discount during your stay were:
check in May 30, May 31, June 2, June 3.

The rate was $191.21 (plus 12.5% tax)

I wouldn't wait too long, the other nights of your stay that I didn't list above were either completely sold out or the allotment of AAA rates was sold out (only reg. rate available)

good luck!

Thanks! That was the same rate I got going through their website not using any discount. I'll probably decide in the next day or two what I want to do.