City Walk parking question...

[Esmerelda]

My family and I are flying into Orlando late in August. Our final destination is Fort Lauderdale for a cruise but it was cheaper to fly into Orlando then rent a car and drive south. We are staying the night at the Hilton Orlando (arriving rather late), Destination Parkway. The hotel on Google maps is 4.4 miles away from City Walk. One of our party (my daughter in law) is a HUGE Harry Potter fan so I'm going to try to give her some time to shop on Friday late morning. We would probably get there around noon and have about 1 hour or less to go to whichever store she can get Harry Potter items in. We have to return our car in Fort Lauderdale so that's why we would be pressed for time. Where is the best place and cheapest place for me to park for 1 hour or less of shopping time? Is there a 'choice' of where to park is my question I guess. Before anyone asks, the Hilton does provides a shuttle for a nominal fee per person so that's out. We will just drive ourselves over there as we are heading to FLL right after that. I appreciate any help you can give me. I haven't been to Universal in several years so I don't recall too much of it. Thanks everyone.

 

[macraven]

the only place outside of the parks that has parry hotter stuff that i am aware of is the universal store in city walk.

to avoid parking fees for the hour your dil needs to shop, just drop her off and have her call you when done so you can pick her up.

there is a free drop off, pick up section at citywalk

 

[Esmerelda]

That's a good suggestion but I'm not sure how good she would feel about walking into this huge place all by herself. I will keep this in mind and talk to her about it closer to trip time.

I was just hoping there was some parking that was short term that we could possibly take advantage of.

Thanks so much for your response!

 

[macraven]

there is no short term parking at the city walk garage.

the parking rate drops in the evening.

if you have the APH, parking is free.

 

[Esmerelda]

Thanks Macraven again! I will check that out, that would probably be better for us since we only have about 1 hour to shop. We do not have any passes. I haven't been to Universal Studios in about 5-6 years. We will just have to pay for it but thanks so much for the great suggestions.

This will help us out a lot.

 

[Dee2013]

There are Universal shops at the Orlando airport. An hour just does not seem long enough to even drop off at CityWalk for shopping by the time she finds the store, browse, etc.

Less stressful just to do it at MCO.

 

[johde]

If you had a couple of hours, the sit down restaurants mention 2 free hours of valet parking with a meal between 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

 

[Grumpy92]

I too would suggest the Universal store at OIA. They pretty much have most of the HP merchandise. I was there not to long ago and was amazed at how much HP merchandise they had at that store.
Otherwise the Universal parking garage, after 6pm.

 

[bowtie7]

I would check at the airport store--though I have no idea how much Potter merchandise they carry. At Universal, with such a time limit, you might want to use valet parking--up to two hours is $15, about the same as the garage--telling them you are only running in to shop for an hour and they may even be able to leave the car in the valet area for quicker return.

 

[Esmerelda]

I really appreciate everyone's suggestion about the airport store. I would have never thought of that! We can look there after we land and if she doesn't find what she wants, we will hit City Walk the next day. I really appreciate all of the responses.