Closest "nice" hotel to US/IoA?

[JBCB]

Hi
Can anyone tell me what the closest "nice/clean/safe" hotel is to US/IoA? We've already got our tickets (online deal~$99/5 day/buy 1 get 1 free). The on-site hotels are too expensive. We'd like to spend less than $100 and be able to either walk to the parks or take a VERY short shuttle bus ride.

~thanks!

 

[Lucky'sMom]

You could try the Holiday Inn Universal, www.hiuniversal.com. They offer great entertainment card rates, and AAA rates as well. I've seen the 2-bedroom suite for under $100 with the entertainment card rate. It is right across the street from US, and you could walk or take their shuttle.

 

[JBCB]

Thanks! I'm a newbie... what's an entertainment card?

~thanks

 

[JBCB]

Okay, I think I found it. I read on here that it was $9.99, but their website has it for $25? Also, it does give you a $10/night dicount while booking the room on Holiday Inn's werbiste, but I don't see Holiday Inn listed as one of the participating hotels on the entertainment cards website?

 

[Lucky'sMom]

When the entertainment books come out in the fall, they are $25, but at this point in the new year, the rates go down and the books can be purchased for $10. I just went to the Universal Holiday Inn web-site, and it lists the entertainment card rates at 1/2 off. For example, I randomly chose 4 nights late in Feb., and it came out as about $150 for a standard rate for a room with 2 double beds, but when you select the entertainment card rate, it was $74.50. The one-bedroom was $84.50 with the card, and the 2 bedroom suite was $94.50. These rates are at least half off the rate without the card.

 

[rockin_rep]

When the entertainment books come out in the fall, they are $25, but at this point in the new year, the rates go down and the books can be purchased for $10. I just went to the Universal Holiday Inn web-site, and it lists the entertainment card rates at 1/2 off. For example, I randomly chose 4 nights late in Feb., and it came out as about $150 for a standard rate for a room with 2 double beds, but when you select the entertainment card rate, it was $74.50. The one-bedroom was $84.50 with the card, and the 2 bedroom suite was $94.50. These rates are at least half off the rate without the card.

That sounds great! But....how do you get the entertainment book when you're out of town? (sorry, this has probably been answered but i can't seem to find it...its been a L O N G week....)

TIA.

 

[KTSMOM]

Bumping this as I would like to know too. The rates with the Entertainment card for the Holiday Inn are really good.

 

[lindalinda]

You can order the books on line. You dont have to get an orlando one, you should get one for your area, they all have the national hotels. entertainment.com i think There is also a coupon for a free movie and meal on citywalk.

 

[Nursejilly]

We just got back from a 3 night stay at the Doubletree at the entrance to Universal and were pleased. We got a rate of $89/night for a room with 2 queen beds through Hilton (air & hotel combo package). Our room was in the south tower and we had a partial view of the parks. The hotel is walking distance to the parks but it is a fairly long walk (about 20 minutes at a brisk pace) and the street you must cross (kirkman rd) is VERY busy...and the crosswalk button was not too helpful at all.. We walked the first night and then opted to use our rental car (a very short drive). I think there is some type of shuttle you can take but we decided not to use that. Our room was located near the elevator which had me concerned about noise at first but we had no trouble whatsoever with noise. The beds were comfy and the bathroom was clean and updated. We will probably go back later this year (they offered us a great deal for a return trip 3 nights for $99 total anytime this year with no blackouts) i think the Holiday Inn is next door to the Doubletree. Have fun!

 

[mommyoftwinfants]

Do a search for entertainment book code, i found one yesterday that if you purchased the book you got a $25 restaurant gift certificate. I signed up through fatwallet that someone had mentioned earlier and they offer a $5 rebate and for signing up they offer a $5 cash back plus the certificate. I would put the URL but it doesn't let me (fatwallet)

 

[yaytezIOA]

We booked a room at Days Inn right around the corner during HHN. Now I know you want something nicer, but heres the thing. Days inn was 53 on their website, I booked on cheaphotels.com and got the same room, the same night for 28. I did it about 3 months in advance, but I got a cheaper rate....try that.

 

[JBCB]

Okay, I ordered the 2006 Orlando Entertainment book / w card today. I read some poor reviews of the Holiday Inn-Universal, which scared me. Anyway, I got a better rate ($54/night w/ entertainment card) at the Holiday Inn-Convention Center on Universal Blvd. It had VERY good reviews on tripadvisor,com. We won't be able to walk to the parks, but it's just a short, direct driving route and the $20 price difference per night vs. Holiday Inn-Universal makes up for it! We'll just pay $9 to park and use the parking stub for $8 in concessions at the theater at CityWalk one evening
(BTW, does anyone walk around the parking lot making sure all the cars have a parking stub on the dash?)

PS: I'm also going to try to redeem the ad/coupon in the center of the entertainment book, at the guest services booth at CityWalk, for a free dinner & movie! Wish me luck

 

[macraven]

you can buy the entertainment book at most bookstores and some grocery stores. my chgo book was $35 but now has dropped to $10

the book is well worth it. since i registered my book when i received it, i get the updated emails, all good for my area.

i have been getting the ent book for the last 4 years. i signed up for automatic renewal. with that, i do not pay any shipping and i receive my book in august.

received that email also, buy another book and receive free shipping and a $25 gift certificate for a resturant

sweet deal.


be sure to use the coupon in the back for the free movie and meal deal at universal. if you don't have the coupon, it would cost you 20 plus tax.
you don't have to do both on the same day and it is still valid.

 

[macraven]

We booked a room at Days Inn right around the corner during HHN. Now I know you want something nicer, but heres the thing. Days inn was 53 on their website, I booked on cheaphotels.com and got the same room, the same night for 28. I did it about 3 months in advance, but I got a cheaper rate....try that.

i stayed at that days inn once back in 2000 that was one of the years i went 2 x to orlando. stayed on site for onenight and used the fotl for 2 days.
checked out of hrh and went to days inn for 2 nights.

it is not a bad place. we had trouble with the tv reception and the manager gave us $20 off the bill and a free movie.
used the ent rate and paid very little for the room. think it was $3x.xx

at that time you could take the shuttle for $2 a head rt.

the resturant inside the lobby area was good. was able to eat there when the park closed up.

don't shy away from a hotel because of a name like days inn.
we used it to sleep and shower in only. it was fine for a few nights.
felt very secure there.

 

[macraven]

(BTW, does anyone walk around the parking lot making sure all the cars have a parking stub on the dash?)

you can't get into the garage without a parking sticker.
stop at the booth and pay the parking fee.
you are directed by employees when you enter the lane to the garage.

piece of cake.

no lot, just a garage.
i heard they check for handicap placards on the permit parking.
once you have paid the parking fee, they don't need to check for the stub.

 

[momof3disneyholics]

There are also alot of cheaper hotels around the I-Drive area that offer free transportation to Universal.

 

[robvia]

Welcome aboard JBCB.

I'll bring out all my web sites I've made just for this question.

http://www.nogodforme.com/offsite.htm

Check out the Best Western Universal. We stayed there last year. It's within walking distance, has clean rooms, and free breakfast. That's probably within your budget.

The Amerisuites would also be a good choice, but is on the boarderline ($100 a night) depending on when you visit.
http://www.nogodforme.com/Amerisuites.htm

Don't expect to use hotel shuttles to get to the parks. They charge a fee to use them, they only travel a couple times a day, and you'd be better off walking over very early in the morning at 8am.

That's the key when staying off site, is getting to the gate early.

 

[mommyoftwinfants]

Has anyone ever stayed at the Baymont Inns and Suites at Universal??
What are your comments on your stay??

 

[DisneyaholicRaquel]

We stayed @ Sheraton Studio City last year. It was pretty nice for the price $76 night. The have a free shuttle for UO, IOA & SW...the only downfall was the limited times but, I'm not complaining at all. We could see all the fireworks from our window.

 

[DebIreland]

I'll bring out all my web sites I've made just for this question.

http://www.nogodforme.com/offsite.htm

Robvia, I checked out your 'offsite' web page. It's absolutely great!!! Well done. It's such a great help being able to see the hotels and the roads rather than trying to visual them cluelessly. We stayed onsite at HRH last year (one night) but this year we'll be staying offsite to save money. I'm thinking of Best Western or the Double Tree but I'm already dreading trying to get across that road with 3 kids. It sounds scary.