Dockside, Surfside, Cabana Bay questions

[Skywalker3]

The FOMO and dreaming of an escape from my awful job are making me consider a very last minute trip to Universal, week after next. Height of spring break. Last time we did an Orlando theme park for spring break was Disney in 2005, and we said never again. Although, since we do tend to travel at busy times, like Memorial day, Columbus Day, Thanksgiving week, etc maybe we'd be more used to the crowds now.
Anyway, we have also not done Universal without staying at a premier hotel at least part of the time. can't swing that, even for one night, this trip, so looking at piecing together a few days, non premier. Booked one night at Cabana Bay, for the Tuesday. Looking at either dockside or surfide for a couple days.
So, how is the bus transportation from either Surfside or Dockside? do they share buses? and if so, which one is better. Also, we are early rope droppers. We prefer to be in line at tapstiles at least 45 mins or 1 hour before opening, Do the buses run that early from Endless Summer? where do buses drop you, and how is security? What time do they start letting people through? is it enough time to get to IoA and be relatively near front of lines waiting to get in?

Also, can one walk to parks from CB? or is it bus only?
and how is WiFI at CB and Endless Summer? Son doesn't really want to go, since we just went in Oct, but he might bring computer, and will need good internet connections.
If it's really too much hassle to get to/from parks , and not have express, we may just skip it all, just add days to our summer trip. I just need a break! Plus missing Mardi Gras fun and food.
Any advice on logistics related to Endless summer and CB appreciated. and not having express at a busy time. Thanks!

 

[CAPSLOCK]

I can answer some of the CBBR questions.

Although you can walk, we never have. The buses are so convenient. But there is a landscaped walkway so it would be a safe, pretty walk as it is from the premier resorts.

Guess run early enough to get you near the front of the rope drop crowd. Admittedly though, my experience is not during Spring break.

Buses drop you at an escalator that leads right up to the security hub. Although there can be lots of people, lines have always moved quickly.

Wifi at CBBR is fine, we streamed on a Roku and such with no issues.

Keep in mind you can also use single rider lines to reduce waits significantly. Also, download the Universal App for ride wait times.

 

[Pooh's World]

The FOMO and dreaming of an escape from my awful job are making me consider a very last minute trip to Universal, week after next. Height of spring break. Last time we did an Orlando theme park for spring break was Disney in 2005, and we said never again. Although, since we do tend to travel at busy times, like Memorial day, Columbus Day, Thanksgiving week, etc maybe we'd be more used to the crowds now.
Anyway, we have also not done Universal without staying at a premier hotel at least part of the time. can't swing that, even for one night, this trip, so looking at piecing together a few days, non premier. Booked one night at Cabana Bay, for the Tuesday. Looking at either dockside or surfide for a couple days.
So, how is the bus transportation from either Surfside or Dockside? do they share buses? and if so, which one is better. Also, we are early rope droppers. We prefer to be in line at tapstiles at least 45 mins or 1 hour before opening, Do the buses run that early from Endless Summer? where do buses drop you, and how is security? What time do they start letting people through? is it enough time to get to IoA and be relatively near front of lines waiting to get in?

Also, can one walk to parks from CB? or is it bus only?
and how is WiFI at CB and Endless Summer? Son doesn't really want to go, since we just went in Oct, but he might bring computer, and will need good internet connections.
If it's really too much hassle to get to/from parks , and not have express, we may just skip it all, just add days to our summer trip. I just need a break! Plus missing Mardi Gras fun and food.
Any advice on logistics related to Endless summer and CB appreciated. and not having express at a busy time. Thanks!

I really liked endless summer. Especially if you can get the suite.
Both Cabana and Endless go to Universal by bus. (and buses seems to go there every 10 from Surfside to Unversal)

What I like about Endless besides the hotel and the newness of it is that there is a Walgreens and other stores and food places right across the street and then alot of stuff down I Drive.

And you also have the option of walking over the bridge from Universal to Endless Summer and that only takes about 15 minutes.

 

[lisam70]

I haven't stayed at Endless Summer but have at CB twice
Buses run pretty much constantly the only real wait was for people to get on
Yes going thru security at citywalk is a bit of a hassle but not a deal breaker
The walk from CB is 15-20 minutes depending how fast you walk and at what end of CB you're starting from. Another option is to walk across the street and take the boat from SF.
I would highly recommend trying to grab some dinner reservations ASAP
If you're used to travelling at peak times than you know what to expect so If you feel like you need to get away then GO !!!

 

[Disneygirl#8]

We’re staying at a third party hotel near surf side inn. Can we take the bus as well? Catch it at Surfside? We were going to rent a car and drive to Universal each day but looking at the map, we are basically across the street from Surfside! So I’m wondering if they ask for proof that you’re staying at the hotel, to get on the bus? Or can anyone get on?

 

[kbelle8995]

We’re staying at a third party hotel near surf side inn. Can we take the bus as well? Catch it at Surfside? We were going to rent a car and drive to Universal each day but looking at the map, we are basically across the street from Surfside! So I’m wondering if they ask for proof that you’re staying at the hotel, to get on the bus? Or can anyone get on?

You might want to check with your hotel if you haven't. And see if they have a shuttle bus available. Cause some hotels in the area do offer that. It might be easier than walking over to Surfside

 

[Pooh's World]

We’re staying at a third party hotel near surf side inn. Can we take the bus as well? Catch it at Surfside? We were going to rent a car and drive to Universal each day but looking at the map, we are basically across the street from Surfside! So I’m wondering if they ask for proof that you’re staying at the hotel, to get on the bus? Or can anyone get on?

Walking across the bridge there is a path to the bus stop area/Universal Transportation center. It only takes 10 minutes to walk.

Whatever you do, do not stay at the Quality Inn right there.
It's even worse than one could imagine and not safe.

The LYNX 37 and LYNX 38 buses go across the bridge and stop at Universal Transportation Center as well.

 

[Disneygirl#8]

I ac

You might want to check with your hotel if you haven't. And see if they have a shuttle bus available. Cause some hotels in the area do offer that. It might be easier than walking over to Surfside

I actually would like to catch the Surfside bus!

 

[Disneygirl#8]

Walking across the bridge there is a path to the bus stop area/Universal Transportation center. It only takes 10 minutes to walk.

Whatever you do, do not stay at the Quality Inn right there.
It's even worse than one could imagine and not safe.

The LYNX 37 and LYNX 38 buses go across the bridge and stop at Universal Transportation Center as well.

Ok, good to know! We’re at the Monreale Express, not the Quality Inn, thankfully!

 

[MrBellatrixLestrange]

Ok, good to know! We’re at the Monreale Express, not the Quality Inn, thankfully!

Purely a guess but I suspect while that's technically not allowed I don't recall anyone asking to see a room key so you would probably be fine.

 

[Skywalker3]

I can answer some of the CBBR questions.

Although you can walk, we never have. The buses are so convenient. But there is a landscaped walkway so it would be a safe, pretty walk as it is from the premier resorts.

Guess run early enough to get you near the front of the rope drop crowd. Admittedly though, my experience is not during Spring break.

Buses drop you at an escalator that leads right up to the security hub. Although there can be lots of people, lines have always moved quickly.

Wifi at CBBR is fine, we streamed on a Roku and such with no issues.

Keep in mind you can also use single rider lines to reduce waits significantly. Also, download the Universal App for ride wait times.

Hey, posted this in the CB thread too, but I saw this reply and hoped I could ask a few questions about CB. Looking at CB for 1 or 2 nights in June. Any room preferences? Is pool side extra noisy? I'm leaning toward tower rooms, they are the cheapest. Although for just a bit more, may consider the suite. It'll be me and my daughter and her friend, graduation trip. Are the tower rooms nice, and have interior entry? Is the resort too spread out to make it a pain to get to the bus stop, or pedestrian bridge? and you felt save there, coming/going/walking? . Second choice will probably be Aventura, but we've been there twice, and I'd like to try CB for something new.

 

[ClapYourHands]

Hey, posted this in the CB thread too, but I saw this reply and hoped I could ask a few questions about CB. Looking at CB for 1 or 2 nights in June. Any room preferences? Is pool side extra noisy? I'm leaning toward tower rooms, they are the cheapest. Although for just a bit more, may consider the suite. It'll be me and my daughter and her friend, graduation trip. Are the tower rooms nice, and have interior entry? Is the resort too spread out to make it a pain to get to the bus stop, or pedestrian bridge? and you felt save there, coming/going/walking? . Second choice will probably be Aventura, but we've been there twice, and I'd like to try CB for something new.

The only exterior rooms are the family suites that specifically state they are exterior entrance in their name,so don’t worry about accidentally booking one.

As for walking, the towers will have you doing the most walking, but not like at Disney. There are two courtyards, and each has its advantages/disadvantages. The exterior suites are in the pool slide courtyard, which means they are right next to the garden path (entrance is in the parking lot between Thunderbird and Castaway buildings). I have walked early morning at at night, and felt safe, though that’s a relative thing. There was rarely anyone else on it, so the feeling of being deserted could spook some people.

The interior entry rooms (including suites and the towers) are around the lazy river courtyard. This makes them better positioned to get to the diner and the buses. I haven’t stayed in a tower room, but when I stayed pool view in the Americana building, there wasn’t much noise from the pool, and the pool hours are usually limited due to them being manned by lifeguards, so you’re not going to have late night parties there anyway. The biggest noise factor was just people in the hallways. Like with most interior entry hotels, sounds from talking, shouting, and running in the halls can be heard in the rooms.

 

[mommajen08]

Hey, posted this in the CB thread too, but I saw this reply and hoped I could ask a few questions about CB. Looking at CB for 1 or 2 nights in June. Any room preferences? Is pool side extra noisy? I'm leaning toward tower rooms, they are the cheapest. Although for just a bit more, may consider the suite. It'll be me and my daughter and her friend, graduation trip. Are the tower rooms nice, and have interior entry? Is the resort too spread out to make it a pain to get to the bus stop, or pedestrian bridge? and you felt save there, coming/going/walking? . Second choice will probably be Aventura, but we've been there twice, and I'd like to try CB for something new.

We stayed in a poolside suite (exterior entrance) and had no issues with sound. I never felt like the resort was too spread out. We didn't use the pedestrian bridge, but getting to the bus stop was always quick.

 

[DoryGirl1963]

Ditto to everything mommajen08 said! Had WAY more noise issues at Hard Rock & a even a little bit at Sapphire Falls - none at Cabana Bay on any of our visits & we always stay in the poolside extrerior entry family suites.