First Time to US and IOA maybe...

[DisneyDunns]

My husband and I are heading off to WDW in January for our yearly trip to Disney... We are possibly thinking about trying to squeeze in US and IOA we have never been there... is it possible to do both parks in one day ??? and has anyone stayed at the Holiday Inn Universal ??? It says right across from Universal.. is that true ?? is it walkable ????
Thanks so much for your help !!!!

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

Definitely do UO, and if you can find more than one day in your itinerary all the better. If you and your spouse are traveling without kids, you will find a lot of grown up fun at UO and wonder why you did not come over sooner. If you leave UO for the last day of your trip, you are likely to find yourself disappointed that you did not save more time for it. If you have the time, I would seek out guest services to upgrade your one day pass. They will do this relatively inexpensively.

I have stayed at the Holiday Inn across from Universal. (We are talking about the one with the World's biggest TGI Friday's aren't we?). It was very close. Be mindful that the free shuttle we took to the parks stopped at several other hotels after picking us up and I think it took us about 45 minutes to arrive (across the street) at the parks! I did not anticipate this. We waited a long time for the shuttle back to the hotel on our first night at the parks so on the second night, we took a cab back to the hotel for about $3. Well worth it.

Walking to and from the parks would not have been too far distance wise, however, I did not find the journey pedestrian friendly and since I was traveling with my seven year old son, I did not risk the walk.

I have stayed on-site at UO on my return trips to Orlando, originally for the Front of the Line Access, and later just because we had such a great time while there. While having FOTL is a nice perk for on site guests, it may not be necessary for January when I think the parks are less crowded. I would recommend the Holiday Inn as a good alternative. I would probably take cabs back and forth to the parks, however. While more expensive than the free shuttle, it was less expensive than the parking and certainly more convenient.

 

[DisneyDunns]

Thank you soo much IGONNABE40 !!! That was great info .... I am now getting very excited !!!

 

[TigerLilly's Mom]

I'm not sure how much the other hotels are offsite - but, it is always worth it to think about staying at one of the onsite hotels. The rates are just a bit over $100 for the RPR and that hotel is in walking distance of the parks and from what I have heard is beautiful. The Hard Rock is a bit more, but I believe you can get it for under $150 with the entertainment rate and fan club rate - and this is a hotel I have stayed at and is just gorgeous.

You won't believe how cool it is to walk from the hotel to the parks and also how awesome it is to have FOTL. You may not need it for much, but when you do need it - it is well worth it.

 

[Flyfly_Eclipse]

I love RPH...another onsite hotel and definitely recommend it...HOWEVER, if you want onsite...I have heard bad reviews about Holiday Inn Universal. Anyway, there are 2 other hotels (well, more than that, but two I have stayed at). This includes AmeriSuites and the Fairfield Inn. AmeriSuites, it's nice because of the kitchen area and everything (with a microwave, mini fridge and even counterspace and DISHES). However, the pool is not usable...it's right there in the parking lot...YUCK! Also, the beds aren't all that comfortable.

The Fairfield Inn was mucho better. Beds more comfortable and everything. It's fairly new, and so very clean. The rooms aren't "spectacular," but comfortable. These are also "across the street" from universal, but you would have to cross a VERY busy street to get to Universal, unfortunately. Not at all walkable for that reason. But it's like a 2-minute drive from the park...if you are willing to spend the $8 parking fee...

 

[Metallicat]

I've done both parks in one day (in january) but we stayed at the HRH and had FOTL passes.. (didn't see everything though) I would suggest an extra day so you could catch the shows such as the horror make up show, animal planet, poseidons fury etc.. because they are very good and shouldn't be missed. another neat thing about staying on property is that City Walk is a very short walk or boat ride away and something fun to do at night. If you don't stay on property, get there early when they open and head straight to Spiderman at IOA or at the studios, go straight to Shrek because they really line up for these early. Linda

p.s. if I only had one day at one park it would have to be the Studios. fewer "thrill" rides but rides where you ride the movies and feel like you are at a big movie studio. IOA has thrill rides and the parks theming is amazing. be sure to take a camera