First timers and we're staying OFFSITE

[bizeemom4]

This has to be a budget trip....onsite rooms don't accommodate 6 people and two rooms onsite is out of the question for this trip. So, my question is how busy does it get at US/IOA mid to late August? Will we need to buy the Access passes?

Any recommendations for offsite hotels with good shuttle service? We're planning to do Sea World also so we'd need transportation to US/IOA and Sea World.

 

[damo]

This has to be a budget trip....onsite rooms don't accommodate 6 people and two rooms onsite is out of the question for this trip. So, my question is how busy does it get at US/IOA mid to late August? Will we need to buy the Access passes?

Any recommendations for offsite hotels with good shuttle service? We're planning to do Sea World also so we'd need transportation to US/IOA and Sea World.

Late August is a great time. You'll have a blast on all the water rides. It is imperative that you arrive at the parks so that you are at the gates when they open. This way, the first couple of hours, you will have very short lines.

All of the partner hotels have shuttle service.

http://www.universalorlando.com/vp_hotels_partner.html

 

[robvia]

Kids go back to school August 20th. Any time before this and the parks will be packed as they stay open until 10pm. Any time after August 20th the crowds will be light but the hours will be reduced to 8pm, then 7pm. The early closing time is not a problem if you arrive early. Many are used to the Disney hours and freak out when they find the parks close early, but what you do is go to dinner.

Here's my page of hotels across the street. I've been recommending the Best Western as it's a clean hotel and they have free breakfast.
Offsite Hotels

Shuttles are spotty and you usually have to pay. Better to walk over at 8am so you can get to the gate early.

 

[bizeemom4]

Kids go back to school August 20th. Any time before this and the parks will be packed as they stay open until 10pm. Any time after August 20th the crowds will be light but the hours will be reduced to 8pm, then 7pm. The early closing time is not a problem if you arrive early. Many are used to the Disney hours and freak out when they find the parks close early, but what you do is go to dinner.

Here's my page of hotels across the street. I've been recommending the Best Western as it's a clean hotel and they have free breakfast.
Offsite Hotels

Shuttles are spotty and you usually have to pay. Better to walk over at 8am so you can get to the gate early.

Wait! You can WALK to the gate from some of the offsite hotels? Seriously. I need to do some more research.

 

[damo]

Kids go back to school August 20th. Any time before this and the parks will be packed as they stay open until 10pm. Any time after August 20th the crowds will be light but the hours will be reduced to 8pm, then 7pm. The early closing time is not a problem if you arrive early. Many are used to the Disney hours and freak out when they find the parks close early, but what you do is go to dinner.

Here's my page of hotels across the street. I've been recommending the Best Western as it's a clean hotel and they have free breakfast.
Offsite Hotels

Shuttles are spotty and you usually have to pay. Better to walk over at 8am so you can get to the gate early.

All of the partner hotels now have free shuttles. I guess the trick is making sure that the one you stay at is a partner hotel. It would be great to choose one that has free transportation and is within walking distance.

If you use the aerial map through this link, you can see how you would walk to the parks. YOu can enter the address in the top bar and then move the map around to see how you would walk to the parks. Then you can tell how many major roads you'd have to cross.

http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v...&lvl=1&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=3909189

 

[tlinus]

For the Double Tree and the Holiday Inn, you can just cross Kirkman and walk down Major Blvd. Cross Universal Blvd and you should be able to pick up the walking path to the parks right there. Is that right Rob? I know when we walked to Walgreen's we did that route except we turned right on Universal Blvd and went back to the HRH.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

For the Double Tree and the Holiday Inn, you can just cross Kirkman and walk down Major Blvd. Cross Universal Blvd and you should be able to pick up the walking path to the parks right there. Is that right Rob? I know when we walked to Walgreen's we did that route except we turned right on Universal Blvd and went back to the HRH.

I can't believe you guys walked to Walgreens, if it's the one I'm thinking of. I run out of meds on one of our HRH visits, & had to go to Walgreens for a refill. It was a new prescription, & they won't drop those off at the resort. Luckily we had our van, because it seemed like it would be a long walk. You must be in much better shape than I am. Then again, who isn't? I read in your trip report where you & Bean2 had walked there. I'm impressed with both of you!

OP,
Sorry, to go OT.

 

[bg4]

There are actually two walgreens (third Sand Lake at Dr Phillips)- one at Universal Blvd and International Drive across from Wet n Wild and next to KFC and some T-Shirt/gift shop and the other on Kirkman Rd at Vineland Rd. almost across from PBH which may be the one tlinus is referring to.

Almost forgot why I was posting - To OP - remember that in late August the parks close early- 8PM starting 08/19 and 7PM starting 08/26 so plan accordingly and arrive early. Lines however should be short.

 

[tlinus]

There are actually two walgreens (third Sand Lake at Dr Phillips)- one at Universal Blvd and International Drive across from Wet n Wild and next to KFC and some T-Shirt/gift shop and the other on Kirkman Rd at Vineland Rd. almost across from PBH which may be the one tlinus is referring to.
Almost forgot why I was posting - To OP - remember that in late August the parks close early- 8PM starting 08/19 and 7PM starting 08/26 so plan accordingly and arrive early. Lines however should be short.

that is the one
not in better shape (look at me for Pete's sake ) just took our time and it had to be done!!!! I love my hubby!!

 

[mommiepoppins]

stay away from days in universal. BAD BAD and I am far from a claen freak

 

[damo]

stay away from days in universal. BAD BAD and I am far from a claen freak

The Days Inn Universal got some pretty nasty reports on TripAdvisor too.

 

[robvia]

The problem with the partner hotels is they don't have to try as hard because they get a steady stream of tourists. Look up the reviews for the Holiday Inn Kirkman Road and the Double Tree and you'll see. Both have tried to do better but most rate them as fair at best.

The Best Western, and the Amerisuites (now called the Hyatt) would be my picks for closest hotels that are within walking distance.

I wouldn't count on any hotel shuttles because they don't start running until after 9am, they're late, and you lose the early morning advantage.

The walk from the offsite hotels to the parking garage is only about 10 minutes. Same thing for walking from the HRH/PBH to the Walgreens or restaurants across the street. It's not that far, you just have to be careful when crossing the street.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

There are actually two walgreens (third Sand Lake at Dr Phillips)- one at Universal Blvd and International Drive across from Wet n Wild and next to KFC and some T-Shirt/gift shop and the other on Kirkman Rd at Vineland Rd. almost across from PBH which may be the one tlinus is referring to.

Naturally, we went to the one that was furthest away. How long has the Walgreens across from PBH been open? We asked at the hotel & were given directions to the one across from W&W. The other one may not have been open at that time. I hope we never need to go there again, but just in case, this info is good to know.

 

[geffric]

Another vote for the Best Western.. not new but clean and the free breakfast is okay.. We stayed there for the son MOM trip last year and staying there again this June. Got a suite for $78/night.

 

[bizeemom4]

Thanks for the advice, everyone. And no worries about the Days Inn. We would rather stay home than stay at one.

 

[cookiemonstermommy]

I've stayed at the Enclave Suites twice now(I know, they've gotten some not great reviews...and they're far from Luxury...but for a studio w/a full kitchen, 2 outdoor heated pools, 2 outdoor jacuzzis, 2 outdoor kiddie pools, plus a 24/7 indoor heated pool and jacuzzi for $69 a night...).

They also offered a very reliable FREE shuttle service at 8am, 10am and 11am (plus one to Sea World...not sure the time on that, since we didn't use it) with 3 different return times. It was about a 15 minute drive including the stops at 2 other hotels on the way. Drops you right at the people mover.

They're also right off I-Drive, so very near all types of entertainment and food(mini golf, family restaurants, fast food, museums, water park, tourist spots, etc).

Kelly

 

[Planogirl]

What about the Amerisuites? We're looking for one with a shuttle or within walking distance and a refrigerator if possible.

If no fridge included, what about the Clarion? Is anyone familiar with these?

We stayed at the Holiday Inn Universal once and it was OK but crossing that busy road between it and Universal was downright scary at time!