Hard Rock Hotel

[dazeddaisy]

Am looking out our first trip to Orlando in October this year and I was just wondering what you guys thought of the Hard Rock Hotel.

Any idea how far it is from Disney? I have read that it takes anywhere from 2 hours to 45 mins ... but what is the mileage? Looking at the maps etc I can not tell if its close as in an hour drive, or miles apart and google is stearing me wrong in regards to time.

We plan to be in Orlando for 12 nights, do you think we would be better off spending 6 nights at Hard Rock and then transferring to another hotel closer to Disney for the last 6 (or vise versa)?

Or heck is there a hotel half way between the parks, obviously depending on the mileage between the parks, that is nice? Price is not that much of an issue somewhere less than about $200 a night, unless there is good reason for the extra.

 

[dylansmom1]

It takes me about 30 minutes to get to Magic Kingdom and 25 minutes to get to Epcot From the Hard Rock Hotel. It usually takes me 20 minutes to get to Downtown Disney, but I've done in 15 min before (Hubby knows a shortcut!) I don't know who told you 2 hours, but if it took me two hours to get there I'd probally be in Tampa!

Jane

 

[gopack]

HRH is my favorite Orlando Hotel. We stay at a Universal Hotel while we go to those parks and stay at Disney Hotels for the Disney parks. Universal is about 20 minutes from Disney. However, this could be longer in rush hour or high season traffic. If you stay at a Universal Hotel you get front of the line (FOTL) privileges which cannot be beat.Also, you can walk to both theme parks from HRH. It is a very relaxing time compared to all of the hassle of Disney transportation. I would recommend staying at Disney first and then staying at Universal.Don't get me wrong, we love Disney but Universal has some very attractive features that Disney cannot match. I would be happy to answer any questions about HRH.

 

[Sylvester McBean]

the tampa hard rock hotel is about an hour from WDW. the universal hard rock is about 15-20 minutes from WDW.

 

[PlutoLuvr]

HRH is my favorite Orlando hotel, too. Anytime we can swing it in the $$$ department, it's my first choice.

It's real close to the Disney parks, 15 to 25 minutes or so depending on what park you want to hit.

I'd probably do Disney first, then HRH. You'll get to go on the rides with little to no wait with your HRH key at USO/IOA. This is always a nice ending for us.

As for a place in between, there's plenty of hotels on International Drive, which is pretty centrally located between all the parks. I know we've stayed at an Embassy Suites that we enjoyed there. Traffic is pretty thick on that road, tho.

This past trip in March, we stayed at a timeshare place on Turkey Lake Road (Westgate Lakes Resort), which was closer to USO, but still very easy to get to WDW. It's a condo type situation where you have full bedrooms, full kitchen, washer & dryer, living room, dining room and a grocery store right around the corner. I did enjoy this (especially the hearty, home-cooked breakfasts we prepared every morning), but HRH is still my true love. I'm a rocker and love all the music you hear everywhere in the hotel.

Hope you enjoy!

 

[keishashadow]

We really liked the HRH, even got upgraded to pool view (loews card) & you cannot beat the FOTL privledges.

It took us about 20 min. to get to WDW shortly before 3:00 p.m on a weekday. Traffic was starting to build though. Wouldn't want to be on I-4 during rush hour.

Good luck.

 

[pershing]

Loews card definately!!!

I checked in after my ex- checked in with his older kids and our room was on an upper floor with the best view of the park and the pool.

His was on the bottom floor facing the launch. Big difference!!!!

We loved it! My DS 9 at the time was/is a big rocker. All the memorabilia just made his day! I couldn't believe the Partridge family Bus bench in the main exit.

The walk to Universal was a lovely stroll!

 

[CPM]

The HRH that is 2 hours and 45 minutes away is probably the one in Hollywood, FL.
HRH in Orlando is my least favorite of the three Universal/Loew's resorts.
I think the other two are so much better IMO. I have had terrible service and noisey rooms at this one. While each stay at RPR and PBH have been wonderful.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

The HRH that is 2 hours and 45 minutes away is probably the one in Hollywood, FL.
HRH in Orlando is my least favorite of the three Universal/Loew's resorts.
I think the other two are so much better IMO. I have had terrible service and noisey rooms at this one. While each stay at RPR and PBH have been wonderful.

OK Cheryl... you know I like the HRH better than RPR But since I haven't stayed at any other HRH except for this one, I can't compare it to another one...
I think you are right too as to the one the OP is talking about for it to be 2 hrs & 45 minutes away from Disney. Tampa is about an hour & Universal is about 20 minutes...