Help with hotel in August

[spedtcr]

August 11th- ish I am taking four 17 year old girls, my husband, my 14, 4, and 2 yr old sons, and myself to Universal for 3 days. Three of the girls are friends of my daughters and are paying for their portion of the trip. Can anyone suggest a clean, cheap, safe, close hotel to Universal? Are the lines really horrible? There's such a small difference in price if they have to tack on the extra $35 for an express pass, I'm wondering if I should suggest staying onsite? Please HELP!
Thanks, Kari

 

[macraven]

if i am counting this right, you have 9 people going on this trip.

if you stay onsite, you would have to book 2 rooms.

for offsite, i don't know any hotel that allows 9 people in a room.

 

[PatMcDuck]

We stayed in a 2Br suite, across from Universal, Holiday Inn Universal. It actually slept 10. Both bedrooms had 2 double or queen beds, and the living room had a pull out couch. 3 good sized rooms. We had only 6, so we fit fine. I forget if there was 1 or 2 bathrooms. But it had a full kitchen.

 

[Kimberlyfamilyfv]

I would suggest checking out embassy suites on jamacian ct. It is on international drive. They have 1 bedroom suites that fit 6 and I believe a couple of two bedroom suites. I think the two bedroom suite would do. or might I suggest

Getting two rooms at the holiday inn on universal blvd. with the entertainment card you can get a room for 54.50 per night. I have stayed here many times. you can book at www.priorityclub.com

Kimberly

 

[linco711]

I had the same problem. We're traveling with 2 teen girls, need to keep them safe, but also entertained. Though I hate paying onsite rates, it ends up being the best. Staying onsite lets the girls be completely independent, coming and going as they like, while my husband and I can kick back and relax. The room key gives us front of the line access, so no need to upgrade tickets. Warning: Once you stay onsite, you won't want to do it any other way.

 

[spedtcr]

Yes, we stayed at Portofino 3 years ago and loved it. The girls want to go to Hard Rock this time. I just worry about the 2 girls who can't really afford this, but after this we're staying for 5 days on our Disney Vac Club and that's not going to cost them anything.

 

[robvia]

The RPR is the lowest priced of the onsite hotels. Like others have said, you would need two rooms. Go on the Universal web site and price it.
http://www.universalorlando.com/ht_hrh_rates_seasonal.html
Yes, it's very expensive, but then the teenagers can go to the park by themselves, and stay in touch with cell phones.
See if the parents of the kids can help out.

If you stay off site, here are the closest hotels.
http://www.nogodforme.com/offsite.htm
The Amerisuites would be good, here's a page I made of that hotel.
http://www.nogodforme.com/Amerisuites.htm

You will be visiting at the busy time of the year. Most kids go back to school the next week. If you stay off site, it's best to wake up early and arrive the park at 8am. That will be hard with 9 people, but that's how you win. Park hours are here.
http://www.universalorlando.com/cal...template=uo_park_hours.html&month=8&year=2006

While it seems like a good idea to bring a bunch of friends along, it actually complicates things. Getting everyone up, and going will be tuff. That's why paying the extra money, and staying onsite will be worth it.