Help with off-site hotel for US/IOA trip, please!

[stacy347]

I'm hoping that someone here can help me narrow down the list of hotels by US/IOA. We are looking for something in the $50-60/night range. I know that might be a long shot but if you know of anything decent in that price range that is within a few miles of Universal, I'd love to hear about it! Thank you!

 

[mrsbballref]

We are going to stay a two days at the Best Western Movieland before moving into the Royal Pacific Resort for our Easter trip. Even over this holiday weekend, we got it for $52 plus tax. It has pretty decent RECENT reviews on www.tripadvisor.com It is right across from Wet and Wild from what I understand.

When are you going? I will report back after our April trip.

 

[stacy347]

Thank you! We won't be going until summer vacation so I'd love to hear what you thought of it after you get back.

 

[robvia]

I've stayed at Movieland. It's actually clean considering it's a budget hotel. There was no "hotel smell" in my room, which means they must change the AC filters on a regular basis.
There's a BW across from Universal, it costs more but has free breakfast. The movie land location does not have free breakfast because it's huge, has many buildings (condo like) that are 4 stories tall which make a huge square around the pool.
Yes, it is directly across from WnW, best location if you are going there. You could walk to the parks but it would take you about 30 minutes. To save the parking fee, drive over to the TGIFridays lot and walk across Kirkman road. They probably have a shuttle, but they usually don't start running until after the park opens, which takes away your morning advantage. So I'd drive the rental car over to the TGIFridays lot at 8am. That's how you beat the crowd when staying offsite, drive over at 8am and be first to the gate. The crowds show up at 11am. Here's my page of offiste hotels.
Universal Orlando Offsite Hotels