HIFS to Universal and Seaworld

[MrsMud]

Okay, I have been going crazy here! Last trip we did all Disney, stayed at HIFS, and loved it. This trip we will be doing mostly US/IOA and Seaworld. I have been looking for a hotel similar to HIFS (which my kids absolutely loved), but closer to these parks. I am having a really hard time. To find a hotel that accommodates our sleeping needs (3 adults and 2 kids, must have a suite) without busting my budget seems to be impossible. So the question is: How long is the drive and how is the traffic from HIFS to US and Seaworld? Would I be crazy to stay here and spend at least 6 days traveling back and forth?

 

[hercamore]

Well, it's probably l0 minutes from HIFS on the interstate to SW and l5 min. to Universal.

I've done the trip many times. Stayed at Hard Rock and drove to disney. STayed at Disney and drove to Universal.

It's not bad IF you stayed away from rush hour times.

I was going to respond to your other post about hotels. How about tthe NEW Marriot Residence Inn at SW? Check the marriott website for specials. You can get a speacious 2 br suite with breakfast that will be bigger than the HIFS. 2 queen, l king, l pullout, kitchen, 2bath.
Or many of the Marriot timeshares are in the SW area.
herc.

 

[Robinrs]

I've done that route several times myself. I like to stay at vacation homes and they are all near Disney and I ONLY go to USF and SeaWorld. Rainy afternoons can be trying on the psyche and your patience, and I-4 can be a mess to navigate so take that into consideration.

You might want to check out the suite hotels on I-Drive, which is closer to USF and SW. The Summerfield Suites have a two bedroom that is very roomy and they offer a free continental breakfast. There is also the Homewood, Sierra and Embassy Suites.

The Vistana Villages are close to SeaWorld and they're huge and comfortable. Check out www.hotelkingdom.com for rates.

The Holiday Inn Universal offers one bedroom suites and they're right across the street from Universal's parking garage.

Hope that helps!

 

[LISALISA36]

www.ramada.com

check these out ,,

6800 Villa De Costa Drive
Orlando, FL, 32821 US
407-239-0707
2 bed room suites...

 

[hookit]

Two years ago I stayed at the howard Johnson on I drive hawiian court. Two adults Four children. The rooms and bath were small but clean. Nothing fancy but the pool was nice and right off our sliding doors. They also provided a continental breakfast,serial and muffins. The price made it attractive at $59.00/night. It was right next to Sea world and about 10 mins. from universal.This is not a HIFS by half the cost.

 

[MrsMud]

Thanks so much for all the info.! I asked my girls and they REALLY want to go back to HIFS. In addition, we can get a really great rate there, either with Senior Saver or Entertainment rate (much cheaper than anything equivalent that I can find in the Universal area. So, I am once again leaning toward staying at HIFS. Does anyone else want to try to sway me, one way or the other? For those who have stayed there and done the commute, how long did it take? How was the traffic? I would assume "rush hour" might be about the time we are trying to get to the park for opening? Oh, I just don't know!

 

[lejaf]

MrsMudd, I'm in the same boat as you. I mentioned the "commute" dilema to my husband and he said we didn't have trouble the last time....we went to IOA two years ago from HIFS and I don't remember thinking about the commute at all...so it looks like we are going back to HIFS again too!

 

[MrsMud]

Lejaf, when are you going? We haven't decided yet, Oct., Nov. or Dec.

 

[lejaf]

MrsMud, we are going in March so I'll let you know how the traffic is during our trips back and forth to Universal...

October, November or December...wow, that's a wide range to pick from. I've never been in the fall, but my neighbor went in October of 2001 and it was empty and she had perfect weather (but that was after 9\11 so the lack of crowds was probably unique) We also have some other friends who go almost every October because the crowds are down and the weather is usually good. My sister in law went for 10 days over Veterens day and had good weather for almost the entire trip and again, the crowds were not bad except for the holiday weekend. My sister went over Thanksgiving and again the week before Christmas....she said the crowds were a little crazy around Thanksgiving and for the Christmas trip the crowds were low, but she had some rainy and cool weather.

 

[MrsMud]

(LOL) I know it is a wide range. Thanks for the reports re: the different months. We have been to Disney early Dec. and loved it, but had unseasonably warm weather. This time I am more concerned about the weather, as we will be at IOA and Seaworld, two very wet parks. I don't really want to chance walking around soaking wet in 60 degree temps! I was leaning toward early Oct., but another DISer kindly pointed out that the HHN nights will be going on then, which draws large crowds. Definitely want to avoid the crowds, so that leaves early Nov! (At least for now, I'm sure I'll change my mind several times before making a firm decision)

 

[Shadow8]

I just made reservations at the Quality Suites Universal Orlando

The reason we picked this hotel is that all of the reviews I read
were good and we have 6 people and could get a suite for 1 bedroom suite with 2 double beds and a sofa bed for $79

I booked this off their website using the internet rate.
It was about the same rate that others discounted it to, but this way I don't have to prepay it and can cancel it up to 24 hours in advance of the 4:00 day of arrival if we needed to.

This includes a full breakfast, not continental.

It also includes shuttles to Universal, Sea World, Wet & Wild
and Disney.

http://www2.choicehotels.com

Patti

 

[lejaf]

MrsMud, We just got back last night from a stay at HIFS. We went to Universal/IOA 4 days, Seaworld one day and Wet n Wild one day and MK one day. The ride to and from Universal was real easy and never longer than 15 minutes (usually more like 10 minutes) either going to or coming home from the parks. Take a right out of the resort and a right in front of Gaylord Palms Resort and a right onto I-4. Coming home, get on I-4 and take exit 65 Gaylord Resort and then Oscela Parkway towards Kissimee and then a left at Gaylord and you are home again. Really couldn't be much easier.

We had a great stay at HIFS and my family wants to return next year. I was hoping for a trip to an island for a change, but I do love Orlando too, so we'll probably be back to see the mouse, but I have to say, Universal/IOA really won me over!

Have fun planning your trip!

 

[MrsMud]

Wow, Lejaf! Thanks so much for posting your report, I really appreciate it. I'm glad you had a good trip. We will be staying at HIFS, going to SW 2 days, IOA/US 3 days and MK 1 day. Seems like the commute is not bad at all, I'm so relieved! Thanks again.