Hotel near Universal for 2 adults/3 kids

[kbkids]

Any recommendations? DD is bringing a friend along with her, so I was hoping to find something a little bigger than the average hotel room, but I seroiusly need to keep the cost down. We'll literally just be there for sleeping. I've got a reservation right now for Comfort Suites - it says Universal Studios area - for $117 and $77 (rate changes while we're there). I'm loving this price, but has anyone stayed there - is it decent? Any other suggestions?

 

[MattM]

Have not stayed at this hotel, but go to www.tripadvisor.com and check out the reviews from people who have stayed there. Enjoy your stay

 

[horseshowmom]

Do you have AAA, AARP, or anybody in the house who is a governement employee?

I picked a random date and found that the Hawthorn Suites near Universal has 1BR suites for $89 (gov't employee) or $107 (AAA or AARP). That includes a hot breakfast every morning (which can add up if you're paying for it). I've never stayed there, but it's an option (more than a hotel room - a separate bedroom with two queen beds and a living room with a sleeper sofa).

 

[horseshowmom]

Can I add another suggestion?

Go to www.vistacayrent.com and send out a quote request. Feel free to tell them that you're looking for budget properties. You should be able to find a 3BR/2BA condo with a full kitchen (great for saving money at breakfast) for the price range that you're talking about. It's on Universal Drive and very convenient to US/IOA. However, this will probably only help you if you're planning a stay of at least 5 days.

Vista Cay is a new, upscale property (I think it's even gated).

 

[vacation dreamer]

Do you have AAA, AARP, or anybody in the house who is a governement employee?

I picked a random date and found that the Hawthorn Suites near Universal has 1BR suites for $89 (gov't employee) or $107 (AAA or AARP). That includes a hot breakfast every morning (which can add up if you're paying for it). I've never stayed there, but it's an option (more than a hotel room - a separate bedroom with two queen beds and a living room with a sleeper sofa).

This is where we are staying in January!! I have done a LOT of researching on hotels near US/IOA.

 

[kbkids]

Have not stayed at this hotel, but go to www.tripadvisor.com and check out the reviews from people who have stayed there. Enjoy your stay

Thanks - doesn't sound too bad from the reviews on there.

 

[kbkids]

Do you have AAA, AARP, or anybody in the house who is a governement employee?

I picked a random date and found that the Hawthorn Suites near Universal has 1BR suites for $89 (gov't employee) or $107 (AAA or AARP). That includes a hot breakfast every morning (which can add up if you're paying for it). I've never stayed there, but it's an option (more than a hotel room - a separate bedroom with two queen beds and a living room with a sleeper sofa).

Thanks - I'll have to check there. That's more what I'm looking for. We'll be staying in Tampa later, and that's the room setup that we've got there. Even without DD's friend along, we prefer that setup when we can because everyone just sleeps better when we're not all in the same room!

 

[kbkids]

Can I add another suggestion?

Go to www.vistacayrent.com and send out a quote request. Feel free to tell them that you're looking for budget properties. You should be able to find a 3BR/2BA condo with a full kitchen (great for saving money at breakfast) for the price range that you're talking about. It's on Universal Drive and very convenient to US/IOA. However, this will probably only help you if you're planning a stay of at least 5 days.

Vista Cay is a new, upscale property (I think it's even gated).

Oh, I wish - we'll only be there 2 nights though. I tried to reserve a place at Cypress Pointe where we usually stay when we go to Disney. They had a minimum 3 night stay, and by the time I figured out it was cheaper for me to reserve three nights and just stay 2 than to get 2 nights at a hotel, they were already sold out of rooms!!!

 

[kbkids]

Do you have AAA, AARP, or anybody in the house who is a governement employee?

I picked a random date and found that the Hawthorn Suites near Universal has 1BR suites for $89 (gov't employee) or $107 (AAA or AARP). That includes a hot breakfast every morning (which can add up if you're paying for it). I've never stayed there, but it's an option (more than a hotel room - a separate bedroom with two queen beds and a living room with a sleeper sofa).

Well - no go, they're sold out for the nights we need.

I'm starting to think we might better stay at one of Universal's hotels just for the FOTL pass. I'm noticing alot of hotels are booked up, and I'm afraid of what the crowd level is going to be like. We'll be in the park the Sunday before Thanksgiving. From everything I've read, it doesn't start to get really crowded until Tuesday or Wednesday - but now I'm nervous.

 

[horseshowmom]

Well - no go, they're sold out for the nights we need.

I'm starting to think we might better stay at one of Universal's hotels just for the FOTL pass. I'm noticing alot of hotels are booked up, and I'm afraid of what the crowd level is going to be like. We'll be in the park the Sunday before Thanksgiving. From everything I've read, it doesn't start to get really crowded until Tuesday or Wednesday - but now I'm nervous.

We were actually planning on being their Thanksgiving week ourselves (planned on staying at Vista Cay), but we had a conflict come up.

What I've read about crowds agrees with what you've read, but if I were only staying for two days, I would try to stay onsite if at all possible. Even if the crowds are fairly low, the FOTL would be a nice insurance policy. I know that the rates are sometimes not very reasonable, but I think that would be off season.

I would post over on the Universal Resort Board and ask for suggestions for getting a room as cheaply as possible. BTW, the Royal Pacific is usually the cheapest, BUT sometimes the other hotels run specials (I once saw the Portofino for significantly less). You usually just have to ask a lot of questions (also remember your discounts).

Good luck!

 

[kbkids]

We were actually planning on being their Thanksgiving week ourselves (planned on staying at Vista Cay), but we had a conflict come up.

What I've read about crowds agrees with what you've read, but if I were only staying for two days, I would try to stay onsite if at all possible. Even if the crowds are fairly low, the FOTL would be a nice insurance policy. I know that the rates are sometimes not very reasonable, but I think that would be off season.

I would post over on the Universal Resort Board and ask for suggestions for getting a room as cheaply as possible. BTW, the Royal Pacific is usually the cheapest, BUT sometimes the other hotels run specials (I once saw the Portofino for significantly less). You usually just have to ask a lot of questions (also remember your discounts).

Good luck!

I checked it earlier, and they aren't too bad. We're staying Saturday and Sunday night. We've got a FL resident discount, so that helps. Saturday night is actually not too bad at $169 , but the Sunday night stay ends up being almost double what Comfort Suites is. I know we could get the FOTL pass on Sunday if we stay there Saturday night, and now I'm just trying to figure out how much of a pain it would be to check out Sunday morning and then go to Comfort Suites Sunday night when we get done with the park.

How does it work anyway - we've never gone to Universal before. Does each person just get a room key, kinda like Disney with the extra magic hours?

 

[kbkids]

Well- that won't work either. We only get the FL resident rate if we stay two nights!!! AARGH!! I wish I had a better idea of what the crowd level will be like!!

 

[jdm]

The crowd level from what I hear will be huge. We are going on the 9th of November and returning on the 19th. The Monday before Thanksgiving. I've done a ton of research and from what I've read, crowds start getting heavy on Sat and then get bigger as the weeks go on. Sat. and Sun. can be crowded anyway because of locals. We are doing Universal on the front end of our trip. We are staying at the Hardrock for $235 AAA rate per night. As much as it pains me to pay this for two nights (plus parking, plus inflated food and drink prices) I don't think I could do Universal without the FOTL access. And, thats not all. They transport you back and forth in a water taxi or it's a 5 min. walk from the HRH. This worked out great for us the last time we went there. The kids (older teens) could hop on the boat at night and go over to Citiwalk (a great place to hang out in the evening) and we could stay back if we wanted. The FOTL was worth it's wait in GOLD. 5 minute waits versus an hour. The only thing I'm planning for the weekend before we leave (the week your going) is Discovery Cove as they have a cap on how many they let in.
Just though I'd give you my input

Have fun!
Jenn

 

[Belle1962]

Well - no go, they're sold out for the nights we need.

I'm starting to think we might better stay at one of Universal's hotels just for the FOTL pass. I'm noticing alot of hotels are booked up, and I'm afraid of what the crowd level is going to be like. We'll be in the park the Sunday before Thanksgiving. From everything I've read, it doesn't start to get really crowded until Tuesday or Wednesday - but now I'm nervous.

We never stay anywhere but the Universal hotels for a quick 2 day trip. For one night at their hotel you get two days of FOTL (actually called express pass). They do allow 5 to a room also so no extra person fees. We've even been known to get a super cheap hotel for one night, get up early and do pre-check in at our hotel around 8:00 am, head to the park, check into our room in the afternoon. Next morning check out and head to the parks. bell services will hold your luggage or leave it in the car.

If you live in GA they will give you the FL resident rate.

 

[kbkids]

We never stay anywhere but the Universal hotels for a quick 2 day trip. For one night at their hotel you get two days of FOTL (actually called express pass). They do allow 5 to a room also so no extra person fees. We've even been known to get a super cheap hotel for one night, get up early and do pre-check in at our hotel around 8:00 am, head to the park, check into our room in the afternoon. Next morning check out and head to the parks. bell services will hold your luggage or leave it in the car.

If you live in GA they will give you the FL resident rate.

Well, we actually live in Florida, we qualify for the rate. But, it won't let me have it for just one night. The price goes up $60 if I only pick one night, make it $229 a nght! We just can't afford that. If I pick two nights, it goes down to $169, which is better, but we've got a much better rate at Comfort Suites. I don't know - we may just not go at all that weekend since I'm so unsure of the crowd level.

We're taking the girls to the Hannah Montana concert in Tampa on Monday and was just trying to tack on an extra day of fun. Maybe it's my sign that we're trying to do too much.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

The crowd level from what I hear will be huge. We are going on the 9th of November and returning on the 19th. The Monday before Thanksgiving. I've done a ton of research and from what I've read, crowds start getting heavy on Sat and then get bigger as the weeks go on. Sat. and Sun. can be crowded anyway because of locals. We are doing Universal on the front end of our trip. We are staying at the Hardrock for $235 AAA rate per night. As much as it pains me to pay this for two nights (plus parking, plus inflated food and drink prices) I don't think I could do Universal without the FOTL access. And, thats not all. They transport you back and forth in a water taxi or it's a 5 min. walk from the HRH. This worked out great for us the last time we went there. The kids (older teens) could hop on the boat at night and go over to Citiwalk (a great place to hang out in the evening) and we could stay back if we wanted. The FOTL was worth it's wait in GOLD. 5 minute waits versus an hour. The only thing I'm planning for the weekend before we leave (the week your going) is Discovery Cove as they have a cap on how many they let in.
Just though I'd give you my input

Have fun!
Jenn

I couldn't agree more! It's so worth it!!!
I'll never stay off site and beats any of Disney's on site perks by a mile.