hotel @ SW or Universal? Pros/Cons

[mbarone54]

I'm in the beginning stages of planning a trip to Orlando that would include Sea World, Discovery Cove (DD, 7, wants to be a dophin trainer when she grows up) and Universal. Where would you stay? The "partner" hotels with each park offer a "quick queue"/front of the line type of pass for their respective park - so that is a wash in trying to decide advantages. The only "con" I can come up with for the Universal hotels is the paid parking. Ideally we'd like a complimentary breakfast - that's always a nice feature - but not necessary. Any help/advice/input would be appreciated! Thanks!

 

[ccgirl]

I'm in the beginning stages of planning a trip to Orlando that would include Sea World, Discovery Cove (DD, 7, wants to be a dophin trainer when she grows up) and Universal. Where would you stay? The "partner" hotels with each park offer a "quick queue"/front of the line type of pass for their respective park - so that is a wash in trying to decide advantages. The only "con" I can come up with for the Universal hotels is the paid parking. Ideally we'd like a complimentary breakfast - that's always a nice feature - but not necessary. Any help/advice/input would be appreciated! Thanks!

We're doing the same thing in May 2012. We are staying at the HGVC - Sea World. That includes the complimentary quick queue for Sea WOrld. Didn't know that until after we booked. Very pleasant surprise. While a breakfast is not cooked for you, we cook it for ourselves in the kitchens. We really enjoy the extra space.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[macraven]

if you would stay at one of the 3 onsite hotels at universal, you would be able to receive free, unlimited usage of the express lines for the rides and shows at two uo parks.
(excluding FJ)

you would also receive free transportation to seaworld, dc, aquatica and wet and wild.

any drink mug you buy at universal parks can be used at sw for the drink refill discounted price.


what time/month will be your future trip?

prices are lower at the UO hotels during the low season.

 

[dolphinslady]

In all honesty, it depends on how long you will spend at each park. SW's quick que is only good/useful for the coasters. However, if you aren't APHs then you can walk and save on parking if you stay at a close hotel. Universal's hotels are well worth the faster access to the rides, imo. And if you stay inside you get the early hour access to the WWOHP which we walked right on. Awesome ride, as is the Mummy. I liked the Simpsons too, lol!

As far as hotels, we have stayed at the Hilton near SW and it's close but nothing special. We stayed at Portofino at Universal and that was a delight, although pricier. Noone has a breakfast that's included I don't believe...unless you upgrade to the Club level for a continental breakfast. You would probably save quite a bit by purchasing the meal deal or just something small though for breakfast...Dunno. Great restaurants at the hotels and Citywalk and the boat or Ripshaws are both great. Actually, even the walk is too. You can hotel hop so if you stay at one, you can visit any. RPH seemed to be more fun but there's no 'slide' and my girls are 10...Sal's had awesome food, as did Bubba Gump (shrimp) and Margaritaville at CW.

Inside the park at SW, the food really is not that great. Mango Joe's seemed to be the best. Sharks, too expensive but nice to go at least once. Universal, we only ate at Mythos. Good, but not all it's cracked up to be either. Our favorite in Orlando is outside of the parks...Bahama Breeze. Never have let us down. Awesome food.

Have fun!

 

[Lynne G]

Would you mind staying at 2 hotels? For Universal, you cannot beat staying onsite. We loved the Portofino, and the ease to get back and forth from the parks, with the unlimited FOTL access is awesome. None of the onsite Universal Hotels have a free breakfast (other than at CL or buying/bring your own food) Then, when you are done with Universal, move to a hotel close to Sea World or vice versa.
After our stay at the Portofino, we move to the Fairfield at SeaWorld, with a vacation package from Sea World. With it, we got a great hotel rate, tickets, unlimited quick que access, and a pass for one all day all eat at the park. The Fairfield is very basic, but was clean, had a free breakfast, and was a 5 minute drive to SW and DC (it also has a free shuttle, but the one time I used it, did not find it timely). If you like a suite, the SpringHill Suites is right in the same comlex as the Fairfield, both owned my Mariott. The Hilton is also right next to SW, and I think people walk from there. The access to the unlimited quick que is not the best extra if you are not doing the coasters and Atlantis.

For me, a hotel that has quick access to the park is as important as how nice and clean it is. SW/DC and Universal are about 1/2 hour or longer drive each way from each other. I'd rather move, then spend an hour or more commuting to different parks.

We loved the DC. My DD wants to be a marine biologist now. The DC staff could not have been nicer in responding to questions from my kids.

 

[mbarone54]

I hadn't thought of switching hotels mid-trip, but that is certainly something to consider...I don't expect we will need more than one day at Universal - most of the rides look a tad intimidating for my daughter. Staying onsite for 1 day will assure us the FOTL convenience and then we can make the trek to a SW hotel. ...I'm liking that idea. Thanks!
We are looking to go in mid May. Hopefully before a lot of the southern schools are off for the summer!