Hotel to walk to Universal

[Jewel1310]

I have a two day trip to Florida that involves a college visit and then we will run down to Universal for a one day. We haven't ever been to Universal (always Disney).

I am looking for a hotel really close to Universal but don't want to spend the $300 to stay onsite as it will be a late night at Universal followed by an early morning flight the next day. We won't have time to enjoy the frills or perks.

As my college aged kids will want to stay out most likely later than I will I was interested in a hotel that they might be able to walk to from the parks. I don't know the "lay of the land" so thought I would check if anyone had any thoughts. I didn't post this at the Universal hotel board as it looked like that was all onsite.

thanks for any info anyone can pass on.

 

[cleophus12]

I suppose you could walk into Universal, but from the entrance to the gate is really quite a long way on its own. Check around for a hotel that offers free shuttle service. Several do, and that may be your best bet.

 

[kimmyann]

The Holiday Inn Main Gate To Universal Orlando (5905 Kirkman Rd) is said to be an easy 10 minute walk through the parking lot to Universal. We had this one booked for our June trip, but have since decided we are not doing Universal this trip. I booked with my entertainment card for $63 a night and it has good reviews on TripAdvisor.

 

[Art 1]

The Holiday Inn Main Gate To Universal Orlando (5905 Kirkman Rd) is said to be an easy 10 minute walk through the parking lot to Universal. We had this one booked for our June trip, but have since decided we are not doing Universal this trip. I booked with my entertainment card for $63 a night and it has good reviews on TripAdvisor.

Yes, that would be an easy walk, went past there today. Also there is a Hyatt and some others right there. From International Drive it would be a very long walk. Many of those hotels do have shuttles.

 

[MIChessGuy]

I just returned from a stay at the Holiday Inn Maingate to Universal and did walk to the parks on a couple of days. However, I want to clarify that it isn't necessary to walk through the parking garage. From the intersection of Kirkman Road and Major Blvd., you can push the button to activate the crosswalk light to get across Kirkman. Continue walking to the "t-bone" intersection with Universal Blvd. After crossing to the other side of Universal Blvd., you will see a sign reading, "Pedestrian Walkway to Attractions." Follow that sidewalk all the way to the escalators that serve Valet Parking. Go up the escalator and you are one moving sidewalk away from Citywalk.

 

[The_Banking_Scot]

Hi,

I stayed at the Doubletree Universal Resort and walked to the parks as per MIChessGuy's directions ( about a 10-15minute walk to the parks)

Regards

TBS

 

[Jewel1310]

Thanks All - that is just the information that I needed. Good to remember the shuttles but walking allows them to leave on their time table.

MIChessGuy thanks for the directions.

The_Banking_Scot thanks for the time estimate. As an aside I saw that you are in Falkirk. I took a detour there a few years back on the way to Stirling. The Wheel was interesting and it was a busy place. It was quite a lovely excursion!

 

[Darcy03231]

We stayed at the Sheraton Studio City and its half a mile to US/IOA. I got it for $52/night on Hotwire. I limited my search to the Universal area and 3*. We had a car so we didn't have to walk. You could see the top part of Hulk from our hotel window.

 

[calmk]

I just returned from a stay at the Holiday Inn Maingate to Universal and did walk to the parks on a couple of days. However, I want to clarify that it isn't necessary to walk through the parking garage. From the intersection of Kirkman Road and Major Blvd., you can push the button to activate the crosswalk light to get across Kirkman. Continue walking to the "t-bone" intersection with Universal Blvd. After crossing to the other side of Universal Blvd., you will see a sign reading, "Pedestrian Walkway to Attractions." Follow that sidewalk all the way to the escalators that serve Valet Parking. Go up the escalator and you are one moving sidewalk away from Citywalk.

thank you MIChessGuy - we are due to stay at the Doubletree in April so will use your advice x

 

[calmk]

Hi,

I stayed at the Doubletree Universal Resort and walked to the parks as per MIChessGuy's directions ( about a 10-15minute walk to the parks)

Regards

TBS

We are due to stay at Doubletree - family of 5 for 2 weeks in April - did you enjoy your stay there? How long was your stay and did you catch the shuttle to the parks.

We are all really looking forward to the holiday - just need to buy tickets for universal. already got the Ultimate ticket for Disney. Has anyone bought from undercovertourist?

All advice welcome - first big holiday as a family

 

[MIChessGuy]

That Doubletree gets a pretty good ranking in the 2011 Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World. Other Doubletree's I have used in the past have been excellent. I ended up across the street at the Holiday Inn last week because that was a Priceline win. In particular, I was pleased with the free parking and lack of a resort fee there. I suspect the Doubletree charges at least one of those, if not both.

Getting back to the walk from the hotel, I just remembered that I did see people crossing Major Blvd. west of Kirkman to enter the parking garage through what I believe was one of the exit driveways. As explained in my earlier message, this is not necessary. Even if it is faster, I wonder whether trying to walk into the garage sets off a security sensor or creates other difficulty for people walking to Universal. Better just to take the regular pedestrian sidewalks, in my opinion.

 

[The_Banking_Scot]

We are due to stay at Doubletree - family of 5 for 2 weeks in April - did you enjoy your stay there? How long was your stay and did you catch the shuttle to the parks.

We are all really looking forward to the holiday - just need to buy tickets for universal. already got the Ultimate ticket for Disney. Has anyone bought from undercovertourist?

All advice welcome - first big holiday as a family

Hi,

I stayed there for three nights whilst going to Universal ( then a week at disney). It is a good hotel and I walked to the theme park each day.

Regards

TBS

 

[celerystalker]

I'm staying at the homewood suites on American way. I am training to walk a 1/2 marathon and need to get 6 miles in for my training. Are there sidewalks so that I could walk to Universal?

It seems the best route would be from American way to International to Kirkman, then follow MIChessGuy's directions.
Is this doable and safe?

 

[telephoneman66]

I'm staying at the homewood suites on American way. I am training to walk a 1/2 marathon and need to get 6 miles in for my training. Are there sidewalks so that I could walk to Universal?

It seems the best route would be from American way to International to Kirkman, then follow MIChessGuy's directions.
Is this doable and safe?

There are sidewalks. It is fairly safe to walk to and from Universal, but at night it is kind of dark and not very well travelled. I wouldn't recommend it for a single or a small group of females at night.

There are lots of hotels with shuttles. I'd use those after dark. We've gone on two Universal Vacations, never rented a car and never stayed "on property". We just book a hotel with a shuttle and take it to and fro. We get the I-trolley pass and use it to go places. There's a stop close to the road to Universal, Kirkman?, can't remember now. From the trolley stop to Universal took me about 10 - 15 mins to walk. It's a busy road, but the sidewalks are good. Like I said, it's pretty secluded and I wouldn't be comfortable letting my wife who is a 3rd degree black belt and a marathon runner walk it alone.

Safety First.

 

[taliategan]

I'm staying at the homewood suites on American way. I am training to walk a 1/2 marathon and need to get 6 miles in for my training. Are there sidewalks so that I could walk to Universal?

It seems the best route would be from American way to International to Kirkman, then follow MIChessGuy's directions.
Is this doable and safe?

I think the better route to walk is to turn right onto International off of American Way; walk to Universal Blvd (across from Wet N' Wild); right onto Universal Boulevard and this will take you to the bus drop area below the walkway from the Universal garages to CityWalk - you can take escalator or stairs from there up to the walkway; there a sidewalks the whole way and where Universal Blvd. passes over I-4 there are high fences along the walkway. I think this is about a 20-25 minute walk. I'm not so sure that part of Kirkman where it intersects with International would be a safe area to walk. I believe there may be ramp that leads from International to Kirkman. Maybe someone else can give you better insight on the saftey of walking along Kirkman.