hotels-1 or 2 ?

[Dislifer]

We plan on doing 3 nights at RPR and then spending 2 days at SeaWorld and Discovery Cove. So, here is my question: Should we spend the entire stay at RPR OR should we spend 3 nights at RPR and then 2 nights at a hotel right near Seaworld? (I heard Renaissance was nice.)
If I do split the stay, any recommendations for transportation because I wasn't planning on renting a car.
Thanks all!!!

 

[Kimberlyfamilyfv]

if you stay at RP I think they have a shuttle bus in the morning to go to sea world (free). But the pick up times from sea world are limited. The best thing to do is to call the hotel and find out what the times are. I would hate to be stuck at sea world for longer than I wanted because of a limited bus schedule.

if you decide to rent a car and you stay off site there is a nice holiday inn south of Sandlake Rd. 8214 universal blvd if you book at their website with entertainment rate it is 54.50 plus tax per night. www.priorityclub.com
The drive to seaworld is very minimal.

Kimberly

 

[lindalinda]

i think i would stay at the rpr all nights. depending on when youre going, if its the summer esp. you can do sea world and come back to the hotel and still run in and ride a few rides in the evening if you want ( if you bought the 2 day + 3 free days tickets)

 

[macraven]

are you wanting to do a 3 day/ 2 day stay at the hotels due to the expense?

even though hotels off site are cheaper than the universal ones, there is a trade off when you save money.

you lose part of your day when relocating. check out of one hotel and move to another to check in. this could kill a couple of hours from your park/entertainment plans.

transportation costs need to be considered.
when you relocate to an off site hotel, you still need to make transportation arrangements to go to sea world.

if you stayed on site at universal, the shuttles are free to sea world.

for the aggravation, time, and costs, i would stay at one hotel.

 

[Dislifer]

macraven...you're right...I think I will just stay at RPR. I just wanted to see Renaissance and it sounded good that you could walk to Discovery Cove from there. Oh well...I agree ...the benefits of staying at one place, on property outweigh switching hotels!
Thanks!!!!!

 

[macraven]

dislifer, i wouldn't steer you wrong.

you will be happier staying at one place.


i have done that thing before of switching hotels and it is a lot of work.
the money i saved i lost in time and aggravation.

 

[robvia]

True, checking out of one hotel into another takes time, but the Renaissance is a beautiful resort and the best when doing DC and SWF. It's located literally across the street from SWF. When you visit DC, you get 7 days at SWF and BGT. There is a free shuttle bus that travels from SWF to BGT and DC.
http://www.nogodforme.com/images2005/SWF073005031.jpg
http://www.nogodforme.com/images2005/SWF073005030.jpg

Since you said you don't want to rent a car, there are shuttles between UO and SWF. The times vary during the year, but for July of last year, it was 10am.
http://www.nogodforme.com/images2005/IOA072905003.jpg

Most people who visit DC like to arrive early, and get an early Dolphin swim. Your swim time is based on when you check in. So if you take the free shuttle from the RPR, you won't arrive DC until 10:30am. That's kinda late. You'd have to take a limo ride from the RPR on your DC visit. You can use the free shuttle for return visits afterwards.

Here's my DC report from 2001 where we stayed at the Renaissance.
http://www.nogodforme.com/SeaWorld1.htm
We stayed on club level and it was awesome.

 

[Dislifer]

True, checking out of one hotel into another takes time, but the Renaissance is a beautiful resort and the best when doing DC and SWF. It's located literally across the street from SWF. When you visit DC, you get 7 days at SWF and BGT. There is a free shuttle bus that travels from SWF to BGT and DC.
http://www.nogodforme.com/images2005/SWF073005031.jpg
http://www.nogodforme.com/images2005/SWF073005030.jpg

Since you said you don't want to rent a car, there are shuttles between UO and SWF. The times vary during the year, but for July of last year, it was 10am.
http://www.nogodforme.com/images2005/IOA072905003.jpg

Most people who visit DC like to arrive early, and get an early Dolphin swim. Your swim time is based on when you check in. So if you take the free shuttle from the RPR, you won't arrive DC until 10:30am. That's kinda late. You'd have to take a limo ride from the RPR on your DC visit. You can use the free shuttle for return visits afterwards.

Here's my DC report from 2001 where we stayed at the Renaissance.
http://www.nogodforme.com/SeaWorld1.htm
We stayed on club level and it was awesome.

Thank you for this great info! Wonderful pictures and descriptions!!! One question though...You said that when you visit DC, you get 7 days at SWF and BGT. What is BGT ???
TIA !!!

 

[lindalinda]

BGT=Busch Gardens Tampa

 

[Dislifer]

Thanks!