Hotels outside of Disney World

[madmeg]

We will be staying at one of the Disney World Resort Hotels for the first 7 days of our trip. The next 4 days, we will be venturing out and about and want to move to a different hotel. Which hotel do you recommend? We want to be near Universal and shopping. Thank you in advance.

 

[FCDub]

So many hotels in Orlando. What helps narrow the available options down is:

- Who is "we"? Number of adults, children (if any)? How many beds?
- Budget
- What constitutes "near Universal" – how far are you willing to drive? Will you even have a car, or will you be relying on Uber/Lyft/taxi?
- What constitutes "shopping"? A mall?

 

[madmeg]

My apologies. Sorry!

There will be 4 of us. 2 Adults, 2 children. We will need 2 beds, or a suite 1 king with sofa, free breakfast
Budget: Under $150/night.
We will have a rental car during those 4 days. Shopping = outlets, mall.

 

[spiceycat]

are you going to Us - then would suggest one their resorts -

from universalorlando.com

Staying on-site is the best way to experience all that Universal Orlando Resort™ has to offer. When you stay with us, you'll enjoy Early Park Admission† to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ and Universal’s Volcano Bay™ one hour before the theme park opens (valid theme park admission required), and receive other special perks exclusive to on-site hotel guests.

Plus, guests staying at select on-site hotels get more rides, more often with FREE* Universal Express Unlimited™. So you can skip the regular lines at most popular attractions in Universal Studios Florida™ and Universal’s Islands of Adventure™, including The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man®, Despicable Me Minion Mayhem™ and now The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™.

the hotels seem to be

the Loews hotels - expensive
hard rock
and several others

I might go with Loews Sapphire Resort it is more expensive than what you want to pay - but with the early entry it might be worth it

 

[BrinkofSunshine]

Cabana Bay is on-site at Universal; it’s their budget hotel and I believe it would be in your budget. It’s a very nicely retro-themed hotel with a lazy river pool. You’d also get early entry into the Universal parks; but there’s no free breakfast.

 

[HopperFan]

Cabana Bay is on-site at Universal; it’s their budget hotel and I believe it would be in your budget. It’s a very nicely retro-themed hotel with a lazy river pool. You’d also get early entry into the Universal parks; but there’s no free breakfast.

^THIS

Breakfast wouldn't be a deal breaker. I'd just stop at Walmart on the way between Disney and there (there is a nice one) and grab some breakfast food for the room.

https://www.loewshotels.com/cabana-bay-hotel

 

[bankr63]

Cabana Bay is on-site at Universal; it’s their budget hotel and I believe it would be in your budget. It’s a very nicely retro-themed hotel with a lazy river pool. You’d also get early entry into the Universal parks; but there’s no free breakfast.

^THIS

But, if you are going at a busier time, consider upgrading one class higher. The Universal Express Unlimited passes included in the next tier up add a lot of value to the room. CB doesn't include the pass.

If you aren't set on staying onsite at USO, then a world of opportunity opens up. There are many fine timeshare resorts in the area that meet your budget and include a whole lot more space than any hotel room or hotel suite. Breakfast isn't generally included, but you will have a full kitchen. We find it just as quick to spend 5 minutes whipping up a quick breakfast as the time spent herding the troops downstairs to hotel breakfast room. Considering our tendency to overeat at restaurants the rest of the day, a light breakfast of toasted bagels and toppings is all our family needs. Hilton, Marriott, Sheraton and others have nearby resort properties that should fall within that budget.

 

[coast2coastmickey]

Hilton Grand Vacations Tuscany is a great property. We loved it on our 2nd to last trip. It's attached to some outlets if that's your thing for shopping. Publix across the street and many other options not far away for restaurants.