International Drive question(s)

[karavi]

Been lurking for weeks now, and hopefully these questions haven't been answered already. Search function is down!

I'm going to be at IoA/US next week (Monday through Friday, trying to avoid crowds) and will be staying at a hotel on International Drive. While l was reading through my itinerary I read that scheduled transportation from the hotel is only during normal park operating hours. I have early park admission to IoA WWOHP, does anyone know when the transportation arrives or should I suck it up and get a cab? My breakfast reservation at the Three Broomsticks is at 8:30, so this would be great to know.

My hotel is Econo Lodge, I'm a college kid with no kids so I try to make it as cheap as possible.

If anyone has any tips for IoA/US that would be great too. I already know about no bags, etc which isn't hard to accomplish for me. Are week days generally empty? If anyone has info about hidden gems on International Drive too that'd be great!

Thanks in advance. Super pumped about this trip, it's been snowing all month where I live and I can't wait for warmer weather.

 

[Gr8t Fan]

I'd call Econo Lodge to ask about the shuttle. If the park doesn't open until 9 am, I could see them having the first shuttle arrive about 8:45 am which would be too late for your Three Broomsticks reservation.

If you use the single rider line for FJ, be sure to do the castle tour later so you don't miss anything in the castle.

And have fun!

 

[Bluer101]

I'd call Econo Lodge to ask about the shuttle. If the park doesn't open until 9 am, I could see them having the first shuttle arrive about 8:45 am which would be too late for your Three Broomsticks reservation.

If you use the single rider line for FJ, be sure to do the castle tour later so you don't miss anything in the castle.

And have fun!

I'm with you, I would definitely call Econo Lodge and find out.

 

[karavi]

Alright just called, for future reference if anyone happens to wonder, the first shuttle arrives at 8:10 am, so to be on the safe side I may have to call and see if I can change my reservation.

Thanks for the help.

 

[ducky_love]

In my experience "scheduled" means they don't even get you there for park opening. Call for sure... but I would plan on a cab.

 

[Thumper_Man]

Been lurking for weeks now, and hopefully these questions haven't been answered already. Search function is down!

I'm going to be at IoA/US next week (Monday through Friday, trying to avoid crowds) and will be staying at a hotel on International Drive. While l was reading through my itinerary I read that scheduled transportation from the hotel is only during normal park operating hours. I have early park admission to IoA WWOHP, does anyone know when the transportation arrives or should I suck it up and get a cab? My breakfast reservation at the Three Broomsticks is at 8:30, so this would be great to know.

My hotel is Econo Lodge, I'm a college kid with no kids so I try to make it as cheap as possible.

If anyone has any tips for IoA/US that would be great too. I already know about no bags, etc which isn't hard to accomplish for me. Are week days generally empty? If anyone has info about hidden gems on International Drive too that'd be great!

Thanks in advance. Super pumped about this trip, it's been snowing all month where I live and I can't wait for warmer weather.

First off, welcome to the Disboards.

What I would like to know is how you managed to snag a breakfast reservation at the Three Broomsticks. I thought this was reserved only for guests that stayed on-site. We wanted to do this on our last trip, but was told you had to be staying on-site.

I agree with others, I would call the Econo Lodge and ask about the shuttle.

 

[Bluer101]

First off, welcome to the Disboards.

What I would like to know is how you managed to snag a breakfast reservation at the Three Broomsticks. I thought this was reserved only for guests that stayed on-site. We wanted to do this on our last trip, but was told you had to be staying on-site.

I agree with others, I would call the Econo Lodge and ask about the shuttle.

They booked a package with a partner hotel.

 

[karavi]

Bluer is correct! I clicked on the HP exclusive vacation offer at the bottom of the website (can't post links yet) and booked with a partnering hotel.

I more than likely will be taking a cab, I'm a bit irritated that the shuttle won't get there a little bit earlier for people who have this package, but it is what it is.

 

[fairyprincess88]

I just got back from an off-site stay at a partner hotel(Holiday Inn at the entrance to Universal) on the Potter package. My advice is this. See if you can change your 3 Broomsticks reservation till around 9-9:30. You want to use that full extra hour in Potter for the attractions, not eating. We had our reservation for 3B at 9:30 and it was perfect, as we already done Ollivanders and FJ and FoH before regular guests arrived. Then once the masses started pouring in, we were able to slip into a near empty 3B for our breakfast and enjoy a quiet meal.

As for getting to the park, I'd honestly just spend the extra cash for a cab that day. The shuttles pick up at all the surrounding hotels, not just yours and it can take a while to get the parks. My hotel was the second stop before Universal, and it was standing room only the one day we took it. Talking to some people on the shuttle, they had been on there for 40 minutes. I honestly don't see paying the extra for the Potter package only to waste the most important perk(early admission) sitting on a shuttle or eating breakfast. Trust me, that full extra hour before park opening is a godsend when it comes to Potter as you can get the long line attractions out of the way quickly then just spend the rest of your time there casually soaking in all the magic.

 

[Thumper_Man]

They booked a package with a partner hotel.

Bluer is correct! I clicked on the HP exclusive vacation offer at the bottom of the website (can't post links yet) and booked with a partnering hotel.

Ah. Thanks for the info. We're hoping to stay on-site on our next trip actually.

Sorry Karavi, not trying to hijack your thread, just trying to piggyback off of it. Do you get express pass privileges if you stay at a partner hotel?

 

[karavi]

No problem. Express pass is for on-site only, sadly.

fairyprincess88: Which taxi service did you use? I've been looking up rates and am seeing around $15 on average for 4-5 miles, which isn't bad at all.

 

[fairyprincess88]

No problem. Express pass is for on-site only, sadly.

fairyprincess88: Which taxi service did you use? I've been looking up rates and am seeing around $15 on average for 4-5 miles, which isn't bad at all.

The hotel called the cab for us, but since we were very close to the parks(just too lazy that early) to walk it cost us about $8 to get there, as they charged a pick up fee. And if we didn't feel like taking the shuttle back and grabbed one of the many cabs outside of City Walk it cost only $4 to get back.

 

[IdesOmarch]

On I-Drive I am betting you are super close to Unviversal, I would order a cab for about 15 minutes before you need to leave, and order it the night before just in case. Shouldn't be more than 10 bucks for that cab trip, maybe less.

 

[fairyprincess88]

Thumper_Man just so you are aware though, staying onsite is not what gets you the breakfast at Three Broomsticks. For that you must be staying on the Potter package either onsite or off-site at a Partner hotel. The cost of the breakfast is included in your package and you are given tickets to hand over to "pay" for your food.

Honestly, while the breakfast was a nice break, you can just have lunch at the 3B and save yourself some money if you are already staying onsite. The best perk of the Potter package is the ability to stay offsite and still get early admission, which is already included with a normal onsite stay.

 

[Metro West]

No problem. Express pass is for on-site only, sadly.

This is correct.

Karavi....I just wanted to welcome you to the Darkside of the boards!

 

[karavi]

Thanks. I plan on visiting in the future, so I'm sure I'll be around. When I was 5 I went to Disney with my family, they offered to take us to Universal although it wasn't planned. My only vision of Universal at the time was Jaws, and much to the dismay of my then 11 year old brother, I told them I didn't want to go because I was too scared. Making up for it now.

Probably won't go to Disney again until I have kids, not that I wouldn't enjoy it without kids, but I feel it would be more enjoyable with them. This board has offered a lot of great non-Disney advice, so I'm happy I found it.

 

[Thumper_Man]

Thumper_Man just so you are aware though, staying onsite is not what gets you the breakfast at Three Broomsticks. For that you must be staying on the Potter package either onsite or off-site at a Partner hotel. The cost of the breakfast is included in your package and you are given tickets to hand over to "pay" for your food.

Honestly, while the breakfast was a nice break, you can just have lunch at the 3B and save yourself some money if you are already staying onsite. The best perk of the Potter package is the ability to stay offsite and still get early admission, which is already included with a normal onsite stay.

We had lunch at the Three Broomsticks on our last trip. Loved the potatoes. I am aware that you need to book the Potter package. We just didn't have money to stay on-site on our last trip. We're hoping to go back next year and want to do the breakfast and take advantage of the early entry. We missed lunch at Mythos so we want to do that as well. So we're thinking breakfast at 3BS and lunch at Mythos. We want to stay on-site to also take advantage of the Unlimited Express Pass. Plus we had a few too many Hogshead Brews and cocktails at Margaritaville. So we thought we better stay on-site for our next trip. We'll have a little more money next time. I will payoff my vehicle by then.

Thanks everyone.
Thanks again Karavi for letting me piggyback off your thread. Have fun on vacation. Hope the shuttle/cab thing works out well for you.