International Treveler coming in for 2 weeks - Universal as base good idea?

[pearljammer]

Hi All, I know someone coming in from EU and staying on Universal property for 4 nights to do parks and get the quick pass. I’ve been advised they were told Endless Summer would be a good place. They will NOT have a car. I know there is a bus system in place etc but wanting to make this uncomplicated as possible. Anyone with experience such as this advise on a hotel/resort that would work well for this? Any insight/suggestions with over complicated bus transport would be appreciated.

 

[starry_solo]

Where are they spending the majority of their time? If it's at Universal Studios Orlando, then they should be staying on property there, or as close as possible.

They can take public transportation or a rideshare option to get to Disney.

If it's only 5 days and then 1 day Disney, what are they doing the rest of the time?

 

[pearljammer]

Where are they spending the majority of their time? If it's at Universal Studios Orlando, then they should be staying on property there, or as close as possible.

They can take public transportation or a rideshare option to get to Disney.

If it's only 5 days and then 1 day Disney, what are they doing the rest of the time?

I got the impression the 10 day excludes their 4 park days. I’ve NO idea what they are going to do which is why I’m wondering where a good base hotel would be with good shuttles to both Disney Springs and possibly City Walk in case they want to go back there.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

Doubt any hotels have shuttles to both. Hotels near enough to I-Drive would give access to the I-Drive trolley. Ubers would also be an option to/from anywhere.

Really, if they have 5 park days total, and another 9 days to do miscellaneous stuff, they should look at renting a car. CityWalk and Disney Springs aren't near 9 days worth of entertainment. There are a lot of fun options around Orlando & further but they'll spend more on Ubers than just renting a car for a week or 2.

 

[starry_solo]

I got the impression the 10 day excludes their 4 park days. I’ve NO idea what they are going to do which is why I’m wondering where a good base hotel would be with good shuttles to both Disney Springs and possibly City Walk in case they want to go back there.

I see. Yeah, 10 days extra, on top of the 5 park days, is too much time to not be doing something. Also, with 10 extra days, perhaps look at renting a timeshare unit at Wyndham Bonnet Creek or something similar, so they have space to spread out in. There isn't enough shopping or other stuff to do in the Orlando area.

 

[Tink3815]

I have used the Orlando I trolley many times to get around the area. https://www.internationaldriveorlando.com/iride-trolley/

There is a stop right outside the gate at Universal Dockside, G-5. Universal Dockside keeps that gate unlocked. It is a 2-minute walk past where you take the Universal Transportation to the parks where you would catch the trolley. Cross the driveway road where the buses pull away from the bus stop. There are crosswalks. This is also the quickest way to walk to Walgreens drugstore on the corner. There is also a stop near the Universal Endless Summer. Cross the driveway road where the buses pull away from the bus stop. If you are staying at other Universal hotels, take your hotel’s bus City Walk. At the City walk get on the bus to the Dockside hotels. Its only a few steps and you do not need to go upstairs through security. Buses come every few minutes.

There are 2 Factory Outlet Malls at each end of the route. You can take the trolley to Sea World. The website has extensive lists of what is near the stops. You can buy passes online or pay with cash on the trolley. Seniors over 65 are just .25 cents a ride. You cannot buy that ticket online.

Another good thing about Unoversal hotels they have an Avis rental cars locations right on site.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

staying on Universal property for 4 nights to do parks and get the quick pass. I’ve been advised they were told Endless Summer would be a good place.

Are they wanting to get the Express Passes from the Universal hotel? Endless Summer does not include these, it is only the three top hotels that include Express - Portofino Bay, Hard Rock, and Royal Pacific. The hotel Express does not include Epic, it only works at Islands / Studios.