January - Stay On Site?

[DisneyFamily123]

First time trip to Universal and Islands of Adventure January 26-29. Off site hotels are a lot cheaper. Not sure we need the unlimited front of line pass (comes with staying onsite) that time of year plus none of us are getting on the thrill coasters - Hulk, Dragon Challenge, Rip Ride Rockit. Any other advantages to the 3 on site hotels? I don't think we need a mid day break but some evening entertainment for Mom, Dad, and son age 7 would be nice. I'm also hoping the pools are heated like Disney resorts do. Thank you!

 

[macraven]

your planned time period is not a bad park crowd period.


either way, you should be good on where ever you stay.



for me, i would stay onsite in order to immerse myself in the whole darkside adventure.
great to return to the onsite hotel to relax, do the pool, eat at the hotel or city walk, etc.

part of the fun i have while at the darkside is staying on site.

i enjoy not having to rush from offsite to the parks.
i can sleep in longer and still do early entry in the morning.


if you are only interested in doing the parks and rides, you should not encounter lengthy line waits.
staying offsite would be fine for your stay.

 

[RMulieri]

We went last Jan and stayed onsite and glad we did..Portofino Bay was gorgeous, a nice stroll or boat ride away.The express passes were worth it !! YES Jan is slower...BUT THERE ARE LOTS OF TOUR GROUPS ..LOTS of them all over , all month long.I liked going into the express line and not waiting behind them and avoiding them

 

[bumbershoot]

I will stay onsite no matter how quiet the parks might be. We've experienced lines where the Express Pass got us on the ride merely a minute or two earlier than the regular line; 1 minute or so for each ride adds up at the end of the day! (and it doesn't remain just 1 minute or so as the day goes on)

The biggest line we've bypassed was for the High in the Sky ride in the Seuss area! On our first trip, none of us went on ANY big coasters at all. Biggest ride done on that trip was Forbidden Journey, and only I rode that (and that doesn't even accept the Express Pass). And yet we still had a fabulous time, and felt the Express Pass and staying onsite was well worth it.

And yes, the pools are heated.

 

[DisneyFamily123]

Thank you everyone! We will be driving a rental car from Pompano Beach and looking forward to something new... going to Universal. I'd have to pay to keep the rental car longer too if off site (and pay to park). If onsite, we will probably return the rental car as soon as we get to Orlando/Universal.

Wish we could do both Universal and WDW but can't. Hard Rock Hotel looks great especially with the water slide. I read that onsite guests can use the pools at all 3 hotels but I'd love to be close to the pool slide.

Thanks again!

 

[Bluer101]

We would not even go without staying onsite, slow or busy. It's not about just the express but the whole relaxing atmosphere without a care in the world.