Looking for a hotel for 2 adults with no vehicle

[AJ1983]

Hi everyone!

My plans for an Orlando vacation fell through this year (though we did enjoy a WONDERFUL vacation to Jamaica). However, my boyfriend has agreed to do a cruise and Orlando next year for my 30th birthday.

We have decided to go on March 11-23 because it seems to be the best price for the cruise (Carnival Dream) and airfare. We will be staying in Orlando for the first 5 nights, and we plan on doing theme parks for 4 days.

We are not interested in driving while on vacation, so we plan on relying on Mears to get us between the airport,hotel,and Port Canaveral.

For theme parks, we are hoping to rely on our hotel having a good complimentary/low fee shuttle service. Can anyone recommend a hotel that is clean, has a decent pool, and most importantly, has a reliable and frequent shuttle service to both Universal and Disney parks? I have tried to research this but very few hotels give any indication of how frequently the shuttles operate, just whether they offer it or not.

Thank you!

 

[mjplantz]

We have stayed at the Hilton in Downtown Disney and enjoyed the quick walk to DTD and the transportation there. The hotel has buses that are on the hour I believe and you can access EMH at the parks staying there. You could also look at the Swan and Dolphin. Depending upon your needs and park plans it might be worth it to just choose a Value resort on Disney property and take a cab to Universal.

 

[DOOM1001]

Since you're doing Disney I would obviously be looking at staying in a Disney resort as you'll have free buses,boats and monorails to get to every park,waterpark or Downtown Disney.Disney transportation is non stop from like 6:30 in the morning until the last guest is at the parks so you can come and go all over the resort as you please.For Universal you can take Mears shuttles that will take you from your Disney resort to Universal for a relatively low price.Universal also has hotels where you could walk or take a boat to the parks but since Disney has more parks you will probably spend more days at Disney,Disney also has value resorts that will be cheaper than the three Universal resorts.Another thing you could do is stay at a Disney resort for a couple of days and then move to a Universal resort since you will have express pass access at the parks by staying at their hotels.

 

[Planogirl]

Have you thought about a split stay between Disney and Universal? I'm not sure how much money you want to spend but a night or two in a Universal hotel is prety nice.

 

[AJ1983]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone! U

nfortunately when I check expedia and other sites there are no rooms available at Disney for the time we will be there. The only exception is the Dolphin and Swan, which are too expensive considering the airfare ($1100-$1300 return for 2), and the cruise (about $1600 when its all said and done).

For the same reason, I can't stay on property at Universal. We are planning on doing US,IOA,MK and either DHS or AK, so it would be good to find a hotel that shuttles to both. However, we had originally intended to stay on Disney property, which would have involved the Mears shuttle to Universal anyway. So, we would be happy to find a hotel that has a really good shuttle system to either universal or disney parks, and we can take Mears to the other.

 

[Upatnoon]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone! U

nfortunately when I check expedia and other sites there are no rooms available at Disney for the time we will be there. The only exception is the Dolphin and Swan, which are too expensive considering the airfare ($1100-$1300 return for 2), and the cruise (about $1600 when its all said and done).

For the same reason, I can't stay on property at Universal. We are planning on doing US,IOA,MK and either DHS or AK, so it would be good to find a hotel that shuttles to both. However, we had originally intended to stay on Disney property, which would have involved the Mears shuttle to Universal anyway. So, we would be happy to find a hotel that has a really good shuttle system to either universal or disney parks, and we can take Mears to the other.

If you want to save money, you'd be better off picking either universal or disney and not mixing them up.

If you pick Disney, I would keep trying and get a value resort. Your trip is far off. People cancel all the time. You should be able to get one.

If you want universal, one of their resorts would be best. There are plenty of cheaper hotels around it, many with free shuttles to universal.

 

[dtum]

have you looked at a one-bedroom at WBC? they have buses to DW


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[Shelly F - Ohio]

Just becuase expedia doesn't have rooms doesn't mean that they are sold out. Even on the Disney.com sight you can not book rooms after 12/31/12. So do give up hope you may still be able to get a good room rate at disney.

Also keep in mind you are going the week before Easter and a lot of colleges and public schools with be on spring break while you are there and hotel prices may be higher for this time period.

 

[jeli]

Yes!! The Point Orlando Resort is wonderful. We stayed there on our first trip which was just last summer. An older teenager and 2 adults. It had a nice relaxing and quiet pool with a hot tub and chairs to sun tan in - we always went to the pool every evening after coming home. There are shuttles to and from Disney, Universal, Sea World; 2 there and 2 back I believe. Email them and you can get a schedule. If we missed them we would just take a cab; it wasn't too expensive. Also there is a lovely breakfast buffet that we got complimentary coupons for; and a poolside bar/grill which is nice if you just want a burger, pizza etc for dinner.
Also, the resort is SO CLEAN! It was the cleanest place we've ever stayed. Only problem we had: I lost my silver earrings there. I believe that a maid must have taken them while cleaning...so be careful with your valuables. Other than that, this is the best resort we have ever stayed in.
It's also walking distance to Walgreens and you will also save money just walking to restaurants on International Drive. Our DEFINITE favourite was Sweet Tomatoes buffet- so healthy, delicious, VERY cheap (especially with the coupons they give you if you return!) and lots of choices! The Indian Bread, cauliflower cream soup, ice cream sundaes with warm baked goods are all delicious. There's lots of breads, pizzas, soups, make your own salads, desserts, fruits. MUCH better value than any of the restaurants at the theme parks.

 

[Brian Noble]

For theme parks, we are hoping to rely on our hotel having a good complimentary/low fee shuttle service. Can anyone recommend a hotel that is clean, has a decent pool, and most importantly, has a reliable and frequent shuttle service to both Universal and Disney parks?

No such animal exists. I would second the advice of going with *either* Universal *or* Disney, and then choosing lodging accordingly---if you absolutely do not want a car, stay onsite at one or the other, and focus on just those parks.

As for no availability: you're looking a little bit too early. Disney room rates for 2013 probably won't go live until later this summer. Likely, the same is true for the three Universal hotels.

 

[AJ1983]

lol I'm ashamed to admit I didn't consider that "unavailable" didn't necessarily mean "sold out". My bad. But thank you, I am very happy to hear that, because I have my heart set on staying at Pop at just getting a Mears shuttle for a couple of days at universal.

Thanks for all the advice everyone! We still may consider the Point of WBC, like some of you suggested, but nice to know that we may still have the on property option..guess I'll check back in September

Oh and as for going to Disney OR Universal...not gonna happen, I am a Disney girl and the only reason my boyfriend agreed was for the comic/superhero rides and theme at US, and the Star Tours ride at DHS lol.

 

[nichanda]

We recently stayed at the Holiday Inn at Downtown Disney. It has reliable buses to and from the parks every half hour. You are a 5 minute walk to Downtown Disney in one direction, and a 5 minute walk to offsite grocery store, restaurants and souvenir shops in the other direction. Both directions are nice sidewalks, your not walking on the shoulder of the road. All of the hotels on Hotel Plaza Blvd are "downtown disney" hotels which would offer the same perks listed above.

I liked the Holiday Inn. It was new, and had a mini fridge, microwave & internet in every room for no extra cost.

 

[Brian Noble]

because I have my heart set on staying at Pop at just getting a Mears shuttle for a couple of days at universal.

This won't be a problem. Keep an eye out for news that the 2013 room rates/packages are released. 2012 rates were released early/mid June 2011, so it could be any day now.

 

[spiceycat]

since you want both WDW and US - might look at the DD hotels.

it does have transportation to both - WDW Is free - but I think they is a small charge for US

here the website
http://www.downtowndisneyhotels.com/

you can sometimes find better rates here
http://www.travelzoo.com/hotels/orlando/

you might also consider renting a reservation from a DVC member - but read all the sticky FIRST
http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=29