Looking for Advice

[Bowen9475]

Last winter I took my 3 kids - 10, 7 and 4 - to WDW for a few days over February school vacation without my husband. I am considering taking them to Universal this coming year. We have all been to Disney many times and are very familiar with it. We've only been to Universal once all together. How hard or easy would this trip be? I found the trip last year to be much easier than I was expecting. Where would you suggest we stay? The onsite hotels seem to be very pricey for the dates I'm looking at. Are there any decent nearby off-site hotels to consider? I am trying to avoid a rental car so a hotel with a shuttle would be needed. Any suggestions/information would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[yaytezIOA]

When in the winter are you going?
Shuttles are not the way to go as they usually only leave after the parks open, and they only go once...usually.
What about a hotel within walking distance?
Will you be going alone again?
What kinds of rides do the kids like?
Give us some details, then we'll be able to help more.

 

[Metro West]

As yaytez said...give us some details and the Universal homies will spring into action.

 

[Darcy03231]

We just got back and had a great time at both US and IOA. Since we were there for two weeks I rented a house, but we did spend the first night at the Sheraton Studio City. Its about half a mile from US/IOA. Very nice hotel. I wouldn't try to go without a car if you're not staying on-site. I found it was very easy to drive around Orlando. Everything was very well marked. Try www.mousesavers.com for discount codes on rental cars. I got a great deal for the two weeks we were there.

 

[Bowen9475]

I would very likely be going alone again. We would go at the end of our school vacation which is President's week, probably from February 20 on. Are there any hotels within walking distance? We were in Universal about 3 years ago and all 3 kids love just about all rides so I know we would enjoy the parks. My biggest concerns are budget, a hotel and not wanting to rent a car. Thanks again!

 

[scoobysmom]

I would very likely be going alone again. We would go at the end of our school vacation which is President's week, probably from February 20 on. Are there any hotels within walking distance? We were in Universal about 3 years ago and all 3 kids love just about all rides so I know we would enjoy the parks. My biggest concerns are budget, a hotel and not wanting to rent a car. Thanks again!

Are there any hotels within walking distance?

Yes, the Royal Pacific Resort, Hard Rock Hotel, and Portofino Bay Hotel are all on-site. We stayed at the Royal Pacific, and it's the cheapest of the hotels. PBH is the most expensive. All are within walking distance to the parks, and water taxi services are also avaliable. Enjoy!

 

[bubba's mom]

Where would you suggest we stay? The onsite hotels seem to be very pricey for the dates I'm looking at.

You won't need a car if you stay onsite, hotels are all less than 10 minutes walking distance. If the onsite hotel prices are expensive, it' because of the holiday and it's going to be crowded. You will want to stay onsite for the unlimited Express Pass you get w/ your room key. Staying 1 night, gets you 2 days of EP (day checkin and checkout). If it's going to be busy, you definately want to try to swing staying onsite....

As far as offsite hotels, I'm sorry I can't help ya there.....(we always stay onsite)

 

[yaytezIOA]

I dont know how far a walk they would be, but there are several hotels on Major Blvd, which is the road that goes out of the valet parking area. With kids those ages though.....might be a bit of a hike at the end of a long day. Also, with kids those ages, height requirements become an issue. That would leave your 11 yr old to do a child swap with you for a lot of the rides.....or skipping rides like hulk, dragons and doom.
But at IOA there are a lot of little playgrounds and kids areas.

 

[mslclark]

My advice is to explore all possibilities of staying onsite. I don't think I'd be comfortable walking to Universal with kids from any of the nearby hotels. They are pricey, but there are discounts if you look hard enough. Check mousesavers.com:

http://www.mousesavers.com/universalorlando.html#hotel

You can't beat staying onsite, walking to both theme parks, and getting front of the line access. It makes it much easier to go back to the room for a mid day break.

Universal has such a great deal on ticket now ($86 per person) that maybe the money you save on tickets can go towards hotel? Good luck!