Need help getting to Universal

[roachsta]

Hiya,
This is the second time we will be going to Orlando. Last time we stayed in Disney so getting to the parks wsn't a problem (although expensive). W're staying at the Quality Inn Plaza on I-Drive this time to make up for the fact that we didn't get to spend any time in international drive on our last visit. Apparently there's a free shuttle bus that goes to the Universal parks from the hotel but I heard that this can get very full and ends up leaving alot of people behind, so we're wondering if there's a way to get to the parks using the I-Trolley. I know that it no longers stops there directly but surely there must be some way of getting there using the i-trolley. We plan on spending a lot of time at the parks and don't like the idea of spending $50 a day on transportation. Can anyone help??!! (I know its a long thread, sorry)

 

[robvia]

Welcome aboard.

I tell everyone to rent the car, that way you can explore I-drive and travel to the parks when you want.

Hotels are starting to charge people for using a shuttle. For example, the Amerisuites directly across from the parking garage charges $9 per person round trip, proof is here.

http://www.nogodforme.com/Amerisuites.htm

If you want to park for free across the street from the parking garage, here is your page. This spot, is where the I-trolley would drop you off, in the TGIF parking lot.

http://www.nogodforme.com/offsite.htm

 

[roachsta]

Thanks for the quick reply. The only problem is that I've heard that there's an extortionate surcharge for drivers under 25 . Also i have to be honest and say that i'm somewhat afraid to drive. I;m guessing that if it comes to it we'll just have to rely on the shuttle bus for now.

 

[Eclpz314]

Our family of 4 took a taxi from RPR to WetnWild on Int'l Dr. for only a little over $5 total one way. From RPR to SeaWorld it was around $14 total one way. That way, you can plan to come and go around your schedule and not a shuttle bus. AND you don't have to worry about driving in that traffic yourself, but can look at scenery instead. We bought passes and rode the trolley last year, but wouldn't plan to do it if we had to be somewhere at a certain time.....our trolley was packed to the seams and passed many trolley stops filled with waiting people.....and it wasn't just at "rush hour" or anything. AND we had to get off at the mall stop with everyone else, even though we were just kind of touring. We then had to wait in a line to get back on the next trolley with dozens of other people.....not fun on a hot day.

 

[robvia]

Since you are under 25, renting the car is tuff with the surcharge.
I'd look into the hotels across from the parking garage within walking distance. You can see them in the web site I posted. Most don't recommend the Holiday Inn. Next up would be the Double Tree, nothing negative about it, but haven't heard of too many staying there. The Days Inn would be affordable, but is a dive. The Best Western is a good choice. My best advice would be to see if you can afford the Amerisuites, because you can walk to the parks, and you get free breakfast at the hotel. This way, you only need the limo ride to and from the airport, and you can stop on the way and get groceries at Publix. Most limo services will make one stop as a perk for using them.

What is it on I-drive you want to see? It's just a bunch of shops and restaurants. I remember it was kinda fun to walk it because of all the people and cheap shops, but I wouldn't plan my hotel around it if you don't have a car. Here's the tour of I-drive

http://www.nogodforme.com/touridrive.htm

If you stay across the street from the parking garage, you can wake up early, walk to the park, and be there before the gate opens, which will get you on the rides with a short wait. Then you can take the I-Trolley to I-drive at night, but it's really not necessary when you can hang out at CityWalk.

If you stay on I-drive, and take the trolleys to the park, you won't arrive until 11am, and that's the worst time to show up. You need to flip it around and stay across from the parking garage. Book the new hotel before you cancel your existing reservation.

 

[roachsta]

In hindsight I would loved to have booked a hotel closer to the parks but I went and booked at quality inn plaza ayear ago before even hearing anything about it, it was an impulse booking while I was surfing travel websites. So its all booked now, which is a shame.

 

[robvia]

Well that's a bummer if you can't cancel the reservation.
You'll have to weigh the differance of using a limo service (Happy Limo, Fl Tours, Mears, ect), versus a Taxi cab.
You don't want to use the hotel shuttle even if it is free, or the I-Trolley, because you won't get to the park until 10am, and that's late.
Maybe you can call the hotel and see what they recommend and what limo services they use. The key to short lines when staying off site is getting to the park before 9am.

 

[bj70]

We used the shuttle from the Rodeway, got us to Universal at 8:30 and virtually front of the queue everytime. It was only February so not the busiest time, but everyone got on every day as far as I could tell.