Need help with Universal hotel choices

[jayally]

I have some time to plan out our trip but I like to get things in order as soon as I can. My 2 kids and I have never been to universal but decided to plan 2 days at the end of our trip there. I would like to stay at the Hard Rock but the rates are too high, $309/night. We are going to be there 11/24-11/26 so I am sure it is prime time just about anywhere due to Thanksgiving week. We are staying at BWV for 5 days and doing a Disney cruise so we will focus on universal only for the last part of the trip but I don't know where to stay for the 2 days.

I like at least 3 star hotels that have fun pools and ammenities. Free parking, internet and breakfast is always a plus but convienence and being close to the park is important too. A hotel that has a free universal shuttle so we don't have to pay to park the rental car would be good along with a clean and spacious room as my kids do not want to sleep together or wth me so I will have an air mattress for one of them. I read some reviews and most certainly would not choose the Holiday Inn on Kirkman.

Any hotel choices you would recommend? Has anyone had experience with hard rock hotel prices thanksgiving week? will them come down?

 

[Purseval]

There is a Universal forum on this board that will give you all the info you need on hotels and rates for HRH and other onsite hotels, I suggest you repost there.

As for 3 stars, the Hyatt and the Doubletree are both right across the street from Universal, the Hyatt even offers free breakfast.

 

[Darcy03231]

We stayed at the Sheraton Studio City which is about half a mile from US/IOA.

 

[RockinDisney]

There is a Holiday Inn Express, actually called the Holiday Inn Express closes to Universal it is really nice and has free breakfast, a pool, and a shuttle, I can't remember if it has internet. I stayed there last year. I really liked it. Also if you are going to Universal at a busy time you should look into buying Express passes, they were so worth it when we went!!

 

[jcc0621]

We stayed two nights at the Royal Pacific Resort this past summer. Two things I learned when planning that trip.

Go to the Lowes website and sign up for their reward card and if you have AAA I got a great deal through them including the tickets for me, DH and DS (6).

Also, check out the Universal forums here on the Dis. The people that hang out there were a huge help when I had a ton of questions.

Have a great time!

 

[Purseval]

We stayed at the Sheraton Studio City which is about half a mile from US/IOA.

We stayed there last July and paid $22/nt through Priceline Here is a review:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2228026

 

[jayally]

Thanks for the replies. DD14 wants to stay at the Nick hotel but I heard it's more for the younger set (DS will be 17 on this trip) and the beds not so great. For the price they are charging I would rather stay at the Hard Rock but cheapest I found was $286/night which is a ton of money for 2 nights. I am hoping they will have a special deal but we will be there over thanksgiving and I am not sure if that will mean higher room rates and crowds. $22 on priceline sounds good and I might see if I can get a 3 - 4 star hotel in the area closer to our trip

 

[christophfam]

Do you realize that you get unlimited express pass if you stay onsite at Universal? That alone can justify the price especially if you are staying over a busy weekend. Express pass is like fastpass at Disney. With your room key, you get that fast line all day long. If there is any way you can swing the price, you'll love the benefits.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Do you realize that you get unlimited express pass if you stay onsite at Universal? That alone can justify the price especially if you are staying over a busy weekend. Express pass is like fastpass at Disney. With your room key, you get that fast line all day long. If there is any way you can swing the price, you'll love the benefits.

Yes, I soooooo agree! Once you try it, you will never stay offsite at Universal. We are so spoiled and it's good that you're doing at the end of your trip. It's so hard to wait in line at WDW after experiencing FOTL.

Did you try Royal Pacific? That's the cheapest of the 3, still a 4* hotel, and an easy walk to the parks with beautiful landscaping along the way.

That said HRH for a 17 yo will get you Mom/Dad of the Year Award from your kid. My kids LOVE it so much we got APs. Not sure what they cost now but a few yrs ago Costco had a special: buy 1 yr, get another yr free. They may not be offering APH rates over TG but it can't hurt to try. A coworker of mine bought an AP just for the discount. It paid for itself. To check for AP rates enter code APH as a promo code.

AAA membership gives not only a hotel discount but also 10% off restaurants and souvenir shopping while in the parks and City Walk.

Another option: is the Disney cruise after WDW? Perhaps you can get a van service from PC to HRH and then to MCO after? This would eliminate the cost of rental car for those few days and their onsite parking charges which I agree stink. I pay it anyway cuz we love to bypass every line.

I really don't think I'd want to be in their parks over TG weekend w/o that room key. jmho

I hope you can find a way to do it.