Never been to Universal before...

[jfoofj]

Hi there, I am a Disney girl and DH has said that the next big family trip can't involve a mouse and a castle, he wants to try Universal out.

SO, I am lost. I know my way around Disney like nobody's business, know which resorts I like, which restaurants I like, where everything is in the parks, etc. It will be me, DH, DS8 and DSS7 going... we are looking at October (if DH's ex ok's DSS missing 2 days of school to go over the Columbus day break) or Feb school vacation week. We are looking at 5 nights, maybe more depending on deals and airfare (Oct would def be limited to 5 nights, though). We always stay onsite at Disney, not sure if Universals onsite resorts do the transporatation like Disney... what are the perks?

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated!

Thanks,
Jfoofj

 

[damo]

The parks are within easy walking distance from all the hotels and there is also a boat shuttle that can be used. The perks of staying onsite at Universal far outweigh those at Disney. At Universal, you receive unlimited express pass access (just show your room key) for every ride except one in the entire resort. Your boys are at a great age for Universal. It is a great little boys' destination because of the superheroes, dinosaurs, trains, Shrek, Jimmy Neutron, aliens, etc. etc.

 

[Darcy03231]

Hi there, I am a Disney girl and DH has said that the next big family trip can't involve a mouse and a castle, he wants to try Universal out.

SO, I am lost. I know my way around Disney like nobody's business, know which resorts I like, which restaurants I like, where everything is in the parks, etc. It will be me, DH, DS8 and DSS7 going... we are looking at October (if DH's ex ok's DSS missing 2 days of school to go over the Columbus day break) or Feb school vacation week. We are looking at 5 nights, maybe more depending on deals and airfare (Oct would def be limited to 5 nights, though). We always stay onsite at Disney, not sure if Universals onsite resorts do the transporatation like Disney... what are the perks?

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated!

Thanks,
Jfoofj

You don't need transportation from Universal's on-site hotels to the parks. Its just a short walk. One of the biggest perks to staying on-site is the unlimited express pass. Its like a fast pass but it allows you to enter the express pass lane without any waiting, unlike the fast pass which requires you to come back at a specific time. For example you can ride a ride, exit, and then get right back in the express line to go again (and again, and again, and again). Plus your keycard gives you priority seating at the restaurants (except Emeril's).

I think 5 days is the perfect amount of time for US/IOA (we're doing 5 days the end of April). Its gives you plenty of time to see/do everything and redo your favorites. It also give us plenty of pool/relaxation time. Every time we go to WDW I feel like I need a vacation from my vacation. US/IOA is much more relaxing and I've felt like I've been on vacation when I get home.

If you have AAA make sure you bring your card with you as you can get discounts at restaurants (someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but as I recall its 10%).

 

[jfoofj]

Thanks... that is what DH keeps saying... that the boys would love it, they are at a great age for it. So, would I be able to get away w/ not renting a car? Do they have an airport shuttle?

 

[macraven]

good advice here from the posters.

do check out the stickies on the forums.
they really do come in helpful
sometimes you will find answers for questions you have not even thought of yet!

the value season for the onsite hotels will end before the columbus day weekend. if you go the first week of october, you will get lower rates.
throw in the AAA card for a great discount also. that is if you have one.

 

[Darcy03231]

Thanks... that is what DH keeps saying... that the boys would love it, they are at a great age for it. So, would I be able to get away w/ not renting a car? Do they have an airport shuttle?

They don't have a shuttle from the airport. There are various shuttle services that provide transportation. One of the more popular ones is Mears. I usually do a one way car rental. This way I can make a grocery stop on the way there. Hertz is available on-site. Alamo has a rental center at the Sheraton Studio City (about half a mile from US/IOA) and Dollar has one at the Holiday Inn on International Drive (about 1.5 miles away).

For our upcoming trip I'm using Dollar. It's about $25 each way.

 

[damo]

You are charged $15/night to park at the Universal hotels, so you are probably better off to take some kind of transport from the airport instead of renting a car. There are some great limo services out there that will even let you get groceries on the way to the hotel.

 

[ky07]

You are charged $15/night to park at the Universal hotels, so you are probably better off to take some kind of transport from the airport instead of renting a car. There are some great limo services out there that will even let you get groceries on the way to the hotel.

damo is right cause the car service we are using this year has a grocery stop and doesn't charge extra and think its a 30 min stop

 

[UniMom]

What is the cheapest way to get from MCO to HRH? I was thinking Mears (and this way don't have to bring a car seat for my DD (20 months). Will the car service allow you to bring a child without a car seat? I will have DD and DS (5 years). Really trying not to bring any car seats. This was HRH's biggest draw for us - no driving anywhere and express passes!

 

[ky07]

What is the cheapest way to get from MCO to HRH? I was thinking Mears (and this way don't have to bring a car seat for my DD (20 months). Will the car service allow you to bring a child without a car seat? I will have DD and DS (5 years). Really trying not to bring any car seats. This was HRH's biggest draw for us - no driving anywhere and express passes!

On the mears site it asks if you need a car seat