New to all things Universal...advice welcome!

[SarahD112]

We usually just do Disney...but with no discounts to keep us tethered this October, my daughter (turning 17 that week) and I have decided to spend the two days before my husband and college age son join us at Universal. Here’s what I’ve learned in the last few hours...Cabana Bay is a good value and offers early park entry, so I think that’s our pick. The express pass is fabulous but REALLY expensive. What are the choices for getting from hotel to parks? Something I read said walkable? We’re getting in very late on a Saturday, so spending two nights and two days in two parks (no time for water park!). I assume we can leave luggage with front desk on checkout day and go to parks? I was going to rent a car from MCO and return to Disney Dolphin, but just realized I’ll have to pay to park too. So maybe Uber better? Anyone know what the average cost is from MCO to Cabana Bay on a Saturday night (10:30ish) or from Cabana Bay to Pop Century on Monday early evening?

Tickets...I think I need 2 day 2 park-to-park tickets? I assume it’s any two of the three parks? I’d hate to buy them and find out one of the parks has to be the water park! Right now there’s a third day free, but that’s not in the cards, so I’m thinking wait and see if there’s a better deal down the road? Is there one place/website that’s better than another to book hotel? It doesn’t seem that it’s any better of a deal to book as a package from the little research I’ve done.

This change affects my fast pass day next week - punches it back a few days, from Tuesday to Thursday, I think. I need to get everything finalized before then. Appreciate any help.

 

[macraven]

The 2 park pass is for Islands of Adventure and the Studios

Volcano Bay water park is not included but one can buy the admission ticket to it

 

[macraven]

The studios will close at 5 on Saturday and Sunday due to hhn in October

Islands will be open until 9
Check the park calendar for their hours

Cabana Bay is a good choice for a value hotel
They have their own busses for getting to the parks

Do IOA on Sunday and the studios on Monday

October is a busy month for the parks
Columbus Day weekend brings in the crowds

 

[Ohanaof3]

I have stayed at Aventura (across the street) and am staying at Sapphire Falls in September ( also across the street from Cabana Bay).
Buses are provided to take you to the parks. They go from city walk to cabana bay, then Aventura, and back to citywalk.

To walk to the parks, you have to cross a very busy street with no crosswalks between the Cabana Bay and Sapphire Falls. That wasn’t for us. We walked from Cabana Bay to Aventura once when we didn’t know how the buses worked. From Sapphire Falls, there are walking paths/a boat dock that takes you to the middle of citywalk.

I have paid between 50-100 dollars for transportation from the airport, but always booked a private car service. The 50$ would probably be around what an Uber would cost. Then I have paid about 40-50$ to go to Disney hotels via towncar and private car.

Enjoy Cabana Bay! It looks like a great Hotel!

 

[macraven]

Read the hotel stickies and that might help you decide which hotel sounds like a good fit for you.
Try to book the hotel this month.
Don't wait until late September to book.

 

[RunnerDisneyGirl]

To walk to the parks, you have to cross a very busy street with no crosswalks between the Cabana Bay and Sapphire Falls. That wasn’t for us. We walked from Cabana Bay to Aventura once when we didn’t know how the buses worked. From Sapphire Falls, there are walking paths/a boat dock that takes you to the middle of citywalk.

There is a walkway that goes over the busy road that connects to Saphhire Falls walkway. No need to cross the road. It is a longer walk, but very nice. We stay at Cabana Bay a lot and tend to take the bus to the City Walk and walk back if we leave right at closing.

Luggage services will hold your luggage on check-out day so you can enjoy the parks. We do that a lot with evening flight departures.

 

[Ohanaof3]

There is a walkway that goes over the busy road that connects to Saphhire Falls walkway. No need to cross the road. It is a longer walk, but very nice. We stay at Cabana Bay a lot and tend to take the bus to the City Walk and walk back if we leave right at closing.

Luggage services will hold your luggage on check-out day so you can enjoy the parks. We do that a lot with evening flight departures.

I saw multiple people who walked across that road from Cabana Bay. Glad to hear there is a way across, but it wasn’t something we could figure out from looking for signs ect outside of the lobby entrance of Cabana Bay or for that matter Aventura. We asked a staff member who was outside the entrance too. He pointed us towards the road. It seems to be a something not all guests were told about. Staff as well?

 

[bchbetha]

Did you price Royal Pacific? It’s usually the cheapest of the fancy hotels. I’m not sure if you know about the Express Passes there- 1 night equals two days of Express Passes for your whole crew. The 1 night for 2 days for all of you makes those hotels a great deal!
Cabana Bay is fun. Shuttle runs continuously and, unlike Disney, there are plenty with no wait.
Uber is going to be about $35 from MCO. You can get estimates on their app or website.

 

[GoofyDad_4427]

If you are getting in late at night, my recommendation would be to book the cheapest hotel you can find (Universal or Non-Universal) for Saturday night, and then immediately move to one of the Universal hotels that offer Express Pass on Sunday morning. The combined cost of the two hotels should be about the same as two nights at Cabana Bay, you'd get 2 days of Express Pass (check-in day and check-out day), and since you are heading straight to the other hotel pretty much just to sleep, it should be easy to pack accordingly to move.