Non-Universal hotels?

[trompettecon]

So with the prices being what they are right now, I am looking at non-Universal hotels for my next trip. Am looking for rooms for a family of 5. Would love a hotel with suites. A nice pool. Walkable to Universal within 1 mile. Or easy Uber. Any recommendations?

 

[georgina]

There is a Residence Inn nearby, somewhat over a mile. The same area has several hotels that have '& Suites' in their name - Fairfield, La Quinta, Holiday Inn. You'd have to check them out. The convention center is not too far away, while there may be things that fit your requirements, it's too long to walk. Is Endless Summer even out of your price range? Maybe look at timeshare resorts, when driving from Disney to Orlando along the Palm Parkway I passed a huge Westgate Lakes Resort.

 

[bchbetha]

One of the Hyatts right at the entrance.
With so many onsite options, I am surprised none are workable budget wise. Endless Summer has family suites.
If you want a resort caliber pool, I don't think any of the hotels right at the entrance will offer anything on par with an onsite at Universal.
Other good suite options: Homewood, Drury and Residence Inn.

 

[trompettecon]

One of the Hyatts right at the entrance.
With so many onsite options, I am surprised none are workable budget wise. Endless Summer has family suites.
If you want a resort caliber pool, I don't think any of the hotels right at the entrance will offer anything on par with an onsite at Universal.
Other good suite options: Homewood, Drury and Residence Inn.

The prices for my week at Universal are very high. Even with Endless Summer. Twice as much as one of the hotels outside.

 

[GinnyBear's_mom]

There's a DoubleTree at the entrance. We got a great deal for our family of 5 during the week after Easter, around $100 a night (not a suite but they do have them) and it is right by the pedestrian bridge so it looks like a safe walk to the parks.

 

[Disneylover99]

Drury Orlando is our go-to offsite Universal hotel.

They do offer 2 room suites. They also have shuttles. You need to sign up for them ahead of time. I’ve never tried them because we drive. It’s really close to Universal, but I don’t think it’s walkable. The pool and hot tub are okay. Nothing big or fancy though.

 

[dez1978]

There's a DoubleTree at the entrance. We got a great deal for our family of 5 during the week after Easter, around $100 a night (not a suite but they do have them) and it is right by the pedestrian bridge so it looks like a safe walk to the parks.

It is a safe walk, but it's a long one. We stayed there in Dec and only walked back once. But it was the end of a 5 day trip where we'd walked about 60 miles in those 5 days so we were walked out lol. It may not seem so bad otherwise. Also be aware it's up and down a fairly good sized hill.

 

[georgina]

It is a safe walk, but it's a long one. We stayed there in Dec and only walked back once. But it was the end of a 5 day trip where we'd walked about 60 miles in those 5 days so we were walked out lol. It may not seem so bad otherwise. Also be aware it's up and down a fairly good sized hill.

OK, I am getting old and my memory is fuzzy. I have walked over to the Doubletree and HI from City walk along Major Blvd and don't remember a hill, unless you mean the ramp to walkway over S Kirkman? That wasn't open yet last time I was there.

 

[dez1978]

OK, I am getting old and my memory is fuzzy. I have walked over to the Doubletree and HI from City walk along Major Blvd and don't remember a hill, unless you mean the ramp to walkway over S Kirkman? That wasn't open yet last time I was there.

This is the way we walked. Idk if there is another path we didnt see bc it was dark. But the Tom Williams Way rd was uphill the whole way back.

 

[GinnyBear's_mom]

Here's a video of someone walking from the DoubleTree to the parking garage, it took about 16 minutes

 

[georgina]

This is the way we walked. Idk if there is another path we didnt see bc it was dark. But the Tom Williams Way rd was uphill the whole way back.

View attachment 638520

OK. I lived in Pittsburgh for 35 years and do not consider that a hill! Gentle slope maybe.

 

[dez1978]

OK. I lived in Pittsburgh for 35 years and do not consider that a hill!

lol, I suppose in normal times it wouldn't seem like a big hill to me either. But after 3 full disney days and a meetup, at 1 am it felt like a really really steep hill. We ubered the next night