off-site hotel but walking distance? Really?

[Sandie5]

We're looking at getting an off-site hotel. I've booked it for 2 miles from Universal and we'll take the hotel shuttle, I'm hoping we'll be let off at the front gate. However looking over posts here, it looks like I'd be better off with a hotel that's walking distance (.7 miles, say). However the map shows a wide highway between the hotel and the park. I'll bet we'll be walking quite a ways to get to the gate. Maybe it's really .7 miles to the beginning of the parking lot?

How close could some of these hotels be? Do we want to walk it with kids ages 11 & 13?

 

[scorpad99]

we just got back from the doubletree hotel, which is right across the street from Universal. You do have to cross a main highway, and with kids i wouldnt suggest it. what we did was used their shuttle service, it did stop at a few hotels on the way, but on the way back it was the first stop. Even though we had a rental car, we preferred to use the shuttle to go and if we missed the shuttle either way it is only 5 bucks to cab it. JMO
hotel was nice and clean and cheap! I booked online for family of 4 we paid 535.00 for 6 days

 

[clownboy007]

It's a pretty good hike from the hotel area to the parks...even the hotel shuttle will drop you off at the parking hub and it's still quite a way to the gates from there.

The road you're looking at is Kirkman Road and it's the MAIN road in the Universal/ Metro West area so it is busy (and dangerous) all hours of the day. I see a lot of people crossing there on my way to work every day and it always makes me a little nervous. But then I'm not brave enough to navigate 6 lanes of Orlando traffic on foot anywhere and I've lived here almost 20 years!

But it's a nice area to stay in...it just happens to be a fairly dangerous intersection so look both ways and play safe!

 

[tlinus]

I walked with my 7 year old from the HRH to the Walgreens and crossed that Highway. It does have a pedestrian crossing light and if you are quick, you can make it all the way across with no problem.

Just letting you know it can be done, it just depends on your preferences.

 

[skifast22]

I usually stay at the Day's Inn on Caravan Court. It takes about 15 minutes to reach the turnstiles to the parks (that is walking at a somewhat brisk pace). You do have to cross Kirkman but there is a cross walk. I've had a preferred AP the past few years so I usually just drive now since the parking is free.

 

[ky07]

We stayed at the doubletree at the entrance to universal on major blvd on june 4th to 11 th nd we actually walked some days and it wasn't a long walk and we walked at a slow pace and still got to the parks in 10 mins but I agree after a long day of walking we took a taxi back and it only cost about 5.00 and we also used thier transportation to the parks and the ran pretty much on time and the good thing about it was the came to the doubletree first so you will be able to get a seat cause after the doubletree they stop at three other hotels and then its standing room only.
plus also doubletree has cabs that are town cars that are taxi's and they will take you to the parks for 5.00 all you have to do is ask one of the bell boys outside to get you a taxi.

 

[DOOM1001]

I usually stay at the Day's Inn on Caravan Court. It takes about 15 minutes to reach the turnstiles to the parks (that is walking at a somewhat brisk pace). You do have to cross Kirkman but there is a cross walk. I've had a preferred AP the past few years so I usually just drive now since the parking is free.

You walk fast,it takes like at least 10 minutes to get from the parking garages to the entrance of the parks!!!