on vs off grounds have you done both?

[IMADSNYLOVR]

Hi. We have only been to WDW one time and stayed at POR; we really enjoyed it but this time we are going to Universal also so we are thinking of staying at the Hawthorn Suites on Canada Ave/Dr? Then this Fantasy Pkg came out and we can stay at the Beach Club for 7 nights and the Hawthorn for the other 3. I am wondering if we should just stay at Hawthorn the whole time as planned or switch. I don't want to be totally let down after staying at BC and I know Hawthorn will be no comparison. Have you stayed off site and enjoyed it? Did you rent a car or take the shuttles? Thanks in advance!

 

[*Fantasia*]

If you stay on Universal property after BC...you will not be let down. If you're doing Universal...I would suggest to stay on the their property...(Portofino Bay- Meditarranean...Hard Rock Hotel- Rock n Roll...Royal Pacific Resort- South Pacific). You can take advantage of FOTL (front of the line) all thru the day everyday at both parks.

Stick with your FT BC and do Universal on property.

You might want to check out the discounts they offer. Entertainment Card...AAA...Fan Club Card...Lowes Card. And you might also check out the universal website, sometimes they have specials there too! Right now there is specials on tickets on line. And at the gate they are having buy 2 days get 3rd day free. You might want to check out the Universal board.

Have fun!

 

[mickeyfan1]

In order to get to the parks when staying off site, I either had my own car (if I drove) or a rental. There is no way I would rely on the "complementary transportation" at any of the off site hotels I stayed in. I doubt if I would have made it back in time to catch it after a long day in the parks. When I have stayed onsite for fun, I have had a rental car, or my own again, except for the last time. I find having my own transport available is good if I wanted to do universal or shop, etc. Last December, I had a car pick me up at MCO and take me back. I had busses or a ride with a very nice Diser to everywhere I wanted to go. I am not getting a car in August, we are going to Sea Workd for a day, but FL Tours is doing our round trip. For me, it depends on with whom I am traveling, or if I am on business, or doing a solo trip, and what we/I want to do. Now, all that being said, I will not stay off site unless I absolutely have to, the convenience of the busses, monorail, boats, etc to take you all over is just too nice. Most trips, I have parked the car and never moved it! Sorry I am not much help!

 

[diathoney]

My family has stayed at the Hawthorne Suites on Canada Dr twice. It's very nice, clean, breakfast buffet, a separate bedroom and good sound-proofing in the rooms. However...

It just doesn't compare to staying on site at U&IOA or WDW. At U&IOA if you stay on site (we stayed at the Royal Pacific) you can walk or take a boat to the parks - no need to drive and you have the FOTL perk. What a perk it is! I wouldn't go the IOA any other way now. You show the card and practically walk right on the ride. What a deal! The hotels are really deluxe too. We got a good deal with the Loews card (free upgrade and milk & cookies) and an Entertainment rate.

For WDW we have stayed at the Hilton, Grovesnor Square, Marriott, Sheraton Safari (and several other places) - not any more. It's just too much hassle to do all the driving/parking/etc. We live in FL (1.5 hours from the mouse house) and always have a car when we go, but when I'm on vacation I don't want to drive! I'll admit we do drive for dinner sometimes - Chili's, TGIFridays or McD's but it's SO much easier to walk, hop on a boat or a bus and let someone else do fight the traffic or find the right road. BC is fabulous! You can't beat being able to WALK to Epcot. ("I'm going to run over to Canada for a beer. Want anything?")

And I totally agree with mickeyfan1 about skipping the "complementary transportation". The on-property/non-Disney hotels do a fair job, but the busses hit several hotels each time - it's not a straight shot to where you want to go.

 

[Hillbeans]

We split our stay between the Radisson for the first 3 nights and the AKL for the last 3. The Radisson was wonderful,, included a full breakfast every morning and only paid $78 a night. We loved the AKL though and even though we paid abour $215 a night, it was well worth it. I think if we did it in the reverse order we'd have been disappointed, but doing outside the park first and then inside the park next worked well for us. We truly felt the Disney Magic staying on site.

 

[luvaladdin]

I would agree on advice already offered to try and stay on site at Universal and keep your ressies at the Beach Club. We just returned from a stay at the Hard Rock Hotel and enjoyed tremendously the front of the line access on all the rides. We waited 5 minutes or less on most rides that had 30 - 75 minute waits. The staff and service at the HRH was impeccable, I was impressed with this and the beautiful pool and the cool memorabilia inside the hotel. By the way, I've never stayed offsite so I can't help with that aspect.