Question about staying onsite vs offsite

[Disdenise]

So, we are planning an impromptu visit to Universal. Mainly for Harry Potter World!!!

THe original plan had us going for 4 days sometime in August. With that plan I was planning to stay on site as the Express Pass benefit seemed invaluable.

We are now thinking about going in early November instead. Going this time of year, do you think it is worth the extra expense to stay onsite? I'm anticipating lines to be much shorter. There is a great free dining pkg right now, but only available off site.

 

[damo]

Staying onsite is always nice because you simply can just walk everywhere. In November, before Thanksgiving, lines will be short, but you'll still have to transport yourself from your hotel to the parks every day.

 

[RMulieri]

I would still rather stay onsite..The distance to the parks is minimal, the hotels are deluxe resorts and even in slower times the express pass and early entry is quite nice.Plus from what I have read, The dining plan only covers the themepark eateries and SOME of the citywalk places .Not all,and not any of the resort dining

 

[macraven]

the convenience of staying onsite and not having to deal with transportation to and from the parks, is a priority for me.

i relax on vacations and and stay put onsite.
i don't want to deal with a car and time involved in starting my day for the park.

 

[phillymummer]

I was also considering this same thing. I want to stay on-site for the express pass but it is sooooo expensive (at least I think it is!! We only stay at the moderate resorts in Disney!) I was just reading about the Doubletree Hotel. Has anyone stayed there? The site says it's close enough to walk to the park, but they still provide a shuttle. You don't get the free express pass, but it's much cheaper and you don't have to worry about transportation to the parks. It also has an airport shuttel (at $28 pp!!! Is there anything cheaper??)

Are there any other partner hotels (besides that water park one? My daughter would never want to leave the hotel!!!)

 

[macraven]

star shuttle also stops at the onsite hotels.


it can be about a 15 minute, maybe a few more, walk from DBtree to the parks.

that walk from the begining of city walk is long.



depends on your dates on what the costs can be at the onsite hotels.
early to mid november is not expensive.

price out the on and offsite places with your dates to give you a better perspective on total costs for your trip.

 

[Seeker615]

We stayed at the Holiday Inn and Suites 2 years ago. It is across the street from the Double Tree. The walk is longer than you think,especially at the end of the day when you are tired. Plus there is a major busy road you need to cross.

We ended up using the shuttle in the mornings and then taking a cab back in the evenings. Just know that the shuttle does make a few stops before going to the park and you have to reserve a space both in the am and the pm. The last shuttle leaves pretty early for the hotels so if you want to stay later you will need to walk or get a cab.

Overall I was fine with the arrangements. I did decide this year to stay onsite though. I think I will enjoy it more.

 

[Batesl49]

I ride the city buses and trolley when I stay off site. Bus 21 goes right down Major Blvd (stop in front of Doubletree) to the Hub in Universal and you would take this bus back to Doubletree. You can go to the Go Lynx website and map out the stops you want and the times bus 21 runs. Also thebuses are great for getting around to other places you want to go. I have used the bus from and to the airport to my hotel, to Publix food store, and anywhere else I want to go. For my trip last April I ordered my bus pass on line and my Trolley pass as well. For my upcoming December trip I will be walking or riding the bus/trolley for everything. By the way, I have stayed on Major Blvd. and walked my times to and from the parks and used the bus. A 15 minute walk to the Valet Parking lot, which is where you can enter into City Walk when walking from Major Blvd. Yes, crosssing Kirkman Rd. can seem daunting, just use the cross walk signals and you will be fine. I hope some of this helps.

Laurie

5th trip Dec 4-14, 2013