Questions about the Universal hotels

[KimWDW]

I'm researching a non-Disney trip for next April. I'd like to do Universal, Sea World, etc.

I would LOVE to stay at one of the Universal hotels, but they seem so pricey. Do they have deals that would make it possible to go for less than $150 per night? That's kind of my limit. Also, is it true that you have to pay like $15 per day to park your car at the hotel? That's weird. What's up with that?

If I can't afford one of the Universal hotels, can anyone recommend a hotel near Universal that's cheap (under $100 per night) and not in a seedy area? We'd also love it if the hotel had quick breakfast, like a food court or a convenience area to buy quick eats.

 

[AlexandNessa]

Why not start with the Date/Rate thread which is a sticky up top? You'll see it will depend on when you're going and what type of room you plan to book.

The Loews Hotels charge a parking fee. Those of us who do not bring cars to Universal love that we don't have to pay for a service that we don't use.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I'd vote to splurge a little and pay to stay onsite. It's so nice and relaxing. Your room key gives you front of line privileges from the morning of checkin until the parks close on the day you check out. That perk alone changes the whole pace of your park-touring. No need to rush around or try to grab fastpasses. Just leisurely walk right onto every ride. (at least it was that way when we went last Oct.)
We'll be adding onto our Disney trip in Nov. to stay at RPR and just drop off the car rental and taxi to RPR so we don't have to pay the parking. You really don't need a car at USO. You can even walk to the parks, it's so close.
If you have AAA, you can get a discount.

 

[bubba's mom]

I'd vote to splurge a little and pay to stay onsite. It's so nice and relaxing. Your room key gives you front of line privileges from the morning of checkin until the parks close on the day you check out. That perk alone changes the whole pace of your park-touring. No need to rush around or try to grab fastpasses. Just leisurely walk right onto every ride. (at least it was that way when we went last Oct.)
We'll be adding onto our Disney trip in Nov. to stay at RPR and just drop off the car rental and taxi to RPR so we don't have to pay the parking. You really don't need a car at USO. You can even walk to the parks, it's so close.
If you have AAA, you can get a discount.

I have to say, I'd agree with all of this. Depending when you go, you could get a room around $175/nite onsite...giving you 2 days of FOTL. Much depends on your date... you don't need a car, and AAA gives you room, eating and shopping discounts. [