Robin, question for you about hotels

[Puffy2]

Really I guess it could be for anyone, but I especially wanted your opinion -
We are planning on doing Disney 3 days next year with the kids and 2 days Universal. Would you bother switching hotels ? Planning on staying at the Swan concierge for the 3 at Disney and thought I'd try for a regular room at Hard Rock with an entertainment rate ( or maybe the new hotel) - do you think it would be worth it to switch or should we just stay put and visit Universal. The rate at the Swan will be pretty good if I can get an AP rate there or the nurse rate.

 

[Robinrs]

Hi, Puffy!

Funny you should ask this question because my son and I have been back and forth about this all weekend!

We plan on doing Disney and, of course, Universal the first week in January. We already have ressies at the Dolphin. Problem is my son REALLY wants to do Hard Rock again. We did this in May and it was really NO problem at all. Unfortunately, the HRH is sold out that week but we're hoping for the best.

I don't think it's absolutely necessary to have FOTL on our week but it really depends on when YOU'RE going whether it's worth it. Are you going during the High Season? If so, switch! And if you've never experienced the Hard Rock I would DEFINITELY recommend it. It is an incredible hotel.

Hope that helps!

 

[Puffy2]

I'm planning on the first week in November - around the 7th or so for Universal (a THur. or maybe the 2nd - a Sat.- depending on when we can get reservations, discounts, etc...).
Thanks for your input. Anymore ideas? THe only thing too - if we stay on site at Disney - I might be tempted to need more PASSES for extra time in the parks.

 

[Cindy B]

We just did this. And did not split. We got the $49 rate at All Star, and just drove the rental car. It was a 15-20 minute drive on I4 at 745 am. Remember it takes about 15-20 minutes round trip on a Disney bus to go anywhere on property.

We thought the drive was fine. Of course we were in a convertible, so that makes it even better.

In the days we spent at Universal, we only saw one person use the hotel card for FOTL. In fact the Universal Express lines were even short.

We figure out the $117 rate for HRH was 2.5 nights at Assp. It was even cheaper for us to use the rental car than to have HRH for 6 nights. ...

 

[Robinrs]

I think it's preference but I think the Hard Rock's greatest appeal is the 5 minute walk to the park... NOTHING can beat that.

I did go to USF/IOA while staying at the Dolphin {thanks to the darn Barry and his crack of dawn park tours } and the ride was not necessarily my cup of tea... but then again I wasn't in a convertible! I HATE to drive anywhere so the accessibility is great for people like me.

The first week in November is not notoriously busy so FOTL may not be necessary but a great perk nonetheless. Let us know what you decide!