RPR then WDW hotel?

[skittle]

Hello! First time posting here, any advice would be appreciated! We are going to Orlando Aug 21-28, the 10 year old in our family LOVES harry potter and definitely wants to spend some time at Universal (we're thinking 2 days). We're considering staying onsite at RPR (to get the express pass, then moving on to WDW, considering how inconvenient it is to get to and from WDW (no car for us). We also have a (then) 8 month old baby, and I've decided baby and I won't visit Universal, and will instead spend our time relaxing at the pool and just hanging around (shopping maybe?). Is this something people do often, move from a hotel at Universal to one at WDW to visit that park because it's so inconvenient to get from one to the other? Also, are there any grocery stores around the RPR area? I saw the posting about the waiver of the fridge fee if there is a baby in the room drinking formula (which mine will be), would be great to be able to buy some groceries while we're there!
Thanks in advance!

 

[macraven]

Hello! First time posting here, any advice would be appreciated! We are going to Orlando Aug 21-28, the 10 year old in our family LOVES harry potter and definitely wants to spend some time at Universal (we're thinking 2 days). We're considering staying onsite at RPR (to get the express pass, then moving on to WDW, considering how inconvenient it is to get to and from WDW (no car for us). We also have a (then) 8 month old baby, and I've decided baby and I won't visit Universal, and will instead spend our time relaxing at the pool and just hanging around (shopping maybe?). Is this something people do often, move from a hotel at Universal to one at WDW to visit that park because it's so inconvenient to get from one to the other? Also, are there any grocery stores around the RPR area? I saw the posting about the waiver of the fridge fee if there is a baby in the room drinking formula (which mine will be), would be great to be able to buy some groceries while we're there!
Thanks in advance!

many do split stays.
i start my vacation at the motherland onsite, then switch by car service to the darkside hotels.
makes it simpler to stay onsite for the park you will spend time at.

i do a grocery stop with the car service i use.

i have walked to the walgreens and shopping section that is near the pbh at universal.

you could walk there for some basics and take a cab back to the room if you have a lot to carry.
about $5 for that cab ride.

if you enjoy shopping, lots of places at City Walk to spend your time.

 

[wilma-bride]

Although we always have a rental car on vacation, we are doing exactly that in August (and have done before). We are staying 5 nights at RPR, then moving to WDW for 6 nights. We find it so much more convenient than worrying about getting between the two locations and we love them both so it's almost like two separate vacations.

For some reason, if we do a split stay, we always stay at RPR (Universal) first. I think it's because getting to WDW is like coming home for us. As much as we love the Universal parks, being DVC members we feel like WDW is where we can go to relax, particularly in the summer as we take a far more relaxed approach to park touring.

 

[Brit_Jude]

It's much nicer to stay on-site at Universal, and have a split stay. Especially with the vacation you are describing.

You will need to taxi or use a car service to get from Universal to Disney. We have used a car service that provides a grocery store stop, typically from the airport to the hotel. We have also used Garden Grocer who deliver to the resorts and that has been good too.

 

[minijeanie]

I am going to RPR first for one night.. I probably will get there at noon, get out 2 day 2 park pass and head out. We will get the advantage of FOTL but only stay in resort for one night.

If you do this, I am sure your time will be well filled between sitting by the pool as well as going to city walk? You can take a taxi to wdw from US but why don't you rent a car from airport to RPR and then drop it off in WDW when you head on into your resort. You can then take Disney bus back to airport. If you have a car you can go to local food store and pick up your essentials for the room. That is my vote

 

[skittle]

Re: renting a car..we are travelling with an 8 month old baby, won't we need to bring along a car seat if we rent a car? Or is it possible to rent a car with a car seat? (sorry, new mom question!)

 

[minijeanie]

You can bring your own car seat and check it in on plane. I see people bring it all the time. I am not 100% sure but I think car rental places also rent them.

 

[olive]

Re: renting a car..we are travelling with an 8 month old baby, won't we need to bring along a car seat if we rent a car? Or is it possible to rent a car with a car seat? (sorry, new mom question!)

We have always checked the car seat and brought it with us. When staying at a Disney hotel and going from an Epcot area resort to the CR for a character breakfast last spring, we took a cab, and instead of bringing out carseat from the room with us the taxi service was able to provide one. We either had to install it ourselves or fix the installation, I don't remember which. In any event, I had called the front desk of the hotel when we got there to make sure this could be set up and provided the age/size of our son. I imagine you can do the same if you plan on cabbing around instead of renting a car. I *think* the car service was Mears, but I am not 100% certain. (We will be in a similar boat, by the way, with a Universal/Disney split stay with a 5 year old and 5 1/2 month old. Good to know about the fridge!)