Staying at an "official" Sea World hotel without your own vehicle

[2Pirates2Princesses]

Anyone stay at one of the "official" SW hotels but not have your own car? We are a family of six (2 adults and 4 kids) and I am looking into both the Hilton Grand Vacation Suites at Sea World and the Residence Inn Sea World (Westwood Blvd). Since they are both "official" Sea World hotels we would use the shuttle transportation to Sea World and Aquatica; but I am wondering just how reliable and convenient the shuttle system really is and if we should just bite the bullet and rent a minivan? Budget wise, we would prefer not to rent a minivan and we would also save $ by not having to pay for tolls, parking fees, gas, etc; but we would have to pay for a taxi or town car service from/to the airport anyway. I am also concerned about how we would plan our meals/dining without our own transportation as well. I know Residence Inn has free breakfast and there is always the option of ordering groceries through Garden Grocer. The trip would most likely be a 4-5 day Sea World/Aquatica ONLY (and possibly DC) trip and be booked as a vacation package directly through Sea World. Any tips/suggestions?? Thanks

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

For offsite meals, the I-Drive trolley is a budget friendly alternative to renting a car and runs the entire length of International Drive. There are tons of great options on I-Drive for family dining......Friendly's, TGI Fridays, Chilis, etc.

SeaWorld's all day dining is a great deal and we really enjoyed the food (plus, you will get one day of dining free as part of your SeaWorld package). If you add Aquatica to the package, you get all-day dining for one day free there as well.

DC, if you choose to add it, also includes your breakfast, lunch, and all your snacks.

If you choose the Residence Inn and all your breakfasts are provided for, with the SeaWorld all day dining, the Aquatica all day dining, and the food inclusions at DC.....you would have very little need for travelling offsite for other meals.

Sounds like a great trip. Have a fantastic time! (and do come back and give us a mini review of whichever property you end up choosing)

 

[KristenHoneymooner]

You can walk to SeaWorld from some of the partner hotels. We stayed at the Hilton Grand Vacation Suites at SeaWorld two weeks ago and the SeaWorld parking lot was across the street (and that was not even the closest of the partner hotels). Signage for pedestrians was very clear and there was a stoplight to cross the main street. Of course, the parking lot itself is large, so the walk wouldn't be super-short, but given all the walking involved in an amusement park vacation it didn't seem like a big deal. Had we not rented a car and paid for a weeklong parking pass for all the SeaWorld/Busch parks, I think we would have walked rather than waited for buses, but perhaps someone else can speak to the bus situation.

 

[2Pirates2Princesses]

Thank you for the feedback. This all seems doable without renting a vehicle, especially with the availability of the I Ride trolley to get to nearby stores and restaurants; and I believe there is a stop right next to the Residence Inn. I visited the I Ride trolley website and there are maps, pass/fare info, stop locations, coupons, etc; and it looks very user friendly and seems to be used widely by tourists. If we aren't able to get a good deal on a mini van rental, then I feel comfortable knowing that we have the hotel shuttle to the Sea World parks and the I Ride trolley available to us if we decide to book this trip. Thank you again

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Not sure when you are travelling, 2Pirates2Princesses, but if its before Christmas, I would be super appreciative if you come back and post a hotel review of the Residence Inn, should that be where you decide to stay. We are booked at that property in a one-bedroom suite for December 23rd - 30th, and would love to know what you thought of it.

If you would rather not post a public review, you could always PM me .

 

[bas71873]

You can go to the international drive website and "order" a brochure. They will send it to you free and it has a map with all the trolly stops as well as other information and coupons.

 

[ExpatDisneyLover]

The I-ride trolley makes getting around in this area very helpful - very convenient - there is a Publix at stop 41 for groceries - and easy stops at Seaworld and Aquatica - plus pharmacies, restaurants, a movie theater etc. The cash fare at $1.25 is very affordable - or if you plan to use it more the passes are convenient.

 

[Blissikins]

We stayed at the Doubltree by Hilton at Seaworld in April, and found the bus service to be very good (though we only used it once), whenever we drove past the bus stop if it should have been there, it was there!