Universal and Daytona Beach....

[awfpack]

Hi, our family (wife and daughters 11 and 7) are making a quick trip to Fl for our spring break (I am a high school teacher). Right now we have 2 nights booked at the RP. Has anyone ever stayed in Daytona and drove down to US in the afternoon and stayed till close? (we are all preferred pass holders). My wife would almost rather stay at the beach and just relax. Can anyone tell me any good family hotels in Daytona Area? We are traveling April 12-16. Thanks

 

[bumbershoot]

My cousin and her family live out there and used to go out to Universal for day trips.

We stayed at the Hilton on the beach, and quite liked it.

 

[iluvet58]

Hilton is nice. My husband liked the Residence Inn a lot. On the gulf coast I love the Don Cesar on St Pete beach, only an hour away.

 

[awfpack]

How crowded do you think it will be on Mon night April 15th during the evening? They are opened till 10 on that night.

 

[Nhebron]

How crowded do you think it will be on Mon night April 15th during the evening? They are opened till 10 on that night.

It's Easter week, so I think it will be super crowded but probably not as bad as later in the week.

 

[awfpack]

We are still working on it but I think we are going to try to do 1 night at Daytona hilton or hard rock then head to RPR. best of both worlds

 

[Disxuni]

As someone who lives near Daytona (a little more north), I often drive to the parks and do half days, whether it's first thing in the morning til it gets hot, or get there in the afternoon and stay til close. I'd say Hilton, or Hard Rock is the most safe / family friendly. Hilton has always been safe and Hard Rock is new.

 

[awfpack]

As someone who lives near Daytona (a little more north), I often drive to the parks and do half days, whether it's first thing in the morning til it gets hot, or get there in the afternoon and stay til close. I'd say Hilton, or Hard Rock is the most safe / family friendly. Hilton has always been safe and Hard Rock is new.

Thanks for the info. When you go in the afternoon do you go I-4? How do you think the crowds will be on Mon night (open till 10pm). Any other resorts to consider? My girls (11 and 7 ) love to swim.

 

[Disxuni]

Yes, when I go in the afternoon I take I-4. Unless I know something ahead of time that makes the traffic worse than it normally is, or can be, I may take the toll roads. You'll have to look those up specifically. I very rarely take those, as I'd rather stick with what I know and do not mind if there's some traffic. I tend to have good luck in the afternoon when it comes to traffic and either have none, or minimal. It's typically "going to work" and "going home from work" times is typically when there is traffic.

While Spring Break is normally busy, out of all the days of the week Monday is typically the slowest regardless what time of the year it is, since most people who take vacation start in the middle of the week going into the weekend, take the weekend, or if people are local, typically they have to go back to school / work by Monday.

Off the top of my head, those are the two I recommend, as I do not travel, I live here and those are the hotels I've had either relatives visit and enjoyed themselves, or I personally have walked the grounds and experience the restaurants, or atmosphere. Residence Inn, as someone else recommended should be good as well, from what I can see in terms of location.

Generally-- and I do not mean to scare you off, but like Orlando, Daytona is known to have crime. I remember one time my father even wanted to visit one of the hotels on that road (although way down the road) that he used to work at and we were unable to gain access inside, only to eventually have them open the door, and explain to us they do that in order to keep certain people out. That is my reasoning of being very selective, as I'd rather tell you what I know from actual experience, rather than assumptions.

 

[Sue M]

I’m not sure how many Universal and how many Daytona days you have planned, but going at a busy time during spring break I’d keep RPH res for the Express Pass option.
Another thing to consider is how crazy Daytona will be during Spring Break. Both the hotels and beach. Maybe there’s a quieter beach around. Perhaps some locals here can recommend.

 

[iluvet58]

I’m not sure how many Universal and how many Daytona days you have planned, but going at a busy time during spring break I’d keep RPH res for the Express Pass option.
Another thing to consider is how crazy Daytona will be during Spring Break. Both the hotels and beach. Maybe there’s a quieter beach around. Perhaps some locals here can recommend.

I forgot about spring break. I’d steer clear of Daytona during spring break. Ormond beach is close by and a little calmer. Personally I like the west coast of Florida better and I was born and raised on the east coast of Florida.

 

[Disxuni]

I forgot about spring break. I’d steer clear of Daytona during spring break. Ormond beach is close by and a little calmer. Personally I like the west coast of Florida better and I was born and raised on the east coast of Florida.

Any beach during Spring Break in FL is going to be busy, however Daytona is notorious for their spring breaks, so it's definitely not a place for a quiet spring break. Maybe in between New Smyrna Beach and Titusville somewhere? It's closer.