Universal, IOA, Sea World and Magic Kingdom - Best Hotel?

[WantToBeAnImagineer]

Hello! My family is stopping in Orlando in June on our way to the beach. We would like to take 4 days to visit Universal, Islands of Adventure, Sea World, and Magic Kingdom.

We have only previously traveled to WDW and stayed onsite at the cabins in Fort Wilderness.

Is there off site hotels at Universal that offer the pass that gets you to the express lane, or do you have to stay at one of the three?

Also, our travel dates are June 15th arrival and June 20th departure. I don't think we want to touch the parks on the weekend, so we will probably do Sunday at downtown Disney and then have Monday through Thursday at the park. Are there any days that are better to go to certain parks than the other?

We are traveling with 3 children, ages 9, 7, and 2. Is there any "MUST DOs" at US, IOA or SW? We have been to WDW for a week the past 2 years, so I have MK down pretty well! Can't wait to ride Splash Mtn as it was closed in February when we were there.

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[spiceycat]

would suggest some place close to SW - it is located between WDW and US/IOA

yes you have to stay at one of the onsite US hotel to get their FOLE.

near to SW within walking distance are hilton and marriott
www.hilton.com

www.marriott.com

there are cheaper but they would require you to drive or take the itrolley

 

[MinnieLovesMickey12]

You have to stay at an onsite Universal resort to get the free express pass. And those rooms are usually around $300 a night.

There is a resort we stay at (Quality Suites Lake Buena Vista) that is half way between Universal and Disney.

We stayed there two weeks ago in a one bedroom suite (sleeps 6) with a living room and full kitchen and free hot breakfast for $71 a night.

It is on Palm Parkway in a very good part of town surrounded by shops and restaurants. I highly recommend it.

As you know there is not a lot you are all going to be able to do together because of the 2 yr old. You are going to have to go to a lot of shows or do the baby swap to ride the big rides.

Edited to add: Sea World has a lot of shows. You can spend an entire day just seeing the shows they have and be able to go from one right to the next only taking a break for lunch.

Universal has 3 good shows. Horror Make Up show (not scary), Terminator 3D and Beetlejuice Rock n Roll Graveyard Revue (my fav).

Island of Adventure has the Sinbad show and the Poseidon's Fury show. It also has the Seuss area with a lot of little kiddie rides that the youngest could go on.

 

[cceandme]

We stayed at the cheaper of the 3 Universal hotel and it was worth every penny. it was hot and we rode some of the rides 5 or 6 times in a row and people were still in the line for the first time around. Will never go to Univeral again without staying onsite. FOTL is awesome

 

[WantToBeAnImagineer]

Thank you so much for your replies. Very Helpful!