Universal Studions novice needs advice...

[SD33]

Hey all,

I'm a bit of a Universal novice. DW and I have been to the park in L.A. but know little about the Orlando version. We'd like to plan a trip for June 2012 and would like to stay at a really nice hotel with great pool, and get some kind of package that would allow us to visit the parks at our leisure over the course of a week or so. We'd also like to take in a water park or two. Best case scenario, no rental car. So a property with a shuttle would be preferable. Most of this is pretty negotiable for us. I'm just trying to get a feel for how others attack the parks, where you stay, and what you reccomend looking into. Thanks for any advice you can offer!

 

[Zim]

Well, the only piece of info you didn't mention is if money is no object... ha!

Anyway... we're doing exactly what you described at the end of this month, so maybe our itinerary will help you out:

4 nights at Royal Pacific Hotel (the lowest end of three onsite hotels offering Express Pass on all rides and early entry). For hip, cool with a pool that plays music underwater try the Hard Rock Hotel. For high-end the Portofino I've heard is the way to go but we've only ever done Hard Rock, and love it.

They don't have a water park, but Seaworld is not very far away and is part of our trip this year. Along with their new waterpark Aquatica right across the street from Seaworld. I've heard good things about it, we're excited.

If money is no object... do a day at Discovery Cove - with it you get a 5 day pass to Seaworld. It is an amazing time even without the upgraded dolphin swim you can swim with tropical fish, feed manta rays and exotic birds and there is a wonderful lazy river (sans fish).

ps. All the Lowes hotels I mentioned have free shuttle service to the Seaworld parks - just check shuttle times with the hotel concierge because it'll get you there just after the park opens and earlier than the park closes, so you may opt for cab rides which I hear run just under $20 one way

Hope this helps!

 

[RMulieri]

You can pool hop at universal..So you can use ANY of the 3 resort pools as long as you are a Universal resort guest

 

[AJA]

You will LOVE Universal Orlando. It's THE perfect place for the vacation you described.

As others have said, if you're on a budget and want to relax Royal Pacific is best. If you want the atmosphere of Hard Rock it's only a little more expensive than RPR. Now if you want all out luxury PortofinoBay is gorgeous and worth the extra expense.

If you want to try a new pool, pool side and pool bar () Universal is great because you can pool hop and it's all free. Or if you really want the thrill of a waterpark and don't mind the extra expense you can take a cab to any of the waterparks.

Universal has a stay more save more rate that is fantastic if you are staying 7 days or longer. Make sure you check for that rate.

ETA: staying onsite is worth the cost. You can walk to everything. City Walk is great in the evenings for couples. And the express pass for rides is priceless especially if you are going in June.

 

[ky07]

Totally agree with everyone that staying onsite is the way to go and you may concider the 3 park unlimited ticket cause it comes with wet and wild water park plus it is good for 14 days which gives you plenty of days for the parks

 

[macraven]

if you stay onsite, you can get free rt bus transportation to Sea World, Aquatica and Wet and Wild.

if you want to do busch gardens for a day, the luxury bus will cost $20 rt from your hotel onsite.

 

[SD33]

Thanks for the tips, guys! Couple more Q's...

Are there any other hotels, besides the onsite hotels, that provide a shuttle to the parks?

And regardless of shuttles, what are your favorite offsite, but within driving distance, hotels?

 

[Seeker615]

Check out Universal's web-site. They have packages that will suit your needs. My daughter and I stayed off-site at Holiday Inn Maingate. There was a shuttle to both Universal parks as well as Seaworld and Wet and wild. we used Mears to spend a day at the Magic Kingdom.

We could walk to Universal from the hotel but the road we had to cross was a bit scary!