Universal Studios Help

[LuvDisney3]

So after throwing around many, many ideas, I think we may have finally decided on a trip to Florida with DS9 and DS7 for our 10 year wedding anniversary this May. However, instead of going to WDW, we would like to do stuff we haven't done multiple times before and head to Universal Studios, Seaworld and Busch Gardens.

Can anyone recommend a reasonably priced nice hotel with a pool and complementary breakfast that is somewhat close to Universal Studios? We would be driving, so we would have a vehicle available to us. Also, where would you purchase your tickets for the parks? Is it best to purchase them from the theme park websites.

TIA for all of the input.....

 

[jtdl]

I read a review on another forum and the poster highly recommended the Doubletree - apparently it is across the street is within walking distance or a very cheap taxi - $4 I believe they said. Not sure about breakfast.

I purchased our tickets from the Universal website a few years back when we went - they were the cheapest at that time.

 

[maryliz]

We just got back from there. We stayed at the Rosen Inn 6327 International Drive ... we were there 2 nights before and after our cruise. We paid $59/night for the first 2 nights, and $39 for the second set of nights. Rooms were all completely refurbished in the fall, so all new furniture and mattresses. Japanese restaurant on site was fabulous.

It didn't include breakfast, but we had a fridge, microwave and coffee maker in our room.

I bought our tickets on line from undercovertourist.com We got 4 day park to park passes for only a couple of dollars more than a 2 day pass. One thing ... there isn't much at Universal for kids that are younger. We didnt take our kids until this trip ... they're 10 and 13. So unless they meet all of the height requirements and love the "wild" rides, you might want to hold off.

Have fun ... it was weird NOT going to the Disney parks this trip ... but we did do the cruise so that helped.

 

[damo]

Check out the Hyatt Place Universal. It doesn't have a parking fee like the Doubletree and is within walking distance. It is a newer hotel.

 

[Sue M]

We stayed at The Doubletree, nice hotel with a decent pool, large rooms. but no breakfast. It is very close to Universal. All hotels have pools, some are pretty small. Doubletree had a good size pool.

I did see a Hampton Inn a couple of blocks down, which has breakfast, and a postage stamp size pool! I also saw the Hyatt Place in the distance. It too has breakfast. We stayed in the one on I-Drive, and were impressed with the room, has cold breakfast. We didn't use the pool, was during Tropical Storm Fay but it was small. I also saw a Best Western, it was next to Hampton.
You can go to the hotel sites and look at the pics. Don't go to the Holiday Inn, it looked like a dump.

I'd either go with Doubletree, or Hyatt Place.

 

[Blanche_Neige]

So after throwing around many, many ideas, I think we may have finally decided on a trip to Florida with DS9 and DS7 for our 10 year wedding anniversary this May. However, instead of going to WDW, we would like to do stuff we haven't done multiple times before and head to Universal Studios, Seaworld and Busch Gardens.

Can anyone recommend a reasonably priced nice hotel with a pool and complementary breakfast that is somewhat close to Universal Studios? We would be driving, so we would have a vehicle available to us. Also, where would you purchase your tickets for the parks? Is it best to purchase them from the theme park websites.

TIA for all of the input.....

I just came back from Universal, we stayed at the Holiday inn & suite at the entrance of US (not to be confused with the Holiday Inn express) across the street from Double Tree.

Room was large, had fridge & coffee maker, there is a pool but no bfest included. It is right next door to a Friday's.

it is a 10 min walk from universal, very easy. There did have a free shuttle at specific hrs and you had to sign up for it. But we it was just easier to walk.
My aunt stayed there in the winter and they had a suite, I believe they had a kitchenette.

Look for the partner hotels on the US website & also google map to see where they are.

Partner hotel offer certain discount in the store & restaurent. You can also have 10% discount with the CAA card in many restaurant and stores

I got my tickets with Airmiles a 2 day & 3 day, when I got to the park I added days. BTW they only offer packages of 1-2-3-4 or 7 days park ticket.


Hope that helps

 

[iluveeyore]

We stayed at WDW at Christmas and just drove to US - it's only about 20 min. up the I4 and easy to get to. Even if you don't have WDW passes, it's still fun to stay onsite and drive everywhere else. There's lots to do at WDW outside of the parks, and you can still go to US and Busch Gardens. Isn't there a flex-pass that gets you US, Seaworld & Busch Gardens together? There used to be, but I haven't looked into it.
Just FYI, three of us grown-ups only spent a morning at US (I had free passes from work thank goodness), because only the teenagers were enjoying the parks - there are lots of roller coasters and simulator rides that I can't handle, and Harry Potter area is so small and was very crowded, so we didn't really enjoy that part either (plus it just has rollercoaster and simulator ride as well). Make sure you really look into US and know that your kids will enjoy it for the price of the passes.
Have a great trip whatever you decide!

 

[mtmbyck]

We have felt and done the same as you - need to do something other than Disney. Guessing you'll be disappointed but give it a go. Sea World is interesting but can be done in about 4 hours. Universal is much more of a thrill ride experience in both parks and while 2 years ago we went and it was dead during March Break, they are having record crowds since WWoHP and boards are posting you are lucky to ride 5 things in an entire day. I don't do Busch Gardens unless staying in Tampa (90 min away) but I remember it being a great park.

You may want to schedule a resort character meal or an evening at Boardwalk just to get a little Disney fix. You'll miss it.

 

[Hug the Mouse]

Universal/Islands of Adventure is more than thrill rides. There are several "free play" areas that your DS will enjoy, Marvel Superheroes are always a hit with my DS's, manyl shows. We just spent the weekend and it was fun as always. We had enough Airmiles to get 3 day passes.

The only trouble with doing 3 different parks on one visit is that the ticket prices are so front end loaded that it makes it very expensive. I'd recommend dropping 1 park and putting the ticket savings into tip #2 below.

My top 2 tips for Universal visit.

1. Get a CAA membership. You get discoounted room rates for stating onsite, plus save 10% on counter served food and store bought merchndise.

2. Stay at an on-site hotel. The price may seem steep, but the perk of express lines for guests is worth every penny. Fair warning though---Express Pass will ruin you for every other amusement park.

Happy planning!

 

[CdnCarrie]

My sons ages (4 and 8) LOVE US and IOA! Love it!

Ton of stuff for kids there. For sure go to the Spiderman breakfast. The food is way better than any of the WDW character breakfasts we've done and the interaction is awesome.

 

[damo]

My sons ages (4 and 8) LOVE US and IOA! Love it!

Ton of stuff for kids there. For sure go to the Spiderman breakfast. The food is way better than any of the WDW character breakfasts we've done and the interaction is awesome.

US and IOA are our favourite parks as well and have been for the past 10 years. The rides are way better that at WDW, IMHO. The atmosphere is fabulous and so is the food. It is a very reasonable vacation and we've had annual passes for a long time. With a renewal rate of only $150 and huge discounts on food, merchandise and hotels, you can't go wrong!!!

Staying onsite and not waiting in line is a huge plus. Being able to walk to the parks and restaurants and entertainment, is also wonderful.

The new Wizarding World is amazing. The new Forbidden Journey ride is fabulous. It is a mixture of great animatronics and a simulated Quidditch game.

I highly recommend it.