Universal Studios With Large Group

[4kids4karen]

Thanks, but I might go nuts having to be with that many kids nonstop.

LOL. I should clarify they also have rooms that only sleep 2. So they have various room sizes ranging fitting 2 to 16. I calculated four nights with 10 people in the room for 16 at under $29 a night (before tax). When you are on a budget, you are on a budget.

I chaperoned the high school marching band to Washington D.C. My bff and I shared one room and the boys we were chaperoning had their own room. We were also in charge of a girls room (and a male chaperone in charge of our boys room) so we teamed up. We used painters tape on the exterior of the doors at night to "lock" them inside at curfew. We had to ensure the tape was still in place the next morning so no one "broke out". But I don't really think that is a good idea (it was the band director) cause any guest walking down the hall could take off the tape. There were two other band groups in the same hotel that didn't use tape.

Trust me the charter bus ride will be the worst. We did that from FL to DC overnight and no one could sleep! We have done it with cheer competitions as well and no one seems to ever sleep on the bus. It's too uncomfortable.

 

[100%Disney]

LOL. I should clarify they also have rooms that only sleep 2. So they have various room sizes ranging fitting 2 to 16. I calculated four nights with 10 people in the room for 16 at under $29 a night (before tax). When you are on a budget, you are on a budget.

I chaperoned the high school marching band to Washington D.C. My bff and I shared one room and the boys we were chaperoning had their own room. We were also in charge of a girls room (and a male chaperone in charge of our boys room) so we teamed up. We used painters tape on the exterior of the doors at night to "lock" them inside at curfew. We had to ensure the tape was still in place the next morning so no one "broke out". But I don't really think that is a good idea (it was the band director) cause any guest walking down the hall could take off the tape. There were two other band groups in the same hotel that didn't use tape.

Trust me the charter bus ride will be the worst. We did that from FL to DC overnight and no one could sleep! We have done it with cheer competitions as well and no one seems to ever sleep on the bus. It's too uncomfortable.

That is why I want to leave the day before, at 4pm, we'll get there around 1am, but at least they will get some sleep.

 

[2girlsmom]

Another vote for the Drury. Very clean and comfortable accomodations, about 5 minutes drive to Universal. They have regular rooms or 1 bed suites with 2 queens plus a pull out couch. The breakfast was normal hotel breakfast fare; waffles, cereal, pastries, etc but was good. We loved the kick back at night with hot dogs, nachos, veggies, chips etc from 6-9 and unlimited soft drinks for the kids and 3 alcoholic drinks if desired per adult in this time frame as well. Also, there is free popcorn and the soft drinks from 3pm-10pm which is great for snacks. The pool is indoor/outdoor, not normally something you see in Orlando a lot, but when we were there during record cold this past March it was great as the kids could still swim. There is a LARGE McDonalds (with a bowling alley inside, I hear) just up the street on the other side of the interstate, and there are several strip malls with restaurants in them on both sides.

 

[HopperFan]

Another vote for the Drury. Very clean and comfortable accomodations, about 5 minutes drive to Universal. They have regular rooms or 1 bed suites with 2 queens plus a pull out couch. The breakfast was normal hotel breakfast fare; waffles, cereal, pastries, etc but was good. We loved the kick back at night with hot dogs, nachos, veggies, chips etc from 6-9 and unlimited soft drinks for the kids and 3 alcoholic drinks if desired per adult in this time frame as well. Also, there is free popcorn and the soft drinks from 3pm-10pm which is great for snacks. The pool is indoor/outdoor, not normally something you see in Orlando a lot, but when we were there during record cold this past March it was great as the kids could still swim. There is a LARGE McDonalds (with a bowling alley inside, I hear) just up the street on the other side of the interstate, and there are several strip malls with restaurants in them on both sides.

Driving in on Wed I did see the Drury Inn on Sand Lake Dr. Great location on the newer side off Sand Lake Dr at I-4. Easy drive to Universal. It looked newer, I don't remember every seeing it. I would stay on that side of Sand Lake, the area around is nice and feels very safe. Logistically it is good for Universal, just a couple minutes drive up Turkey Lake.

 

[100%Disney]

Thanks for the suggestions, I will forward them to the band director.