Walking distance to Universal

[brianjb]

Good afternoon! This is my first thread in this forum, so please ignore any repetitive questions. I am still learning how to search the forum. If you can answer my questions, great. If you can't or won't, then please just ignore me.

First of all, we are going to be staying there from March 23-31. I just realized that this is the same week of Spring Break for Orange County students; hopefully it isn't too busy.

This isn't our first trip there, by any means. I grew up in SW Florida, so we have made many trips to WDW and Universal over the years. I took my son there a lot when we lived there, and had annual passes. Now that we are out of state, we get back once a year or so. Usually we alternate from WDW to Universal. This time I am trying to be a little better prepared.

1. We are staying here at the Hyatt Place on Caravan Court <Sorry, I had to remove the link since I can't do it since I am a new member> Their website and the front desk clerk says that it is only a 10 minute walk, and is only 1/4 mile away from Universal. Is that accurate? They also offer free shuttles back and forth, but only 2 in the morning and 2 in the evening.

2. Has anyone used the wait time app for the iphone? I just downloaded it. I know that it relies on others to update while they are in line. How reliable is it?

3. I have already mentioned that I will be there the week of Spring Break, and that is the same week that Orange County schools are also out. Will this hurt us? Do the locals tend to stay away on Sprint Break, or is this just a great time for the local teenagers to go hang out and cause the rides to have longer lines?

4. City coupon books. Some cities offer coupon books for $30 or so. Those include buy one get one free dinners at various participating restaurants. Are these available?

5. Kids eat free tickets. Has anyone bought this ticket? I had to remove the link since I can't post links due to being a new member. It seems like a good deal. I just wanted to get some others feedback.

That is all that I can think of right now. I may post later if I can't find the answer to a specific question in the forum.

Thanks again!!!!!

 

[popsynic]

1. We are staying here at the Hyatt Place on Caravan Court Their website and the front desk clerk says that it is only a 10 minute walk, and is only 1/4 mile away from Universal. Is that accurate? They also offer free shuttles back and forth, but only 2 in the morning and 2 in the evening.

Hi - sorry to say that I think its longer than a 10 minute walk (it takes 10 minutes to walk from the parking garages, and they are at least 10 minutes away in themselves). Below is a walking route you will need to take from hotels in that area including Hyatt Place. I'd say it is 10 minutes walk from where the shuttle drops off, and a safer option as you don't have to cross the busy highway using this service.

2. Has anyone used the wait time app for the iphone? I just downloaded it. I know that it relies on others to update while they are in line. How reliable is it?

Depends on which one you use. None of them are 100%, but neither are the in park wait time notices. The undercover tourist app is popular, but just checked and its showing a 45 minute wait for JAWS today, which I thought closed forever yesterday! (So If its correct those people could be waiting a very long time to ride!)

3. I have already mentioned that I will be there the week of Spring Break, and that is the same week that Orange County schools are also out. Will this hurt us? Do the locals tend to stay away on Sprint Break, or is this just a great time for the local teenagers to go hang out and cause the rides to have longer lines?

I think it will be busy

4. City coupon books. Some cities offer coupon books for $30 or so. Those include buy one get one free dinners at various participating restaurants. Are these available?

Yes, but there are lots of 'free ones' to pick up as well, as well as online voucher code sites you can use your iphone to access. Also consider registering your email with your favourite local restaurants before you travel, and when you sign up give them a date of birth or anniversary that falls during the dates you are there. often they offer 'newsletter sign up and birthday/celebration offers' direct by regisrering with them

5. Kids eat free tickets. Has anyone bought this ticket? I had to remove the link since I can't post links due to being a new member. It seems like a good deal. I just wanted to get some others feedback.

Check out mousesavers.com, and also sites like orlando magical dining, orlando magicard, restaurant.com, etc Also open table offer something similar you might want to check out

 

[zack123]

I stayed at the Holiday Inn near there (where TGI Friday's is marked on the map posted above). From there it is about a 10-12 minute walk to the CityWalk entrance, and maybe another 5 minutes to the IOA entry gate. Disclaimer: I have a canine "personal trainer" that insists I power walk 3+ miles with him every day, he helped me train for my vacation.

At the end of one day, after I spent 12+ hours going back and forth between parks and CityWalk, wearing horrible shoes, my feet hurt and it took more like 20 minutes to walk from CityWalk back to my hotel. A shuttle back to the hotel in the evening is not a bad idea, if you think you will be tired and the shuttle time is convenient.

The walk is not that bad, but you do have to cross Kirkman, which is a busy street. Watch the traffic lights and walk signals carefully. If you have kids you think might bolt into the street ahead of you, it might be better to take the shuttle instead.

Spring Break anywhere in Florida is probably going to be busy - whether with local families or people from other parts of the country who have their school breaks the same week. But who knows, you might get lucky.

I didn't use the park wait time apps, but from what I've seen here they are not always 100% accurate. But like another poster said, neither are the wait times posted at the ride entrances. I've waited in a 45-minute line for rides advertising a 20-minute wait, and walked on rides advertising a 60 minute wait.

 

[brianjb]

Thank you both for the replies. I appreciate it.

 

[Disnewbie_N_MO]

I stayed at the Holiday Inn near there (where TGI Friday's is marked on the map posted above). From there it is about a 10-12 minute walk to the CityWalk entrance, and maybe another 5 minutes to the IOA entry gate. Disclaimer: I have a canine "personal trainer" that insists I power walk 3+ miles with him every day, he helped me train for my vacation.

At the end of one day, after I spent 12+ hours going back and forth between parks and CityWalk, wearing horrible shoes, my feet hurt and it took more like 20 minutes to walk from CityWalk back to my hotel. A shuttle back to the hotel in the evening is not a bad idea, if you think you will be tired and the shuttle time is convenient.

The walk is not that bad, but you do have to cross Kirkman, which is a busy street. Watch the traffic lights and walk signals carefully. If you have kids you think might bolt into the street ahead of you, it might be better to take the shuttle instead.

Spring Break anywhere in Florida is probably going to be busy - whether with local families or people from other parts of the country who have their school breaks the same week. But who knows, you might get lucky.

I didn't use the park wait time apps, but from what I've seen here they are not always 100% accurate. But like another poster said, neither are the wait times posted at the ride entrances. I've waited in a 45-minute line for rides advertising a 20-minute wait, and walked on rides advertising a 60 minute wait.

Did that Holiday Inn close? All the maps I've looked at lately don't show it. The TGIF is still there, just not the Hotel. My wife and I stayed in a suite there, and were hoping to stay there again when we went back with our kids. Sorry to get off track. It took us about 10 minutes to walk from the HI to Citywalk entrance.

 

[brianjb]

Thanks Disnewbie_N_MO!

By the way, what part of Missouri are you from? My son was born in Independence and I lived in Kansas City for a long time. My wife is from the area.

 

[brianjb]

One of the main reasons I want to walk is that the $15 saved on parking can go a long way for more souvenirs and food while in the park.

 

[Disnewbie_N_MO]

We live in Kirksville. It's about 2 1/2 hrs north of KC. It's a nice/safe walk by the way. The road between the hotels and Universal is busy, but there's a crosswalk. I totally agree about the $$

 

[brianjb]

What a small world. We have some family in Lathrop, Bethany, and Cameron. That's not too far from you.

 

[amcnj]

I stayed at the Holiday Inn in August. It was still undergoing rehab in one tower, but was open. It is also called Holiday Inn Main Gate:

MAIN GATE TO UNIVERSAL ORLANDO
5905 SOUTH KIRKMAN ROAD ORLANDO , FLORIDA 32819 United States
Hotel Front Desk: 407-351-3333 Hotel Fax: 407-351-3527

 

[Gr8t Fan]

I'd say 15 minutes is a fair time estimate. We walked with 3 kids (2 in a stroller) and made it there in about 20 minutes. They Hyatt Place is a great hotel -- the free breakfast and Starbucks coffee made for a great start every morning.

 

[brianjb]

I'd say 15 minutes is a fair time estimate. We walked with 3 kids (2 in a stroller) and made it there in about 20 minutes. They Hyatt Place is a great hotel -- the free breakfast and Starbucks coffee made for a great start every morning.

What kind of breakfast is it? The normal cheapo continental style? Or do they have waffles, eggs, etc. Is the Starbucks coffee free?

 

[Planogirl]

I'd say 15 minutes is a fair time estimate. We walked with 3 kids (2 in a stroller) and made it there in about 20 minutes. They Hyatt Place is a great hotel -- the free breakfast and Starbucks coffee made for a great start every morning.

We stayed at the Hyatt Place last year and pretty much liked everything about the place. The free breakfast has little variety but everything is good. They have various "bread" items, good fruit both fresh and mixed, yogurt, juices, FREE Starbucks coffee and tea. You can also order other dishes for a price.

I do wonder if they worked on the elevators yet. They worked but were very slow and rattly. A Hyatt employee told us that those were about last on the list for refurbishment.

 

[DOOM1001]

I've stayed at that Hyatt place several times,very nice hotel with the only negative being that the breakfast area is too small.I never walked to Universal from the hotel always having a car and an AP giving me free parking but it definitely seems walking distance as you only have to cross Kirkman rd to go into Universal property,Kirkman rd is very busy though so be careful.

 

[zack123]

I assume the Holiday Inn Maingate is still there, they were renovating it when I stayed there last October.

It was very dirty though, with lots of things, including the most convenient elevators and staircases, out of order due to construction (which starts about 5-6 am each morning and can be heard from some of the rooms). I would not recommend it and I would not stay there again.

 

[DOOM1001]

I assume the Holiday Inn Maingate is still there, they were renovating it when I stayed there last October.

It was very dirty though, with lots of things, including the most convenient elevators and staircases, out of order due to construction (which starts about 5-6 am each morning and can be heard from some of the rooms). I would not recommend it and I would not stay there again.

Is this the Holiday Inn outside Universal by Kirkman rd?As most hotels that go by the maingate name are usually on 192 by World drive,referring to Disney's maingate.

 

[Disnewbie_N_MO]

I assume the Holiday Inn Maingate is still there, they were renovating it when I stayed there last October.

It was very dirty though, with lots of things, including the most convenient elevators and staircases, out of order due to construction (which starts about 5-6 am each morning and can be heard from some of the rooms). I would not recommend it and I would not stay there again.

My wife and I stayed there in March. All the renovations were done, and it looked rather nice actually.

 

[Planogirl]

My wife and I stayed there in March. All the renovations were done, and it looked rather nice actually.

This is interesting because generally renovated Holiday Inns tend to be pretty nice IMO. We might have to give this one another look.

 

[zack123]

Is this the Holiday Inn outside Universal by Kirkman rd?As most hotels that go by the maingate name are usually on 192 by World drive,referring to Disney's maingate.

It is the Holiday Inn on Kirkman. And in October 2011, they were still working on renovations - perhaps they started a phase II or something. The rooms were nice, but the staff didn't pick up people's dirty room service dishes (from breakfast) until after midnight, making the hallway full of trash and smelling like rotten food. Both the elevator and staircase closest to my room were out of order and under construction. So was the staircase closest to the back parking lot.

There was rather loud construction noise starting early every morning. I could only hear it a little in the main part of my room, but it was very loud in the bathroom. When I checked out, a couple that was staying on the floor above mine complained about the noise, and the staff confirmed it was construction work from renovations. The couple said it was so loud they couldn't stay in their room during the early morning hours. They asked to meet with the manager to discuss the issue.

Feel free to check it out for yourself - maybe they are finally done with the work and you will have a better experience. I usually enjoy Holiday Inns, the others I have stayed at were all very nice, but I will not return to this one.

 

[Csaks]

We stayed at the Doubletree right at the corner and it was at least a 10 to 15 minute walk to the gates. Worse if you caught that light crossing the highway wrong, seemed to take forever sometimes.
The walk was OK but it felt so long at the end of the day in the parks.