We're Baaack! Mommy and me trip a success.

[Kimberlyfamilyfv]

I am happy to say we had a wonderful trip to Universal but glad to be back home again. May 23-26 2003
We left thursday evening for our trip. Arrived in Orlando about 11:45pm. Rented our car and headed for our first night at the holiday inn.
The next morning we checked into the royal pacific hotel. The hotel was absolutely beautiful and the service definitely A rate. By 9:00 am we had our bags in the room and on the way to Islands of Adventure.
The weather was wonderful as it seemed to welcome us on our first day to the park it was a lovely 80 degrees and slightly over cast. Very Very Very comfortable. First we ventured to the hulk(twice), then spiderman(twice), and then ripsaw falls, and onto the river adventure. All of this by 10:30. FOTL definetly a plus. While some waited as much as an hour in the regular lines we breezed right through in the express lines. Most of our wait tme consisted of 10 minutes or less. Anyway, we continued to circle our way around the park and by one o'clock in the after noon we had rode most of the rides at least once. Needless to say by the time we got back to the port of entry we were starved.
My son wanted to eat at the hard rock cafe and it seemed like a good idea to me too. When we arrived at hard rock we were in and seated in no time. Did not even have to ask for priority seating. Our waitress was very pleasant and eager to help us. Sorry,I forgot to ask for her name. I ordered the pig sandswich(and to die for I might add. If you love spicy order this.)And my son well you know children he ordered the pepperoni kids meal.
When we finished our wonderful meal, we walked back to the hotel to get some pool time. I did not think I would ever be able to pry my son out of the pool.

Later in the evening we went back to the room to retire for the night. Let me tell you I have never had such a good night sleep at a hotel before. The beds were so soft and comfortable it became very tempting to sleep in late the next morning.

Well its getting late so I will leave day 2 trip report for tommorrow.

 

[cpl100]

I am enjoying your report. I also plan to stay at an offsite hotel the first night of my stay due to late arrival. How did you like the Holiday Inn and what method did you use for booking?

 

[Kimberlyfamilyfv]

I booked my nights on the internet. First for the holiday inn try booking thru www.priorityclub.com if you don't get the rate you are looking for try this web site. www.hotelmartusa.com
The priorityclub is holiday inns own website. This website usually only benefits you if you book 21 days or less before your trip. The website I have used in the past is hotelmartusa this website will charge you upfront for the night. They are a type of broker sort of a middle man. It takes a couple of days for you to receive a confirmation by email. Once you get your confirmation call the hotel and confirm that they have your reservation. I have never had a problem with them If you use this one you will love the rates because the price you see will include taxes and resort fees. I only paid 55.95 a night thru them taxes and all. If you want a family suites in the holiday try this one www.avistahotels.com I have used this one before as well however with this one you get an immediate confirmation but the prices are higher slightly.

by the way the holiday inn that I prefer is the holiday inn on universal blvd. the address is 8214 Universal blvd. This hotel is only 2 miles from the enterance to Universal. Each regular room comes with a refrig and a microwave. and it is only 3 blocks from the mcdonalds on sand lake. there is a grocery store in the mini mall behind the hotel. very convenient. Almost forgot they have a buffet breakfast ever morning. For every one adult buffet up to 3 children eat free. The adult cost of the buffet with tax was $6.93
I hope this will help you in booking your trip. Please let me know if my information helped you at all.

 

[cpl100]

Yes, that is helpful. I have three further questions. Did you try go get an Entertainment Card rate? I notice Holiday Inn is in the book. Also, why do you prefer this particular one versus the Holiday Inn which is advertised to be directly across from Universal? When you book with the 'within 21 days site' are there cancellation restrictions? I am asking because I am driving and need to be flexible arrival day as I am not sure if I will end up in the Orlando area or a bit further North after driving for the day.

Thanks.

 

[Kimberlyfamilyfv]

with these rates you must be pre paid. non refundable. If you want these rates you have to make the commitment for the night. However, if you want to have a reservation in place for the just in case this is what i would do. I would I would call the hotel i was considering and place a hold on the room with your name only. If you are not there by six in the evening they release the room and you owe nothing(do not let them talk you into securing the room with your credit card as they will charge your card whether you show up or not) however will be pretty close to rack rates. In addition, make sure you ask about there cancellation policy this may also determine whether or not this is the hotel for you.
the holiday inn in which I chose does not offer the entertainment rate.

One more thing the holiday inn that I chose was listed as the holiday inn Mercado on hotelmartusa. but the address if you are looking for it anywhere else is 8214 Universal blvd. Only one block south of sandlake rd. and 2 miles south of universal studios.

Words of warning stay away from these hotels howard johnson on international . I heard from some people that stayed there and it was not a good experience. The other is the days inn Lakeside on the corner of Sandlake/Turkeylake. We stayed there once and it was a horror story. green pool, coach roaches, and stinky rooms.
If you want to know anything else let me know.

 

[cpl100]

Thanks. Knowing where to avoid is very helpful also.

 

[Minniespal]

Thanks for sharing - Wonderful reviews!!!!