Where to stay when doing a disney/universal trip?

[winniethepoohsmom]

We are planning a trip for Aug/Sept 08 we were just at Disney and booked the bounce back free dining. We booked the first 3 days only because we will have to be back for school starting. We thought we would go to Universal before checking in at CSR for another 3 nights. I can't decide if we should make a ressie at CSR before the free dining offer begins and drive over to Universal or do a split stay at a resort near Universal off site, and then check into CSR on the 30th. We've never done a split stay and it sounds like a bit of a hassle having to check in twice especially on the first day of free dining on labor day weekend. How long would it take to get to Universal from CSR? Thanks, Linda

 

[Darcy03231]

We just got back and stayed in a vacation home in Clermont which is about 7 miles west of Disney's main gate. I found it took us about half an hour to get to US/IOA every day. From WDW to US/IOA I would say it would take 20 minutes to half an hour depending on traffic. If you can swing it I would stay on-site for the front of the line privileges. If not, we stayed one night at the Sheraton Studio City which is half a mile from US/IOA and it was a wonderful hotel. I wouldn't hestitate to stay there again.

 

[winniethepoohsmom]

I would love to stay in one of the Universal Hotles unless they have some kind of special at that time we won't be able to afford those rates at the Universal Hotels, I also heard you have to pay for parking at their hotels at the price they charge you should'nt have to pay to park to. I've been told that it's about a 20 to 30 minute ride from CSR to Universal so we may just spend the week at CSR and drive over (since we're renting a car for the week) that way we can just settle in for the week. Thanks for help. Linda

 

[Detailor]

I think that staying at CSR for the week makes sense. Who wants to go on vacation and have to keep packing up and moving? It might be a little more than 30 from CSR to Universal, though, depending upon route and traffic. We stayed at Saratoga Springs in July and visited Universal on three different days during the week. Not a bad trip from the DTD area taking Palm Parkway/Turkey Lake Road to Universal even when I-4 is busy.

Dick Taylor

 

[winniethepoohsmom]

Thank you for the help, I think if it was'nt for the free dining end of the trip we would probably stay at a hotel more centrally located to do both Disney and Universal but I think by Saturday when we would have to move to CSR if we stayed at a resort closer to Universal we will be glad that we don't have to do that and just deal with the 30 minute ride. Linda

 

[FayeW]

I can't imagine it taking 30 mins; more like 15 or 20. In 30 mins, I can be almost to the airport!