Which is the nearest/closest Hotel to Universal

[lam]

Hi

We normally stay in DIsney but are planning a trip to Universal for the first time next year and are hoping to stay onsite.

IF our budget allows, which is the nearest hotel to IOA/Studios
Which has the best transport connections.

If my budget WON'T allow, will Cabana Bay Beach be a good option ( I know theres no Express Passes/FOTL Passes)
Is there a better, closer, more convenient hotel nearer than Cabana Bay and with a better price?

Haven't a clue abour Universal or locations of the hotels etc so please do help

Regards

lam

 

[macraven]

i always google a map to show the locations in the UO area.

did that and see holiday inn, doubletree and quite a few in the area.

those places will probably be a 15 to 20 minute walk to the darkside.


cab ride should be about $5.


the cabana bay hotel will open next spring/late march.
it would be the closest to the park than the offsite hotels.

 

[Seeker615]

We stayed at Holiday Inn and Suites years ago.

Nice hotel and has a TGIF's right in the building. Pool was decent. We were also bumped up to a suite upon arrival so that was really nice.

We walked to the parks one day but it was so hot out that it can be a tiring trip. Also the highway crossing was a challenge!

Shuttles were easy but you had to reserve a spot at the front desk the day before. Easy enough and free.

We did a cab a few times when we wanted to stay a little later. Cabs are right where the shuttles pick up and we paid about $5.00. Can't beat that!

 

[damo]

Your post is a little confusing. Let me see if I understand. If your budget allows, you would like to stay onsite at the Portofino, Hard Rock or Royal Pacific to take advantage of the unlimited express pass and early entry.

If your budget does not allow you want to know the closest hotel.




If your budget allows, Hard Rock and Royal Pacific are the two closest but all three are within walking distance and all three have a water shuttle as well as a bus shuttle. You just need to choose which theme suits you best.

Cabana Bay is still an onsite hotel run by Loews but since it is a value hotel, it will not have unlimited express. It will have early admission and will have a direct shuttle.

You can get early admission at some of the partner hotels by booking a package through Universal which will include your offsite (not one of the 4 mentioned above) hotel and tickets. You can check that out here ... https://www.universalorlando.com/Vacation-Packages/bf/how-to-book.aspx

If you book an offsite hotel on your own, there will be no early admission. Some very close hotels are the Holiday Inn and Suites across from Universal and the Doubletree. Like mac said, check out googlemaps for other close options.

 

[lam]

Thank you all so much for your very informative replies.

I will definitely use this infomation when deciding exactly where to stay.
Hadn't thought about Google Maps or an 'off-site' package.
Thats a really good idea, as I also need tickets!

Thanks again for respodning

lam