Which Offsite Hotel for Universal?

[TN Traveler]

TINK61--------Sorry I'm late on your reply....busy w/work! Which is a good thing since I'm a travel agent!!

Got the great price at ES through a friends and family rate. Have a friend that works at ES and was able to give this price to me. Believe me, I was very appreciative! I don't know what the normal rate at this location is, but I think it'd be worth $89 a nite if I had to pay it. Was well worth it!

GOOD LUCK!

 

[The Sweetness]

Originally posted by RC Fan
Hi The Sweetness!

Do you recall which HoJo's on I-Drive? Did you use the free shuttle? If so, how was it?

Not positive, but~ I think it may have been the 6603 address. I did use the shuttle on most days. It sometimes got quite crowded, but I wasnt expecting a limo for free The timing was reliable, and we had the same bus driver round trip all week (I think). We wouldnt hesitate to stay there again. In fact, I may just inquire about the availability and pricing of a suite. We had enough room for us (me, dd, and dh) But Id have felt really crowded with a 4th person in the room

 

[RC Fan]

Yeah, I just need the shuttle to get me to the parks preferably just before the gates open.

 

[TINK61]

Any opinions on the Sierra Suites in the Universal/I Drive area? I'm still looking. . . .

 

[chach]

Is there a particular site that you look to find
the best lodging rates?

 

[sue Z]

another area to try are the hotels on Universal blvd that parallel I-drive!!

not as congested as I drive you just have to use a small prtion of I drive. It starts at the end where FAO Swartch used to be at the Pointe Orlando

 

[Cindy B]

There are some hotels right near the Universal Parking garage (1/2 block from Wet n Wild).

There is a Country inn and Suites, a pink hotel (I think its Summerfield but I may be wrong)., and there was a Hampton Inn but it is now a Comfort Inn.

I think its Universal Blvd.

 

[CdnMom2]

I hadn't realized there was any activity on this thread -- I usually kill them with my enthusiastic long responses!

Some digging in my box of not-so-organized plans from that trip -- yes, even with a Passporter some of us naturally resist organization! Looking forward to using the new UG planner!

Had a $79 rate from Travelweb in early October. It was called "Share the Season" But I must have also subscribed to Amerisuites own "notify me of Specials" from their web-site because the e-mail (which I don't have now) came from Amerisuites itself. I was certain their rate was also called "Share the Season", but it was only $59. My cancellation (with Travelweb) & new reservation (with AmeriSuites) e-mails I do have show Oct. 28/02. So -- sometime in October! I probably jumped on it pretty fast so likely day or 2 prior.

Travelweb however did get me some $30 cheaper rate with HIFS that HIFS itself, in spite of their price guarantees, would not match. So in that case Travelweb won out!

 

[Dad of 3]

December is specific month.
If you are going before Christmas week, the park will not be very crowded, then staying off-site may be a wash to the advantages to staying at a universal hotel. However if you are planning to stay close to the weeks around Christmas, all parks (UO and Disney) will be very crowded.
In any case, I would consider staying on-site for at least one night and take advantage of front of line privileges that are offered to OU hotel guests. With just one night at Royal Pacific, you will get two days of express pass (usually no more that 15 minute wait) to all the attractions. This is not Disney, you get real privileges by staying on site at universal. For the rest of your vacation, relax at far cheaper hotels much further off site. Again, in my opinion you will enjoy two days with FOTL, than four days without it. See the Universal disboards, on how to get discounts at OU hotels. There are members that will help you to get a free fan club card and you can save big. But hurry, December is coming quickly.

I truly hope that I have helped.

Dad of 3.
3.