Which Universal partner hotels offer transportation to the parks?

[phillymummer]

Hello DISers!

I am trying to decide if I want to stay on-site or off-site. If I stay off-site I want to stay at a place that offers transportation to the parks. A place within walking distance is nice, but we may be going in August and I don't want to have to walk to/from the parks in the August heat and before/after walking all day. So, which partners hotels (if any) offer transportation to the parks?

I have tried to do some research, but I am not having much luck. Maybe I just haven't had enough coffee yet.

Really, the point of my research is to see if it is cheaper to stay on-site to get the free express pass or stay off-site and just buy the express pass. Anyone know? We plan on going when HP2 opens, so the express pass is a MUST.

Thanks for your help!

 

[damo]

Hello DISers!

I am trying to decide if I want to stay on-site or off-site. If I stay off-site I want to stay at a place that offers transportation to the parks. A place within walking distance is nice, but we may be going in August and I don't want to have to walk to/from the parks in the August heat and before/after walking all day. So, which partners hotels (if any) offer transportation to the parks?

I have tried to do some research, but I am not having much luck. Maybe I just haven't had enough coffee yet.

Really, the point of my research is to see if it is cheaper to stay on-site to get the free express pass or stay off-site and just buy the express pass. Anyone know? We plan on going when HP2 opens, so the express pass is a MUST.

Thanks for your help!

It is hard to do research for that this early. You don't know when HP2 is going to open. You really don't know what the prices for express passes are going to be once HP2 opens and you don't know if express pass will be good for any of the HP2 attractions. Probably not all the partner hotels will have their prices out for next July either.

You can check to see who has free transportation just by going into each of their websites. Personally, I'd stick to one of the very close hotels that are within walking distance. Check the ones out on Major Blvd. Go to googlemaps and it will show you which hotels are close by. Then go to their websites to check them out. You can also use this http://www.universalorlandovacations.com/Hotels/Partner.aspx as a starting point. FOUR POINTS BY SHERATON ORLANDO STUDIO CITY is one hotel that offers free transportation and that is written on their website. http://www.fourpointsorlandostudiocity.com/

If they don't brag that it is complimentary, I wouldn't assume that it is.

 

[Seeker615]

2 years ago we stayed at Holiday Inn & Suites on Major Blvd. Very nice hotel and very reasonable. Free shuttle to both parks and Seaworld as well. You could walk to the parks but is a bit daunting with the traffic.

Only drawback with the shuttle is that you have to work with their schedule as far as coming and going. We often took the shuttle in the morning and then used a cab in the evening. (Only about $5.00)

 

[damo]

2 years ago we stayed at Holiday Inn & Suites on Major Blvd. Very nice hotel and very reasonable. Free shuttle to both parks and Seaworld as well. You could walk to the parks but is a bit daunting with the traffic.

Only drawback with the shuttle is that you have to work with their schedule as far as coming and going. We often took the shuttle in the morning and then used a cab in the evening. (Only about $5.00)

That's the other good thing about staying on Major Blvd or Caravan Ct. If you miss the shuttle or don't want to walk, a cab is very cheap. Here's the website to the HI across from Universal http://www.hiuniversal.com/services.php

 

[phillymummer]

Thanks everyone! Keep the suggestions and tips coming! Even if the express pass isn't available for HP, I will still get it just for the other rides. I am just looking to compare prices now.

I was looking at the "moderate" hotels and I am considering the Hyatt bc it has free transportation and free breakfast! Hot breakfasts for important to my hubby, so if we can get it for free, that is a big plus! Many people have suggested the Holiday Inn, but I didn't see anything about free breakfast.

I'd be okay with taking a cab to and from if needed, especially if it is that cheap. My hubby would probably prefer it.

 

[Seeker615]

Holiday Inn and Suites did not offer breakfast for free. There is a TGIF's that had a breakfast buffet. It was pretty good and I believe was reasonable.

We got pizza one evening and heated it up the next day for breakfast and also ate breakfast at the Three Broomsticks at IOA.