Would you ever stay at a Universal Studios Florida hotel for your whole trip to save money but spend 90% of your trip visiting WDW instead of U.S. FL?

[Buzz Rules]

Would you ever stay at a Universal Studios Florida hotel for your whole trip to save money but spend 90% of your trip visiting WDW instead of Universal Studios Florida? So basically a WDW vacation but staying in a better hotel in Universal Studios that you could afford that you couldn't afford on WDW property. Also I'm curious how many on the Community Board have only visited WDW or Universal Studios Florida but not the other theme park. Thanks again.

 

[Once.Upon.A.Time]

I have a friend that did something similar. Her and her husband only spent one or two days in Universal and spent more time in Disney. They stayed in Universal. They were happy, but for me, I can’t see doing it. Just the transportation alone would turn me off.

 

[Suger Mag]

Would you ever stay at a Universal Studios Florida hotel for your whole trip to save money but spend 90% of your trip visiting WDW instead of Universal Studios Florida? So basically a WDW vacation but staying in a better hotel in Universal Studios that you could afford that you couldn't afford on WDW property. Also I'm curious how many on the Community Board has only visited WDW or Universal Studios Florida but not the other theme park. Thanks again.

why would you do that ? For one, there are scads of hotels that are cheap and RIGHT off property, like walking distance to Disney Springs etc.. Driving every day of your vacation down the highway, I just cannot personally imagine choosing to do that, it is not like those rooms are that cheap at Universal.

I have gone to Universal during a stay at WDW. Also Sea World. Usually it is a single day and we have a car.

 

[RoseGold]

I would just stay offsite. There are plenty of reasonable hotels that aren't Universal or Disney.

 

[Disneylover99]

No. I like to stay where I play.

 

[Buzz Rules]

I guess what I was thinking is that something close to a deluxe Disney hotel is sometimes comparably cheaper at Universal. Most Disney resorts don't offer many discounts anymore either.

 

[Brian Noble]

Would you ever stay at a Universal Studios Florida hotel for your whole trip to save money but spend 90% of your trip visiting WDW instead of Universal Studios Florida?

No. That's far too far away, and the UO resorts are nice, but so are many (many!) others in the WDW area. I'm a Wyndham owner, so I would probably stay at Bonnet Creek. If that weren't on the table, maybe Sheraton Vistana Resort. There are plenty of others--any of the ones in the Bonnet Creek Resort Area would be good choices.

Still saving (lots of) money, much closer, and at a really nice resort.

Also I'm curious how many on the Community Board have only visited WDW or Universal Studios Florida but not the other theme park.

I currently have active annual/season passes to Universal Orlando, Dollywood, and Cedar Point. Together they cost me less than an out-of-state/non-DVC AP!

 

[john7994]

I guess what I was thinking is that something close to a deluxe Disney hotel is sometimes comparably cheaper at Universal. Most Disney resorts don't offer many discounts anymore either.

If cost for accommodations is the issue - as many have already mentioned - there are a ton of other similar options in the immediate area that are Disney adjacent or even better based on preferences, but still less expensive ...

 

[Smugpugmug]

If cost is the only reason, then you'd be better off staying at an offsite resort closer to Disney. Universal to Disney is a solid 25-30 minute trek and there is always traffic.

However I have stayed at WDW and only went to Universal. I saw someone say that Saratoga Springs is the best Universal resort at WDW and they're absolutely right lol. It's very close to the highway.

I also enjoy staying at Cabana Bay for Volcano Bay focused stays. It's similarly priced to a WDW value (or moderate based on time of year) and amenities wise it blows the Disney hotels out of the water. What I did find interesting there was that while I was in line at the Starbucks I overheard a few people talking about how they're staying there but were going to Disney parks.

 

[Buzz Rules]

If cost for accommodations is the issue - as many have already mentioned - there are a ton of other similar options in the immediate area that are Disney adjacent or even better based on preferences, but still less expensive ...

Yeah, I haven't done much research. It was just a thought that I was thinking about.

 

[RoseGold]

I guess what I was thinking is that something close to a deluxe Disney hotel is sometimes comparably cheaper at Universal. Most Disney resorts don't offer many discounts anymore either.

If your goal is an actual deluxe hotel, I would do neither Disney nor Universal. There are actual luxury offsite hotels for the money.

If your goal is cheap, then it varies. Probably offsite, but maybe not. Port Orleans is 242 next weekend, hard to beat that.

 

[Buzz Rules]

If your goal is an actual deluxe hotel, I would do neither Disney nor Universal. There are actual luxury offsite hotels for the money.

If your goal is cheap, then it varies. Probably offsite, but maybe not. Port Orleans is 242 next weekend, hard to beat that.

The better way to put what I'm thinking is a non Disney Deluxe Resort but the same quality and cheaper than the average rate of basic room of the Wilderness Lodge in the Spring for example.

 

[RoseGold]

The better way to put what I'm thinking is a non Disney Deluxe Resort but the same quality and cheaper than the average rate of basic room of the Wilderness Lodge for example.

You have that in abundance in Orlando. The shiny, new Hilton with the outstanding lazy river comes to mind. And Hilton is a much, much better hotelier than Disney, not that it takes much IMO. Heck, even the Waldorf or Ritz can be cheaper than WL, depending on dates.

Disney slapped some paint on stuff lately, but reality is their hotels are showing their age. The "deluxe" label is really pushing it for some of this. The noise at GF is embarrassing and not to modern standards.

 

[PollyannaMom]

I love both sets of parks, so no, wherever I'm staying, I'm happy to go the parks that are right there! - The second best thing (after early admission) about staying on site at either set of resorts is not having to drive for the whole time we're there.

 

[john7994]

Yeah, I haven't done much research. It was just a thought that I was thinking about.

@RoseGold is on it ... I would give the same advice ...

I tend not to like long transport times - so staying near Universal but spending your time at Disney is a no go for me. As mentioned there are lots of options that are Disney "deluxe" without the rack rate price tag. We even did a cottage at Margaritaville offsite but nearby - for the same cost / night and had a six bedroom house to mess around in complete with arcade games and our own pool / hot tub ...

The only thing I didn't like about being offsite is losing out on the Genie advantage as well as Early Park Entry and some of the morning traffic to get to the parks from our location was a little annoying.

 

[Buzz Rules]

@RoseGold is on it ... I would give the same advice ...

I tend not to like long transport times - so staying near Universal but spending your time at Disney is a no go for me. As mentioned there are lots of options that are Disney "deluxe" without the rack rate price tag. We even did a cottage at Margaritaville offsite but nearby - for the same cost / night and had a six bedroom house to mess around in complete with arcade games and our own pool / hot tub ...

The only thing I didn't like about being offsite is losing out on the Genie advantage as well as Early Park Entry and some of the morning traffic to get to the parks from our location was a little annoying.

Yeah, I'm looking at all options and taking in all the great advice you guys are giving me. This potential trip is realistically 5 or so years away, so I have some time to think on it.

 

[DCLMP]

No

 

[DCLMP]

Yeah, I'm looking at all options and taking in all the great advice you guys are giving me. This potential trip is realistically 5 or so years away, so I have some time to think on it.

You're asking about a trip 5 or more years away? Why? Are you bored?

 

[Buzz Rules]

You're asking about a trip 5 or more years away? Why? Are you bored?

No. But FL trips are expensive and I have bills to pay (like most post people on earth). I enjoy nice WDW vacations but it usually takes me several years to save up the money I need to enjoy the type of vacation that I want. I said 5 years because who knows how different WDW and Universal Studios will be in that time.

 

[fly girl]

Look into Swan & Dolphin and Reserve in Epcot area. All Bonvoy properties, and in a fabulous location as you can walk to Epcot and Hollywood Studios.

Cheapest is typically Dolphin ~ Sheraton property,
Few bucks more is Swan ~ Westin resort,
Typically most expensive is Reserve ~ Marriott Autograph Collection.

Depending upon the time of year, these resorts will typically be a lot less than WDW Deluxe Epcot Resorts.
Example:

• I looked for today; BWI is running at $412 a night with a 25% off discount (rack rate is $550.).
• Dolphin for today with no discount (Standard Rate) is $255
• Swan Standard Rate is $260
• Reserve Standard Rate is $284

You could potentially save more with discounts as I looked for with my Bonvoy account and discount codes from work I can get $226 at Dolphin, $230 at Swan, and $252 at Reserve.