Orlando/Universal hotel with free airport transportation?
Mar 2nd, 2004, 07:03 PM
#1
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Orlando/Universal hotel with free airport transportation?
Does anyone know which hotels near Universal have complimentary transportation from the airport to the hotel?
Just looking for 1 night-arrive very late so we are planning on spending 1 night somewhere else before we check into Royal Pacific the next day and are trying to get to a hotel free. Is it possible?
Just looking for 1 night-arrive very late so we are planning on spending 1 night somewhere else before we check into Royal Pacific the next day and are trying to get to a hotel free. Is it possible?
Mar 3rd, 2004, 07:11 AM
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The airport is a bit far from Universal. I don't think there are hotels in that area that have free shuttles. If I am wrong, someone please correct me. There is a shuttle service that services the airport, but it's not free.
Mar 3rd, 2004, 07:26 AM
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I too looked into finding complimentary transportation from the airport to a hotel, to no avail. I couldn't find a one! Mears Transportation has a shuttle service from the airport to Orlando/Universal. I had researched when we went to Disney, but opted for Tiffany Town Car Service for about the same price. There were 4 of us, so the price of the car vs. four shuttle tickets made it worth it. Mears is a bus and makes stops at other hotels. Tiffany's driver stands outside baggage claim with your name on a sign, takes your luggage for you, and drive you by Lincoln Town Car to your desination. Then they'll give you a time to pick you back up @ your hotel for your return flight. They'll also stop at a grocery store for 20 minutes if you're so inclined to pick up supplies. They have a $5 coupon on their website too. I was impressed! www.tiffanytowncar.com
Mar 3rd, 2004, 07:28 AM
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I agree with Deborah. I don't think you are going to find a hotel near Universal that will offer a free shuttle service from the airport.
We have been to Orlando many times and I am not aware of any free shuttle service.
By the way, we were at Royal Pacific two weeks ago (we've stayed here twice). If you haven't stayed here before and have any questions, I will try to answer for you.
We have been to Orlando many times and I am not aware of any free shuttle service.
By the way, we were at Royal Pacific two weeks ago (we've stayed here twice). If you haven't stayed here before and have any questions, I will try to answer for you.
Mar 3rd, 2004, 05:26 PM
#5
No free shuttles from airport to hotels near Universal. The cheapest alternative depends on how many are in your party. Mears charges about $14 per person one way. If there are more than three people, it pays to get a town car. Try www.mearstransportation.com
www.tiffanytowncar.com www.floridatours.com
www.tiffanytowncar.com www.floridatours.com
Mar 4th, 2004, 04:26 AM
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Thanks for your responses. I keep looking and am not finding any free transportation. We have always rented a car but I am considering not this time because of how expensive it it to stay on property(never seem to be able to time going when there are any bargains due to kids schedules. We'll be there 4 days, mostly all day at Universal/IOA but again to try and save a few bucks thought it might be worth having a car to be able to eat off property.I think I am going to try and come up with the best car rental price and compare it to the four of us using a Town Car service. What do you think?
We're so excited to finally give our kids the thrill of being on property. Whenever we have gone in the past we've either been in hotels or timeshare exchanges and they have longed to have the convenience and ease of having that room key! This is a high school graduation trip. My son has loved Orlando since he's been a little guy and this summer he will be gone and then off to college so it's exciting to send him off with a trip to his favorite place.
antmaril - My sons are both over 6 ft. and they don't particularly enjoy sharing a bed. Do you know if there is enough room to either add a rollaway of have one sleep on the floor? Also is there a particular location or room (we have water view with 2 queen beds)that would be good for us to request? Is signing up for the Lowes program worth it?Any suggestions for breakfast without leaving our wallet? They are big growing young men and wish there was a buffet breakfast to pack away to last them for a good part of the day.So any tips on good eats would be appreciated. I've heard people say the pool is nothing special. Is that true? Thanks
We're so excited to finally give our kids the thrill of being on property. Whenever we have gone in the past we've either been in hotels or timeshare exchanges and they have longed to have the convenience and ease of having that room key! This is a high school graduation trip. My son has loved Orlando since he's been a little guy and this summer he will be gone and then off to college so it's exciting to send him off with a trip to his favorite place.
antmaril - My sons are both over 6 ft. and they don't particularly enjoy sharing a bed. Do you know if there is enough room to either add a rollaway of have one sleep on the floor? Also is there a particular location or room (we have water view with 2 queen beds)that would be good for us to request? Is signing up for the Lowes program worth it?Any suggestions for breakfast without leaving our wallet? They are big growing young men and wish there was a buffet breakfast to pack away to last them for a good part of the day.So any tips on good eats would be appreciated. I've heard people say the pool is nothing special. Is that true? Thanks
Mar 4th, 2004, 06:03 AM
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The voters of Florida recently gave overwhelming approval (I think it was 73%) to a high-speed rail. Phase 1 would be Orlando airport to Tampa. Disney has agreed to allow and subsidize a stop at its theme park, but only if there would be no other stops in this area. I would imagine that the other parks and hotels would then provide free shuttles to compete with Disney.
But even that is in jeopardy now as the plan, though popular with voters, is being trounced by the governor who says we can't afford it, and who is backing another citizens initiative to repeal it.
So it's hard to say what the future will hold for travelers to Florida.
But even that is in jeopardy now as the plan, though popular with voters, is being trounced by the governor who says we can't afford it, and who is backing another citizens initiative to repeal it.
So it's hard to say what the future will hold for travelers to Florida.
Mar 4th, 2004, 07:10 AM
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I think mears is some sort of shuttle transportation mafia threatening to break the legs of any hotel that offers a free shuttle.
You will not have enough room in a standard Royal Pacific Room for a rollaway. Have you asked about the cost for an upgrade? Right before you go or when you check in is the time when you will find the best deal.
Ask for a room facing Universal. My husband and I had a great view of The Hulk and that thing that goes up and down.
You will not have enough room in a standard Royal Pacific Room for a rollaway. Have you asked about the cost for an upgrade? Right before you go or when you check in is the time when you will find the best deal.
Ask for a room facing Universal. My husband and I had a great view of The Hulk and that thing that goes up and down.
Mar 4th, 2004, 10:33 AM
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Juldie:
I agree that putting a rollaway in a room at RPR will be tight (even if it's possible). The rooms are not really big. However, it is a beautiful hotel and we love the tropical theme. The rooms, however, are the smallest of the three onsite hotels. My son is 6'1" and had
no problem, but, of course, he is not sharing the bed.
For our trip last summer, we were in a standard room with a dead-on view of the Hulk Rollercoaster and the fireworks. It was great.
We had a suite this trip and didn't have as nice a view (3x the money!!!)
I know you are all going to love the FOTL privileges for staying onsite. It is a FABULOUS perk.
Yes, join Loews First. It is worth the few minutes it takes to register. If nothing else, you will be offered a nice bottle of wine (if you wish) or cookies and milk when you check in.
By the way, we always rent a car while in Orlando. I think it gives you much more flexibility. There is a breakfast buffet in the hotel, but it is pricey --approximately $15 per person. We had breakfast at the HRH one morning at "The Kitchen". Again, a breakfast buffet for $15.95 per person. It was a good buffet, but not cheap.
Just wanted to mention that we also ate at Emeril's Tchoup Chop at the Royal Pacific and had an excellent meal in a lovely setting. You may want to check that out. You would want to make a reservation as it is very popular.
Have fun!
I agree that putting a rollaway in a room at RPR will be tight (even if it's possible). The rooms are not really big. However, it is a beautiful hotel and we love the tropical theme. The rooms, however, are the smallest of the three onsite hotels. My son is 6'1" and had
no problem, but, of course, he is not sharing the bed.
For our trip last summer, we were in a standard room with a dead-on view of the Hulk Rollercoaster and the fireworks. It was great.
We had a suite this trip and didn't have as nice a view (3x the money!!!)
I know you are all going to love the FOTL privileges for staying onsite. It is a FABULOUS perk.
Yes, join Loews First. It is worth the few minutes it takes to register. If nothing else, you will be offered a nice bottle of wine (if you wish) or cookies and milk when you check in.
By the way, we always rent a car while in Orlando. I think it gives you much more flexibility. There is a breakfast buffet in the hotel, but it is pricey --approximately $15 per person. We had breakfast at the HRH one morning at "The Kitchen". Again, a breakfast buffet for $15.95 per person. It was a good buffet, but not cheap.
Just wanted to mention that we also ate at Emeril's Tchoup Chop at the Royal Pacific and had an excellent meal in a lovely setting. You may want to check that out. You would want to make a reservation as it is very popular.
Have fun!
Mar 4th, 2004, 02:25 PM
#10
You really won't need a car once you're at the Royal Pacific. They also charge to park your car at the hotel, so add that on to the cost of renting a car. When we were there it was $6 a day to self park and $10 a day for valet. Go to www.disboards.com and scroll to the Universal forums for info on everything you need to know about Universal.
Mar 5th, 2004, 04:58 AM
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If you don't want to leave the Universal property, then, I agree, you don't need a car. However, I would never do that. I want to be able to get in the car and go. You can find much more reasonable restaurants if you go off property (this applies to both Disney and Universal). We went to the new Mall at Millenia and had dinner at the Cheesecake Factory - great!! We went to Downtown Disney to walk around and do some shopping.
I would not do Orlando without a car. Just my two cents!
I would not do Orlando without a car. Just my two cents!
Mar 5th, 2004, 05:54 AM
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My husband I talked about it this morning. We have done Orlando many times and never not had a car. Hate that trapped feeling. My sons "live"at the park(from when the park opens til closing)so I don't think they have any interest taking the time to leave to eat but we probably will. And splurging by staying at RPH we really want to try and cut back somehow. $15.95 for breakfastis too much for us to spend. So we'll probably rent a refrig and eat breakfast in the room. I didn't know the RPH had suites but with what we are paying upgrading is out of the picture unless anyone has any tips on getting an upgrade for free!Thanks for the suggestion of asking for a room facing the park.
I can't believe the resorts charge for parking. Just a side note.
I can't believe the resorts charge for parking. Just a side note.
Mar 5th, 2004, 08:21 AM
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IMHO - there are no "cheap eats" at Citywalk. It is a nice area, but I wouldn't say any of these restaurants are "cheap". There is a Hard Rock Cafe, Margaritaville, Emeril's, Motown Cafe, Nascar Cafe, NBA City, etc. These are not inexpensive places to eat. There is a Starbucks, where you can grab a $2 cup of coffee and a $3 muffin, but if you want to have a more inexpensive meal, you have to leave the property.
For example, we went to Tony Romas for lunch one afternoon - about a 5-10 minute drive from Universal. We had a bbq beef sandwich, french fries and cole slaw for $6.00 each. This was a nice restaurant - not fast food. This cannot be done onsite.
Of course, you can have breakfast items in your room - which would greatly reduce your costs.
I still say, if you want flexbility - rent a car.
For example, we went to Tony Romas for lunch one afternoon - about a 5-10 minute drive from Universal. We had a bbq beef sandwich, french fries and cole slaw for $6.00 each. This was a nice restaurant - not fast food. This cannot be done onsite.
Of course, you can have breakfast items in your room - which would greatly reduce your costs.
I still say, if you want flexbility - rent a car.
