Universal Orlando

**Midnightmoon** · 08-04-2021, 04:35 PM

My daughter is tentatively going to Universal Orlando in March as a school field trip. We may want to tag along for a few days independent from her school with our other daughter as a little mini vacation. We will be there 4 nights and 3 days in the parks.

Anyway, tell me a little about Universal. Any tips or advice on favorite attractions, restaurants, and even hotels (since it looks like we will be flying in) would be greatly appreciated.

Grumpy · 08-04-2021, 05:08 PM

There are numerous resturants on property in City Walk before you even get into the park. It is similar, but much smaller than Disney Springs. Bubba Gumps, Margaritaville, Bucca de Beppo to name a few.

Both parks are right next to each other so you can walk between or take the Hog Warts Express. Universal has 8 hotels on property at various price points. We don't do.the attractions so I can't address those, but many are much more "thrill" based than WDW.

**Midnightmoon** · 08-04-2021, 05:45 PM

Thanks Grumpy. I noticed that also about the rides. I'm sure that my youngest will enjoy those. Me, not so much.

We will likely stay at one of the Universal Hotels. If we would decide to bring the trailer down, what do you recommend? The closest appears to be the Orlando/Kissimmee KOA.

Jopopsy · 08-04-2021, 06:48 PM

We prefer the Hard Rock when we go. Aside from the theme, the Hard Rock gives you the Express pass. I don’t frequent amusement parks often, so when I do I prefer to limit my time on the line. Express pass is golden in our book.

However, all that said, we REALLY like the Hard Rock for what it is by itself.

Portifino and Royal Pacific also offer Express Pass.

**Midnightmoon** · 08-04-2021, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jopopsy

We prefer the Hard Rock when we go. Aside from the theme, the Hard Rock gives you the Express pass. I don’t frequent amusement parks often, so when I do I prefer to limit my time on the line. Express pass is golden in our book.

However, all that said, we REALLY like the Hard Rock for what it is by itself.

Portifino and Royal Pacific also offer Express Pass.

Thanks for the info about the Express pass. Definitely something that we will do.

Grumpy · 08-04-2021, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Midnightmoon

Thanks Grumpy. I noticed that also about the rides. I'm sure that my youngest will enjoy those. Me, not so much.

We will likely stay at one of the Universal Hotels. If we would decide to bring the trailer down, what do you recommend? The closest appears to be the Orlando/Kissimmee KOA.

Most CG are 30-45 minutes away with good traffic there are a couple North in LAKE MARY with good reviews. Most others are near WDW. The one advantage of using their hotels is you avoid the parking fee which is $25 a day.

**Midnightmoon** · 08-04-2021, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grumpy

Most CG are 30-45 minutes away with good traffic there are a couple North in LAKE MARY with good reviews. Most others are near WDW. The one advantage of using their hotels is you avoid the parking fee which is $25 a day.

Thanks Grumpy.

MichaelH · 08-18-2021, 01:44 PM

We went last Memorial Day and stayed at Universal's Endless Summer Resort. It is new and provides transportation to the park. The hotel has dinning and a gift shop. We also ate at Chuy’s off property, and went to Medieval Times for a dinner show.

**Midnightmoon** · 08-18-2021, 03:08 PM

Excellent. Thank you.

**Midnightmoon** · 10-06-2021, 06:37 AM

What is the parking like at the Universal hotels? Is it surface lots or garage parking? Trying to plan ahead on what vehicle to make the trip in. Normally, we take the Sprinter on these types of trips when we are not camping. But, the 9'+ height really limits where we can park it.

**Midnightmoon** · 03-02-2022, 09:38 AM

Pulling this thread back up to ask one more question about Universal Orlando parking. From the info I am finding online, they are stating that there is a 14'6" height clearance for the main parking structure. Can someone who had been there confirm this?

**Midnightmoon** · 04-05-2022, 04:44 PM

Updating this thread. Our trip to Universal was last week. What a great time. Absolutely beautiful weather.

Answers to some of the questions that I asked earlier in the thread. Parking is in the garage as I suspected with clearance of 7'8" on the general floors. I ended up taking one of my trucks down. So, I had no problem with the parking garage. My van would not have fit however.

The parking cost was $27/day. They have bus/RV parking listed on their signs as being $32/day currently. They must direct you to a different lot in that case. But, we didn't get a chance to see where that was.

We ended up staying at a Hampton Inn off of exit 68 on I-4. It was very nice. But, as Grumpy mentioned earlier, it did take 20-25 mins in the mornings to get to the park with the traffic.

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