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Post by Krista on Sept 29, 2016 14:36:50 GMT
Did you use the pool Amy? Looks like it is both inside and out with the wall in the middle??? |
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Amy
Seasonal Pass
Orlando is my happy place :)
Posts: 1,354 
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Post by Amy on Sept 29, 2016 15:40:59 GMT
Did you use the pool Amy? Looks like it is both inside and out with the wall in the middle??? No we didn't. I think it's two separate pools. We walked by the one that's inside. |
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Post by Candy McIcicles on Sept 29, 2016 21:23:57 GMT
Amy , ChuckPlagmann and Merry McSparkles Grimes Wow. That's a lot of good info. Great that it's a partner, would have to add it all up to see if it's better to do it that way, but we really enjoy the EPA. The pix on the website look beautiful. I went into reservations, and they wanted too much info, so I retreated. I just wanted to look at pricing. But if you go during a slow time, you really don't need the express passes and $100.00 per night is really spectacular, esp if you can get EPA. I'm gonna go take a look and see if they have shuttles and see what that's all about. Thanks for sharing, as always! 
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Post by Merry McSparkles Grimes on Sept 30, 2016 5:06:44 GMT
Candy McIcicles Moderate and Value Universal Partner Hotels Yes, Drury does offer scheduled transportation It looks like Drury has an indoor pool then outside has a pool and jacuzzi, that's where you'd find me, toasting my ass like I was Bugs Bunny in a cauldron--see that one? We've stayed at Westgate Lakes and liked it, as well as the Hyatt near Universal, that was very nice. People were great and it was very clean. We've had good luck with Marriotts. The Best Western on International we just stayed at this past weekend, it was okay but I'm not sure we'd go back. Same with the Holiday Inn on Major Blvd, stayed there twice but probably wouldn't go back.
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Post by Candy McIcicles on Sept 30, 2016 10:44:31 GMT
Candy McIcicles Moderate and Value Universal Partner Hotels Yes, Drury does offer scheduled transportation It looks like Drury has an indoor pool then outside has a pool and jacuzzi, that's where you'd find me, toasting my ass like I was Bugs Bunny in a cauldron--see that one? We've stayed at Westgate Lakes and liked it, as well as the Hyatt near Universal, that was very nice. People were great and it was very clean. We've had good luck with Marriotts. The Best Western on International we just stayed at this past weekend, it was okay but I'm not sure we'd go back. Same with the Holiday Inn on Major Blvd, stayed there twice but probably wouldn't go back. Bern, do you use the shuttles when you are offsite, or do you drive over to the parks? I'm wondering how the security is now with the parking decks coming into citywalk. Initially it was a nightmare. I am totally picturing Bugs in that cauldron. Getting carrots sliced in and potatoes!!! What a riot! (to quote old Bugs!) |
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Post by Merry McSparkles Grimes on Sept 30, 2016 12:58:02 GMT
Candy McIcicles I found it, ha That's definitely me. We almost always have a car. The shuttle is nice but DH doesn't like to be restricted to when he can come or go, plus I think it's better since we have a still kind of smallish child. Lines will still be bad depending on the day and time, I believe Colin Dan_Mol had posted a rather windy security line one day. I think get there as early as you can or a bit later after they open, if you are concerned about the snaking line of jammed up people.
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Post by Krista on Sept 30, 2016 13:24:17 GMT
I'm pretty confident we'll always rent a car too...Hubby's not one for waiting around...shuttles from lots to the park (like at Busch Gardens) or even the one at MCO use all his patience. Disney will be one park per day I imagine whenever we go there and I'm almost sure he'll be the one walking rather than waiting for Universal buses! Might be able to get him on the boat - if there's no wait and only a few people! :s (He'll be sitting at your table Véro & Rosie16 while I try to get everyone to talk. ;p ) |
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Post by Candy McIcicles on Oct 1, 2016 22:56:31 GMT
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Post by Merry McSparkles Grimes on Oct 1, 2016 23:31:52 GMT
BTW, that avatar! Aacckk! Gotta stay for Halloween at least  |
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Post by Dan_Mol on Oct 2, 2016 4:28:10 GMT
Security was only bad once in last two weeks, look for the line with shortest queue. People seem drawn straight ahead, same as ticket gates at park go left or right.
I'll always be off site with a car. I like the freedom and not being tied to one place. Also cheaper!
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Post by Merry McSparkles Grimes on Oct 2, 2016 4:32:24 GMT
I'll always be off site with a car. I like the freedom and not being tied to one place. Also cheaper! That's DH. For what we paid for his friend's timeshare one year we went, and the cost isn't far off now, it's just slightly over a night at Cabana Bay--we had the timeshare for a week. Less can be more. |
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Post by Dan_Mol on Oct 2, 2016 4:39:21 GMT
We have a one bedroom apartment and the cost for two weeks wouldn't get us a few days onsite. 5min drive away from Universal and loads of space.
Different strokes for different folks, prefer to spend my money whilst here not on location.
I am in the minority with that opinion.
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Post by Merry McSparkles Grimes on Oct 2, 2016 4:44:13 GMT
Dan_Mol I'd rather have more days than less just for the location. I do like on site but it's not always feasible and it's basically a place to shower and sleep, maybe nap and chill out a bit. Will never say no to more days!
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Post by Candy McIcicles on Oct 2, 2016 13:39:59 GMT
I would rather save money on accommodation - We've never even looked around the Hard Rock! Just shower and sleep. But we are there for such a short time that I have to squeeze every waking moment out of it, and being able to walk back to the hotel is the clincher for us. Plus I go in the off seasons and the hotels are loads cheaper then. I usually pay two hundred dollars less per night for the HRH than the prices I've seen in the summer. If I could stay a week, I would be scouring the best condo I could find. For our family vacations, which we usually take in August, we always stay in condos. Make our meals, make our beds (not really!). I have more time in August, but I can't brave the heat of the parks then. At least I don't think so. |
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Amy
Seasonal Pass
Orlando is my happy place :)
Posts: 1,354
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Post by Amy on Nov 9, 2016 1:05:47 GMT
Can we add offsite condos to the list? Our first visit was to Tuscana Resort in Davenport or Kissimee (2012 and 1st visit so can't remember) - was a great 3 bdrm with a nice pool but we had a screw up with keys as we arrived after midnight and they misunderstood our message that we would be late (delayed flight) so they didnt leave the keys in the lockbox...yada, yada...we ended up staying the car in their parking lot with 2 boys under 6 at 2 am til someone showed at 7:30 only b/c of the time diff in Ireland and Facebook (they had wifi, so i commented on a pic the resort had just posted thay we were left waiting and it happened to be the owner's daughter in Ireland so lots of shit went down when he found out and we got upgraded and free nights)...we did find one wee ill cockroach/palm beetle is it  on the last morning there on the kitchen floor...but it was nice what we remember...8 days and everyday we were out but one afternoon at the pool. 2nd time 2014: Oakwater Resort 3 bdrm condo...wonderful with playground, splash pad, gym, theatre, arcade, and pool; really close to Animal Kingdom; games room in basement. 3rd time 2015: Bahama Bay Resort 3 bdrm condo...awesome with splash pad, spa, pools, gym, restaurant, arcade, and bars. Super awesome but furthest from UOR, 30 mins or less to Legoland; seems to be in the middle of nowhere driving to it; walls are a little thin if inconsiderate neighbours; super bartenders  We rented Oakwater and BB from a friend of my aunt's...we got them both times for $100USD/night all taxes/fees inc (10 & 12 nights)...on Facebook, it's "Florida Vacation Homes". Def recommend these 2...little dated decor but great for self catering with kitchen am dining and two baths; would prob stay in Oakwater again since it is closer to Disney and Universal. www.rentinghomesinflorida.comAmy ATCBelgium They have 2 houses as well with plunge pools in Clermont. Thanks for the info! I checked out their website and all of their units are booked for the week in February! They must be really popular, and the rates are awesome. |
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