Accomodations at/around Universal Studios/Orlando?
 

As a Marriott gold, I'd think about a nearby Marriott. Recommendations? Also, do the advantages of the onsite hotels outweigh possible Marriott upgrade? Finally, any recommendations about the onsite hotels, or experiences there? My wife and I are travelling with our 13 year old niece.

I recently stayed onsite at the Loew's Portofino hotel. The advantages of staying onsite are amazing - basically, we got to cut to the front of every line at Universal & Islands of Adventure. It was like we were celebrities, they sneak you in the 'back way'. Well worth it!

Hotel guests receive an exclusive theme park benefits package including:

- "No Line, No Wait" express ride access all day every day!
- Early theme park admission on select days
- Complimentary on-site transportation
- Can arrange priority seating at select UNIVERSAL OrlandoSM restaurants
- Complimentary purchase delivery to your room
- Room charge card priveldges throughout the parks

see: http://www.universalstudios.com/them...rlando/resorts
(Just click on one of the 3 hotels listed)

I'm sure there is Fairfield, Courtyard, Residence Inn, or TownePlace there on I-Drive somewhere close to Universal.

I've stayed at the Hard Rock Hotel twice and the Portofino Bay twice, and I would *highly* recommend staying onsite. Two primary reasons:

1) The Hard Rock and Portofino are both exceptional hotels for the money.

2) The Front of line access will make the themepark experience at Universal unbelievable. Ask anyone what they hate about themeparks ... "waiting in line" ... none of that with this system!!!

Anyway, if you have any other questions, please feel free to e-mail me.

Also, a great place for information on the hotels or Universal in general is this discussion board here:

http://wdwinfo.infopop.net/OpenTopic...993&f=61709397

you could also stay at cypress harbor or grande vista. these are part of the timeshare properties, but you can rent the villa's like a hotel room. much nicer and cheaper than hotels too. they have studio, 1, 2 and 3 bedroom villa's. all close to all the parks.

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I would second the recommendation to stay at the Marriott timeshare properties. It is great to have a one or two bedroom condo instead of a hotel room. Grande Vista and Cypress Harbour are both very nice. Also the Royal Palms, Sabal Palms and Imperial Palms all are adjacent to the World Center hotel which has that giant pool - a definite draw for kids!

Have you considered the Orlando World Center Marriott?

SimonC