where to stay without a car!

[clairemichelle]

Can't drive,but want to do both Disney and universal so don't want to stay on site! Looked at comfort suites as they say they do transport, but it only goes to Disney transport Centre, not to each park and I think this could make life awkward?
Basically we want to stay off site, but with a easy to use transport system and some good restaurants in walking distance. We are a family of 5, so need space as well!! Anyone got ant ideas? thanks:wave:

[gala]

When we first went we stayed in the middle of the Drive near Sandlake Rd but didnt like it at all as we found it far too busy and noisy (others love that area of course). We now opt to stay halfway between Sanlake and Seaworld which is lovely as it isnt as noisy/busy and yet there are loads of restaurants cafes within walking distance. It is our ideal spot.
Around where we stay there are quite a number of hotels such as the Hampton Inn (great hotel but doesnt do shuttles), Quality Inn Plaza and more (I think you have to pay for the Disney shuttles for QIP).
We stay at Homewood which we love. It has great ratings, as well as a free buffet breakfast and evening food/beer. There are also free shuttles to all the parks. I have never used the Disney shuttles, but I dont think the buses go to all the individual parks.

Margaret

[ali-s]

We don't drive and have stayed at Crowne Plaza ( sand lake rd ) and Homewood suites. Both do shuttles to disney and universal. Homewood suites gets my vote for location , separate sleeping area, mini kitchen and fantastic buffet breakfast. Your other option would be to do as we do, split your stay with 1 week on I drive and 1 week onsite disney- it really is worth experiencing the disney theming at least once.

[dizzyc]

Have you thought of a split stay? I've booked 8 nights on I-Drive & 8 nights on-site at Disney, I don't want to drive so this way I can use the I-ride trolley for the first part of my stay then use the disney transportation when I'm on-site.

[Bondy007]

Many places offer shuttles to parks, (some free, some not free). You can potentially get the shuttle to any of the parks but then your free to use Disney's transportation (free) to get to any other Disney parks/hotels.
Can't give you any advice for specific hotels but, i'm sure you'll get some recommendations.

[debs2028]

I would also say have a look at a split stay
The transport onsite is great and really cuts down your time getting to and from parks. They are also very frequent. Watch out for shuttle services that that are few and far between as you will end up paying for taxis. If you are on a budget POR do room for 5,we did this last year
This year we are staying at the hilton near seaworld, we can walk to seaworld...not sure about Aquatica but it will only be a short bus journey and can catch the shuttle to Busche Gardens from Seaworld
We are moving to a Universal hotel to get FOTL passes and easy transport to parks and finally will be staying at Disney to use there transport
Sorted I hope
Debs

[mitch84]

We both drive a lot at home so don't want to drive on holiday. We are only going for a week this time so are staying onsite at Disney. It was reasonable esp as got free DDP.
I would def do a week on each and get a taxi in between. It sounds sooo convenient being onsite

[onionspal?]

Staying at springhill suites lbv and not driving

stayed onsite at cbr and it was great,,,,,,reception called us a
cab whenever we wanted to go to universal etc

[Emma Y]

We prefer not to drive too, last time we stayed at the Quality Inn Plaza on I Drive and used their free shuttle to Universal and the I Ride Trolley to Seaworld. For Disney we used a combination of the I Ride Trolley and the Lynx bus. This time we stayed at the QIP again for Universal, Seaworld and Aquatica then moved to the Sheraton Safari in Lake Buena Vista who provided free transfers to the four Disney parks and Downtown Disney. We got to Blizzard Beach by taking the Epcot bus and getting a bus from there. There were plenty of restaurants within walking distance of both hotels and we would stay at both again. Hope this helps

Emma :wavey:

[KristyA]

We're non drivers and are staying at Floridays on South International Drive. They have free shuttles to both Universal and Disney, though we are now also spending 2 nights on site at Universal. There's also an I Ride stop right outside the resort.

[clairemichelle]

Thanks everyone. Would love to do a split stay but hubby very against it! Decided on Sheraton Safari in a suite, because we need the extra space. Called Virgin and all the suites are fully booked up already ( Nov 2009 we are going!)
Investigated Comfort suites in Maingate a bit more ( was put off that one because their transport not brll apparently) Now found that they are on a good bus route to Disney, so think that's where we will go now. I don't drive and hubby drives a lot in his work so I completely understand he doesn't want to do this on holiday.:wavey:

[Mr & Mrs Duck]

Thanks everyone. Would love to do a split stay but hubby very against it! Decided on Sheraton Safari in a suite, because we need the extra space. Called Virgin and all the suites are fully booked up already ( Nov 2009 we are going!)
Investigated Comfort suites in Maingate a bit more ( was put off that one because their transport not brll apparently) Now found that they are on a good bus route to Disney, so think that's where we will go now. I don't drive and hubby drives a lot in his work so I completely understand he doesn't want to do this on holiday.:wavey:

Hi

We're in the same situation - i dont drive and he does etc. We stayed on Hotel Plaza Boulevard in LBV and this worked out fab for us :thumbs-up. The free shuttles to Disney were frequent and you're within walking distance to DTD which is great. We did have one night at a Universal hotel too which is a must if poss cos it meant we had two fantastic days at US and IOA without the worry of getting a taxi back etc. It was well worth it :d:

Di

[smudge17]

Can't drive,but want to do both Disney and universal so don't want to stay on site! Looked at comfort suites as they say they do transport, but it only goes to Disney transport Centre, not to each park and I think this could make life awkward?
Basically we want to stay off site, but with a easy to use transport system and some good restaurants in walking distance. We are a family of 5, so need space as well!! Anyone got ant ideas? thanks:wave:
We stayed at the ramada inn lakefront on i drive with no car to get to disney you need to take i trolley to sea world then lynx bus 50 to the transport centre. Universal its just as cheap to get a taxi there, with shuttles it depends on when you get picked up on their route coming back can take a long time.

Marc

[The Hardys]

Stay on site, you will benifit from magic hours but can still book a day trip by bus to universal. We did this the first yr we went and didn't miss the car as can book at reception for trips to outside parks such as universal and sea world!

[islabonita]

On site at both even though I do not enjoy hotel rooms now that I have done a villa. But with out a car it is not easy or cost effective to use taxis.

[WindsorHillsPad]

I would suggest you find the closest hotel to Downtown Disney. This is where all the Disney buses stop all day long and you can hop on and off when you need to. There are also plenty of restaurants here too to give a choice of food. The boats at Downtown Disney also stop at 3 Disney hotels giving you more choice of things to do and restaurants to go to. All the Disney transportation is free.