Confused about where to stay

Guest · 10 Dec 18, 10:12 PM

Hi All, looking for some advice about where to stay in January 2019. We are travelling to Orlando for my birthday, it's our first trip there and we are like big kids, super excited! We are going on a cruise from Port Canaveral but after that we have 3 nights in Orlando, and I still haven't booked accommodation.

We intend to hire a car but I don't intend to drive around too much. We will be skipping Disney but would like to spend one day in Universal, on this basis I have been researching universal hotels so I could get priority tickets etc. but then I was reading that Jan isn't that busy in Universal and express tickets may not be necessary.

I liked the look of Sapphire Falls but the parking fee and resort fee (what are they all about?!) is really off-putting. I also liked the look of Hilton Grand Vacations Tuscany, Parc Soleil, Marriott Grand Vista and The Grove Resort. We'd like a bit of luxury but still good value for money. I'm also reading stories about scary Timeshare upselling and my only experience of those is from watching South Park!

Any tips on the above mentioned hotels or any similar type. We are also going to watch a NBA basketball match on one night (husband looking after this part).Thanks!

stepmead · 10 Dec 18, 10:39 PM

We've only stayed at Royal Pacific for one night in Universal and although expensive, it was lovely.

I haven't stayed at any of the places you've mentioned, but did look at staying at the Grove Resort as this looks amazing. However, there is a resort fee and parking charges here too in case you did not know! So the price you see will be minus this - unfortunately I could not justify the extra money.

Good luck deciding as there are so many lovely properties and too much choice!

stepmead · 10 Dec 18, 10:45 PM

Have you also looked at Margaritaville Resort which has a hotel opening in January? It looks amazing! But it's another resort which charges a resort fee which seems to be the thing to do when you have access to lots of amenities.

orlandoamber · 11 Dec 18, 12:35 AM

I just wanted to mention that I don't think the Universal hotels charge any resort fee on top of what you have already paid. The only fee is for parking as far as I know.

DonnaD · 11 Dec 18, 05:46 AM

Originally Posted by stepmead

Have you also looked at Margaritaville Resort which has a hotel opening in January? It looks amazing! But it's another resort which charges a resort fee which seems to be the thing to do when you have access to lots of amenities.

Are you sure it is actually opening in January? The hotel is complete on the outside but it still looks like building site from the road.

Both Margaritaville and The Grove are much closer to Disney than Universal. I wouldn't recommend either for a short stay focusing on Universal.

They also aren't very convenient for the Amway Center for the basketball. I would be focusing on a Universal hotel or somewhere near IDrive.

10 Dec 18, 10:12 PM	#1
	10 Dec 18, 10:12 PM Guest Guest
Guest Guest	Confused about where to stay Hi All, looking for some advice about where to stay in January 2019. We are travelling to Orlando for my birthday, it's our first trip there and we are like big kids, super excited! We are going on a cruise from Port Canaveral but after that we have 3 nights in Orlando, and I still haven't booked accommodation. We intend to hire a car but I don't intend to drive around too much. We will be skipping Disney but would like to spend one day in Universal, on this basis I have been researching universal hotels so I could get priority tickets etc. but then I was reading that Jan isn't that busy in Universal and express tickets may not be necessary. I liked the look of Sapphire Falls but the parking fee and resort fee (what are they all about?!) is really off-putting. I also liked the look of Hilton Grand Vacations Tuscany, Parc Soleil, Marriott Grand Vista and The Grove Resort. We'd like a bit of luxury but still good value for money. I'm also reading stories about scary Timeshare upselling and my only experience of those is from watching South Park! Any tips on the above mentioned hotels or any similar type. We are also going to watch a NBA basketball match on one night (husband looking after this part).Thanks!