OMG! I checked my Rush of Fear passes and didn’t realize HHN was happening on Sunday! I thought they were off Sun. - Tues.! Now, I get two solo nights of HHN! (I don’t know if I can brave the houses solo!) I can also have better odds of seeing the Dark Arts show at IOA since the park is open past sunset.
Sorry to boast! Y’all are the only people I know that can appreciate “why” I’m excited!
What started out as a 6 day / 5 night trip has now become 9 days / 8 nights! I get to check out 4 hotels over 9 days/ 8 nights. (2 Value / 2 Moderate) I’m paying an average of $127.50 / night! That’s a bargain!
For Offsite USF I love Drury Inn. Free hot breakfast, free hot dinner, two adult drinks per person per night, free soda fountain. Pre-Covid they had snacks out all the time like a hot dog roller.
Plus the drive is easy and short.
The shuttle is what got me to pick Holiday Inn. I may not come back until late, but that’s at least one free ride over there. I was surprised at how many hotels in the area didn’t have theme park service. (I’m spoiled by even the “value” on-site stays)
I am going to keep looking for on-site now, but those Saturdays are sold out!
Beware the hotel shuttles. At Double Tree they also had a shuttle, but turns out it only runs a couple of times a day and you have to get your name on the list. By the time we checked in, there was no hope for us. We ended up walking. It’s doable but a hike, especially if you’re taking breaks in the afternoon.
I started watch YT reviews of the Holiday Inn. Sure enough, they also have a shuttle that only runs three times in the AM to drop off and three times in the PM - (8:15pm = last shuttle)
I saw one blogger do the walk over. It took about her 20 minutes. She was breathing hard, but not bad. I walk more than most people. I checked Lyft and it’s $10 each way. I’m going to do the walk on my arrival day and Uber back late after HHN.
You’d think it’d be a major upsell to offer a shuttle at least every 30 minutes until an hour after park close. I’m still looking to pick up a Universal hotel for arrival. It’s hard since it’s a HHN Saturday night.
My constant hotel rate checking just saved me $66 in February! My rate went down to $97.95 / night. (Originally, $109 / night! That’s a few more butterbeers & HHN snacks!)
I scored Portofino CL (over HRH CL) at 3:30am last night! I’m so excited, because while HRH is closer, the hot breakfast in the Portofino CL is much, much better for us. Mia doesn’t really eat cereal and if we’re having to stay CL (because nothing else except the $2500/night suites is available) then I want to at least have her eat something.
We returned our car hire to the Holiday Inn then walked back to CB via City Walk.
It was a very pleasant walk.
To be fair, we only did it once and weren’t in a rush for anything (like rope drop or bed), but I’m sure it would be a breeze for you at a reasonable pace.
Is $66 the Holiday Inn? You can also use the extra money for Ubers. Walk only when you think it would be pleasant.
Me, I try to avoid walks like that early in the day. Even if the walk wouldn’t tire me, I figure that it would mean that much earlier that I’d want to leave.
I do have a 9:30am breakfast reservation for The Kitchen. However, this is just my “back-up” plan for that morning. I’ll be out late for HHN the night before and moving to a different hotel that day. Plus, another issue my reservation is on a Sunday. The price goes up $25 because they include unlimited alcohol that day for “Sunday Brunch”. If I can’t get a “non-alcoholic” breakfast that day, then I’ll definitely pass. (I’m not opposed to day drinking! Looking to save money!! Plus, I’d fall right back to sleep before making it to a ride!)
We’ll see…
I saved that $66 in February for on-site at Dockside! I looked again this morning and the rate was up from $95 to $140 for the same dates!
I work out in the morning, so this is fine. I’m only planning on doing the walk that first day. Mostly out of curiosity / trip reporting for anyone else. I’ll definitely take a rideshare late at night and when I have to transport my luggage the next day.
My constant hotel checking paid off and I was able to snag a room at Dockside for my new arrival date instead of having to stay off-site at the Holiday Inn! I’m paying $35 - $40 dollars more. ($155 w/ tax) However, that’s close to the amount I would’ve had to pay to Uber back & forth to that hotel. Off-site = $120 + $15 each Uber (I checked the Uber app in advance to price it out)
Originally, my HHN trip was Monday - Saturday. It has grown to 9 days now, but it’s been hard to find rooms without cancelling the original rate ($90 / night). So, I’ve had to add single nights as I can find them and then modify when I find a better rate. Maybe I’ll be able to get this one cheaper, but I’m doubtful. It was probably a random cancellation that I got lucky to find!
I found a $185 at Cabana Bay for as well, if I would stay two nights. I was tempted.
My wife says I should do this as a side hustle! I have used TA’s before and have one for this trip, actually. They all say “if” they find a better rate they’ll get it for you. However, I’ve never had a TA notify me of a better rate. I typically have to call and get them to modify.
(Personally, I only used TP’s TA this time to get the free TP membership renewal. TP was nice enough to send me a gift package this week to thank me for the reservation. I really like the lanyard. I was actually in need of a new one!)
I will always choose not to deal with the transfer, but that’s a preference. I hate not having a space to go back to if something goes wrong during the day and I want to go back to my room. If that’s not a concern for you, I would give Aventura a shot.
