Off property hotels near USF - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
PassPorter.com
Award-winning travel guidebooks

   guidebooks   |   news   |   podcasts   |   boards   |   blog   |   worksheets   |   photos   |   articles   |   updates   |   register   |   follow us on


Forums Closed
As of January 1, 2019, we have closed our forums. This is a decision we did not come to lightly, but it is necessary. The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk. The server software itself must be updated, and it cannot be without removing the forums.

So it is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to our long-running forums. They came online in 2000 and brought together so many wonderful Disney fans. We had friendships form, careers launch, couples marry, children born ... all because of this amazing community.

Thank you to each of you who were a part of this community. You made it possible.

And a very special thank you to our Guides (moderators), past and present, who kept our forums a happy place to be. You are the glue that held everything together, and we are forever grateful to you. Thank you aliceinwdw, Caldercup, MrsM, WillCAD, Fortissimo, GingerJ, HiddenMickey, CRCrazy, Eeyoresmom, disneyknut, disneydani, Cam22, chezp, WDWfan, Luvsun, KMB733, rescuesk, OhToodles!, Colexis Mom, lfredsbo, HiddenMickey, DrDolphin, DopeyGirl, duck addict, Disneybine, PixieMichele, Sandra Bostwick, Eeyore Tattoo, DyanKJ130, Suzy Q'Disney, LilMarcieMouse, AllisonG, Belle*, Chrissi, Brant, DawnDenise, Crystalloubear, Disneymom9092, FanOfMickey, Goofy4Goofy, GoofyMom, Home4us123, iamgrumpy, ilovedisney247, Jennifer2003, Jenny Pooh, KrisLuvsDisney, Ladyt, Laughaholic88, LauraBelle Hime, Lilianna, LizardCop, Loobyoxlip, lukeandbrooksmom, marisag, michnash, MickeyMAC, OffKilter_Lynn, PamelaK, Poor_Eeyore, ripkensnana, RobDVC, SHEANA1226, Shell of the South, snoozin, Statelady01, Tara O'Hara, tigger22, Tink and Co., Tinkerbelz, WDWJAMBA, wdwlovers, Wendyismyname, whoSEZ, WildforWD, and WvuGrrrl. You made the magic.

We want to personally thank Sara Varney, who coordinated our community for many years (among so many other things she did for us), and Cheryl Pendry, our Message Board Manager who helped train our Guides, and Ginger Jabour, who helped us with the PassPorter-specific forums and Live! Guides. Thank you for your time, energy, and enthusiasm​. You made it all happen.

There are other changes as well.

Why? Well, the world has changed. And change with it, we must. The lyrics to "We Go On" for IllumiNations say it best:

We go on to the joy and through the tears
We go on to discover new frontiers
Moving on with the current of the years.
We go on
Moving forward now as one
Moving on with a spirit born to run
Ever on with each rising sun.
To a new day, we go on.

It's time to move on and move forward.

PassPorter is a small business, and for many years it supported our family. But the world changed, print books took a backseat to the Internet, and for a long time now it has been unable to make ends meet. We've had to find new ways to support our family, which means new careers and less and less time available to devote to our first baby, PassPorter.

But eventually, we must move on and move forward. It is the right thing to do.

So we are retiring this newsletter, as we simply cannot keep up with it. Many thanks to Mouse Fan Travel who supported it all these years, to All Ears and MousePlanet who helped us with news, to our many article contributors, and -- most importantly -- to Sara Varney who edited our newsletter so wonderfully for years and years.

And we are no longer charging for the Live Guides. If you have a subscription, it's yours to keep for the lifetime of the Live Guides at no additional cost. The Live Guides will stay online, barring server issues and technical problems, for all of 2019.

That said, PassPorter is not going away. Most of the resources will remain online for as long as we can support them, and after that we will find ways to make whatever we can available. PassPorter means a great deal to us, and to many of you, and we will do our best to keep it alive in whatever way we can. Our server costs are high, and they'll need to come out of our pockets, so in the future you can expect some changes so we can bring those costs down.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for your amazing support over the years. Without you, there's no way us little guys could have made something like this happen and given the "big guys" a run for their money. PassPorter was consistently the #3 guidebook after the Unofficial and Official guides, which was really unheard of for such a small company to do. We ROCKED it thanks to you and your support and love!

If you miss us, you can still find some of us online. Sara started a new blog at DisneyParkPrincess.com -- I strongly urge you to visit and get on her mailing list. She IS the Disney park princess and knows Disney backward and forward. And I am blogging as well at JenniferMaker.com, which is a little craft blog I started a couple of years ago to make ends meet. You can see and hear me in my craft show at https://www.youtube.com/c/jennifermaker . Many PassPorter readers and fans are on Facebook, in groups they formed like the PassPorter Trip Reports and PassPorter Crafting Challenge (if you join, just let them know you read about it in the newsletter). And some of our most devoted community members started a forum of their own at Pixie Dust Lane and all are invited over.

So we encourage you to stay in touch with us and your fellow community members wherever works best for you!

Best wishes for a wonderful and magical new year!

Go Back   PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums > PassPorter's Florida Destinations Beyond Walt Disney World > Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure
Register


Welcome! We're happy you've found the PassPorter Community -- the friendliest place to plan your vacation to Walt Disney World, Disney Cruise Line, Disneyland, and the world in general! You are now viewing the PassPorter Message Board Community as a guest, which gives you limited access. As our guest, feel free to browse our messages by selecting the forum you want to visit from the list below.

To post messages and ask questions, join our FREE community today and you'll get access to tools and resources not available to guests, such as our vacation countown timers, "living" avatars, private messaging system, database searches, downloads, and a special PassPorter discount code. Registration is fast, simple, and completely free. Just click the Join Our Community link.

If you think you've already joined, log in below now. If you don't remember your member name or password, please visit our Member Name and Password Recovery page. You are also welcome to contact us.

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 02-25-2007, 03:46 PM   #1
Shell_of_the_South
Yeti Chaser
 
Shell_of_the_South's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Way down south
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 20,411

Post Thanks / Like
Question Off property hotels near USF

Which off property hotels near Universal can you recommend for a budget trip?

Thanks!
__________________
http://www.passporterboards.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=56033&d=1459510965Michelle - with my step sisters!
My Countdown Counting down to: Going to be a kid again
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous Trips9/00 - ASM, 11/01 - AS Sp/OKW, 7/02 - RPH, 4/03 - HRH, 7/03 - HRH, 10/04 - PC, 10/05 - POR, 5/06 - HRH, 12/06 - AKL, 4/07 - WL/CBR, 9/07 - POR, 4/08 - USF offsite, 7/09 - AKL, 9/11 - AKL, 8/12 - Cont., 12/13 - WL, 9/14- WL, 12/15 - Poly, 5/16 - AKL, 8/16 - WL, 11/16 - POFQ, 4/17 - Cont., 5/17 - WL, 6/17 - AKL
Shell_of_the_South is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 02-25-2007, 03:53 PM   #2
bradk
Community Rank: Explorer
 
bradk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: nyc
Posts: 9,580

Post Thanks / Like
there are such a ton along idrive.

i've stayed at best western movieland which was decent. about a block away from universal blvd, by quite a few fast food locations, across the street from wet'n'wild and right near a 24 hour walgreens or something.
__________________
bradk is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 02-25-2007, 05:22 PM   #3
Sue M.
Community Rank: Legend
 
Sue M.'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: British Columbia, Canada
Concierge Level: 2
Posts: 15,667

Post Thanks / Like
In 2005 I stayed at the hilton Garden Inn Seaworld. I would stay there again, they had a deal getting the 7th night free. Right across the street from Sea World, and good bus transportation to Universal. Rooms were large with fridge & Microwave. We could see the fireworks in Sea World from our room.
__________________
My Countdown Counting down to: WDW WL
back to the lodge
My PassPorter Bookshelf
My Previous TripsWDW Aug 2003 LBV Marriott Courtyard, Universal/Sea World/Busch Gardens Aug 2005 Hilton Garden Inn SeaWorld, WDW Aug. 2007 CBR, WDW Jan. 2008 POP & WL, Universal/SeaWorld/Aquatica Aug 2008 Hyatt Place,Sheraton 4 Points, Hard Rock Hotel & Doubletree Universal., St. Pete Beach Aug 2008, WDW Jan 2009 AKL, WDW Aug 2009 POR & WL, WDW Jan 2010 Poly, WDW Jan 2011 POR, WDW Aug 2011 POR & BC CL, WDW Jan 2012 WL, WDW Aug 2012 AKL CL, WDW Jan 2013 POFQ, WDW Aug 2013 Pop, GF, YC: WDW Jan 2014 POR, WDW & Universal August 2014 GF & Portofino Bay, WDW Jan 2015 POR, Aug 2015 Poly, Aug 2016 GF, Sept 2017 DL, Dec 2017 PoP, May 2018 DL, Sept 2018 WL, Nov. 2018 DL And too many trips to count to DL in the 80's.
Sue M. is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 02-26-2007, 11:04 AM   #4
wishes
Community Rank: Jetsetter
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Norwalk, CT
Posts: 2,967

Post Thanks / Like
We are staying at the Best Western Universal Inn in March and got a great rate ($80-something a night for a family suite). I'll let you know how that goes next month! Last year we stayed at the Days Inn on Caravan Court, right across from USF. DO NOT stay there, it was dirty and gross! There are lots of hotels very close to USF, and within walking distance. I found the Best Western by doing a google search (hotels near Universal) which linked me to a website that reviewed many of the hotels in the area.
__________________
First trip DW--Nov. 1975; Senior Class Trip DW--Oct. 1979; First trip w/kids--Oct. 1995; Halloween at DW--Oct. 2002; Spring Break at DW--April 2004; Christmas/Pop Warner Nationals-POR--Dec. 2005;Cruisin'--April 2008; Mom/Son trip-POP--March 2010;Taggin' along w/DD on DH's conference-BWI--Oct. 2011; 50th birthday with the Gartner Geeks--Adults only!--BWI--Oct. 2012; The Trip That Almost Wasn't--BWI--Oct. 2013; We climbed The Summit (National Cheer Competition)--ASMovies--May 2014
My PassPorter Bookshelf
wishes is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 02-26-2007, 03:33 PM   #5
BarryH
Community Rank: Adventurer
 
BarryH's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 639

Post Thanks / Like
I've stayed at the Holiday Inn across from Universal on Kirkman Blvd. It's a nice place. If you're a Priority Club member, your room might be upgraded to a suite. You get lots of space in a suite! There's also a pretty good Motel 6 on American Way.

I've stayed at the Best Western Movieland and it's a pretty good, no frills place. The Clarion Universal on Universal Blvd. is also another good property.

Be careful staying on International Drive. Traffic goes to a slow crawl at nights, particularly on Friday and Saturday night. It might be easier to walk. If you want to avoid I-Drive, try to stay at properties along Universal Blvd. I've never seen bad traffic on Universal Blvd.
BarryH is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 02-27-2007, 08:36 AM   #6
Ace
Community Rank: Sightseer
 
Ace's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 85

Post Thanks / Like
There is also a Doubletree right outside the main entrance that we looked into. Haven't stayed there, but it looks nice and they gave our group a proposal which seemed pretty reasonable.
__________________
My Previous TripsWDW 8/1979; WDW 8/1982; WDW/Uni 8/1990; WDW/Uni 6/1993; WDW/Uni 6/2001; WDW/Uni 2/2005; WDW/Uni 10/2005; UNI 6/2006; Uni 9/2006; Uni 10/2006; Uni 6/2007
Ace is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 03-27-2007, 07:23 PM   #7
wishes
Community Rank: Jetsetter
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Norwalk, CT
Posts: 2,967

Post Thanks / Like
We got back last night and the Best Western Universal Inn was great if you are on a budget. It was small, but very clean and had a basic, free continental breakfast. (Nothing fancy, toast, mini bagels, cereal, pastries, muffins, donuts, juice, fruit). They also had 24/7 coffee service (free). The staff was friendly and helpful and the pool was small, but nice and clean. I'd recommend staying there. It is across from Universal on the intersection of Kirkman/Vineland Roads. There are tons of restaruants walking distance, both sit-down and fast food. The price was right--about $80/night for a family room that slept 6 and had a frig and a microwave. There are smaller rooms for less money.
__________________
First trip DW--Nov. 1975; Senior Class Trip DW--Oct. 1979; First trip w/kids--Oct. 1995; Halloween at DW--Oct. 2002; Spring Break at DW--April 2004; Christmas/Pop Warner Nationals-POR--Dec. 2005;Cruisin'--April 2008; Mom/Son trip-POP--March 2010;Taggin' along w/DD on DH's conference-BWI--Oct. 2011; 50th birthday with the Gartner Geeks--Adults only!--BWI--Oct. 2012; The Trip That Almost Wasn't--BWI--Oct. 2013; We climbed The Summit (National Cheer Competition)--ASMovies--May 2014
My PassPorter Bookshelf
wishes is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Reply



Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump














Please login or register to hide these ads -- it's free and easy!

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:22 AM.

-->

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Feedback Buttons provided by Advanced Post Thanks / Like v3.4.0 Patch Level 1 (Pro) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
(c) 1998-2017 PassPorter Travel Press/MediaMarx, Inc.
Celebrating 19 Years of Making Dreams Come True
Ad Management plugin by RedTyger