Lynne G
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Mar 29, 2009
Thank you Lynne! I really like the early admittance into Harry Potter but is that only available through certain hotels? A lot of the onsite hotels are wicked expensive. And I'm trying to see from the maps, but which hotels are within walking distance to SW & DC? We don't plan on having a car.
I know, the USO on site hotels are expensive, but they are very very nice resorts, and depending on the price of the express pass and the number of people, some find even one night a good deal. First, you get the room and nice pool, and the unlimited express pass for both your check in and check out days. So, 2 days of unlimited express pass. I know the hotels generally have a stay more save more discount. Up to 30 percent for 4 nights or more. Look on the specials tab on the website to see the discounts. Not sure if next year they will run the promotion, though I have seen it the past 2years. Prices sometimes change too, so if you see a better price, call the hotel directly and they will adjust for you.
I can't remember the USO partner hotels' names, but check the USO website. I am sure they are listed. The partner hotels will give you the early entry too, and some you can walk from and some have free shuttles.
I bite the bullet and stay on site at USO. Love being able to walk or ride a boat right to City Walk. City Walk connects the 2 parks and is a fun, neon lit place to shop and eat, with a theater and fun mini golf too. Royal Park is the closest, and Portofino the furthest, but all about a 10 to 15 minute walk or about a 20 minute boat ride.
As for SW/DC, you can definitely walk from the Renaissance hotel near SW, into SW. Free bus to DC is from the SW parking lot. The other hotels, I would not walk, though some have said they did. The Parkway and International Drive intersection is very busy. I think there were sidewalks, but not sure, as I drove. All the neighbor hotels have a free shuttle to SW. I don't think the shuttles go directly to DC. SW has free buses to Aquadica, DC and BGT that all leave from the SW parking lot. I don't think you need a reservation, except for the BGT bus.
If you are not getting a car, then a town car from the airport is generally the cheapest to get to USO. USO has no free transport, nor do any of the hotels around SW that I know of. To get to the SW hotel from USO, I would take a taxi. Or do opposite if going to SW first.
I love looking at Google maps to see everything. Sometimes the pictures are not up to date, but they give you a great view of the land.
What a great trip your planning.