[SillyMe]

Hello All
I'm planning a quick trip up to IoA. I'm thinking of staying at The Hampton Inn - Universal Studios. Any thoughts? Has anyone stayed there? Any other suggestions on where to stay? We tried Hard Rock Hotel, but it was all booked for spring break. The Royal Pacific had rooms, but at $169 per night, more than I wanted to spend since we will be staying at AKL in May (got to save my pennys for that). This will be our familys (excluding Joe)first trip to Islands of Adventure. Any suggestions on where to stay and where to go and where to eat would be greatly appreciated! Thanks:D
maria

[JOANN]

Hi Maria, Can't tell you to much, but we stayed at Portofino Bay at Universal Studio's . It was quite nice. Had been to DW, then finsihed our trip over at US for 2 nites. Enjoyed the parks. Infact, my DH and DD's really enjoyed the roller coaster rides there. I'm not much of a coaster person , Has some trouble with motion sickness.....
:nervous
I do have to say some of the restaurants are very nice. Did eat at Margaritaville, and even the food was quite good, plus the atmosphere was great!!! Also had lunch at NBA, my DH really enjoyed that also.
The walk from Portofino Bay to City Walk is also just beautiful!!!Not to mention, afte eating it's good to burn off some of those calories!!!!
I also heard if you could try Emeril's , we heard it was great. A little pricey, and also you need to make reservations. Good luck to you!!! JOANN

[gcbdad]

One item I heard was that if you stay on site at Universal Studios you get to go to the front of the line on the rides. They do not use a Fastpass, but this sounds like a great perk.

[mattomouseman]

Originally posted by JOANN

I do have to say some of the restaurants are very nice. Did eat at Margaritaville, and even the food was quite good, plus the atmosphere was great!!! Also had lunch at NBA, my DH really enjoyed that also.
JOANN

How hard was it to get into the NBA restaurant? We are going to US in August and all my oldes DS is talking about is eatting at the NBA. Was it hard to getr into? Was there a wait? Thanks for the info!:)

[mattomouseman]

Originally posted by gcbdad
One item I heard was that if you stay on site at Universal Studios you get to go to the front of the line on the rides. They do not use a Fastpass, but this sounds like a great perk.

From the reading I've been doing it is like fast pass. It is only available on certain rides (Like Disney) and you still have to wait but just not as long, like the fast pass at WDW

[JOANN]

Universal is not as organized as Disney. (of course this is only my opinion). When you stay on property at Universal, you show them your pass from the Hotel your at, and you are suppose to get on right away. Well, there were times we did have to wait, but you still have quicker access to the rides than others. It works pretty well.
When we ate lunch at NBA we walked right in. For some reason , it wasen't very busy. Of course this was in NOV. You can always find out if you should make reservations for that also.
My DH and DD's said not to forget to make sure you get on the "HULK", and another coaster called FIRE & ICE. That's if you like coaster rides. GOOD LUCK!!! If I can help out anymore, just ask . It's been a couple of years since we've been, but I can always ask my DH or DD's and you will difinately get a honest answer. JOANN

[jwdj4lfe]

Originally posted by mattomouseman
How hard was it to get into the NBA restaurant?

I'm not familiar with Universal Lingo what exactly is the NBA restaurant?
I would love to stay at the Portofino Joann! My mom stayed there about 2 years ago with my grandmother and aunt...She didnt take me:cry: I'll never forgive her, lol.
Mom I dont care WHAT hotel we stay at, as long as I get to go to IoA for Spring Break!!

Joe:)

[DJB51769]

I stayed at that Hampton Inn in October, it was ok.
I would recomend the Holiday Inn thats RIGHT ACROSS the street
from the entrance. (It has a TGI Fridays rest/bar attached to the ground floor).

dave :p :D :laugh

[jeannej]

I have stayed at the Hampton Inn in questioned and I liked the place. Let me clear up something. While it is true you get fromt line access al the time if you stay at the Lowes Hotels on Universal property, Universal Studios and Islands of Advnture do have a fast pass. They just don't call it fast pass and it operates exactly like fast pass does at Disney. So, if the place is crowd do think about using the Universal version of fast pass. All of the e-ticket attractions at both parks have them.

jeannej

[lopo]

I stayed at the Holiday Inn Universal twice. Each time was delightful (relatively speaking!) By this, I mean that the price was right and there was a lot of room because both times we stayed in a 'suite' (2 beds in the bedroom and a pull-out couch in the living room. 2 TVs. Kitchenette.) HI usually has good discounts, too. Check their website for internet specials. It is a short ride via car or complimentary shuttle bus to US, too.

Oh, I think that they participate in the Entertainment Book discounts, too.

[SillyMe]

Hello all,
We are back safe and sound from our trip to IOA. Thanks for all your input. We ended up staying at the Radison (north tower) right outside of the entrance to Universal Studios. The price was right $81 per night. We stayed on the 14th floor and had a great view of Universal IOA and the Portofino Hotel. The downside was using the Hotel transport. We ended up driving across the street and paying the $8 parking fee. The Radisons transport bus stop was disorganized and the bus was late. We ate at the TGIF which was right next door to the Radison. The service was great and so was the food. The trip was nice, but next time I will make it a point to stay onsite at Universal.