Which Marriott Orlando for Universal?

[HudsHut]

Which of the Marriotts in Orlando is closest to Universal Studios?

 

[dioxide45]

Which of the Marriotts in Orlando is closest to Universal Studios?

That would be Cypress Harbour or Harbour Lake. Though Grande Vista is not much further. It is probably a 10 to 15 minute drive on the "back roads" to get to Universal.

 

[sparty]

That would be Cypress Harbour or Harbour Lake. Though Grande Vista is not much further. It is probably a 10 to 15 minute drive on the "back roads" to get to Universal.

I take the I-Drive Trolley from Cypress Harbour / Harbour Lake and get off at the Wet and Wild. From there it's a little walk (all side walks) across I-4 and into Univervsal.

If you're ok with walking a little, it's an ok option.

 

[Werner Weiss]

That would be Cypress Harbour or Harbour Lake. Though Grande Vista is not much further. It is probably a 10 to 15 minute drive on the "back roads" to get to Universal.

I agree that Cypress Harbour, Harbour Lake, and then Grande Vista are the closest.

I prefer to use I-4 over surface streets with traffic signals. There's an easy entry to eastbound I-4 (going north) where Central Florida Parkway meets I-4. Then, after a few miles on I-4, there's an exit to Universal's parking structures. (The exit varies between two exits depending on which structure they're directing cars to, but lighted signs on the freeway make it clear which exit to take.)

Lakeshore Reserve (at Grande Lakes) and the Imperial Palms, Royal Palms, and Sabal Palms resorts (near Marriott's Orlando Word Center) will only add five minutes of freeway time to the drive. I would not eliminate these MVCI resorts from consideration for a Universal Orlando vacation.

 

[Mamianka]

Which of the Marriotts in Orlando is closest to Universal Studios?

We stayed at Grand Vista three weeks ago. Two *young seniors* - no kids with us. We rented a car, and since I had a knee replacement in January, I have a handicapped parking tag that I brought from home. At Epcot, this brought us to within feet of the front gate - at Universal, it is always a hike, including two sets of moving sidewalks, the long island outside the gates - and then inside. I earned my afternoon ice cream that day - and NEEDED my afternoon doppio espresso!

Because of my knee, I requested a building near the main building and pool at Grand Vista. I will not do that again if I return there ( which we might - lovely place, liked it a lot). Our bedroom faced the pool on the third floor, and since it was cool enough to sleep with windows open, we heard THUMP booma THUMP until 11 pm each night. I could have chosen one more building further away, and been just as fine - when we booked this, I did not know that my knee was going to be so much better.

Everything moves quickly if you go at times when there is less traffic; we are used to NYC and Boston traffic, so slow polite driving on immaculate roads was part of the treat. (When we went on the Epcot "Test Track" ride, and they warned us about the bumpy part - we turned to each other and said - just like the Major Deagan Highway on the way home from the airport - this is NOTHING!). Booked several meals with restaurant.com, also Sky Miles Dining, and often got to double-dip - some places, DH finds ways to TRIPLE dip!

We have not stayed at any of the other Orlando timeshares, so have no basis for comparison - this is just our opinion from this last stay.

 

[dioxide45]

I agree that Cypress Harbour, Harbour Lake, and then Grande Vista are the closest.

I prefer to use I-4 over surface streets with traffic signals. There's an easy entry to eastbound I-4 (going north) where Central Florida Parkway meets I-4. Then, after a few miles on I-4, there's an exit to Universal's parking structures. (The exit varies between two exits depending on which structure they're directing cars to, but lighted signs on the freeway make it clear which exit to take.)

Lakeshore Reserve (at Grande Lakes) and the Imperial Palms, Royal Palms, and Sabal Palms resorts (near Marriott's Orlando Word Center) will only add five minutes of freeway time to the drive. I would not eliminate these MVCI resorts from consideration for a Universal Orlando vacation.

The reason I mentioned back roads is because from Harbour Lake, Cypress Harbour, or Grande Vista, I4 eastbound is not really an option. There is no ramp from Central Florida Pkwy to I4 north, on the return there is no exit at Central Florida Pkwy from I4 west. From any of the Palm resorts, I would agree that I4 is best, but not really from the four resorts along the Central Florida Pkwy corridor.

 

[Werner Weiss]

The reason I mentioned back roads is because from Harbour Lake, Cypress Harbour, or Grande Vista, I4 northbound is not really an option. There is no ramp from Central Florida Pkwy to I4 north, on the return there is no exit at Central Florida Pkwy from I4 south. From any of the Palm resorts, I would agree that I4 is best, but not really from the four resorts along the Central Florida Pkwy corridor.

You are correct! (I was mistaken in my earlier reply in this thread.)

The easy entry ramp where Central Florida Parkway meets I-4 that I was thinking of is to westbound I-4 (going south toward Walt Disney World). There's no onramp to eastbound I-4 going north toward Universal Florida.

I still prefer taking freeways to Universal Florida. It involves getting on Florida-528 at International Drive and taking it west to eastbound I-4 (going north). From Marriott's Grande Vista, it's a straight shot up International Drive to Florida-528. So although Grande Vista is not as close to Universal as Cypress Harbour and Harbour Lake, it may be a slightly faster drive to Universal.

Taking surface streets is a valid option too, but it's likely to take a few minutes longer than using freeways.

From Lakeshore Reserve at Grande Lakes, taking John Young Pkwy to Florida-528 to I-4 is definitely faster than relying on surface streets.

Any of the seven Orlando MVCI resorts provide reasonable access to Universal Florida. The differences in driving distance involve only a few miles. I would go by other factors, such as room configuration and amenities rather than basing the choice on distance.

 

[dioxide45]

You are correct! (I was mistaken in my earlier reply in this thread.)

The easy entry ramp where Central Florida Parkway meets I-4 that I was thinking of is to westbound I-4 (going south toward Walt Disney World). There's no onramp to eastbound I-4 going north toward Universal Florida.

After reading your reply, I remembered that I4 being an even numbered highway, is an east/west route. I updated my post accordingly.

 

[EliB]

We stayed at Harbor Lakes and went to Universal last Tuesday. Westwood -> International -> 528 -> I-4 East sounds complicated but it was pretty easy, and there are signs on I-4 telling you where to get off with just a short drive into the massive parking structure.

We breezed up to Universal at 8:30, parked in the 2nd row of the garage, and were at Harry Potter as fast as our kids' legs could make the walk.

You may have heard it already but: the castle ride is spectacular, Olivanders is overrated, and the frozen butterbeer is better than regular. The whole area is very well done and feels solid, not like a facade. The rest of Universal... well it's a personal preference but to me it felt much more nakedly money grubbing than Disney.

-Eli