Cheap hotel with shuttle near Potter parks?

Question

So I've looked but the options are fairly overwhelming. We're planning to come for a few days in Jan/Feb and hit the Potter parks for 2 days. Does anyone know of a decent hotel that has a (free?) shuttle to/from airport and to/from parks?

We honestly don't care much about the room because we'll be at the park most of the time, ideally under 100/night.

Thank you, I appreciate it!

Dave

Answer

Finding a budget-friendly hotel near Universal Orlando’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter with shuttle service can be challenging, especially with your criteria of under $100/night, free shuttle to the parks, and ideally airport transport. Here’s a detailed overview based on what’s currently available:

Hotel Options:

Rosen Inn at Pointe Orlando: Often one of the most affordable options near Universal, rooms can sometimes be found around $90–$100/night in January/February. They have a paid shuttle to the parks, but rates are usually reasonable.
Clarion Inn & Suites Across From Universal Orlando: Offers free shuttle service to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. Rooms can occasionally be under $100 if booked early, and it’s a straightforward location for park access.
Quality Inn & Suites by the Parks: Close to Universal, with shuttle service included in some packages. Prices fluctuate but off-peak season (Jan/Feb) can hit your budget.

Considerations:

Many hotels offer free shuttle to the parks, but few include airport shuttle in the same package—this is often paid or arranged through external shuttle companies.
Shuttle schedules can be limited; some only run at specific times in the morning and evening, so check carefully if you want flexibility for early park entry or late returns.
Booking directly through hotel websites or using apps like Expedia or Booking.com can sometimes unlock discounted rates for your travel dates.
Consider budget motels or Airbnb options within 5–10 minutes of Universal. You may need to rely on rideshare for the airport (Uber/Lyft) but still keep park access cheap with walking distance or cheap shuttle options.

Tips:

Book as early as possible; January/February is moderate crowd-wise, but deals under $100/night are limited.
Call hotels directly to confirm shuttle service, times, and any extra fees—online listings can sometimes be outdated.
Consider splitting airport transport and park transport: use Uber/Lyft from MCO to the hotel, then free hotel shuttles to the parks.

Overall, the Clarion Inn & Suites Across From Universal Orlando is probably your best bet for staying under budget and having free park shuttles. If airport transport is a must, plan a rideshare for that leg.

Cheap hotel with shuttle near Potter parks?

More Orlando Travel Questions

The attractions mentioned in this question

Popular Destinations

Popular Travel Questions