Split stay - UO & WDW - advice and tips? - Page 2 - The DIS Discussion Forums

janiebegood · 11-27-2012, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Music City Mama

This is what I was going to say. And definitely stay at WDW first. Not only will you get spoiled from the express pass, it makes leaving WDW a little easier knowing you're going somewhere else and not going home.

Dang, y'all are persuasive! I'm going to go look up the Portofino Bay.

I doubt we will go to US on this trip -- the coasters at IoA, Spiderman, and HP are what we're focused on, and it looks like a longer walk from Portofino than RPH. So that's a consideration...

Is it more like as the Polynesian is to the Royal Pacific, the Grand Floridian is to the Portofino?

janiebegood · 11-27-2012, 03:24 PM

Another question... Okay, so the Portofino Bay is the farthest hotel from IoA, which is where we plan to spend most of our time. Does the boat from the PBH go directly to IoA? If we didn't want to walk it, can we take a boat in a reasonable amount of time? What are the boat hours?

macraven · 11-27-2012, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by janiebegood

Another question... Okay, so the Portofino Bay is the farthest hotel from IoA, which is where we plan to spend most of our time. Does the boat from the PBH go directly to IoA? If we didn't want to walk it, can we take a boat in a reasonable amount of time? What are the boat hours?

all the water taxis travel from the hotel boat dock to the dock in city walk.

once leaving the boat in city walk, go to the left for the studios, right for ioa.
(up stairs or ramp to the upper level)

boats usually are 15-20 minutes apart during slow seasons.
busy seasons might have two boats available for the hotels.
not that they leave the dock at the same time but alternate so the wait for a boat is considerable less time involved.

walking from pbh to the parks takes longer than the walk from the other 2 hotels.

janiebegood · 11-27-2012, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by macraven

walking from pbh to the parks takes longer than the walk from the other 2 hotels.

Thanks for the info, macraven!

macraven · 11-27-2012, 08:00 PM

you're welcome.
i enjoy helping others with darkside info.

oshun · 11-27-2012, 08:23 PM

We are doing a split stay starting this weekend. 6 nights Disney 2 nights Universal. We have stayed at Royal Pacific and Hard Rock Hotel. They are both beautiful resorts. If you like the Polynesian then you will like Royal Pacific. Theme is very tropical. We are staying at the Hard Rock this time. I love the rock and roll theme and the closeness to the parks. I have never stayed at Portifino but have read good reports.

We didn't rent a car due to the cost since there are 6 of us and luggage. Instead have set up to be picked up at Beach Club to HRH then from HRH to airport. Of course, we are using Magical Express for Hotel to Disney.

We haven't been to Universal in about 8 years, so we are real excited. You should listen to your family and split up your trip. You will enjoy yourself and so will your family. Go make great memories. I sure plan too!

RMulieri · 11-28-2012, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by janiebegood

Another question... Okay, so the Portofino Bay is the farthest hotel from IoA, which is where we plan to spend most of our time. Does the boat from the PBH go directly to IoA? If we didn't want to walk it, can we take a boat in a reasonable amount of time? What are the boat hours?

I will say that if you get to the dock and the boat is still docking, you can actually walk it faster..Once the boat docks it waits several mins before departing again..PBH is the furthest, but honestly I was expecting this HUGE walk from some of the descriptions I got and it was not that bad.Very pleasant, well lit stroll along the waterfront.Several mornings the boat was still coming into the PBH area near the dock and we walked it and beat the boat .The boats are resort specific and run from the resort to the dock at Citywalk.

janiebegood · 11-28-2012, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oshun

We are doing a split stay starting this weekend. 6 nights Disney 2 nights Universal. We have stayed at Royal Pacific and Hard Rock Hotel. They are both beautiful resorts. If you like the Polynesian then you will like Royal Pacific. Theme is very tropical. We are staying at the Hard Rock this time. I love the rock and roll theme and the closeness to the parks. I have never stayed at Portifino but have read good reports.

We didn't rent a car due to the cost since there are 6 of us and luggage. Instead have set up to be picked up at Beach Club to HRH then from HRH to airport. Of course, we are using Magical Express for Hotel to Disney.

We haven't been to Universal in about 8 years, so we are real excited. You should listen to your family and split up your trip. You will enjoy yourself and so will your family. Go make great memories. I sure plan too!

I really have to be persuaded to try new things, but I'm going into this with an open mind and a planning spirit.

janiebegood · 11-28-2012, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RMulieri

I will say that if you get to the dock and the boat is still docking, you can actually walk it faster..Once the boat docks it waits several mins before departing again..PBH is the furthest, but honestly I was expecting this HUGE walk from some of the descriptions I got and it was not that bad.Very pleasant, well lit stroll along the waterfront.Several mornings the boat was still coming into the PBH area near the dock and we walked it and beat the boat .The boats are resort specific and run from the resort to the dock at Citywalk.

Good to know, RMulieri!

I broke my foot walking through the Forbidden City in Beijing and then spent another week walking on it before I got a cast. Since then, I have been a big fan of boats, buses, and anything else that transports me from one adventure to the next.

gschmerl · 11-28-2012, 04:45 PM

Just remember if there is a rain storm with lightening (a frequent occurrence in FL), the boats do NOT run. The bus still does but they don't run as frequently as the boats, so you might want to base your decision on how far you want to walk in the rain.

janiebegood · 11-28-2012, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gschmerl

Just remember if there is a rain storm with lightening (a frequent occurrence in FL), the boats do NOT run. The bus still does but they don't run as frequently as the boats, so you might want to base your decision on how far you want to walk in the rain.

The correct answer is: "As far as the hotel bar."

rpbert1 · 11-28-2012, 05:24 PM

we stayed at PBH twice, lovely resort but extremely quiet and this was July. its about a 15 minute walk to Citywalk from PBH, its a nice walk going ,but def get the boat back lol

11-27-2012, 03:24 PM	#17
janiebegood Mouseketeer Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 253	Another question... Okay, so the Portofino Bay is the farthest hotel from IoA, which is where we plan to spend most of our time. Does the boat from the PBH go directly to IoA? If we didn't want to walk it, can we take a boat in a reasonable amount of time? What are the boat hours? __________________ Me the mister DD (11) We had an awesome time on our 20th anniversary trip, Polynesian Resort, New Year's 2008 My 2008 Pre-Trip Report New Years 2008 Trip Report And we went back in January 2011! Planning our 25th anniversary trip for New Year's 2013! Split stay??? Stay tuned!

11-27-2012, 08:00 PM	#20
macraven Proud Redhead Has the longest test on record I’m a Universal Homie Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: between milwaukee and chicago (in Tom Felton's house) Posts: 52,089	you're welcome. i enjoy helping others with darkside info. __________________ *life is what happens to you on your way to achieving your dreams...........*

11-27-2012, 08:23 PM	#21
oshun A face without freckles, is like a sky with no stars Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DE, USA Posts: 321	We are doing a split stay starting this weekend. 6 nights Disney 2 nights Universal. We have stayed at Royal Pacific and Hard Rock Hotel. They are both beautiful resorts. If you like the Polynesian then you will like Royal Pacific. Theme is very tropical. We are staying at the Hard Rock this time. I love the rock and roll theme and the closeness to the parks. I have never stayed at Portifino but have read good reports. We didn't rent a car due to the cost since there are 6 of us and luggage. Instead have set up to be picked up at Beach Club to HRH then from HRH to airport. Of course, we are using Magical Express for Hotel to Disney. We haven't been to Universal in about 8 years, so we are real excited. You should listen to your family and split up your trip. You will enjoy yourself and so will your family. Go make great memories. I sure plan too! __________________ Stayed at: Beach Club Villas, Beach Club Resort, Boardwalk Inn, Boardwalk Villas, Contemporary (Tower & Grdn), Coronado Springs, Old Key West, Port Orleans, Polynesian, & All Star Music, Villas of Wilderness Lodge, Saratoga Springs Resort, Hard Rock Hotel & Royal Pacific DVC Members. Have been so many times that we lost count...LOL

11-28-2012, 05:24 PM	#27
rpbert1 DIS Veteran Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Bangor Northern Ireland Posts: 3,882	we stayed at PBH twice, lovely resort but extremely quiet and this was July. its about a 15 minute walk to Citywalk from PBH, its a nice walk going ,but def get the boat back lol __________________

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes	Rate This Thread
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode	Rate This Thread:

Sponsored Links
The DIS Register to remove Join Date: 1997 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 1,000,000

11-28-2012, 04:45 PM	#25
gschmerl Not ignored by the Tag Fairy any longer!!! Fun lover Has seen the TF Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Eagleville, PA USA Posts: 3,441	Just remember if there is a rain storm with lightening (a frequent occurrence in FL), the boats do NOT run. The bus still does but they don't run as frequently as the boats, so you might want to base your decision on how far you want to walk in the rain.