Need help choosing a Universal Orlando Resort hotel?

[WebmasterJackie]

In this episode of the Dreams Unlimited Travel podcast, the panel discusses the five Universal Orlando Resort Loews Hotels to help you choose which one to stay at!

 

[macraven]

Thank you Jackie for sharing this.


I spent the entire time watching it on a stationary bike and time passed quickly for me.

Kept waiting for more!


Some things that were brought out were very interesting.

A few things I had a different opinion and experience.


Very nice the Dis team has done the hotel review on the darkside.


It makes us here feel the love!

 

[wookiebeck]

Nice. That is probably the single most asked and re-asked question on these boards!

 

[macraven]

Nice. That is probably the single most asked and re-asked question on these boards!

That is one of the main "new thread" questions besides tickets

 

[pcstang]

One thing that was left out was the PBR lacks a usable mini fridge. All the other resorts have them. PBR still uses their in room mini fridge as a mini bar. It's not an important detail to some but it is for me.
Great podcast though!

 

[macraven]

And the feature of Star Service at the 3 main hotels
It is great
It is available 24/7
It is free

Don't know about those reading here, but many of us still consider rpr as a deluxe

 

[pcstang]

They have star services at SF too. Just an FYI. I never used it but it is available. Nice resort, never thoroughly checked it out completely. Watch the elevator doors though. They close quickly!

 

[gotomu212]

This was a great review. The only thing I would add because it was a surprise and huge plus for us is that you can pool hop (and Loewes encourages it) between the resorts. Each hotel has such a different pool. It also made it more of an experience to spend a whole week at universal since we spent an afternoon traveling to the different pools

I also never felt that prejudice you get at Disney like all the budget hotel people are going to crash the deluxe pool phobia (it was actually the opposite where a bunch of us from PB went to check out CB).

 

[macraven]

They have star services at SF too. Just an FYI. I never used it but it is available.

Wait until one of your kids drops your toothbrush in the toilet....

You will be happy star service has a large stock of toothbrushes

 

[cleopenn]

This is very timely, thanks for posting it. I was just coming over here to post questions about our upcoming Universal trip. My questions will run along the lines of Universal resort or not? We did Disney last year and cancelled an off-site reservation to stay at the Poly and that proved to be a big mistake, the Poly was not a good fit for our family.

 

[pcstang]

This is very timely, thanks for posting it. I was just coming over here to post questions about our upcoming Universal trip. My questions will run along the lines of Universal resort or not? We did Disney last year and cancelled an off-site reservation to stay at the Poly and that proved to be a big mistake, the Poly was not a good fit for our family.

Fire away! What questions do you have?

 

[TommyJK]

I liked the video but (other than a brief mention) I think they should have noted more detail around SMSM and how much the prices can vary.

They only did a small "sample" of pricing by looking at a few days in November. Don't know if they were looking at a week day or weekend, how close to Thanksgiving.

I mean they noted a standard room at Cabana Bay for $179 I think it was. I would NEVER pay that per night at CB because I know with SMSM, or depending on when I'd go you can get that for ~$100/night

 

[cleopenn]

Fire away! What questions do you have?

I am considering Portofino Bay, mostly for the early entry and the front of the line (am I using the right term?) access at the parks. Other options we are considering are the Four Seasons, Waldorf Astoria, JW Marriott and Ritz Carlton. The last two would be a reward stay at little cost to us.

However, I am a little concerned about some of the Portofino reviews I am reading about dirty rooms. I take all TA reviews with a big grain of salt but there are too many during the same recent time period not to be concerned.

I will keep researching but in the meantime, I am wondering if Portofino's enhancements will be worth it? We are not a rise at the crack of dawn vacationers so will the early entry make a difference. Does Front of the line (or whatever it is) provide much of a benefit since so many people have it?

A brief history - I switched to the Polynesian (CL) last year, thinking we needed to be on-property and that ADRs and Fast Passes were essential. The Poly was not what I expected. It was dirty (as in halls not vacuumed for days, dirty diapers in the hallway for 18+ hours, massive hoards of people, poor service and don't get me started on the insane dining system. All of this took me surprise, I have higher expectations for a Disney deluxe resort.

Any info on the Portofino, good or bad, is appreciated.

 

[bumbershoot]

My questions will run along the lines of Universal resort or not?

That's what this board lives for, podcast or not.

I am considering Portofino Bay, mostly for the early entry and the front of the line (am I using the right term?) access at the parks. Other options we are considering are the Four Seasons, Waldorf Astoria, JW Marriott and Ritz Carlton.

It's called Express Pass. It's only ever "front of the line" if you happen to get in line with no one in front of you. The other two resorts that offer early entry to Wizarding World and unlimited Express Pass are Royal Pacific Resort and Hard Rock Hotel.

I personally LOVE PBH. I don't know what they've been reporting on tripadvisor but I personally wouldn't be able to believe it.

I switched to the Polynesian (CL) last year, thinking we needed to be on-property and that ADRs and Fast Passes were essential.

For the future...at WDW everyone can make ADRs at 180 days. The advantage you get staying onsite is that you can make them 180 days out from checkin, and to the end of your reservation. So it's an advantage of however many days you're staying. And with FP+ you can make them at 30 days out if you're staying offsite; it's 60 days for onsite. So both of those things can be done while staying offsite.

 

[twocat]

GREAT podcast. Sticky-worthy, I think.

The things I learned:

• I am going to keep my reservation at Sapphire Falls in November because it sure looks like we'll never see a $129 rate again.
• I was leaning towards Royal Pacific for a May stay but, like the panelist, I just don't like the gray color-scheme. I think I will try Portofino Bay. Stayed there many, many years ago and hoped to try a new resort but The rooms at RP just turn me off. Nothing says tropical like Gray, right?

 

[damo]

I am considering Portofino Bay, mostly for the early entry and the front of the line (am I using the right term?) access at the parks. Other options we are considering are the Four Seasons, Waldorf Astoria, JW Marriott and Ritz Carlton. The last two would be a reward stay at little cost to us.

However, I am a little concerned about some of the Portofino reviews I am reading about dirty rooms. I take all TA reviews with a big grain of salt but there are too many during the same recent time period not to be concerned.

I will keep researching but in the meantime, I am wondering if Portofino's enhancements will be worth it? We are not a rise at the crack of dawn vacationers so will the early entry make a difference. Does Front of the line (or whatever it is) provide much of a benefit since so many people have it?

A brief history - I switched to the Polynesian (CL) last year, thinking we needed to be on-property and that ADRs and Fast Passes were essential. The Poly was not what I expected. It was dirty (as in halls not vacuumed for days, dirty diapers in the hallway for 18+ hours, massive hoards of people, poor service and don't get me started on the insane dining system. All of this took me surprise, I have higher expectations for a Disney deluxe resort.

Any info on the Portofino, good or bad, is appreciated.

Express pass can cut your waits from an hour in a regular line to 15 minutes in an express line. It's up to you whether it's worth it.

 

[TommyJK]

I am considering Portofino Bay, mostly for the early entry and the front of the line (am I using the right term?) access at the parks. Other options we are considering are the Four Seasons, Waldorf Astoria, JW Marriott and Ritz Carlton. The last two would be a reward stay at little cost to us.

However, I am a little concerned about some of the Portofino reviews I am reading about dirty rooms. I take all TA reviews with a big grain of salt but there are too many during the same recent time period not to be concerned.

I will keep researching but in the meantime, I am wondering if Portofino's enhancements will be worth it? We are not a rise at the crack of dawn vacationers so will the early entry make a difference. Does Front of the line (or whatever it is) provide much of a benefit since so many people have it?

A brief history - I switched to the Polynesian (CL) last year, thinking we needed to be on-property and that ADRs and Fast Passes were essential. The Poly was not what I expected. It was dirty (as in halls not vacuumed for days, dirty diapers in the hallway for 18+ hours, massive hoards of people, poor service and don't get me started on the insane dining system. All of this took me surprise, I have higher expectations for a Disney deluxe resort.

Any info on the Portofino, good or bad, is appreciated.

A few questions/thoughts:

- When are you planning on going/What dates do you think you would be in the parks? Knowing this would give a good idea on how essential Express passes would be.
- Early entry is VERY beneficial IMO for the Harry Potter rides. Since they don't benefit from Express Passes, that extra hour in the morning really helps in having a low wait time for the Harry Potter rides. We're talking the potential difference of say a 15 minute ride wait to upwards for 45 minutes or more (again, depending on when you are going).
- In terms of Portofino, I've never stayed there myself so I can't give first hand account, but if the guy's "hotel-gasm" in the video above is any indication, it seems pretty sweet. He does call it his favorite hotel in all or Orlando.

 

[macraven]

Front of the line is used for WISH families

They actually are escorted to the front of all lines by an assisting TM
There is no wait for them

I know it has been used loosely on the boards and no issue with that
Many of us refer to "we have front of the line passes "

After seeing long lines in the park, many say we have front of the line passes
For newbies that have never been at the parks just wanted to let them know there actually is a fotl in place

But there really is a FOTL program at the darkside

 

[bumbershoot]

• I was leaning towards Royal Pacific for a May stay but, like the panelist, I just don't like the gray color-scheme. I think I will try Portofino Bay. Stayed there many, many years ago and hoped to try a new resort but The rooms at RP just turn me off. Nothing says tropical like Gray, right?

I miss the old decor because I hate change, but you hardly notice the background color with the huge screaming orange hibiscus or whatever it is on the wall. And the carpet leading to the rooms.

 

[yaddakal]

We have hard rock now I'm confused , wish some other point of views were given. Canada bay may be better but wanted express pass. I don't know.. Kids are 10,12.. Any thoughts? 12/1-4 thanks