Anyone stayed at Portofino or anywhere onsite at universal during Christmas?

[Calgary DISHeads]

Changed up our Christmas reservation to get a few days in at Universal - we really love the rides, we are big thrill ride people. We stayed at HRH club level for HHN back in 06 but didn't visit PB. Managed to get a cheaper rate at PB than HRH for club level Dec 25th through 30th, got free passes through airmiles so we are set to go! Any info/advice is appreciated

 

[Calgary DISHeads]

no one??? yikes!!! maybe I made the wrong choice.....

 

[Sue M]

I love Universal! But we stayed during August (think Tropical Storm Fay). We stayed at HR. Loved the Express Pass for the attractions, but didn't love HR. Hallways were soooooo loud. They have a terrible echo which amplifies sound. We were doing a Universal/SeaWorld/Aquatica trip. After HR we switched to The Doubletree across the street.
Hope you enjoy Portofino. I can't wait till Harry Potter opens!

 

[Calgary DISHeads]

We loved HRH also - bummed we will not be experiencing HPW, but that's not in the cards for us. New rides for this trip are "the" ripp'n coaster and simpsons ride - not sure if simpsons ride has FOL but the big bummer for us is we have to wait in line (at our already projected "new fav coaster in the whole entire world ") r

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

Try posting your question on the Universal Orlando Resorts & Hotels thread - you'll probably get tons of replies there

 

[Sue M]

We loved the Simpsons Ride. I thought all the attracttraction have Front of Line if you are staying on-site? We got it for all attractions. Rip Rocket looks like alot of fun. That wasn't opened when we were there.

 

[Calgary DISHeads]

from what I understand from the universal boards rip rocket is not yet included in FOL. I think it's because it's so new and the lines seem to be horrendous due to it breaking down quite frequently.

 

[Sue M]

Yikes! Hope it's working when you go! With no FOL, the best thing to do is get there at park opening and make a bee line for it! Good luck.

 

[maggieb9975]

Didn't stay at Christmas but absolutely LOVED PBH...It is a gorgeous hotel....beautiful atmosphere..you can't go wrong!!

Have a great time!!!

 

[Catrinabeach]

We stayed at Portofino Bay last August and just loved it. We went for Christmas in 2007 but stayed at Royal Pacific.

We loved Christmas at Universal. Having the FOL make it fantastic. Make sure to see the Grinch show if it's running. We really enjoyed that.

You will have a blast. We did. I would go back again.