Are the parks better than the hotels?

[Maistre Gracey]

I just don't think I understand...you live close, you can afford it, just go into the park and try it. Go with an open mind and have fun!

And that's what we will do. I'm just asking here first. I didn't expect this thread to get this sort of attention.

MG

 

[pcstang]

Agree with everything you said here, and you can bet I'll let you (the forum) know my opinion.

I'm looking forward to visiting, and I've read about Mardi-Gras which I'm very excited about.
Although I'm not sure HHN are my cup of tea, I may try that as well.

Thanks for a good post.

MG

You live so close, get the AP and have fun! No one is trying to give you a hard time and I'm sure you get that. Post the same type of question on the WDW and see what happens. I'm sure you are more than aware of that though lol. Check out Royal and see if that's more your taste. No way in hell I would pay deluxe rates at WDW! Anyway, go and have a great time. If I was local I would get the premiere passes for my family. Because I live 5 hours away and always stay deluxe, we all have preferred passes and have for years.

 

[macraven]

well, the vote is in.

we all enjoy the darkside and their hotels.


mg, do make another visit to the darkside and let us know how it went for you.
many here have given great advice to you.
not much more to add to what has been said.

 

[damo]

I think you got the reaction you got because you judged the entire hotel from the lobby. That's like looking at someone's arm and stating that the person is underwhelming. If you had just stated in your first post that the lobby was underwhelming, you probably would have gotten a different response. I love to wander around the corridors around the lobby where they have attempted to make it feel like you are walking through little outdoor lanes. I think that the planners of the hotel were trying to make it feel more like the lobby of a small hotel like you would find in actual Portofino and not make it feel like you were entering a ballroom.

 

[Sparkly]

I loved Royal Pacific and wish I had got more time to spend there. We only stayed for 1 night, in February so never got to enjoy the pool area. All we saw was our room and the lobby between the parks. I don't bother comparing them to Disney hotels because it's a totally different setup.

 

[bumbershoot]

Not trying to stir the pot.... I'm trying to gather info about UO becacause I live very close. I want to take the plunge and buy AP's, and I *thought* visiting the flagship resort may give me some insight into quality and level of theming. When I was a bit let down on those accounts, I asked the question that started this thread. I realize they are not Universal owned resorts, so I was giving the parks the benefit of the doubt and not assuming the same.

I truly WANT UO to be awesome, as it would give us something to do on weekends other than Disney (which we enjoy, but I have my huge issues with).

So, not trying to stir anything other than my Jack & Diet.

MG

You really need to get over the idea of flagship.

And get into the timing. As was stated, it's themed to a place in Italy. That's not going to have a huge lobby.

Book a hotel. Since you live in FL, see if there's a resident rate using FLO as the code. Should you someday get some sort of AP check for AP rates using APH.

We bought dvc without ever having been to WDW. We booked three nights at Uni on our first Orlando trip. Sometimes giving something a real try, rather than just peeking in, is worth it.

If you hate it, it's money well spent for the knowledge. You're willing to spend hundreds on pizza and drinks. Surely spending that much on a lovely hotel won't kill your budget?



Should have a disclaimer: spilled coffee on my laptop and I'm trying to type on my iphone5 with long nails. Abbreviations and mistakes are likely. Hence "club" vs "club level", though since there isn't an actual level for rooms when you book Club at PBH I likely wouldn't have put that anyway. Heck, it's enough that I'm spelling PBH instead of "pbj" that my fingers keep hitting!

 

[Disney Ron]

What minuscule issue do I have? The only negative thing I said was PB seemed more like a Disney moderate. Pizza was awesome, service great, enjoyed talking with staff.

MG

MG, not picking on you, but to compare PBH with a Disney moderate is ridiculous and this is coming from someone who loves Port Orleans Riverside and French Quarter.

 

[Annchristine65]

Are the rates at the Grand Floridian the same as Portofino?

 

[damo]

Are the rates at the Grand Floridian the same as Portofino?

No, they are much higher at the Grand Floridian.

 

[macraven]

Main building club theme park view about $947 a night plus tax at grand Floridian

So that is about $600 more than pbh

 

[pcstang]

Main building club theme park view about $947 a night plus tax at grand Floridian

So that is about $600 more than pbh

Ouch!!!

 

[CJN]

We've stayed at Polynesian, Beach Club, Wilderness Lodge, Boardwalk, Dolphin, Swan, Royal Pacific, Portofino and various offsites. But, admittedly, not the Grand Floridian. Portofino was fabulous and was our first thought in our 2017 planning. What one person may find underwhelming, we found to be peacefully elegant along with classy and timeless design. Couple that with gorgeous views, huge rooms, high quality furnishings, great staff, fantastic service and a myriad of other amenities - we loved it!

Even if I bought into the notion that someone could somehow judge the parks based on the hotels, after having stayed at Portofino I would then totally expect the parks to be fabulous (and they are!)

 

[Annchristine65]

No, they are much higher at the Grand Floridian.

Thanks. That's what I thought, so it doesn't really make sense to compare them. Portofino looks pretty nice to me.

 

[gotomu212]

I'm talking the grandeur of walking into an incredible lobby like the Disney deluxes. When we walked into PBH the little trickling fountain screamed moderate level hotel. I admit, that set the tone.

MG

I think of the entrance to PBH more as a beach/lake house where the "front door"/lobby is underwhelming but when you approach from the water /"back door" it's really incredible. I think the Bay Area, restaurants, and atmosphere are great (especially when the opera singers are out on the balcony). Its all subjective though. I do give the deluxe hotels a lot of extra points for the express passes; those are more important to me than some of the hotel elements.

 

[Carolrita]

I'm not sure I understand the question. Were you disappointed with a resort or a park? It is hard to compare the 2.
I am a POR girl, but will be staying at Pop in a few weeks. I love the Disney parks, and so I spend minimal time at the resorts. Because POR is so beautiful and peaceful, I gladly pay a little more. I don't think the more expensive resorts are worth it for me because there's so much to do at Disney outside the resorts.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

MG, not picking on you, but to compare PBH with a Disney moderate is ridiculous and this is coming from someone who loves Port Orleans Riverside and French Quarter.

The resort reminded my wife and me of Coranado Springs. Nothing wrong with CS, as I actually like it. That said it reminded me of a moderate.

I LOVE Dixie Landings however..

MG

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Are the rates at the Grand Floridian the same as Portofino?

My statement comparing the two resorts was meant to compare flagship resort to flagship resort.

If we add price into the mix, I know of many Best Westerns that can compete with the Grand Floridian.

MG

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I think of the entrance to PBH more as a beach/lake house where the "front door"/lobby is underwhelming but when you approach from the water /"back door" it's really incredible. I think the Bay Area, restaurants, and atmosphere are great (especially when the opera singers are out on the balcony). Its all subjective though. I do give the deluxe hotels a lot of extra points for the express passes; those are more important to me than some of the hotel elements.

Great post...!!!

MG

 

[Fuzzylogik]

I've been to a lot of Disney hotels. I've been to Royal Pacific and Cabana Bay on the Universal side.

I thought Royal Pacific was extremely nice (although not as thoroughly themed as Polynesian) I have to say that I think that Cabana Bay is far superior to the Values at Disney. I returned to Pop Century after I stayed at CB a few months earlier. Pop Century suffered in Comparison. As a value Cabana Bay has nicer facilities and a more relaxing vibe (larger pools, bowling alley). It's much more of a resort.

I concur. I've stayed at the Grand Floridian and Yacht in the past and found my experiences at Disney to be underwhelming. My biggest concern is the price point -- if I'm paying more I want more in return. The rooms at Disney were tired and, while the main hall at the Grand Floridian was impressive at Christmas, the hotel felt dated. My experiences at Universal have -- well -- universally been wonderful. Only stayed at the Portofino Bay and Royal Pacific and, although it is rated lower, prefer the RP. These two hotels and the Hard Rock have exclusive rights to Front of Line privileges -- you get your own line and are TOTALLY worth every penny, on or off season. My wife and I have gone and ridden The Mummy Ride six or seven times in a row in less than an hour -- while some haven't gone once yet. That may not sound fair, but I want the best bang for my buck and love the onsite perks that Disney just cannot touch. For what it's worth we do not have kids, so depending on your needs take that into account. Have fun!

 

[Nobody352]

Of all the times ive been to universal and disney ive only been on site once.. and that was portofino.
i was just blown away though by port.. Ive watched tons of video/ pics on the other resorts, because i know i will splurge at some point. BUT... the only two i think look impressive on the disney side is the animal kingdom lodge and the polynesian. If either of those dont allow me to listen to the news/espn in my bathroom i will be let down a little lol.