Best Hotel at Universal

[The Great Baboo]

We are thinking of going to Universal in August for about 4 days prior to going to Disney (staying at the Beach Club Villas). Out of the 3 hotels (Portofino, Hard Rock and Royal Pacific) which would be the best place to stay? We have a 5 yo and an 8 yo....we're Disney freaks (been there 12 times w/ the kids) but have never been to Universal. We thought it would be a nice surprise to add this on to our August trip (last year we surpised them with Seaworld). The prices all seem around the same, so what are the big differences? Thanks for your input!

 

[JessicaR]

Have a look at the Hotel Comparison Guide to see what theme interests you most. Its a good place to start.
http://themeparks.universalstudios.com/orlando/website/resort_hotels/hotel_comparison_guide.html

Most spacious would be Portofino Bay but you can get the same space with upgraded rooms at Hard Rock in a deluxe or Royal Pacific in an Executive King Suite. The pools are terrific at all but Royal Pacific has no slide. Keep in mind you can pool hop to all on-site pools and rent cabanas as well for a day.

Hard Rock is the closest walk to Universal Park and Royal Pacific is closest walk to IOA. Portofino is walkable but just as easy to grab the boat that is also offered at each property as well.

Have a look at the website and come back with any questions!

 

[robvia]

When are you going in August?

The first two weeks of August are the most busy time of the year. The last weeks of August are better as kids go back to school.

Many suggest visiting USF/IOA at the end of the trip, because once you try FOTL and walk on the rides with no wait, you'll be spoiled. Therefore, you want to wait in the Disney lines first, then get a nice surprise at the end of your trip.

HRH - Closest to the park, been selling out due to companies booking it.
RPR - Lowest priced of the 3, can walk to the parks.
PBH - Highest priced, more quiet, have to take boat taxi to parks.

 

[Loudbmw]

Been to all three. Royal Pacific is my favorite. Closest to IOA, nice theme and pool. Least expensive of them all.

Lou

 

[RyGuy]

HRH is my home away from home. I love it there!

 

[pigtail]

Royal Pacific is the best IMHO. We have stayed at all 3. Hard Rock has loud music. Portofino is gorgeous but very spread out.

 

[MissTink]

HRH is best. A fun place for kids as well as adults. The pool is nice (no deep end--at all!!) it's still big though and has a slide. It's also smack in the middle of the 2 other resorts.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

My kids were 7, 5 and 4 last year and they loved the HRH so much we're going back in July.

 

[jonemick]

No question about it, HRH is the best.....

 

[The Great Baboo]

Thanks for everyone's input --- it does really help in making the decision.....now, my next question for you seasoned Universal travelers is: who has the best deal on the rooms/tix? I went on the Universal site itself, the prices seem reasonable - stay 4 nights get 2 adults tix included...how much do the children's tix usually run? I was reading through another thread and someone mentioned a Fan Club rate on the rooms -- what's that about?

 

[disneybound05]

i purchased our tixs through AAA. kid's 1 day pass is $50; kid's 2 day, 3rd day free is $97.

 

[gopack]

There is usually an online deal for Buy 2 days get 3 free which translates to about $100 for 5 days. Also, be sure to check annual pass deals for the hotels. An annual pass at Universal is about $179. On our last trip my best deal was to buy one annual pass for a greatly reduced room rate (this can vary depending on the time of year) and then do the online deal for the other tickets. In my situation it beat the deal you referred to.

 

[antmaril]

I have stayed at all three - and love them all. You can't really make a mistake. The rooms at PBH are big and lovely. By the way, you CAN walk to the parks from PBH. It takes about 15 minutes and we did it several times. PBH has a very calm atmosphere. It never seems busy. This can be a good thing after a busy day at the parks.

I, too, would like to advise doing Universal after Disney, if possible. Once you have FOTL, you are VERY spoiled. You won't enjoy standing in the lines at Disney. If you do Disney first, you have FOTL to look forward to.

Have fun!