Best mid-grade hotel for daytime breaks

[bigrigsby71682]

Obviously the 3 fancy Universal hotels are very close to the parks which makes it easy to jet back for a daytime nap. Of the mid-grade hotels which one is the easiest to get back to in the middle of the day? Basically someone in our party gets overheated easily and would like to find out if Sapphire, Cabana, etc is much easier to get back to. Thanks!

 

[lisam70]

Yes it’s quicker to get to the premium hotels but there’s not that much of a difference between CB and SF.
SF has boat service while CB is bus only but the bus service is very good usually to leave the park no waiting at mid day.

 

[asuburbanman]

I’d say Sapphire Falls. Entering security at the boat docks beats the City Walk security line any day. The buses drop you off down by the beginning of the moving walk ways near the parking garages. Did it once and wouldn’t do it again.

 

[wdwrule]

I also agree… Sapphire Falls. We averaged a 10 minute walk each time. The boats are an option there as well. Aventura isn’t that much further of a walk. Buses to get back would be pretty easy as bus service is continuous at UO. As a PP stated though, sometimes it’s a pain taking a bus to the parks during prime times due to the big security hub entrance.

 

[mamapenguin]

We like Sapphire. It’s a nice walk or boat ride, and we prefer security there vs parking garage.

 

[bigrigsby71682]

I’d say Sapphire Falls. Entering security at the boat docks beats the City Walk security line any day. The buses drop you off down by the beginning of the moving walk ways near the parking garages. Did it once and wouldn’t do it again.

 

[bigrigsby71682]

So Sapphire Falls’ has boat transportation that allows you to skip that giant security mess at CityWalk and do security somewhere else???

 

[schumigirl]

So Sapphire Falls’ has boat transportation that allows you to skip that giant security mess at CityWalk and do security somewhere else???

You go through security at the hotel boat dock, so yes, you miss the giant lines at Citywalk.

 

[wdwrule]

So Sapphire Falls’ has boat transportation that allows you to skip that giant security mess at CityWalk and do security somewhere else???

Yes both boating and/or walking from resorts allows you to use a small security check point… and avoid the main hub mess (not that it’s always a mess during off times). No boats, but you can also walk to small security check points from Aventura and Cabana Bay. Sapphire Falls would be the shortest walk of the three (SF also offers boats).

 

[CAPSLOCK]

Definitely SF if you're looking for easy in and out of the parks. While the others have readily available buses, the ease of the boat from the center of City Walk to the dock right at the hotel is just lovely. Plus SF is just a gorgeous hotel too.

CB would be my 2nd pick for a nice mid-level hotel, but many rooms are a long walk from the lobby. Between the walk through City Walk to the bus, and the walk down the hallways, getting to your room would be easily 3-4x more walking than hopping on the SF boat.

 

[Sue M]

Another vote for Sapphire! And it's a beautiful resort. Also more relaxing. I like CB, esp the food court but it tends to attract groups. My last stay they had cheer groups there. Fortunately they checked out the day I arrived. But they were all over the place, lobby, food court, pool...