Cabana Bay, Sapphire Falls or Royal Pacific? Which to choose for a last minute June trip?

[jacksmom]

We have only stayed at Portofino Bay and that was only once. We usually add a few days at Universal on our annual Disney trips. We are taking a week off in June and would like to plan a Universal trip though not sure where to stay? We enjoy having a hot tub and love pool time. I have heard some resort pools are not open? Also wondering if they are doing the front on line assess? Would love any info or thoughts?

 

[DisneyLifePapioNe]

We have only stayed at Portofino Bay and that was only once. We usually add a few days at Universal on our annual Disney trips. We are taking a week off in June and would like to plan a Universal trip though not sure where to stay? We enjoy having a hot tub and love pool time. I have heard some resort pools are not open? Also wondering if they are doing the front on line assess? Would love any info or thoughts?

What would be more important pool or express pass?

Sapphires pool is really quite nice!

Then again RP pool isn’t that bad.....just not a fave by any means.

You may still be lucky and experience fairly low crowds still......

 

[schumigirl]

We have only stayed at Portofino Bay and that was only once. We usually add a few days at Universal on our annual Disney trips. We are taking a week off in June and would like to plan a Universal trip though not sure where to stay? We enjoy having a hot tub and love pool time. I have heard some resort pools are not open? Also wondering if they are doing the front on line assess? Would love any info or thoughts?

Yes, your EP will be valid from the hotels. That hasn’t changed any. None of us have any idea how busy it will be, but I’d rather have EP as not have it anytime.

I‘d opt for RP as the pool there is fabulous and has two hot tubs. One outside by the pool and the other is in the gym. Not too many folks go into that one, it’s always quiet whenever we have looked in.

Sapphire has a lovely pool too. It’s a short walk away from RP if you wanted to wander over there.

 

[hhoope01]

I‘d opt for RP as the pool there is fabulous and has two hot tubs. One outside by the pool and the other is in the gym.

First, I do agree with you on the hot tub in the gym as most don't even know it is there.

Second, slight correction, I do believe there are 2 hot tubs out by the pool. There is the larger one close to the Bula Bar & Grille, but there is a smaller one closer to the side of the interactive Water play area.

While I'm usually not one to go pool hopping at other hotel pools (even though we can at Universal), probably the one time I might would be when staying at RPR and go over to SFR's pool. The walk is very short and easy and it has a nice pool area. So definitely agree with you on that.

 

[schumigirl]

First, I do agree with you on the hot tub in the gym as most don't even know it is there.

Second, slight correction, I do believe there are 2 hot tubs out by the pool. There is the larger one close to the Bula Bar & Grille, but there is a smaller one closer to the side of the interactive Water play area.

While I'm usually not one to go pool hopping at other hotel pools (even though we can at Universal), probably the one time I might would be when staying at RPR and go over to SFR's pool. The walk is very short and easy and it has a nice pool area. So definitely agree with you on that.

There is another outdoor hot tub? Well, I honestly never knew that......Thanks, good to know

I haven’t wandered near the water play area, don’t think I’ve wandered much past the big hot tub to take pictures as I’m not a fan of them anyway.

Yes, we never pool hop either.......just make use of the one closest.

 

[hhoope01]

If you have one of the RPR Resort maps they give when you check-in, it shows both hot tubs out by the pool (the 2 hot tubs are actually pretty close to each other, but with the trees and the cabanas it is easy miss the smaller one.)

I found a copy of one of the resort maps online: https://orlandoinformer.com/universal/loews-royal-pacific-resort/

 

[Polyonmymind]

All 3 options are very nice, unique in their own way. I don't think you can go wrong with either one you choose.

Since no one has spoken for CB, I'll give it a go.. It is a large resort, but doesn't feel enormous. The retro look is not for everyone, but we do enjoy the theming. There is a lot of activities to entertain guests when not at the parks. CB has two pools, a lazy river, an arcade and a bowling alley. Several different food options.. each pool has a bar/grill, the Bayliner Diner is the main dining option, Delizioso Pizza can either be grab and go, or have it delivered during certain times. The food at the Galaxy Bowl is very good. Lastly there is a Starbucks in the lobby. Swizzle Lounge makes good drinks, this in the main lobby area. If you are interested in Volcano Bay, CB is a short walk from the water park. The downside to Cabana Bay is no express pass is offered as part of the stay.

It is being speculated right now that only half of the resort is open, just due to the low number of guests. If so, then only the lazy river courtyard and pool is open. The other courtyard pool with the slide is not open. I suspect this means the Hideaway Bar & Grill by the lazy river is open but Atomic Tonic at the other pool is closed.

Have a great trip!!

 

[jacksmom]

Thanks for the great information!

 

[AuroraluvsPhillip]

I have been watching a bunch of the "Universal reopens" type videos on YouTube, and I believe the hot tubs at the hotels may be closed at this point for social distancing. Also at least one pool is open at the resorts, but smaller/kiddie pools may not be. I would call the main number at the hotels to check on amenities at this time. Buffets are definitely not happening, not sure about indoor dining capacity/reservations, regulations are still changing.

If you stay at Royal Pacific or Hard Rock, you will get Express Pass automatically to enter the EP line. If you stay at Cabana Bay or Sapphire Falls you will either have to purchase EP separately for each person in the park ($$$) or use the Virtual Line system on your phone which allows you to grab times for 2 rides for your entire party at one time. Once you are done with one ride, you can choose another like with Fastpass, but you can only carry two rides at one time. Hagrid's is only Virtual Queue, no Express Pass allowed, so that would be a priority first thing. Some rides may never require Virtual Lines, because they don't get busy, but the popular ones usually do. Also, Virtual Queues come and go on the app, depending on how busy a ride may be at a certain time of the day. They have wait times posted on boards in the parks. Rides that don't have standby wait times posted are using the Virtual Queue only.



Hope this helps.

 

[tony67]

I prefer SF, but for the sake of EP I'd go with RP.

You can always go over to SF and check out their pool - the walk is very short.

(I need to add more acronyms to this )

 

[sassy2000]

We just got back from a 3-night stay at Cabana Bay. The crowds were non-existent so express pass was not needed (at least during our Sunday-Tuesday park days of this week). If you are going very soon I would not expect crowds to increase much. A lot of people do not want to fight the heat wearing the required masks and I think there are many still concerned with Covid so you could probably save A LOT of money by staying at Cabana Bay instead of a deluxe resort. We had a $100/night AP rate.

 

[Monykalyn]

Clarification on the VQ- each person in your party can get two VQ (if needed). It’s not like Disney where everyone has to have the same fast pass. Just be sure when selecting the VQ time to move the slider to how many are in your party!
Yesterday was still pretty slow, although Kong got up to 45 minutes I never saw a VQ for it. Did grab a VQ for 2 right before official opening time for Hagrids yesterday for 9:20 (opening at 9). Let into park at 8:50 and we did Dr Doom and Spider-Man before 9 am. Could have done Hulk as well but neither of us felt up to it yesterday - seemed a bit rougher than January when we did it last week.

 

[nkereina]

At this point in time, there are too many unknowns for me to chance it without express pass. While wait times have been recently low, there's no telling what that will look like when all schools are done for the year, and once DVC resorts and WDW parks re-open. The further into the summer we get, the more people will be itching to get out and go somewhere. Reports from over the weekend with AP holders were that VQ times were occasionally difficult to obtain. That means people who did not have EP and could not get a VQ for the popular rides were unable to ride those rides. Having EP lets you not have to worry about the VQ, except on Hagrid's. So my vote would be for RPR, keeping the option of pool hopping to CBBR and SFR in mind.

The only advantage of CBBR for me would be easy access to Volcano Bay, if you plan on spending more than one day there.

 

[jacksmom]

Thanks for all the responses, we decided to go with RPR! I would love any tips for this resort? We are leaving in am, so excited!

 

[schumigirl]

Thanks for all the responses, we decided to go with RPR! I would love any tips for this resort? We are leaving in am, so excited!

Hope you have a fabulous time!!

Enjoy that pool too.....it is our favourite pool of all the hotels!!!! We never bother with pool hopping anymore, but Sapphire has quite a decnet and lively pool area too. They have the fire pit if you like them.

Bula Bar if open, does amazing nachos......really, really good!!! The walk to the parks is just lovely, plenty of shade along the way and only takes just over five minutes to get to IOA.

I hope you enjoy every second of the resort, and please come back and tell us how it went.

 

[hhoope01]

For Royal Pacific, you might check out the Wantilan Luau (under normal conditions held once a week). The food is good and the entertainment is great. If you like sushi, the Orchid Lounge and Sushi Bar has the best sushi at Universal. For us the Bula Bar nachos are decent, but we've always liked the Margaritaville Volcano nachos better. If you have younger kids, the pool-side movies in the evenings can be a hit. My daughter likes the Islands Restaurant's Wok Night which is similar to a mongolian grill where you put together what ingredients, veggies, meats you want and they cook it for you. It is all you can eat and makes for a fun evening.
https://www.universalorlando.com/web/en/us/things-to-do/dining/orchid-court-lounge-and-sushi-bar

 

[Flyg1rl]

RPR has the best beds and pillows! Now that they're upgraded the decor, we miss the old Polynesian feel, but the new stuff is very classy. I always breathe in and sigh very deeply when stepping into RPR. It's like coming home.