disney on site vs Universal on site

[martinrmn]

I am curious. We have stayed on site AKL and are staying at the Poly this year. I have always liked the look of the Hard Rock but was wondering if anyone has stayed on both sites and, if so how do they compare?

 

[rpbert1]

i have stayed at POFQ , while Disney was ok, staying onsite at Universal is much better IMHO, you have FOTL privileges, and are able to stroll to Citywalk for a few beers and take in the atmosphere.

 

[OrlandoMagic]

I can't comment as I have never stayed onsite at either...

but that will all change this September when I stay a week at both!

 

[dtm316]

stayed at HRH last month and we're booked in to Saratoga Springs next year so I can answer your question in September next year if that helps

 

[#1MMFan]

Hard Rock Hotel is very nice and the front of line privileges are great. They can obviously do that at Universal as they only have the three hotels. The downside is that you'd have to travel to get to WDW etc. I think HRH is great for young adults (into thirties or so) and Disney is better if you have a mix of age ranges. I still prefer staying in Disney because there is easy access to more parks nearby via Disney transport versus Universal (and overall we prefer Disney to Universal).

 

[Rosie]

Last year my family did 1 week at AKL followed by 1 week at HRH.
My DD and I preferred AKL and my DH and DS preferred HRH.
FotL is great but as we didn't go to the Universal parks every day we could possibly have managed with a shorter stay at HRH. The refillable mugs and self service cafe were great at AKL and we missed them when we transferred to HRH. The warmth of the CMs at AKL beat the rather snooty service we got at HRH too. We are an ordinary working family and I felt like some of the people working at HRH were used to huge tips and didn't like dealing with average guests. The kids got talked down to or just ignored at HRH (when lining up to buy ice creams or asking directions etc).
I would stay at either Hotel again and in fact we may book an overnight stay at HRH next year to get FotL for our Universal days. Not everyone rates the facilities disney Resorts offer as that important but I found AKL much more comfortable than HRH. Universal has more of a buzz about it and my DS and DH loved that.
Really you won't go wrong whichever you choose!

 

[wicket2005]

Not stayed on both sites but have stayed 3 times on Universal and love the convenience of having two parks so close plus Citywalk plus of course FOTL. When we go we buy tickets to cover all the Disney/Universal/Sea World parks and just park hop between them all. Disney is only about 20 minutes away which is nothing plus, from what I have heard on these forums and read in The Unofficial Guide to Orlando, getting from A to B using Disney transport takes a lot longer than using your own car.

It is nice just being able to get up a bit later on a holiday and stroll to one of the Universal parks and know with the FOTL you will be straight on any ride you want - it's very relaxing. Other days we will be out early to get to Disney at opening times to do all the rides.

If I stayed at Disney I would stay at the resorts that are in walking distance to a park.

 

[joanflo]

We've split our stay several times (tho' haven't stayed at HRH yet, just PBH and RPR). I love WDW, but my DS (17) and DD (15) love the big rides at Universal, and I agree with Bev that it's very relaxing to walk or take the boat to IOA or US and know you've got FOTL. We can go back to the hotel to relax when it's really hot and return later if we want. I agree, tho', that the CMs at WDW seem to be more helpful and friendly generally than at Universal in the parks and the hotels.

 

[amystevekai&bump]

Hi!

Last year's holiday we stayed at Poly, AKL & HRH!!

Whilst I love the Disney hotels so much that I am currently arranging a DVC contract, I LOVE LOVE LOVE HRH even more!!

FOTL access is amazing, but we just loved everything about the HRH - It is amazing, and The Kitchen buffet breakfast is THE best breakfast in the world if you ask me!!

Even once we have bought into DVC, I still can't imagine NOT staying at HRH!!