Disney Resorts Versus Universal Resorts

[leopardspot]

Which do you prefer and WHY? How do the SIZES of the rooms compare? What are the most noticeable differences?

 

[NCRedding]

We've stayed at the HRH twice--once in a deluxe room and once in a regular room. I find HRH to be comparable to the Poly, which is the only deluxe I've stayed at. The deluxe room at the HRH was the largest. Next in size was the Poly, then the regular room at HRH. We loved both hotels. Loved the pool area of both. You can not beat walking to and from universal and IOA and city walk. Also not to be beat is front of the line access at Universal--I really felt like we were cheating it was so easy to get onto attractions.

 

[antmaril]

I have stayed at all three Universal resorts and moderates and one deluxe (Beach Club) at WDW. I have never stayed at a Value resort at WDW. The Universal hotels are really all deluxe hotels. We have stayed in a deluxe room at Portofino Bay, which was 500 square feet and had a huge, beautiful bathroom. This room was head and shoulders above the room we had at the Beach Club. I would say the room size of the Royal Pacific Resort compared to the moderate at WDW, but the resort itself was more deluxe. FOTL at Universal is awesome and a is a fabulous perk for staying onsite.

We have enjoyed our stays at both WDW and Universal, but I do prefer the hotels at Universal. It seems you get a little more bank for your buck!

 

[*Fantasia*]

I love going deluxe at the Universal. I think I get more for my money. And it is definitely worth it to stay on-site. One of the benefits for staying on-site is the FOTL access. Anytime of the day, any day of the week and any rides, you get that FOTL. The resorts are walking distance to both parks and to the CityWalk. You even take a taxi boat to the CityWalk and just a quick stroll to both parks.

I've stayed at HRH and especially RPR many many nites that I quicky became a Platinum Loews member. I can get a free upgrade, which I usually get anyways. I always get the waterview with the great view of the parks. Being a Loews member will get you a complimentary welcome goodies. You have a choice of what you want. Since I have kids, it's always cookies (yummmy!) and milk for us. We also gotten a nice basket filled with fruits (my kids love fruits). You can even get a complimentary wines (but I don't drink and the kids surely can't drink). And every morning you get a newspaper of your choice (Wall Street Journal, Orlando Sentinel or Today).

Food- excellent
Service- superb (everyone is always smiling and very friendly and are very helpful)
Room- supur duper clean!!
Pool- fun..fun..fun...

What is great about this resorts is that you can get different kinds of discounts. Wether it be AAA, Fan Club, Entertainment Card, AP and Florida Residents (I'm almost positive on this one) and also great prices on expedia, hotelkingdom, orbitz.. If the hotel is booked check those websites and you might be surprise on the rates. The discounts depends on the time of the year and how booked they are.

The most "magical" experience for me staying at the Universal properties is that the location is unbeatable and it's almost like seeing the "castle" but you see Incredible Hulk Coaster and the twin ride (Doom's Fall- I think) and those other coasters that you can see from your bed and then watching the fireworks from your bed!! And to top it off... FOTL! Oh by the way... Creme brule..."OUT OF THIS WORLD!!"

Dont' get me wrong...I love Disney and I like staying on Disney property too. But I don't think I would want to spend that kind of money on deluxe, I guess I would if I was rich, but I am not. So I settle for moderate (only if I get a discount) and the value.

I can't seem to just stay on Disney property without hopping over to Universal. Last January we ended up not staying on Disney property, that's how much I love RPR. Then this past April we stayed away from Universal...boy did I missed it...MUCH! So this trip coming up (very soon!) we are doing the split again! But of course I will be staying on Universal longer. We have the 5 days consecutive pass for the price of 2!! And we can hop between 2 parks!! How cool is that?!!

Oh one more thing... another great thing about staying on-site at Universal... WE CAN POOL HOP!! And every friday nite, they show a movie right at the pool!! Really cool! And by the way... when you stay at the RPR, every 6:30 at nite, there's the Hula Dancers and the guy with the fire. Then after that they visit the restaurant at the "Islands" and they dance some more. It's like being at the Luau except it is free!! The girls pool some people from the audience (or watchers) to participate with them. My kids were chosen twice...awesome!!

OK... how do you like my essay?!?! As much as I love staying on Universal properties...I still love you Mickey!!

Telly

 

[webray]

I agree...Universal resorts are all deluxe resorts..and then some..by disney standards. Large rooms, wonderful amenities.

We have stayed at almost all the disney resorts..value, mod and deluxe...Universal resorts rock!