Endless Summer Resort vs Doubletree at Entrance

[holyrita]

Hello! If you could stay at Endless Summer Resort (Dockside or Surfside) or Doubletree for the same price, which would you choose?

I'm torn because I've read Dockside/Surfside have paper thin walls and you will hear your neighbors. As a very light sleeper that has me worried. Can anyone who stayed at the Doubletree at the entrance to Universal speak to noise levels there?

At Dockside/Surfside I would also get the Universal bus, which from everything I read is pretty great, and early access. However the buses drop you off at the main entrance to go through security with everyone else, which seems like a lengthy wait recently, whereas the Doubletree walking path you enter at Valet parking, which seems to be a much quieter security line.

Any thoughts or advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Travelgrrl]

Personally, I'd prefer to stay 'on property', though I know that Endless Summer is on the outer edge of what could be considered Universal's property. Early entry, better pools, bus system, and a huge food court are all pluses over a non property resort, IMO.

 

[sparky68]

Personally, I'd prefer to stay 'on property', though I know that Endless Summer is on the outer edge of what could be considered Universal's property. Early entry, better pools, bus system, and a huge food court are all pluses over a non property resort, IMO.

Have you ever tried bringing a white noise machine? Or a small desktop fan? I buy fans at the store when I get to Florida, and leave them in the room when I leave. I leave a note for housekeeping that the fan is new, but won't fit in my luggage. One year I passed one off to the maintenance guy. He seemed happy to take it, hope he wasnt just being polite

 

[Travelgrrl]

We're staying at Dockside in December and I already have some of those foamy ear plugs packed, should anyone need them. Also some "OMG-I'm-Staying-In-A-Hotel" medicine for at night.

 

[sparky68]

We're staying at Dockside in December and I already have some of those foamy ear plugs packed, should anyone need them. Also some "OMG-I'm-Staying-In-A-Hotel" medicine for at night.

Is that the kind of medicine that comes in convenient bottle with a cork?

 

[Gizmo74]

We just checked out of Dockside yesterday. I thought the noise level was just about any hotel, but I do sleep with ear plugs all the time since I am a light sleeper. Busses were great but it does drop you off at main security. I was shocked at security lines and was not happy guest did not have a dedicated line. I think they tried a dedicated line but everyone that parks just hops in any line. Security lines were long at all times of day.

the room itself is very basic. Only two pillows per bed. No body soap only bars of soap. One bottle of shampoo and conditioner. No maid service. I didn’t like walking down the long hallways with everyones trash by the doors. I must have missed front desk telling me to leave my trash outside my door for pick up. We were not in room much so we didn’t have a lot of trash. The hotel was sold out last week and it was packed and very busy at all times. Lobby and dining area was always busy.

we have stayed at Portofino and Royal Pacific before and like the boat transport better especially already going through security before getting on boat.

would I stay at Dockside again? Only if I was traveling with another family that wanted to stay there. I noticed it being recent open that a lot of wear and tear already in room and down hallways. It was nice being onsite because my kids did early park morning and they got a lot done. Traffic was bad around Universal so it was nice not driving to the park.

 

[sparky68]

We just checked out of Dockside yesterday. I thought the noise level was just about any hotel, but I do sleep with ear plugs all the time since I am a light sleeper. Busses were great but it does drop you off at main security. I was shocked at security lines and was not happy guest did not have a dedicated line. I think they tried a dedicated line but everyone that parks just hops in any line. Security lines were long at all times of day.

the room itself is very basic. Only two pillows per bed. No body soap only bars of soap. One bottle of shampoo and conditioner. No maid service. I didn’t like walking down the long hallways with everyones trash by the doors. I must have missed front desk telling me to leave my trash outside my door for pick up. We were not in room much so we didn’t have a lot of trash. The hotel was sold out last week and it was packed and very busy at all times. Lobby and dining area was always busy.

we have stayed at Portofino and Royal Pacific before and like the boat transport better especially already going through security before getting on boat.

would I stay at Dockside again? Only if I was traveling with another family that wanted to stay there. I noticed it being recent open that a lot of wear and tear already in room and down hallways. It was nice being onsite because my kids did early park morning and they got a lot done. Traffic was bad around Universal so it was nice not driving to the park.

Nice review, you hit all the important info.
I would say it is a very budget hotel, so don't expect anything special. Kind of like the all star resorts compared to a monorail resort.

 

[Erica Ladd]

We're staying at Dockside in December and I already have some of those foamy ear plugs packed, should anyone need them. Also some "OMG-I'm-Staying-In-A-Hotel" medicine for at night.

Is that an Rx or over the counter?

 

[holyrita]

Thanks for all of the feedback! I think I'm leaning towards one of the Endless Summer Resorts with earplugs for the transportation and early access.

Can you walk between Surfside and Dockside? Google maps shows it's only a 4 minute walk but it also has you crossing Universal Blvd, not at a crosswalk. I'm leaning towards Surfside because it small but would like to check out Dockside while I'm there. Maybe eat there if Surfside's dining is too small/crowded.

Also, since the walking path from off-site properties takes you to the valet parking entrance, can you walk from the transportation area where the Universal bus drops you off to the valet parking entrance? The security lines I've seen in recent vlogs are

 

[Gizmo74]

You can walk from Surfside to Dockside. Just have to cross Universal Blvd which can be a busy street. Since both resorts share busses you can just take the bus. Busses pick up and drop off first at Surfside. So if you stay at Surfside you can take bus to dockside and just walk back to Surfside.

 

[Travelgrrl]

Is that an Rx or over the counter?

Is that the kind of medicine that comes in convenient bottle with a cork?

Hahaha, an RX but I only take it for sleepmergencies, like at a hotel! Something with a cork probably works too!