For those of you who have gone to Universal (orlando)

[FinnFogg]

Our family of 5 (kids 13, 11 and 9) will be at WDW for a week at the end of August/beginning of Sept. I’ve been contemplating adding 3 nights/2 days in at Universal at the end as we’ve never been. This thread has me sold! So now how to decide between Royal Pacific, Hard Rock and Portofino?? We are completely clueless when it comes to Universal, so appreciate any thoughts or recommendations for resorts with kids our ages. Thanks!!

 

[CarolMN]

We are completely clueless when it comes to Universal, so appreciate any thoughts or recommendations for resorts with kids our ages. Thanks!!

Experts on Universal Orlando mostly hang out here:

https://www.disboards.com/forums/universal-orlando-resorts-hotels.75/

 

[Matty B13]

Our family of 5 (kids 13, 11 and 9) will be at WDW for a week at the end of August/beginning of Sept. I’ve been contemplating adding 3 nights/2 days in at Universal at the end as we’ve never been. This thread has me sold! So now how to decide between Royal Pacific, Hard Rock and Portofino?? We are completely clueless when it comes to Universal, so appreciate any thoughts or recommendations for resorts with kids our ages. Thanks!!

We just got back from the Hard Rock, and the walk is great if your planning on doing the early morning entry.

 

[MonaMN]

Our family of 5 (kids 13, 11 and 9) will be at WDW for a week at the end of August/beginning of Sept. I’ve been contemplating adding 3 nights/2 days in at Universal at the end as we’ve never been. This thread has me sold! So now how to decide between Royal Pacific, Hard Rock and Portofino?? We are completely clueless when it comes to Universal, so appreciate any thoughts or recommendations for resorts with kids our ages. Thanks!!

We went with the one that was the best deal and Royal Pacific won out. It was maybe a five minute walk to IOA in the morning. Maybe ten in the evening when we were tired!

 

[kmc8826]

Our family of 5 (kids 13, 11 and 9) will be at WDW for a week at the end of August/beginning of Sept. I’ve been contemplating adding 3 nights/2 days in at Universal at the end as we’ve never been. This thread has me sold! So now how to decide between Royal Pacific, Hard Rock and Portofino?? We are completely clueless when it comes to Universal, so appreciate any thoughts or recommendations for resorts with kids our ages. Thanks!!

I would probably go with Hard Rock or Portofino over Royal Pacific (assuming you are all 5 in same room). As a family of 5 too we know that space matters. The rooms in the other two are larger. I do think it’s smart to stay at one of the express pass hotels. After never going we went for the first time to Universal last March. Now my kids prefer it over Disney.

 

[Drew729]

Our family of 5 (kids 13, 11 and 9) will be at WDW for a week at the end of August/beginning of Sept. I’ve been contemplating adding 3 nights/2 days in at Universal at the end as we’ve never been. This thread has me sold! So now how to decide between Royal Pacific, Hard Rock and Portofino?? We are completely clueless when it comes to Universal, so appreciate any thoughts or recommendations for resorts with kids our ages. Thanks!!

Portofino Bay was fantastic. Nice large rooms, excellent theming (just as good as any Disney resort), great food, nice boat ride to parks. It’s a fairly compact resort so only a few minutes to get to the pool and boat dock from any park of the hotel.

Our children(9,11)really like the pool areas and the slide at the main pool. they have some really comfortable lounge chair cushions also

I have nothing but good things to say about Universal and the Loews hotels.

 

[gharter]

We went with the one that was the best deal and Royal Pacific won out. It was maybe a five minute walk to IOA in the morning. Maybe ten in the evening when we were tired!

We stayed at RP our previous trip and really liked it. While the walk from Portofino isn't bad, we really liked the 5 minute walk from RP.