Hard Rock or Portofino Bay for 2 nights?

Babsy

DIS Veteran
Joined
Oct 30, 2001
Messages
5,646
Which would you choose? Is either one more convenient? Does either have nicer rooms? Or have better views? What about balconies?

Any tips appreciated! We are first timers staying at USO, so we need help!

Thank you!
 
Depends on preference. Portofino is the furthest from the parks( still not bad though, about a 15 min walk from your room along a nice water canal.or a dedicated boat ride). Hard Rock is closest to Universal Studios.Portofino has the biggest rooms and is the ONLY of the 3 deluxe with the potential of a balcony or patio, though there aren't that many and I have yet to have one in my 3 stays ( despite requests). Portofino also has 3 pools, including the main feature pool with slide. Hard Rock only has one but it has a nice slide .
 
I Lean towards hrh due to location

Closer to city walk and the studios
 
We've stayed at Portofino three times and HRH once. I strongly prefer Portofino. The parking is underground, I prefer the restaurants, the rooms are bigger and the bathrooms are huge. It is gorgeous. We've been upgraded twice to a balcony room. HRH was just too sterile compared to Portofino's warmth. It takes a few minutes longer to get to the parks and I don't consider that a big deal.
 

You can watch the video podcasts from the Universal Land and Sea series to get a lot more detail if you want. I prefer the rooms and the pools at PB. The teens insist on staying at the HRH though and I always enjoy it. The HRH has a great location, Emack & Bolio's ice cream, and The Kitchen restaurant as strong points.
 
You can watch the video podcasts from the Universal Land and Sea series to get a lot more detail if you want. I prefer the rooms and the pools at PB. The teens insist on staying at the HRH though and I always enjoy it. The HRH has a great location, Emack & Bolio's ice cream, and The Kitchen restaurant as strong points.

Do you have a link to that? I am also debating which place to stay on our next visit. We already stayed at Royal Pacific. I'd like to eventually try HR and PB
 















Receive up to $1,000 in Onboard Credit and a Gift Basket!
That’s right — when you book your Disney Cruise with Dreams Unlimited Travel, you’ll receive incredible shipboard credits to spend during your vacation!
CLICK HERE













DIS Facebook DIS youtube DIS Instagram DIS Pinterest DIS Tiktok DIS Twitter DIS Bluesky

Back
Top