Has anyone stayed at Surfside recently? Do you like it?

[MelanieC]

I'm booked at Dockside, but I really haven't heard anyone really talk about if they liked Surfside (everyone seems to stay at Dockside).

There are a couple of reason's Surfside appeals to me. It sounds like the buses pick-up and drop off there first, It's closer to the water/bay so I like the view better there. It's smaller so less crowded (although the flip side is there is more room and space at Dockside).

What are the rooms like at Surfside. It's a little older, do the rooms seem older more run-down (it hasn't been long, so I'd assume not). But, I always love newer hotels.

Would love to hear your Surfside thoughts and impressions!

 

[ajsamett]

I've done both several times (I'm a FL resident and do weekends a lot with APs )and all your points in favor of Surfside are correct! Smaller, first bus pickup/shorter line due to less people. The rooms aren't really any different besides the Dockside ones have that key insert for power saving thing that a lot of new/European hotels have. I haven't noticed any aging differences, they are both so new.

Biggest downside is that the cafeteria is half the size. You can still find stuff that you need, but if you're traveling with picky adult eaters then you might be at a disadvantage there. They have all the typical kids stuff, but dockside has more variety of more adult foods.

 

[babesboo99]

I'm glad someone asked I was just about to. I'm staying at surfside for OI and I was wondering how they are.

 

[DizneyFamof4]

Our last 2 trips have been at Surfside and we loved it both times. Rooms are almost identical. Surfside does get picked up and dropped off first, which is nice, but not a big factor for us. Both of our trips we had an extra person with us, making our group a total of 5 and and we really liked having 3 real beds with one of them in a separate room. It worked out so great, also having a table to sit at and pile stuff on was very helpful We enjoyed the lobby area and the Cafe while we were there.

 

[MrBellatrixLestrange]

Stayed at Surfside for a Meetup last December, no complaints.

Actually, one complaint, I could see the KFC from my bed and I have a weakness for KFC so I ended up going there for lunch one day but everything else was good.

 

[Pooh's World]

Surfside is right across from Walgreens which is convenient if you want to pick up soda or snacks.

Plus KFC, the Halal Gyro/Pizza place and IHop are right there.

Also if you want to walk to Universal it's only around 7-10 minutes over the bridge.

And close to LYNX bus and trolley if you want to go eat somehwere down I drive.

 

[Skywalker3]

Stayed on a very short, 1 night stay, before moving to Aventura, last March. No issues, and enjoyed it better than expected. Very nice staff at check in, and ticket booth, and very easy to upgrade our APs at the ticket desk. Got a great parking spot in the garage. Was glad the bus stop was the first one. Coming back from the parks that night, the line for the bus line was INSANE, but bus after bus kept showing up, so really wasn't a long wait. did have an extra/double parking charge that needed clearing up at the desk, but didn't take that long.
Wasn't sure how /where to go to walk to the parks, but glad to know it was a viable option, if we stay again.

 

[Boohicks]

Surfside is right across from Walgreens which is convenient if you want to pick up soda or snacks.

Plus KFC, the Halal Gyro/Pizza place and IHop are right there.

Also if you want to walk to Universal it's only around 7-10 minutes over the bridge.

And close to LYNX bus and trolley if you want to go eat somehwere down I drive.

We can walk from Surfside over the bridge? Did not know this, I thought there wasn't a way to do it. We arrive on Monday. Good to know! Thanks!

 

[wdwrule]

Surfside is right across from Walgreens which is convenient if you want to pick up soda or snacks.

Plus KFC, the Halal Gyro/Pizza place and IHop are right there.

Also if you want to walk to Universal it's only around 7-10 minutes over the bridge.

And close to LYNX bus and trolley if you want to go eat somehwere down I drive.

Wow I had no idea it would be only a 10 minute walk from Surfside to Citywalk. Do you happen to have a marked map? I looked on google maps but am having a hard time finding the bridge walkway. Where does it take you? Main Citywalk hub or closer to RP?

 

[Pooh's World]

Wow I had no idea it would be only a 10 minute walk from Surfside to Citywalk. Do you happen to have a marked map? I looked on google maps but am having a hard time finding the bridge walkway. Where does it take you? Main Citywalk hub or closer to RP?

Follow Sidewalk

*Also in theory you could take a left before the bus center and go through RP to City Walk/Magartiaville.

 

[wdwrule]

Follow Sidewalk
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Ahhh ok gotcha that makes sense. Thanks so much!

 

[Pooh's World]

Ahhh ok gotcha that makes sense. Thanks so much!

*Also in theory you could take a left before the bus center and go through RP to City Walk/Magartiaville.

That path actually might be faster but I don't believe there is a crosswalk from the parking/bus terminal side to RP so you would have to take the sidewalk on the left side of the bridge from Surfside. (But I'm actually not sure there is a sidewalk across the bridge on the left side). I'll have to explore next time I am there.

 

[wdwrule]

*Also in theory you could take a left before the bus center and go through RP to City Walk/Magartiaville.

That path actually might be faster but I don't believe there is a crosswalk from the parking/bus terminal side to RP so you would have to take the sidewalk on the left side of the bridge from Surfside. (But I'm actually not sure there is a sidewalk across the bridge on the left side). I'll have to explore next time I am there.

Even better! I’ll have to look into that possibility sometime too. Thanks!

 

[DizneyFamof4]

I looked at the map and it looks like it's right at 1.2 miles from Surfside to City Walk and at an average pace that comes to 20-30 minutes. Not sure why anyone would want to add 30 more minutes of walking when US has such a great bus system.

 

[wdwrule]

I looked at the map and it looks like it's right at 1.2 miles from Surfside to City Walk and at an average pace that comes to 20-30 minutes. Not sure why anyone would want to add 30 more minutes of walking when US has such a great bus system.

We’ve stayed at Dockside and you’re right… UO has an amazing, efficient bus system. We like being in control of our transportation though and love walking to the parks. We’ve stayed at all UO resorts except Surfside and enjoy walking from all the other resorts (not Dockside though), even those that offer boats. PP mentioned being able to walk from Surfside in 10 minutes so I was intrigued… not so much though if it’s 30 minutes.

OP, The Frugal Brit just posted a video describing Surfside and Dockside including their differences. For example, I had no idea Surfside didn’t have a lobby bar whereas Dockside does.

 

[Pooh's World]

I looked at the map and it looks like it's right at 1.2 miles from Surfside to City Walk and at an average pace that comes to 20-30 minutes. Not sure why anyone would want to add 30 more minutes of walking when US has such a great bus system.

You would have to be slow as molasses to take 30 minutes to walk that.

 

[mommajen08]

We recently stayed at Dockside and although we were dropped off after Surfside, it really isn't a big deal since it is a 60-second drive across the street once everyone from Surfside leaves the bus. In the mornings, the bus that picked us up was always empty so they must have had a separate bus service for Surfside during the day. This was the week of Easter so crowds were 10/10 and buses were running non-stop. I really am impressed with their transportation system!

 

[MrBellatrixLestrange]

You would have to be slow as molasses to take 30 minutes to walk that.

My great grandfather died in the Great Molasses Flood, too soon.

 

[DizneyFamof4]

You would have to be slow as molasses to take 30 minutes to walk that.

And a person would have to do 6 mph, to do a mile in 10 minutes, let alone 7 minutes. But, I think the guys below were able to do it. LOL

 

[mlreed328]

I feel like this post is somewhat misleading. It is 1.4 miles and 29min to City Walk from Surfside by Google Maps. People are saying you would have to be super slow to do that walk in 30 minutes, but if you were fit and ran 1.4 miles (half a 5K, minus some) you would be talking about 13-14 minutes... and that is being fairly fit and running. HRH is an 11 minute walk and SS is way further than that.

I'm just mentioning this so people know what they are getting into. There is no way Endless Summer resorts are 10 minutes by walking to City Walk.