Help! Portofino or Yacht/Beach - Cruise

[RLP817]

Hi Everyone! I'm looking for some suggestions. We have the opportunity to choose between 2 trips. The 1st is in March staying at the Portofino with 5 day Unlimited Admission Universal and IOA pass and 2 day Disney Hopper pass. The 2nd is in July spending 4 days at the Yacht/Beach club with a 2 day Disney Hopper pass and then 3 days on the Disney cruise. We are a family of 3. We have a six year old daughter. In 2004 we stayed at the Boardwalk and absolutely loved it and really enjoyed the Disney parks. We also took our daughter on NCL cruise last year and she loved being on the ship. So, do we try something different and new and go with Universal where we have never visited or go back to the Disney parks and cruise which I know my daughter will love. It's like getting 2 trips in 1! I'm sure Universal is great, but if anyone has any experience with a 6 year old there I would love to know what you think! Thanks for any advice or suggestions!!!

 

[bubba's mom]

I really can't tell you which to pick, but I will always "sway" toward Universal because of the FOTL. My DH 'hates' standing in lines.... There is plenty for a 6 year old to do....she won't get bored. There are shows and play areas too. CityWalk even has an "area" where the water squirts up from the ground.... That's why I couldn't possibly tell you which to do....there is just as much at Universal as Disney for your daughter....(like I mentioned in the beginning...the "no standing in line" thing is what wins me over ) Good luck!

 

[Disney MAINEiac]

I would go with the universal option. I'm not big on cruises seriously though a six year old will find plenty to do, as will the whole family.

 

[scammermom]

I would choose the Portofino and Universal.
I like the idea of having a Disney cruise but 3 days seems so short. You barely get out to sea and then you're turning around.

I think Universal trip will be a little more relaxing.
But that's just me!

Enjoy whatever you decide!

 

[bapvoeller]

We love Universal and try to stay on property when we go. We also love Disney and try to stay on Property when we go there. I asked my 6 year old DD which one she thought was a better choice. She has been to Universal and Disney numerous times and is very familiar with all the parks, but she hasn’t been on a cruise before. She loves Universal a lot , but she might like Disney just a little better because it has more parks. She thought the Disney trip with the cruise sounded better. This is the opinion of another 6 year old.

If you are staying on property at Universal and then driving to Disney for two days it can be a bit of hassle. I have found it to be much easier staying at the Universal hotels when doing Universal, and at Disney hotels when doing Disney. Good luck on your decision. I am sure it will be fun whatever you decide.

 

[RLP817]

Hi, thanks for all your input so far. I did go back and realize I had the days wrong for the Yacht/Beach Club - Cruise package. It's 4 days/3 nights at the Club and 5 days/4 nights on the cruise. We're still up in the air about it all, lol. My husband's company will pay for him and myself. We have to pay for my daughter. The Universal trip will cost us $400 + her flight. The Cruise combo will cost us $1122 + her flight. I'm sure all of this will factor in us making our decision. Thanks again and keep any more ideas or suggestions coming!

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

This is a tough one... we are a family of 4 (boys are 7 & 10) and we love Disney, Universal and cruising. DCL is a fabulous vacation and so much more relaxing than any park. We had taken 3 cruises before trying DCL and it has soooo much for a 6 yr. old. to enjoy. I think if you're an experienced cruiser, I wouldn't take DCL unless you can do a full week. 4 nts just isn't enough. jmho. I'd choose March.
I will get my kids' votes when they wake up.
dh votes for March trip since any park is so hot in July.

 

[RadRocker_Girl]

My pick is portofino bay. my total pros are the wonderful veiws you can get (ask if you can have a room with a veiw! you can hardly fail when u ask!) the rooms are heavenly and the room we stayed at you could walk down to the bay in the back and take a boat ride to universal studios. My only cons i have are two which are it CaN and may get noisy if you have a room near the bay. also you can easily get lost and not find your room for 15 minutes. but besides that portofino is a wonderful hotel and universal and islands of adventure are GREAT too!

RadRocker_Girl ( ForMer AdveNturer )

 

[Cass]

July is not a great time for Disney or to be cruising the Caribbean, so I would have to pick the Universal trip in March. No matter how busy the parks are you get FOTL access

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

July is not a great time for Disney or to be cruising the Caribbean, so I would have to pick the Universal trip in March. No matter how busy the parks are you get FOTL access

Yes, this will spoil you!