No Parks - Sapphire Falls or Surfside??

[wendlle]

OK, so even though I have some bookings I am thinking of changing things up.

We will be staying for 5 nights at RPR beginning May 3rd, which we will be visiting the Uni parks and using the EP's.
We were then going to spend 9 nights over at Surfside and do Seaworld and other things on I-Drive for those nights as well as relax, shop etc. BUT I am now thinking of just doing 3 nights at a cheaper Uni resort and then a week at a different I-drive hotel up closer to Seaworld for less money and more space than what Surfside can offer.

So if you were to spend 3 night at Universal where you weren't going to any parks, you just wanted to relax, swim and enjoy the resort what would you pick?
I don't want Cabana Bay, I don't like that the two beds are in one room. Hubby and I want our own room with kids in the other, and we aren't sleeping on the pull out over there.

I'm thinking of either Sapphire Falls in a kids suite or Surfside in a 2 bedroom ? Would you suggest anywhere else? It doesn't even need to be at Universal just close to the resort as we do enjoy city walk etc so want to be able to walk or included bus over there if need be.

 

[DL1WDW2]

What is the floor plan of the kids suite at Sapphire Falls?

Definitely stay on Universal property because you have so much activity to enjoy with boat bus walking paths connecting. & Bowling at Cabana Bay., miniature golf next to the CineMark with 2 different themed courses at HollyWood Drive Golf .
My favorite fun miniature golf course ever!
And you can go to the rooftop of Aventura for views of the new dome of the new EPIC Helios Grand Resort and Disney fireworks .
The area might be busy if UNiversal plans some preview premiere invites for EPIC Grand Open so do not stay off property.
I do love the lazy river at Cabana and the new ice cream soda fountain they have now. I wonder if the floor plan includes a king size room with adjoining doors to the family poolside suite . Plus walking path to Cabana Bay WaterPark !

 

[CAPSLOCK]

Aventura has kids suites also, but Sapphire is a more "resorty" stay. You can pool hop from either but not from Surfside.

Do you have an AP for AP rates? If AP rates are available (very likely at that time), the savings will for sure be worth upgrading at least 1 ticket.
Then, no reason to have 3 resort only days in a row. Want to pop into a park for only 2hrs? Great, it's "free."

If you really aren't going to go to the parks at all for those days, I'd be inclined to look at one of the suite style hotels or townhouse style resorts. There are a bunch around with plenty of space, free parking, and probably cheaper than the Universal options.

 

[DL1WDW2]

His plans begin w/ 4 nights at Uni w/ Express Pass and then trying to decide different options .
Along with my advice in post #2 and for anybody else making plans…
I have stayed next to Dockside at Best Western
Convenient to walk over toSummerside (Dockside & Surfside? ) Resorts to go to Starbucks and food court selection. Etc.
AAA plus other discounts available at BW .It is very clean . In case you want something more reasonable than Uni’s Value Resorts.
Not sure if they have family suites but smaller resort might allow connecting room w/ door with confirmed reservation.

 

[liamthompson]

I liked the floor plan for sapphire falls king suite (bedroom + pullout couch) and aventura kids suite (just curtains instead of real doors though) although I have stayed at neither.

If you want to stay on property, my vote would be sapphire falls because you can pool hop.

If you are just looking to relax at resort style property, my suggestion would be to consider one of the many vacation home communities in Orlando - champions gate, margaritaville, etc.

 

[wendlle]

Aventura has kids suites also, but Sapphire is a more "resorty" stay. You can pool hop from either but not from Surfside.

Do you have an AP for AP rates? If AP rates are available (very likely at that time), the savings will for sure be worth upgrading at least 1 ticket.
Then, no reason to have 3 resort only days in a row. Want to pop into a park for only 2hrs? Great, it's "free."

If you really aren't going to go to the parks at all for those days, I'd be inclined to look at one of the suite style hotels or townhouse style resorts. There are a bunch around with plenty of space, free parking, and probably cheaper than the Universal options.

I have an AP (not activated), the rest of the family I haven't purchased tickets for yet but will probably get AP's for them also as I am hoping maybe we may be able to get into Epic with a soft opening if we have them during our trip and they aren't much more than the 14 day UK tickets are.