one night stay - dockside or off-site

[liamthompson]

I'm being indecisive and could use some outside opinions!

We're doing a last minute trip for mardi gras and I booked aventura for our last 2 nights but I'm balking at the price for our arrival night and haven't booked anything yet. We are flying this time and will be using super shuttle to travel between MCO and hotel.

It looks like dockside is about the same cost as hyatt house/place and doubletree across from universal.

The pro for staying at dockside is that the super shuttle will drop us off in front of the hotel but for an off-site hotel, we would be dropped off at portofino and then walk 1-2 blocks over (is this the best way to do this???)

I know there are lots of noise complaints regarding dockside which makes me hesitant to book it.

And some "plotting" on my end...I'm considering upgrading our seasonal passes to preferred/premier when they expire so that we can do a long trip over christmas break. Hotel costs will be expensive so I'm assuming I may want to consider endless dockside/surfside or off-site then as well and this upcoming trip would be a good way to "test drive" an option. I don't know how onerous the daily walk from off-site hotels will be (while pushing a stroller) if we do a longer trip.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

Can you just Uber from MCO? I haven't figured out a great way to walk from Portofino to the hotels across that street. There's not an easy way to the sidewalk, not that I have found. Once you bust through to the sidewalk it's easy.

How are you planning to get your bags to Aventura?

I don't find the Endless Summer hotels to be significantly different than Cabana Bay as far as busing to CityWalk. I haven't had any problems with the rooms at any Universal hotel. Although I couldn't find a nearby staircase at Dockside & had to keep using the elevator for the 2nd floor.

The Endless Summer theming isn't as cool as CB, the pools are not as impressive, you can't pool hop, the food court isn't quite as good, and you can't walk over to the water taxi like Aventura. If none of those things are deal breakers, Endless Summer is quite a nice option. You can walk to a few off-site food options around, there is a Waffle House adjacent to Dockside (I think) and various other places within a block or two.

Stalk the AP hotel rates. I generally find onsite AP rates at Endless Summer (and even the mid-tiers below Sapphire Falls) to be much cheaper than off-site. You can find AP rates now for Dec., it is refundable until 5-6 days out.

The walk from the hotels across from Portofino (Holiday Inn Across from Universal & the DoubleTree) is a nicely maintained, well lit sidewalk with a raised pedestrian walkway over the main road. It's not too bad, plus it takes you through the valet security station (ie, no lines), you come out right amidst the moving walkways to CityWalk. Holiday Inn does have a shuttle which you need to sign up for the day before, it fills up though so you might have to walk some mornings. You can just hop on in the evening as long as you time that right.

What time does your arrival flight get in? Are you planning to go to the parks that day?

 

[gottalovepluto]

I vote test dockside as I’m doing a test drive at Surfside this spring for 1 night myself! I’ve read so much but reached a point where I know I need to just try it. If I hate it- it was only 1 night, if I’m ok with it I can save some good dough on future trips.

Keep an eye on the Aventura rate. On a fall trip last year I caught a one day large drop in the rate in the couple weeks leading up to my trip.

 

[Keladry84]

I'd also recommend to test out Dockside.

I had the same concerns with you regarding space/noise after only having stayed at Aventura. I can share a little bit:

First, Dockside management is amazing regarding help with room noise, both proactively and retroactively if you have any difficulty. Just communicate with them.

The common areas (lobby, cafeteria, etc.) are loud compared to Aventura, but not crazily so. There's just a lot of people around. I usually wear my noise-cancelling headphones when getting food, and bring it up to the room instead of eating downstairs.

Rooms themselves are ok, but walls are thin. I've had the most trouble with people in the hallways, and/or occasionally from rooms with connecting doors. You could be proactive and request a room away from most hallway traffic and/or with no connecting door (note: These will be a long walk, but I never minded that for the exchange of no noise). Dockside management has also had some other solutions but I'm not going to list them here, as they will offer it if it is warranted for your situation.

Don't get a pool-view room - you can hear the music even from high up. It's not bad and most people probably wouldn't notice, but for someone sensitive with noise, even the quiet background noise from it can be too much.

With all of the above, I've never had any major issues with Dockside for the noise. I'd still prefer Aventura, but the cost difference usually lands me back at Dockside.

Huge pro of Dockside:
- The buses here are very efficient - there's always been one waiting, and it leaves within 5 minutes of boarding - I've been from my room to the parks in less then 15 minutes before!

The rooms are basic but clean and functional. I've never regretted booking at Dockside even though my preference would be Aventura (or to try out Sapphire Falls if I can ever justify the cost over Aventura!) I also personally rate Dockside over Cabana Bay - it was cleaner, quieter, in better shape, etc. - the only way Cabana won out was the lazy river!)