Please help a Universal Hotels newbie!!!

[Bourquefam]

Good morning everyone! I am in serious need of assistance on which Universal Hotel to stay in. We had a townhome rented, but DS17 decided he's not coming with---so I'm in the process of re-doing our entire trip. We are SOOOO EXCITED (not that DS17 is not coming), bc now we can fit our little ones in one hotel room with us w/o issue and so we're going to stay on Disney property 5 nights (Beach Club---oooh, la, la!) AND at a Universal property 3 nights (but which hotel to choose?????).

We are DH41, me38, DS8, DD6. Pool is important bc we'll take breaks from the parks. Pool bar is important because this is our vacay too and we need some adult libations. Walking distance to the parks will also factor in. Or should we just take a boat? Again, I am a Universal newbie!

I tried to find as much info as I could on the threads, but I apologize. I am short on time and need to get this booked, so please, please, please---tell me what YOUR family thinks/ likes. Any information you could offer to help us decide where we should stay would be sooooo appreciated!!!

Universal, here we come, baby!!!!

 

[IdesOmarch]

If money is no object. Portifino is the best IMO. Now they are all good very nice top notch resorts, so you can't really go wrong with any of them. It really depends on what theming you prefer.

We normally stay at the Royal Pacific just to save some money. But when I take a money is no object trip I will stay at the Portifino. Hard Rock is my least favorite, just because I don't particularly like the theme.

Portifino also IMO has the best pool with a cool castle with water slide and waterfall, plus it has some hot tubs that have waterfalls in them. I believe they all have pool bars either right there at the pools or close enough for R&R. I know RP has a pool bar at the pool, i am drawing a blank on where the P's pool bar is but I know there is one somewhere around the area. P also has I believe 3 pools, the big zero entry sand beach pool with castle/waterfall slide, and then the Villa pool with cabanas ( I am thinking the Villa pool is designated for adults, but not totally sure about that) I don't think the other resorts have more than one large pool. Now the RP pool is very nice and large and tropically themed, just not as nice as the large P pool IMO.

Portifino is just gorgeous and super plush, plus its the only resort you can get a room with a nice large balcony, I would suggest P and requesting a room with balcony.

RP is very nice too and has a very cool pacific tropical theme which I also love, that and the fact its usually around 100 cheaper a night I end up staying there most of the time.

And to answer your question, yes, take the boats into the parks from the hotels, best and coolest way to get around. You can also walk, which is fine if you don't mind long walks, but the walks are fairly long 8-13 minutes depending on where you are. I love the boats, and always use them just because they are so cool to go to and from the parks in.

Oh and BTW, getting a balcony at P is so cool because you can see the IOA lighthouse at night. It is so much better with a balcony IMO. RP does have good views of IOA available but its just not as plush IMO without that balcony.

 

[Bourquefam]

Thank you so much for your response! I can get a room at Portofino (still too new to remember the acronyms) for only $145 total for the 3 nights. That's not per night more, that's total! So you think I should go that route. I was leaning that way because of the larger rooms at Portofino, but I didn't know how much difference 100 square feet will actually make?

Also, I like the fact that Portofino has a slide in the pool.

Do standard rooms come with balconies? Probably not, huh?

Thank you for your wealth of information!!!! I really, truly appreciate it!

 

[IdesOmarch]

Whoooaaaa, are you sure? 145 for 3 nights, I've never heard of that low of a price unless you have some kind of club discount or something? I have never even heard of Portifino being 145 PER night. But yes if that is the rate your getting that is a steal!!!

No not all rooms have balconies, you have to request it and be insistent about it. Yes the 100 extra square feet makes a huge difference, and I forgot to add that the bathrooms in the P rooms are HUGE and awesome, love the P bathrooms, you will have a blast. If you've never been to universal and only disney, you are going to be blown away.

Most people think universal is a glorified six flags or something, but its not. Its on a totally new level of awesomeness I know I made that word up. But you will love it. The theming there is incredible. Don't forget now Universal is 2 large parks, Islands of Adventure where the Harry Potter island is, and the main Universal park.

IOA is incredible, I think the best park in the world (even though I do love Disney too.) The theming is on a level not to be believed, Jurassic Park, done just like the island out of the movie, Lost Continent (my favorite island) looks like an ancient place with ruins, kind of like visiting the Parthenon in Greece. Suess Landing is like living inside a Dr. Suess book, Marvel Hero Island is like living inside a Marvel comic book, and of course the new Harry Potter area. I could go on and on. Let me know if you have any other questions.

 

[Bourquefam]

Whoooaaaa, are you sure? 145 for 3 nights, I've never heard of that low of a price unless you have some kind of club discount or something? I have never even heard of Portifino being 145 PER night. But yes if that is the rate your getting that is a steal!!!

No not all rooms have balconies, you have to request it and be insistent about it. Yes the 100 extra square feet makes a huge difference, and I forgot to add that the bathrooms in the P rooms are HUGE and awesome, love the P bathrooms, you will have a blast. If you've never been to universal and only disney, you are going to be blown away.

Most people think universal is a glorified six flags or something, but its not. Its on a totally new level of awesomeness I know I made that word up. But you will love it. The theming there is incredible. Don't forget now Universal is 2 large parks, Islands of Adventure where the Harry Potter island is, and the main Universal park.

IOA is incredible, I think the best park in the world (even though I do love Disney too.) The theming is on a level not to be believed, Jurassic Park, done just like the island out of the movie, Lost Continent (my favorite island) looks like an ancient place with ruins, kind of like visiting the Parthenon in Greece. Suess Landing is like living inside a Dr. Suess book, Marvel Hero Island is like living inside a Marvel comic book, and of course the new Harry Potter area. I could go on and on. Let me know if you have any other questions.

No, no! NOT $145 per night for Portofino. It's just that 3 night stay with 2 park basic access will cost $1389.66 at Portofino vs $1242.20 at Royal Pacific----so it's basically just $145 (plus change) to stay at Portofino. That's what I meant!

We have visited Universal before---in 1999, 2001 and 2007. My brother in law was a stuntman in the Wild, Wild, Wild West show for years. I LOVE Universal, but for one reason or another we have not put it on the agenda for the last several years. I'm secretly hoping that my hubby will fall hard for the Universal hotels and then this will become a MUST DO part of our trips. I have read that they blow the Disney hotels away with how nice they are AND the amazing service! My son is now tall enough to ride the BIG rides and my daughter doesn't even really remember visiting before. We can't wait to experience Harry Potter!

Thank you, again, for responding so quickly. I LOVE hearing all of your tips, so if you don't mind---would you send more. Tell me your favorites---how you tackle the parks---where to eat/ where not to---anything you feel like!!!! I am so super excited and can't wait to experience the awesomeness of Universal!!!!!

 

[IdesOmarch]

Ohhh OK, I was about to start grilling you about how you got your reservations so cheap then, my bad!!

Gosh I could ramble on for days about all this, but here's a few. And keep in mind a lot of this is just my opinion and not written in stone. IOA is my favorite park and was even before they put in the new Harry Potter section which looks amazing. From what I hear, you need to get to IOA early to do the HP section. Since it is new, I would space at least a day around that area, it will be the one area that's really crowded. They have the new HP Forbidden Journey ride in the HP section which is a new technology cutting edge ride not to be missed.

Also at IOA, and just outside the HP area, is the Lost Continent, this area has the best restaurant on property, Mythos. Not to be believed or missed, maybe the best atmosphere for any restaurant in the world. Definitely do lunch there at least one day, you will probably end up wanting to eat there more.

The Jurassic Park area has quite a bit, but best ride is the river adventure, a not to be missed ride. JP also has one of the best Counter service restaurants in the park if you just want some quality quick food. Its the main restaurant in the JP area.

Toon lagoon is where the water rides are if you want to get soaked, Suess Landing is incredibly cute if you have small kids a not to be missed section.

One of the best rides in the world is in Marvel Super Hero Island, called Spiderman, really awesome ride, that is a car you ride in, it interacts with the best 3-D screens I've ever seen with live action and movie sets. Not to be missed.

Other than that in IOA it really is a lot of just stopping to smell the roses to soak up the incredible theming and atmosphere. Tons more to do, these are just a few of the better suggestions.

The main universal park my favorite rides are the Mummy (maybe best ride at the Universal park), Jaws, Men In Black, Twister, ET and Terminator, the Rip Ride Rocket coaster is awesome if you can handle major thrill rides. (most rides at the Universal park are like living inside the movies that they are themed around)

City walk my favorite restaurant is Margaritavilles for excellent bar type food. Portifino has several great restaurants, but for a change, I would suggest taking the boat over to the Royal Pacific and eating dinner at the Tchoup Choup, great restaurant, one of the best on the property as well. I'll post some more if I think of anything else.

P also has a huge amount of grounds, bacci ball, the villa pool with cabanas etc., lots to do just around the hotel. I love the hot tubs there with the waterfalls!!

 

[anniebean]

We've only stayed at Hard Rock and Royal Pacific. For us, we loved Hard Rock much, much better. The pool was nicer, and it was a much shorter walk to Universal. Royal Pacific is closer to IOA, but it is still a pretty good little trek. Plus, and I know this can happen anywhere, but Royal Pacific messed up our check-out and we ended up having extra charges on our room. It eventually got straightened out, but did leave a bit of bad taste in my mouth. When and if we go back, we'll definitely be going back to HR.

 

[Bourquefam]

...at Portofino Bay Hotel in a standard room! Would LOVE to stay club level, but it's just not in the budget for this trip.

I was super excited BEFORE---when we were staying off property. I get on the disboards numerous times every day, as well as allears.net, mousesavers, mouseplanet, etc. But NOW that we are staying onsite at Disney AND onsite at Universal, well, I don't know how I'll contain myself!!!!

I know Portofino is the furthest hotel from the parks, but I'm crossing my fingers the water taxis will work just fine for us. We are pretty laid back and will be ecstatic just to be there, so I don't think we'll even notice the distance. (crossing fingers)

Thanks again---and everyone's tips/ advice/ favorite Universal stuff, etc. is welcome. Let me have it!!!!!

WoooooHoooooo!!!!!

 

[Tiggr88]

I've stayed at HRH and PB. Either would be great. Your kids may enjoy HRH more and it is a shorter walk to the parks in case you decide to walk rather than wait for the boat.

Don't forget, you are allowed to pool hop at the resorts. You can always use another hotel's pool if you want. Personally, we don't usually bother, but many do and it is allowed.

HRH pool also has a slide and had some fun entertainment in the late afternoon for kids as well. Because of that, it may be a little louder at the pool area than PB. I don't recall PB having the same type of entertainment. The kids loved it though in case you decide to take a break from the parks.

We definitely went to restaurants in the other resorts though. You'll be fine at any of the resorts, but if you want a slide without hopping, go to HRH or PB.