Pool for HRH vs. Portofino? (Kids are 7 and under)

[momdoc]

We are trying to decide which resort to stay at in Sept. We have 3 kids 7 and under. Which resort offers luxury with good amenities for the kids. Is the pool better for younger kids at one versus the other? I have read a lot about HRH being a closer walk and people reference the pool, but I have seen neither and don't know the difference. Thanks,
Momdoc

 

[luvdisney14]

HRH is better. We stayed at hrh and loved the pool. A lot of fun for the kids. We visited portofino, seemed a little stuffy for children.

 

[TigerLilly's Mom]

I agree with the Hard Rock. Also, there are usually fun activities at the Hard Rock for the kids. Balloon toss, hula contest, ect. The lifeguards are wonderful with kids also. I always feel totally safe with my kids in that pool.

 

[momdoc]

Is there a baby pool at either? I really enjoy the "zero entry" sandy-bottomed pool and Disney's Yacht and Beach club.

 

[TigerLilly's Mom]

The Hard Rock pool has zero entry and sand, and it also has a smaller baby pool. But the zero entry on the big pool is great, and the entire pool is not more than 4 feet near the silde and most other places very shallow. It is not really a swimming pool, more of a playing pool.

 

[Motherfletcher]

My kids like HRH best. But now that they removed the basketball hoop I'm not sure? RPR pool is the largest in Orlando and is a blast for kids. All ages get into the volleyball games.

 

[goofy!]

All three pools have zero entry and sandy beaches. Hard Rock and Portofino have slides, while the RPH has a water station type thing with water guns, etc.

We just got back from 10 days at PBH with 7 kids in our party - 3 8 year olds, 2 10 year olds, 1 15 year old and 1 17 year old. We swam in both the PBH and rented cabanas at the HRH for a day. The kids preferred both pools over the RPR pool from previous stays, but that was because of the slides.

I do think they preferred the HRH hotel pool, but the PBH was not the least bit stuffy. And with 7 kids in tow, we would have experienced stuffy! Lots of kids around and they got a kick out of all the pails and shovels laying around in the sand. The PBH's baby pool has a large Little Tykes type of pirate ship in it. The HRH baby pool is just a round circle.

My preference is the HRH pool because of the cabanas and the ability to get food after 6pm. We were swimming one evening at PBH and decided to just do a pizza poolside, but couldn't because the grill closed early. Really a pain with 7 hungry children.

So, we will continue to stay at the PBH for the luxury, but rent cabanas at the HRH for the ultimate swim day And the walk from the PBH to the HRH was about 4 - 5 minutes - not at all bad even in the scorching heat of July.

 

[kellymonaghan]

All hotels have zero entry pools and all hotels have excellent programs for kids.

Since your kids are so little, you might want to consider the fact that the Beach Pool at PBH is seldom as crowded as the pool at HRH or RPR which can sometimes seem like wall-to-wall bodies.

Also, PBH has three pools, giving you some options.