PORTOFINO BAY HOTEL Information

[JeanfromBNA]

Where do you catch the boats at PBH, and to which parks or other locations do they take you? Is there bus shuttle service to the parks and Citywalk? What route do you take to walk from the hotel to the parks? Do you cut through Citywalk?

Is there a good map that would illustrate the transportation options?

 

[bubba's mom]

Bubba's Mom - I read some of your posts on PBR and it prompted me to go back and find your old trip reports. I LOVED them. I read '07 - '10 and I feel like I am a PBR expert now! We have stayed at the other two resorts and thought they were both fantastic. Can't wait to try PBR and stay in the west wing and use the short cut through HRH parking lot. Looking forward to Sal's and Thirsty Fish (and much more) due to your reviews. And the way you added your pics! Loved it! Thanks for being so helpful and thorough!!

You're welcome. Glad I can pay it forward and help

Where do you catch the boats at PBH, and to which parks or other locations do they take you? Is there bus shuttle service to the parks and Citywalk? What route do you take to walk from the hotel to the parks? Do you cut through Citywalk?

Is there a good map that would illustrate the transportation options?

There is only 1 place to catch the boat...you can easily see it at the hotel. The boats only go between the hotel & City Walk. There is bus service, but would take longer...walk or take boat or pedicab. You have to hit City Walk somewhere to get to either park. The path is clearly marked from the hotel to City Walk...if you want to cut thru the HRH parking lot instead, it makes the walk shorter.

 

[CornishPixie]

Okay! On our way to PBH!! We will be there this weekend and I just wanted to see if anyone had any last minute tips for us?
I am praying for a balcony! Would love to score one and hoping that it will be a slow time while we are there and we will get lucky! I would just love to open our balcony doors and be able to hear the opera singers each night!

 

[CornishPixie]

We are back from our trip and all the tips were perfect!! We LOVED this hotel and did not want to come home!
I had reserved a garden view room at the APR rate ($174) and we got upgraded to a 5th floor (highest floor) bay view room with a HUGE balcony!! It was gorgeous and every single employee we came in contact with was bend over backward helpful and sweet.
We walked everyday to the park and used Bubba's Mom shortcut through HRH parking lot. Awesome!
We ate at Sal's a bunch and loved the pizza and the gelato. We even got quick breakfast there one morning and it was yummy. Very reasonably priced as well.
The pools and grounds were beautiful and extremely well taken care of and our room was wonderful with the comfy beds, huge bathroom and plenty of amenities. Obviously, I can't say enough!
Thank you to everyone who has posted on these boards to help others have the best trip possible!

 

[pink elephants]

After reading through this thread and thinking about what would be best for our family of 5, I made the leap and booked Club Level. The cost difference will easily be covered by the pullout sofa (no need to rent a rollaway) and breakfast for 5. Plus, the posts speak so positively of staying club level. I'm really looking forward to it. Thanks for a great read!

 

[damo]

After reading through this thread and thinking about what would be best for our family of 5, I made the leap and booked Club Level. The cost difference will easily be covered by the pullout sofa (no need to rent a rollaway) and breakfast for 5. Plus, the posts speak so positively of staying club level. I'm really looking forward to it. Thanks for a great read!

Make sure you contact the hotel a few days before you go to ensure that you get a pullout in your room. Some deluxe rooms don't have them.

 

[pink elephants]

They allowed me to put it in as a request on my reservation, but I'll be sure to check beforehand, too. Do I call the front desk or reservations, and would it be possible to request a balcony at that time (they wouldn't let me include that request on my reservation because there are so few of them).

 

[CornishPixie]

Pink Elephants - I thought I would mention that they wouldn't let us "request" a balcony in our reservation either but we asked at checkin and got an awesome one. Also, we didn't book club level this time but we did get the pull out bed thingy. It's the size of a twin bed and worked well for my teenage daughter. We peeked in the club room while we were there and it looked very nice. I'll bet it is so worth it for 5 people when you consider breakfast, snacks, happy hour, etc. We didn't do it this time because we knew if we were going to use the early hour option at the parks we would have to leave the hotel before club level opened for breakfast.

 

[pink elephants]

That's great to hear about the sofa bed, Cornish Pixie. Thanks!

 

[LisaDKG]

We are booked at PBH for our first venture to Universal for 2 nights in 16 days! We will be arriving at about 8:15 at night and heading to IOA first thing in the morning. I am wondering if there are any shops within the hotel itself that have Harry Potter souvenirs - like tshirts, or the house scarves which is what I'm really hoping for??? Would love to be able to bedeck ourselves before hitting the parks!

 

[*Flower*]

There is a souvenir shop in Citiwalk on the way to IOA that has ALL the HP items that you're interested in- even down to wands and Hogwarts school robes.
We had a lot of fun looking around, they even had Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans!

Have fun....

 

[atlantamom0805]

Sorry if this is too silly of a question, but here goes.

My family of four - two teens - is booked in a deluxe queen room at PBH in three weeks, and I really need the pull out for one of the kids. Our last two trips have been to HRH in their deluxe queen that has a pull out sofa, and it makes all the difference!

I called the hotel directly, but was transferred back to the regular Universal reservations line. The agent confirmed my request for the pull out, as well as a bay view, but do I need to talk to the actual hotel staff?

Thank you!

 

[CornishPixie]

Sorry if this is too silly of a question, but here goes.

My family of four - two teens - is booked in a deluxe queen room at PBH in three weeks, and I really need the pull out for one of the kids. Our last two trips have been to HRH in their deluxe queen that has a pull out sofa, and it makes all the difference!

I called the hotel directly, but was transferred back to the regular Universal reservations line. The agent confirmed my request for the pull out, as well as a bay view, but do I need to talk to the actual hotel staff?

Thank you!

I'll bet you will be okay. I didn't request a sofa bed or balcony but got them at check in when I asked. Also got a balcony but we were there during a slow week. The point is, I think they do all they can do to accommodate you. We love PBH.

 

[damo]

Sorry if this is too silly of a question, but here goes.

My family of four - two teens - is booked in a deluxe queen room at PBH in three weeks, and I really need the pull out for one of the kids. Our last two trips have been to HRH in their deluxe queen that has a pull out sofa, and it makes all the difference!

I called the hotel directly, but was transferred back to the regular Universal reservations line. The agent confirmed my request for the pull out, as well as a bay view, but do I need to talk to the actual hotel staff?

Thank you!

About a week before you go, fax the hotel and remind them that you really need the pullout.

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

Is there any place I can see information on the hotel? On the Disney hotel threads, many of them have lots of information and pictures but this thread doesn't have it (or at least not on the first page). Anyone recommend a site or a thread that has this type of information?
Thanks!

 

[atlantamom0805]

About a week before you go, fax the hotel and remind them that you really need the pullout.

Thanks for the advice - will do. We will be there in 2 weeks!

 

[macraven]

Is there any place I can see information on the hotel? On the Disney hotel threads, many of them have lots of information and pictures but this thread doesn't have it (or at least not on the first page). Anyone recommend a site or a thread that has this type of information?
Thanks!

you can see more about the hotel rooms on the UO website.
go to hotels on that site.

also, this video includes all three hotels with infor and pics.
click on the one you want to view.

i started it out at pbh.


http://www.ineedavacation.com/universalmco/Portofino.html
rph: http://www.ineedavacation.com/universalmco/RoyalPacific.html

 

[pas130]

I am very thankful for these boards,I am learning a lot. I called earlier today to inquire about rates and rooms. It is 7 of us, 2 adults, 4 kids and 1 infant. After speaking to a very friendly, helpful agent we booked a Portofino suite. I am happy we are all in 1 room, and the price wasn't that much more than 2 regular rooms. the more I learn about PBH, the more excited I am. This is our first onsite visit. We do WDW almost every year! Thanks for all the info. PLus I love if a better rate comes out, they'll apply it to an existing ressie!

We are coming Aug 26-28th

 

[TwingleMum]

Where are the club rooms located??? Are they on the same level as the lounge??? We have 3 kids will we all be comfortable?? Do club rooms have a pull out sofa??? Very excited big TIA

 

[HLAuburn]

Just booked a room at PBR for April. We've stayed at RPR before, and we loved it, but I'm excited to try something new.

I'm sure this has been answered, but can anyone tell me about how long the walk is from PB to the US gate? Also, I read about the shortcut through the HR parking lot - where can I find more info about that? After a long day at the park, a short cut sounds like a good option!

Thanks!