PORTOFINO BAY HOTEL Information

[cpl100]

Originally posted by Fan2CSkr

Just trying to clear up East from West. If you want to be near the boat dock you want to be on the West side of the property not East.

I wish the map showed the key for all those numbered items!

 

[bamacamp]

Try this site. Go to the left hand side to maps. There is a list of all kinds of maps for DW and USO/IOS and others. There is a complete map of PBR with the map legend.http://www.wdisneyw.co.uk/index.html

 

[cpl100]

Thanks bamacamp.

 

[kjcolv]

What has been most succesful getting requests, room upgrades, specific rooms, etc. Calling the hotel directly, at check in, calling multiple times..what works best?? Do you find the people on the phone more helpful during the day? evening, middle of the night?? Just trying to figure out the best way or should I just try all of the above!! I just got my Loews card, my reservation is Entertainment rate. I have reserved a cabana and a spa package, perhaps that will help get an upgrade???

 

[randbmom]

I'm curious also about the best way to make a request for a room location. Also the timing of the request that is most effective. Does anyone fax the PBR like we do at WDW resorts?

 

[dorisdvu]

Are the 2004 entertainment rates out? What is the usual discount? Are there any blackout dates? Should I go ahead and make my reservation now (if the entertainment rates aren't out). I just applied for the Loews first card a few days ago. How are the upgrades? How does this hotel compare with the Royal Pacific? I tried to get reservations for March 2004 there but there was no availability, so that's why I'm wondering if I should go ahead and made my ressies while there is still availabilty at the PBH.

 

[kjcolv]

The entertainment rate is supposed to be 50% the rack rate. so the rate varies depending on what rate the hotel has set for that date and time. The 2004 Entertainment books are available (they sell them at my sons school and we already have ours). The valid dates on the entertainment fcards are 11/1 - 11/1. You can also order the books on line.

 

[cnoji]

I plan to book a Deluxe room for our first trip to Portofino. I would like a room with a nice "water" view (pool or bay). I'm tentatively thinking to get a bay view because it seems like it should be more serene/peaceful than a pool view.

Does anyone have any advice regarding this? Specific wings and/or rooms too would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks a lot.

 

[FeeFeeWhite]

I do not think you can get a Bay Deluxe, just a deluxe pool or garden. You can not go wrong with a deluxe. The location and room are great.

 

[ksdave]

The Bay View rooms (where I will be in a little over 24 hours!) in the west wing are the best. It's a short walk to the "castle" pool and all of the restaurants, and the dock for boats to the parks is right outside your window.

 

[SpideyHulk24]

Hope you have a wonderful trip. Can't wait to hear your report upon your return! Take an extra ride on Hulk and Spiderman for me!!!!

 

[thedisneymom]

I got my entertainment book and called PBH. I made resevations with the regular rate. The person told me to show my E card upon arrival and the e rate will be applied. Is this the correct way to do it?? I just noticed on the Entertainment site they said you must book through them and my dates for June 2004 are unavailable! HELP! ( My reservation is for a deluxe pool view pet- friendly rm for 5) Thanks ahead.

 

[SpideyHulk24]

I don't think they will apply it at checkin, unless it is available at that time, but I would not risk it. You can book it through Universal directly (reservations) and they have not released the discount yet. They say it should be out by the end of the month to December. It depends who you talk to..... Just keep checking and apply it when it becomes available. June may be tough, but not impossible.

 

[Motherfletcher]

How does RPH compare to PBH? PBH is luxury. Great beds and baths. I will never forget the first time I stayed there with just my 15 yr. old son on his birthday. We had a top floor with breathtaking bay view. My son was most impressed with the lighted bathroom mirror. The length of our stay though he felt like we didn't belong, like it was too ritzy. It was unlike any Disney Resort in that no one spoke to you in elevators or hallways. I stayed there again with my mother-in-law,wife and two kids in the Villas with adjoining rooms and deluxe baths. Everyone in our party agreed that it was staunch, even the charactor dinner felt stiff. A boat pilot told me he can tell the difference in the people from RPH/HRH and PBH.
My son, daughter and I just returned from a weekend at RPH where we felt much more at ease. I didn't feel out of place wearing my SpongeBob shorts. My daughter took her report card and got a Grade A Kids card that rewarded her with a free soda. I didn't ask but I feel like we were given an upgrade because of our LoewsFirst Gold Card.
I want to go to the Halloween Horror Nights in October but the weekends I can get away the only rooms available are at PBH.
I would have to say RPH is preferred for the unwashed masses such as my family.

 

[dorisdvu]

Does the PBH offer "government" discounts?

 

[Motherfletcher]

Loews Miami Beach does but I can't get any USO resort to give me a GOV rate discount online.

 

[ksdave]

Motherfletcher, I have to disagree. My family (me, wife, DD 13, DS 11) have now stayed at PBH the last two trips to UO. We are NOT what I would classify as out of the ordinary (i.e., we are also part of the great "unwashed") and we feel very much at home and relaxed at PBH. The staff is extremely friendly and the service extraordinary. Eating at Mama Dellas is like a fun family get together at Grandmas, and the Beach pool is very much like a family day at the beach. We stayed in a Bay View back in Feb for two nights at $170 per night, and just had four nights in an upgrade to Deluxe for the same $170 per night. Both trips were thoroughly enjoyable for all of us, but particularly for the kids. We are currently reviewing dates for another trip within the next six months.

 

[corvair]

We also stayed there in June... 2 DDs 10 and 13.... we loved it... never felt out of place...loved Mama Delas... anyone know if there are bayveiw rooms with balconies....or in the west wing facing the beach pool are there ground floor rooms we could walk out right to the pool??? thanks..corvair

 

[SpideyHulk24]

ksdave,

Thank you for posting that. I like the idea of luxury and classy, but I don't want the atmosphere to be stiff.

Thanks! Can't wait to experience it for myself.

 

[ksdave]

corvair;
Not sure about rooms going right out to the Beach pool, but the deluxe room we had on our upgrade (2236) had a really great patio with wrought iron furniture (chairs and a table) that overlooked the bocci ball court and the Villa pool. It was really great to go out there early in the morning in your robe to drink coffee and read the paper. Very peaceful and relaxing. There were a couple of days that I wasn't sure if I would be able to get my wife to leave the patio for the parks!