PORTOFINO BAY HOTEL Information

[goofy!]

There are some bay views with balconies. They are just the step-outs, but at least the doors open and you can step out.

Friends of ours had a bay view on the third floor of the West Wing, so I know they exist.

I suggest calling the hotel directly and asking to talk to the rooms manager. Explain that you need a balcony for medical reasons and explain what you explained here. It might get you slightly better results than just putting a request on your reservation.

 

[Disneysnel]

Thanks guys - I will call the hotel on Monday and let you know what they say - please wish me luck!

 

[dsmom]

We have had a balcony every time we have stayed at PB. I think room 2551 was one of them- I will have to check the PB rate thread and double check. It was in the East wing top floor close to the elevator- a Great room with a huge balcony. There are quite a few balconies in the east wing. We also had a balcony in the villa wing - top floor- right over the beach pool- also a great room- I will try to find that room number also.

 

[Disneysnel]

Thanks Dsmom! I really appreciate it!
I put off calling them for a week because I forgot it's President's day week and they are probably VERY busy right now.

 

[dsmom]

You're welcome! I went back and checked and the room numbers are as follows:

Room 2663 was in the villa wing right over the beach pool. It was top floor and a deluxe room. The balcony was a nice sized one- it had a table and two chairs in it. You could also see the MK fireworks from the balcony at night.

Room 1544 was in the East wing. This was one of my favorite rooms. It was close to the elevator- top floor. The view was beautiful- right over the bay and across from Bice and the boat dock. The balcony was huge- about 10' by 12'. The room next door also had a large balcony but was private - it had the stone wall divider between the two.

Hope you have a wonderful trip!!

 

[Disneysnel]

Okay, I couldn't wait any longer I called them and spoke with a very nice and understanding desk clerk (don't know if I can say his name) - who confirmed my ressie and said they it is noted on my account that I must have a door that opens - how this will work with my upgrade - I don't know but if it's a choice between the upgrade or the opening doors - the doors win, hands down - I do not want to spend my nights like this - !

Thanks so much for everyone's help - now I have another question.

I have read many reviews with horror stories about the water taxis and buses - I will have a car, is it better to drive or is it close enough to walk to the parks?

 

[FireandIce]

Horror stories about the boats ? They are great. You really do not need a car at Universal.

 

[ky07]

Horror stories about the boats ? They are great. You really do not need a car at Universal.

I agree but never heard horror stories about the boats but have about the busses and the hotels aren't that far from the parks and like fireandice said you wont need a car unless you are planning to go somewhere else

 

[bubba's mom]

I've never heard horror stories about the boats....except maybe the length of the lines when parks close.... We rarely use the boats because the walk is so much faster....

 

[Disneysnel]

Thanks so much! I went and looked it up on google earth and it IS really close! I read that the the water taxis take really long and there are inexperienced drivers - stuff like that. (on trip advisor)

I am so excited - I can't stand it - I just wish there was as much info available on line about Universal resort as there is about WDW.

I want to know EVERYTHING

Now I know if the taxis are slow, we can just walk!

 

[bubba's mom]

Thanks so much! I went and looked it up on google earth and it IS really close! I read that the the water taxis take really long and there are inexperienced drivers - stuff like that. (on trip advisor)

I am so excited - I can't stand it - I just wish there was as much info available on line about Universal resort as there is about WDW.

I want to know EVERYTHING

Now I know if the taxis are slow, we can just walk!

You can buy Kelly Monaghan's book Universal Orlando The Ultimate Theme Park Adventure It is to Universal what the UOG is to Disney

 

[ky07]

You can buy Kelly Monaghan's book Universal Orlando The Ultimate Theme Park Adventure It is to Universal what the UOG is to Disney

 

[FireandIce]

You can buy Kelly Monaghan's book Universal Orlando The Ultimate Theme Park Adventure It is to Universal what the UOG is to Disney

Or you can continue to ask us. IMO this is the best source of US/IOA information anywhere.

 

[bubba's mom]

Or you can continue to ask us. IMO this is the best source of US/IOA information anywhere.

I 'meant' in addition to asking us

 

[Disneysnel]

Thanks guys! I am on my way over to Amazon now.

Had to edit to add that it is on sale right now for only 10.85!! JIC somebody else needs one!

 

[surfgirl]

fyi - a few pages back, I asked about my dh getting platinum status. Here's the scoop:

He is a platinum member of Marriott -- I faxed a copy of his statement to LF and they upgraded him as a complimentary upgrade.

However, there are no suites available, so my gold upgrade to a deluxe room is the best thing. I am changing the reservation to his name, though, so if someone feels nice and anything opens up, he is the one with more 'status'.

 

[goofy!]

Thanks for reporting back and confirming that Loews will indeed status match!

 

[chelliet]

We have decided to go to Universal with our DD15 and DS12 in the middle to end of July depending on my husband's conference dates in Las Vegas. We live in Texas but will be driving from the in-laws vacation place in St. Pete so we won't be so tired when we get in. Thanks for all the great advice; I've read through this whole thread (man, was that a time commitment!).

Is PBH the least busy of the Universal three? I know we would prefer the themes of PBH or RPH, and I think we're going to go Club Level for the three nights we're there.

Is staying on-site in July worth it with the FOTL or do too many people buy express passes? We will stay during the week, Mon-Thurs or Tues-Fri.

We are so excited and looking forward to enjoying the hotel and the parks.

 

[Sleepy]

Is staying on-site in July worth it with the FOTL or do too many people buy express passes?

As long as the Express lines are shorter than the regular lines, it is worth it to me.

 

[chelliet]

As long as the Express lines are shorter than the regular lines, it is worth it to me.

That sounds about right. We used Tour Guide Mike for a 2006 Christmas trip and so we are spoiled about waiting in lines. Thanks