Portofino Bay...Kid friendly?

[_Laurie_D]

We have reservations for June at the Portofino Bay. We will have our 5 year old grandson with us. I was reading a review yesterday where someone mentioned it is not a "kid friendly" resort. Now I'm concerned. We have considered Cabana Bay but I hate to give up express passes and easier transportation to the parks. I would love any opinions from those who have stayed at Portofino with small children. Did you feel comfortable with small children at this resort? Thanks so much for any advice.

 

[macraven]

I ve been to all three deluxe hotels and feel all 3 are kid friendly
Even aoleoind the pools

Kid activities also going on
Pool agenda lists kid activities hours

 

[gzmtlock]

Stayed at Portofino in December, loved it. We didn't have any kids in our group, but saw many there. Especially at the beach pool - was very kid friendly, both in design and with activities, as macraven noted.

No way I would give up express passes only to move to a more "kid friendly" hotel! Less time in line at the parks means more time at the pool - and my kids ALWAYS wanted more time at the pool!!!

 

[gotomu212]

My son is a little older (9) but we love Portofino and think it's kid friendly. Anywhere with a gelato shop is friendly to him. It's also the pool with the water slide!

Hard Rock is the one that struck me as a little older-kid friendly.

 

[wookiebeck]

You will all have much fun at PBR. I saw them doing a round of musical chairs in the zero entry section of the pool and the kids were having a blast. The pool water slide is not so hard core that little ones would be scared. I can't think of anything that would make CB any better for children versus the other resorts. Stick with PBR and you will love your vacation.

 

[schumigirl]

I agree, all the resorts are absolutely child friendly.

 

[bumbershoot]

What did they mean?

My kid has fun at a hotel if we are there and he can sleep in a hotel room bed. Add a pool and a slide and two other pools and pretty scenery and a boat ride to the parks and he's in heaven. Not sure what else a kid needs.

 

[FLVacationGirl]

I just left the Portofino about an hour ago after being there for 4 days and it was an amazing resort for children. My 10 and 13 year old daughters loved everything, especially the harbor, Sal's, gelato, and the fact that many Harry Potter cast members were there this past weekend. We saw many families with younger children. We already miss the Portofino! All of the resort staff made my children feel very welcome.

 

[bumbershoot]

and the fact that many Harry Potter cast members were there this past weekend.

There were crew members in the club lounge the year we were there at the same time as Celebration, and we saw Evanna Lynch leaving for something at the front of the hotel. Guess that's where they often stay!

 

[ELSA711]

For a family of 5 would you recommend Royal Pacific or Portofino Bay? These are the 2 we keep going back and forth on.

 

[wookiebeck]

For a family of 5 would you recommend Royal Pacific or Portofino Bay? These are the 2 we keep going back and forth on.

Depends a little bit on the ages of the kids. We stayed all in one deluxe room at PBR when the youngest was 10-ish and got the roll-away bed. The extra large bathroom in the deluxe was nice.

The reason that RPR is cheaper (generally) is that the rooms are a few square feet smaller. Once the kids were teens, we got two RPR rooms for the five of us. That is like having a suite, and with two complete bathrooms total.

 

[ELSA711]

Depends a little bit on the ages of the kids. We stayed all in one deluxe room at PBR when the youngest was 10-ish and got the roll-away bed. The extra large bathroom in the deluxe was nice.

The reason that RPR is cheaper (generally) is that the rooms are a few square feet smaller. Once the kids were teens, we got two RPR rooms for the five of us. That is like having a suite, and with two complete bathrooms total.

Thanks!
Kids will be 7-9-13 so I think for $230 difference over 3 nights we will stick with our gut and do Portofino bay
May even consider AP if it would reduce rate. Do u know when and if they offer AP rates in June?

 

[wookiebeck]

May even consider AP if it would reduce rate. Do u know when and if they offer AP rates in June?

June starts the busy season. Since they will get mostly sold out at rack rates, they might not have a ton of APH rooms available. You might want to book it now to get a room at all. I see on the boards that May APH rates are not yet up. Just keep checking with the hotel up until then.