Portofino Bay questions from a Universal Newbie

[Dicecatt]

We are doing Universal for 3 nights before our Disney trip this year. First time! We are very much looking forward to it.

I am a bit scared of the 400 post thread on Portofino Bay, so I thought I'd throw a new thread out...I am a die hard Polynesian fan and I can probably tell you just about everything you'd ever want to know about any other Disney hotel. But I know NADA about Universal...We picked Portofino Bay, Bay view, standard room. We also got a Lowe's card. I ended up buying an AP because of the room discount...so perhaps we'll be back!

Anyway, please give me the scoop...Room requests? I asked for a high floor, but that is about it. Studying a map isn't helping me much. I would really like a balcony too. Any suggestions?

Also, restaurants. So far, I have Tratoria booked for the character dinner buffet. I also made reservations for the Confisco character meal at IOA, and dinner at Emeril's Tchoup Chop. I wanted Mythos but no dinner the week we are going and I don't want to spend that much time in restaurants during the day since we only have 2 days in the parks...dissapointing. I need to find another dinner for our arrival day...suggestions? Thanks!

Also, is there anything you think an uber planner like me should know about Portofino Bay?

 

[TommyTutone]

I should post a dining review for the places we ate during our six days, sort of an abbreviated trip adventure (we got back today).

Mama Della's, in my mind, is a must. The service was outstanding, the food fantastic, and the wine selection divine. There was an online survey I filled out that got me coupons for various restaurants (you print the cert online and take it to one of the park stores for the coupons) that gets you a free appetizer at Mama Della's (among many many other coupons). The mussels/clams app was very very good.

Sal's Pizza is good in that it is casual, but still nicer than most casual places you see at parks. Their pizza is brick oven fired and although the crust is thinner than I like, I cannot knock the quality of it overall.

At Universal, we ate at Lombard's which had some of the best fish and chips I've had in a long time with its great batter.

Mythos was a REAL letdown. The service was slow and inattentive, the wife's food, polenta, was returned because it was a soggy mess, and I nearly did the same with my pecan/blueberry encrusted pork tenderloin as it was insufferably tough. We will not be returning here.

As for other tips, I can only mention that rooms that start with 2 are in the 'central' part of the hotel while those beginning with 1 and 3 are on the side wings. Not necessarily a bad thing, but something to keep in mind. My room, 2571 had a perfect view and was amazingly close to the pool.

If the line for the boats is long, and you don't mind the very brief walk, head over to the Hard Rock Hotel and try your luck for a boat there. Since it is closer to the parks, we found the lines to be much shorter. On top of that, once there, it isn't TOO much further to Citywalk.

This was my first trip to US in a dozen years, and with the front of the line stuff, and the nice hotel, we are anxious to return, although we were not without complaint (not appropriate when getting you giddy though!).

 

[LakeAriel]

We are doing Universal for 3 nights before our Disney trip this year. First time! We are very much looking forward to it.

I am a bit scared of the 400 post thread on Portofino Bay, so I thought I'd throw a new thread out...I am a die hard Polynesian fan and I can probably tell you just about everything you'd ever want to know about any other Disney hotel. But I know NADA about Universal...We picked Portofino Bay, Bay view, standard room. We also got a Lowe's card. I ended up buying an AP because of the room discount...so perhaps we'll be back!

Anyway, please give me the scoop...Room requests? I asked for a high floor, but that is about it. Studying a map isn't helping me much. I would really like a balcony too. Any suggestions?

Also, restaurants. So far, I have Tratoria booked for the character dinner buffet. I also made reservations for the Confisco character meal at IOA, and dinner at Emeril's Tchoup Chop. I wanted Mythos but no dinner the week we are going and I don't want to spend that much time in restaurants during the day since we only have 2 days in the parks...dissapointing. I need to find another dinner for our arrival day...suggestions? Thanks!

Also, is there anything you think an uber planner like me should know about Portofino Bay?

I am doing the exact same and have the exact same concerns being a Disney vet but Universal newbie..I'll subcribe.. I am about to make my dining reservations.

 

[dsmom]

Don;t worry, Portifino is incredible! We have stayed at all Disney resorts numerous times and made our first Universal trip last December. We are headed back to PB this September for our fifth stay this year - we love this resort!
Definately eat at Trattoria- the dinner and breakfast buffets are excellent. The pizza at Sals market is very good. Splendido has good food to eat by the beach pool. The beach pool is a lot of fun. The gelateria has excellent gelatto- we would get some and sit on a table ourside and listen to the singers every night. Just walking around and looking at everything is fun- there are so many nooks and crannies to explore at the resort. We were in a ground level room facing the villa pool our last stay and we played bocce ball one night - it was a lot of fun. They had a dive-in movie one night we were there at the beach pool.

We were in room 1544 in the east wing- most people love the west wing but we have not stayed there yet. This room was very convient to everything. It was bay view- a standard room but it felt just as large as the deluxe - the only difference was there was no opening between the bath and the bedroom. The shower and tub were combined also- in a deluxe they are separate. This room was top floor looking across to the boat dock. It had two queens - top floor. The best part was the balcony - it was huge! It had a round table and four chairs- it was about 10 feet by 12 feet- we loved it!

If you want a beach pool view room 2663 is perfect! It was top floor - two queens- deluxe room. It was right over the pool with a balcony also. You could also see the MK fireworks off the balcony.

I hope you have a wonderful trip!

 

[Cass]

Hi Dicecatt, have no worries about Portofino Bay, it is a beautiful place with a wonderful theme. I would just request to be centrally located as it looks like a bit of a walk from one of the wings. We had no trouble with the boats, there was always rooms and they came quickly.

Lombards, Mythos, Trattoria & Mama Della's all had delicious meals - I have a trip report with some photos started. You can click on the link in my signature.

 

[goofy!]

We love PBH! Used to be a diehard Poly fan, but PBH blows it away. Now, even when we have family reunions at Disney, we still choose to stay at PBH and drive over.

Our favorite wing is the West Wing. It is close to the pools and the easiest access to the boat dock.

As for balconies, you can request one, but they are very few and far between. So don't get your hopes up too high. If it happens, celebrate, if it doesn't - don't let it ruin your vacation.

The restaurant suggestions above are all good. However, since you need a recommendation for one more dinner, all I can say is that we never go to Universal without having at least one meal at Margaritaville. The kids love the stilt walkers and the balloon hats/animals and the volcano and we love the lively atmosphere. And the food isn't bad either.

 

[calgarygary]

You mentioned that you have LF and APH. The two can not be used together. If you have an APH rate, you will not receive LF benefits. If you are a AAA member, check into that rate as you will still receive LF benefits.

 

[Dicecatt]

Wow, thanks so much! What great reponses.

Okay...I'm leaning towards Mama Della's...my husband is Italian and it sounds like it is right up his alley...although I'm not into too much pasta but he puts up with Disney often for me, I can do Italian food for him . I have to get over my disapointment over not eating at Mythos. You can only do so much in three nights!

I didn't realize that the AP didn't go along with the LF, but that is okay...I got a decent price with the AP so I'm fine with that ($194 average per night for bay view standard, is that good??? Best I found and I've been looking since January). I also didn't realize balconies are so scarce, that is great to know! My husband somehow magically walks into places and people throw things at him...upgrades to concierge, views, special seating...not sure how he does it but I always have him check us in so maybe we'll be lucky and get a balcony. I heard the bay view is lovely. Question...are the rooms assigned in advance as they sometimes are at Disney?

What wonderful reponses so far, keep them coming! I'll check out trip reports and such of those who mentioned them. I am super excited about going to Universal for the first time! I know Disney so well that this is kind of a treat for me...all new! It is so different already. I called IOA to make reservations (so funny, I've had my Disney ressies for 5 months) and the guy on the phone had to yell over the sound of the Hulk Coaster...cracked me up.

Also, while we are at it...I am slightly prone to motion sickness. I love coasters, except for RnRc as I can't take the fast take off...but motion simulators are not the best for me. I wore motion sickness patches last Disney trip, and tried things I normally wouldn't, like Mission Space. Is there anything in particular at either Universal park that I might not do well? Mild simulators I'll be okay with the patch. Thanks again for all the great advice and tips, it is making me even more excited!

 

[Motherfletcher]

I always recommend going to Universal after WDW when staying onsite. Once you experience FOTL the lines at Disney tend to be disappointing. More than one die-hard Disney fan has crossed over once they had a taste of FOTL.
I wouldn't recommend Trattoria for lunch. We received 2 free lunch certificates last stay and it was just OK. I'd much rather hit Mythos for lunch.
Less than 10% of the rooms have balconies and some are faux balconies that you can't even open the french door onto because the railing is so close. Last stay we had a private balcony off the bedroom and a huge one of of the parlor.
I would request the west wing.