Portofino Bay Universal

[jpinj1]

We stayed at the Portofino Bay Nov. 14th and 15th 2002. We arrived very early after our Disney cruise. Our room was not ready, which was expected, so they gave us our room keys for front of the line access. If saved a a little time and was fun but the park was pretty empty, with lines of only about 10 minutes max. Only ride with a big line was Spiderman. When we got back to the hotel all was set and we did get an upgrade. I booked a standard room, garden view i think. We got a room with a bayview, beautiful, and only 4 rooms away from the boat to the parks. We did have to call once to remind them to bring our bottle of wine for the Lowes club, and also once more to remind to bring the kids check in gift, which was a sand bucket and shovel with suckers, and a hat. The room itself was wonderful, bathroom huge, beds had the soft pillows and comforter. I did expect bathrobes in the room, but there were none. We did use the pools one night. The main pool closes at 8pm. Which is a little early in my opinion. The parks close at 7 and by the time you get back and change. The pool was nice though with sand at the ends. after 8 we switched to the other pool by the cabanas. The inroom wakeup calls are great. Better than Disney. You get to pick which character you want. Either Spiderman, Dennis the Menice, Betty Boop, Dr. Suess, or Olive Oil. All in all i would stay here again, but would probably try the new Budget priced hotel next time. Its hard to warrant $162 a night with tax. Mo wonder we felt there were only like 50 people in the whole hotel.Our room number was 3131.

 

[mouseclick1]

Thanks for the report. We are staying at PB for 3 nights in June for the first time. Never been to US/IOA but really looking forward to it!

 

[jpinj1]

As you walk around all you smell is the Garlic and Italian food in the air.!!!

 

[PartyofSix]

Thanks for a great trip report. I did'nt know that PBH had charcter wake up calls! COOL. I guess were to lazy to know that huh?LOL I'll have to get them to calll the rooms anyways just later than most normal people. I know the section of rooms your speaking of and and I would not prefer to stay there myself. You had a ground level room right? I saw the wing and it's just not my taste. You should have called ss and requested the robes. I think you would have been more impressed in a heavy month. When crowds are low it's hard to jusify paying a premuim to stay on site. On the other hand I would never NOT stay there in peak seasons because of the FOTL. The hotel is to die for in my book. Have a wonderful Holiday. BTW/ what did you think of the special events at the parks? Grinch? Macy's? Ice Skating rink?

 

[Dano1182]

What are the pools like at portofino?I stayed at Hard Rock and was disssapointed at the pool.It is only about three feet deep.
It was avery hot day and the pool was like swimming in warm tea.