Portofino vs. Hard Rock walk?

[herewego1]

Hi!
We will be going for a short trip (2 days). Trying to decide between these two hotels- which of these is a quicker walk to Universal? Is the closer walk enough to choose one of these over the other?

For those of you that have been both places, would you compare the walk from Disney's Beach Club to Hollywood studios more/less/the same as these hotels to Universal?

THANKS!

 

[macraven]

Hrh is a shorter walk to the parks than from pbh

 

[bumbershoot]

Is the closer walk enough to choose one of these over the other?

Not to me, given how much I love Portofino and how much I personally didn't care for HRH.

If you commit to taking the water taxis, it's the same walk for either since all boats dock in the same place.

 

[damo]

Beach Club to Hollywood Studios is further.

HRH to Universal is about 3 minutes walk. HRH to IOA is about 6-7.

PBH to Universal is about 7 using the shortcut. PBH to IOA is about 12 or so.

 

[herewego1]

"PBH to Universal is about 7 using the shortcut. PBH to IOA is about 12 or so."

Could you elaborate a bit more about this? Sorry, completely first timer here.

 

[damo]

"PBH to Universal is about 7 using the shortcut. PBH to IOA is about 12 or so."

Could you elaborate a bit more about this? Sorry, completely first timer here.

Here's a thread for you that might help.

http://www.disboards.com/threads/walking-distances.3530167/#post-56178316

 

[chrystie4141]

This is correct. PBH is about a 5 walk past HRH (down a flat sidewalk walk beside the lake). To be honest the walk for both is super easy and very nice. There are also bikes that will take you back for a tip from each park. I would look at both hotels and chose the hotel that you like over the walk. I for one do not take the water taxis (although they are great also), the walk is so pretty and easy that I love it. Although keep in mind if you have not been and you are thinking water taxi compared to Disney's bus they are nowhere near the same. I remember the days of running to the bus and praying it was not standing only. The water taxis are hardly ever full in my experience and if they are for some reason they call another one (which may take 5 minutes tops). I found myself no longer worrying about being late or running to stop and just relaxing and enjoying the vacation. The PBH will have bigger rooms and a huge bathroom with a great laid back theme to it. The HRH has more of a rocker, loud (but not to loud) theme to it. Also the HRH is smaller is size where the PBH is more spread out. We have stayed at each and while I prefer the PBH my husband and 10 year old prefer the HRH so that is where we end up now. Honestly, they are the two that think the 5 minute walk is not worth it and would rather be right on top of the rides I think it is totally worth it if you prefer the style of the PBH better. The Beach club is further than either hotel for the walk.

 

[herewego1]

This is correct. PBH is about a 5 walk past HRH (down a flat sidewalk walk beside the lake). To be honest the walk for both is super easy and very nice. There are also bikes that will take you back for a tip from each park. I would look at both hotels and chose the hotel that you like over the walk. I for one do not take the water taxis (although they are great also), the walk is so pretty and easy that I love it. Although keep in mind if you have not been and you are thinking water taxi compared to Disney's bus they are nowhere near the same. I remember the days of running to the bus and praying it was not standing only. The water taxis are hardly ever full in my experience and if they are for some reason they call another one (which may take 5 minutes tops). I found myself no longer worrying about being late or running to stop and just relaxing and enjoying the vacation. The PBH will have bigger rooms and a huge bathroom with a great laid back theme to it. The HRH has more of a rocker, loud (but not to loud) theme to it. Also the HRH is smaller is size where the PBH is more spread out. We have stayed at each and while I prefer the PBH my husband and 10 year old prefer the HRH so that is where we end up now. Honestly, they are the two that think the 5 minute walk is not worth it and would rather be right on top of the rides I think it is totally worth it if you prefer the style of the PBH better. The Beach club is further than either hotel for the walk.

This was SO VERY helpful! I can't thank you enough. I decided to use a TA for this trip because I don't have the time or patience to learn the ins and outs of Universal like I have done for Disney over the many years we have been going there. However, this TA sent me room prices. That's it. So much for the help from this TA.

THANKS AGAIN!!

 

[herewego1]

Here's a thread for you that might help.

http://www.disboards.com/threads/walking-distances.3530167/#post-56178316

THANKS!

 

[bumbershoot]

Timing of the walks is pretty personal, though. And if it's hot, all bets are off. It was very hot last week and our walk from RPR took 20 minutes including bag check to the IOA gates every time. PBH would have taken longer. I walk briskly (short person in a tall person world) and have NEVER made it from PBH to IOA in 12 minutes.

So you might be slower than others, but that's OK.

 

[damo]

This was SO VERY helpful! I can't thank you enough. I decided to use a TA for this trip because I don't have the time or patience to learn the ins and outs of Universal like I have done for Disney over the many years we have been going there. However, this TA sent me room prices. That's it. So much for the help from this TA.

THANKS AGAIN!!

I think this board will be much more helpful than most TAs.

 

[humphreydog]

If you are going to Universal from HRH, taking the boat is a longer walk than if you walk (taking the shortcut). BTW, there now is a garbage can where the parking lot short cut meets the citiwalk sidewalk to guide you.

 

[herewego1]

I think this board will be much more helpful than most TAs.

SO TRUE! I literally gave this TA tons of information and I get an email back with 2 hotel names and a price for each! That's it!

 

[herewego1]

If you are going to Universal from HRH, taking the boat is a longer walk than if you walk (taking the shortcut). BTW, there now is a garbage can where the parking lot short cut meets the citiwalk sidewalk to guide you.

Oh excellent! Thanks!!

 

[beebeeryan]

Sorry you're not getting the help you need from your TA, not all are like that, this one obviously doesn't know Universal well enough.

The walk from HRH is shorter, about 5-7 minutes from Citywalk. You just keep walking right past HRH to get to PBH and it's another 8-10 minutes at a leisurely pace. It can be done in 10 minutes, we've done it to beat a storm back, but walking normal, 15 minutes is more like it.

The security bag check is right at the end of the path just as you spill into Universal Studios entrance. If you take the boat, bag check is before you get on the boat.

 

[herewego1]

Sorry you're not getting the help you need from your TA, not all are like that, this one obviously doesn't know Universal well enough.

The walk from HRH is shorter, about 5-7 minutes from Citywalk. You just keep walking right past HRH to get to PBH and it's another 8-10 minutes at a leisurely pace. It can be done in 10 minutes, we've done it to beat a storm back, but walking normal, 15 minutes is more like it.

The security bag check is right at the end of the path just as you spill into Universal Studios entrance. If you take the boat, bag check is before you get on the boat.

Great information!! THANKS!