Resort Options for a family of 5

[Nancy for Disney]

I am already thinking about my next trip to the Orlando area. I just got back from a Disney Trip last month. I am looking at early summer 2011. I always like to do things as inexpensively as possible but do want to keep up with quality. What are the best options for a family of 5 to go to Universal? I am trying to decide if I want to stay on Disney Property and then drive to Universal for a day or if I want to do a split stay with Universal property or something near Universal. I do really like the FOTL option. I hate waiting in lines. Obviously I am at the beginning stages of planning. We will have a 17 yr old, 15 yr old and 10 yr old at the time. I am thinking we are going to drive this time so we will have a car. Is Unversal a one or two day park. Our primary objective is to see the Harry Potter stuff but I know there has to be other stuff to do. If we stay on Disney Property I am either going to get two rooms at a value resort or do the family suite at a value resort.

 

[breebella]

I am already thinking about my next trip to the Orlando area. I just got back from a Disney Trip last month. I am looking at early summer 2011. I always like to do things as inexpensively as possible but do want to keep up with quality. What are the best options for a family of 5 to go to Universal? I am trying to decide if I want to stay on Disney Property and then drive to Universal for a day or if I want to do a split stay with Universal property or something near Universal. I do really like the FOTL option. I hate waiting in lines. Obviously I am at the beginning stages of planning. We will have a 17 yr old, 15 yr old and 10 yr old at the time. I am thinking we are going to drive this time so we will have a car. Is Unversal a one or two day park. Our primary objective is to see the Harry Potter stuff but I know there has to be other stuff to do. If we stay on Disney Property I am either going to get two rooms at a value resort or do the family suite at a value resort.

The Universal hotels can sleep 5 in a room. They have rollaway beds available and the deluxe rooms have a pull out sofabed.

 

[damo]

One of the best options is the deluxe room at the Hard Rock. It has two queen sized beds and a pullout. The pullout is not the most comfy but one of the kids would probably be fine on it.

 

[RACEFAN9]

Go to the universal studios website and click hotels and check the prices for each hotel.Last Oct.we got a super saver rate and got the Portafino resort cheaper than royal pacific.If you are going to do Disney also,I would do Disney first cause once you go to Universal my kids don't care to go back to Disney.

 

[cieslack]

Do yourself a favor and stay onsite. I agree that you should do Disney first and Universal second. We went to Disney in 2008 and took a day trip to US/IoA. Disney was nice and there were some exceptional rides and shows, but we loved Universal and have made it our vacation destination ever since. Don't underestimate the value of the Express Pass.

 

[Lucky'sMom]

One of our best hotel experiences EVER was staying in the deluxe room at Portofino Bay. Just gorgeous, so spacious (the bathroom was HUGE) and the view....oh, it was of that beautiful Venitian bay! The deluxe room had a pull-out sofa.