Universal Hotel & switching to WDW Hotel?

[pollyanna]

Has anyone done this?

Thinking of 2 nights at a Universal Hotel,mainly to catch any "night shows" at Universal Studios (or to visit Universal's version of "Downtown Disney"-Citywalk)...is there any shows/fireworks comperable to what WDW does at night?

 

[BarryHom]

Fireworks usually occur during busy times. If you're going in the next month, you can see Grinchmas at IOA or the Macy's parade at USF. Grinchmas usually has a tree lighting celebration at around 6 pm. The Macy's parade will probably occur in the evening too.

 

[dylansdad]

Been back from our trip for about 2 weeks now. We spent 5 nights at the BC and then transferred to the HRH for 2 nights. What a great time. The HRH is awesome. Great room, great service, great food, and great pool. FOTL IS THE BEST!!!! What a great way to unwind after a disney trip. It just makes it so relaxing knowing you can ride what you want ,whenever, without having to worry about the crowds. I really wouldnt want to go the route you suggest because I think you will get spoiled not having to wait in line and when you get to WDW your patience level will be way low.

 

[irish]

Dylansdad, I am chuckling at your comment. We are leaving on Thursday to do just your opposite..........My thinking was actually "leaving the best for last"...I'm sure it will work out fine; but I did get a moment's hesitation at your explanation.....

 

[dylansdad]

Irish, have a great trip!!

 

[Disneymooners]

Ditto Irish..

We are spending 4 days at the RPR and 8 at WDW for our Honeymoon.

I hope we didn't do it backwards

Disneymooners

 

[irish]

Thank you, Dylansdad - we're really looking forward to it....It's been two long years since our last trip.... I'll have to let you know whether or not you're right on, when we get back......
Disneymooners - congrats to you both.....Enjoy - as I know you will.......

 

[tiggerguy2000]

 

[gina2000]

We did 4 days at the Portofino and 4 at WL. Next time I'll reverse it. Portofino is just too hard an act to follow!

 

[tiggerguy2000]

GINA2000, you are not wrong when you say Disney first then universal. Im going in 2 weeks to disney for christmas/new years but when i return again in july im trying to do disney first .


tiggerguy2000 ºoº

 

[corvair]

gina, Just wondering what is was about Portafino you liked so much. We stayed at WL last trip and my DH loved it. In June we are staying at Portafino for 3 nights, we were going to stay at HRH, but DH wanted Port. I am having second thoughts about Portafino. I saw it on the great hotels and it looked boring. Tell me why you loved it. thanks...amy

 

[tiggerguy2000]

Portafino seems to much for the younger people. The hard rock is more for fun, Let yourself loose kind of place while portafino's got that uptight crusty feeling. I have stayed at the rock twice and im going back again this july. I might stay half the time at Hard rock and Royal Pacific. Wait i got an idea! Stay at the rock 7/4-7/6 Then over to Disney 7/7-7/11 DVC Beach Club Villas and back to Royal Pacific 7/12-7/14. Enough about my plans but gina whats up with portafino?

 

[eclipseSD]

Here is my July Plan:

July 22nd-Universal-check in at HRH
July 23rd-Universal/IOA for entire day
July 24th-Shuttle Launch
July 25-Check out of HRH and check in at BCV
July 26-30th: All Disney World

 

[ozziewags]

We are doing HRH 2 days (while it is still value season), then the Swan from Dec. 24-31. I understand what you say about FOTL and all, but when we do disney, we golf, enjoy the resort and don't rush around all day trying to do all the rides. We know what we like and go with the flow. So for us, I am hoping this works.

 

[dylansdad]

We " go with the flow" and relax as well at WDW, but you still have to consider that I'll go to this park when it opens and when it gets crowded we will go here, or that lines too long right now> At HRH you truely are at ease because you dont have to worry about any of that! It was a great place to unwind after WDW. The pool was awesome as were the "love potion #9s" at the bar.

 

[Mittman]

I've stayed at all three hotels and they are all great in their own right.

Portofino is my favorite because it really feels like you are on vacation in Italy. Just walking around the property, it is so peaceful that I can't believe I am at a theme park. The rooms are more elegant than the other two hotels.

The Hard Rock is a very fun hotel. If you are looking to come back from the parks and go to the bar all night, this is your hotel.

The Royal Pacific felt like the most "family" oriented hotel. It was more hopping at night than the Portifino, but not as busy as the Hard Rock.

You honestly can't go wrong with any hotel. I would recommend the Portifino to a couple who wants to get away from it all. The Hard Rock is perfect for people with teenagers or if you want to be up at the bar all night. The Royal Pacific great for families with younger children.

 

[Debsi]

We are just back and here is what we did:-

2 nights RPR, 7 nights off-site (Vistana resort), 3 nights ASSp. I know we went severely downhill but it wasn't all that bad. It wasn't planned that way either we added the first 2 nights at the last minute! Disney is Disney after all and will always be special, but I am a real Universal parks convert.

Universal Express was fantastic and I checked out HRH as well and totally agree with previous posts that it would be better for older families or a more lively clientele.

Would definitely stay at Universal again for duration of time that I wanted to visit the parks, and maybe a few more days for relaxation.

Debbie

 

[Aisling]

Mittman, thanks for your helpful opinions on the 3 hotels. I've read so much about them, but you hit the nail on the head as far as the info I'm looking for. We're already booked for RP, but I kept doubting whether to switch. I have kids and am looking for a more "family" type atmosphere. And RP sounds great.
You mentioned night time activity at the hotels. At RP, what kind of activity do you mean?
Thanks!

 

[Mittman]

Royal Pacific still had things like Jake's Bar and Grill open until about 1:00 AM I think. Also there was a small bar upstairs that I believe was open late. There aren't really any activities, but the Royal Pacific didn't feel dead after 8 PM like the Portifino.

But there wern't as many people up late in the bar and lobby areas like there was at the Hard Rock. Maybe it's just because I was there 2 years ago for the Super Bowl and there were a lot of people at the hotel that were in town for the game too, but the Hard Rock seemed like there were always people out and about all night long.

The Royal Pacific is a great hotel for young kids mainly because of the pool area. It doesn't have a waterslide like the Hard Rock, but the kids I saw at the water play area seemed to be having a blast. You guys can also hop on the boat anytime and check out the other hotels, but you won't need to. The Royal Pacific is a great hotel.

 

[gina2000]

Sorry, guys.....just saw this.

First thing....I am 45 and we were travelling with all adults and one child (age 8) who adores IOA. Portofino suited all of our needs...quick trip to the park for DS and a relaxed, elegant atmosphere for the "young at heart". The rooms were elegant, the bar fabulous and the atmosphere unbeatable. Definitely adult. Definitely upscale. It was quiet....maybe too quiet if you plan to spend alot of time at the pool....which we did not. We also went off season (November) so I can't tell you what a stay at a different time of the year would be like.

Trying to compare Portofino with Wilderness Lodge is almost impossible. WL rooms are smaller, too dark and IMO need refurbishment. It was a bit of a shock after being at Portofino though by no means a negative experience. The atmosphere of the lobby and pool area is wonderful for kids and great for adults, too! It's just a much more bustling, busy environment. That's why I suggested doing WDW first. Do your running and then do your relaxing!

As far as the parks are concerned, there are alot more choices for a diverse family group at WDW. People go their separate ways and have a great time. IOA/US is a bit more limited concerning that type of option.

Next trip out, we may do Hard Rock. We liked the looks of the hotel ..... just never had any time to get there.