Universal hotels - can I get some help choosing please

[HappyGrape]

We stayed few times at Hard Rock and honestly - we loved it but I feel change will be good

We are looking to stay one night and make use of express passes in October
This leave us with Portofino Bay or Royal Pacific Resort
Price is same

how long does it take to walk to the parks?
Which one would you choose and why?
Do they have exact same cost for overnight parking?
Do they get the same benefits

 

[RMulieri]

We always stay Portofino. We like that it is a bit further from the parks and feels secluded. The rooms are slightly bigger and we love the theming and the 3 pools there . Walking is 10-15 mins depending on your pace. They are the same in resort benefits. Not sure about parking. we never bring a car

 

[mjhtvchick]

We stayed at RP and absolutely loved it...we have not experienced PB though, so I can't really compare the two.

There are definitely some differences, PB is the furthest from the parks if you are walking. RP is not as close as HR but is a very pretty easy walk. The path comes out right next to Margaritaville so it is closer to IOA.
The rooms at PB are larger than at RP.
The pools are different as well...I believe there are 2 pools at PB and a waterslide. RP has only one pool and no waterslide, but it does have a cute splash area.

I can't really comment on the dining as we mostly ate at Citywalk.

 

[snoopboop]

I've stayed at both multiple times.

Same benefits at both properties, so it really just comes down to personal preference!

RP is closer to the parks. PB is the farthest away of all three deluxes. But it's still walkable - about 10-15 minutes in my experience.

The food has been the deciding factor for me.... ALL that you will find at PB is Italian food. If you absolutely love Italian, then it's pretty great, I guess..... but for me, I don't tend to crave Italian, and especially not after I've been walking around the parks all day in the sun - I don't crave a heavy pasta meal! The dining options at RP are definitely more varied.

 

[bumbershoot]

Same parking cost (pb has a garage while rp is an open lot like hr, same perks.

Little bit longer walk from pb.

Rooms are bigger at pb.

We adore portofino. But royal is fine too.

 

[macraven]

All have same benifits and parking charges

My love is rpr

 

[wookiebeck]

Both are great resorts, you will have fun regardless of your final choice.

If price is truly the same, I'd go with PB. The room is larger. Two pools, one with great water slide for all ages. Park in garage keeps car cool, too.

 

[tjmw2727]

I am in the exact same situation OP love HRH but decided to try something new in August. We are currently at PB due to the larger room size but a concern is the distance from the parks and the restaurant choices!

Can I piggy back and ask if either PB or RP have a "grab and go" type" section like HRH has with breakfast cereals and snacks as well as bottled beverrages and such?

 

[pcstang]

RPR has a grab and go in orchids by the lobby. PBR has a Starbucks with pastries etc.

 

[macraven]

Rpr Orchids Lounge in their lobby at 6 am to 11 each day
Closes at noon on weekends

Basic breakfast foods counter service
More about it in the rpr sticky

Same with pbh sticky

I have used them before and liked having something in the hotels with reasonable prices

 

[tjmw2727]

So neither has a grab and go like HRH with cold cereal, bottled beverages, chips etc?

 

[macraven]

The places have take out
Pick up what you want, pay for it and go

 

[tjmw2727]

The places have take out
Pick up what you want, pay for it and go

I understand that - not looking for a quick serve/counter serve restaurant but do they have a place to pick up things like single serve cereal, bottles of soda/water/beer, bags of chips and such? HRH has a "store" jn the area with the starbucks and ice cream place. We like to grab cereal, milk and fruit to bring back to the room in the evening for the next morning breakfast for example

 

[macraven]

Yes
The other two have stores
With some of the basics

 

[tjmw2727]

Yes
The other two have stores
With some of the basics

Thanks that helps!

 

[illinidp]

Definitely PBR for the same price. No question. Watch last fall's video podcasts on both if you need help deciding.

 

[keishashadow]

We stayed few times at Hard Rock and honestly - we loved it but I feel change will be good

We are looking to stay one night and make use of express passes in October
This leave us with Portofino Bay or Royal Pacific Resort
Price is same

how long does it take to walk to the parks?
Which one would you choose and why?
Do they have exact same cost for overnight parking?
Do they get the same benefits

My fav is PBH. Love the classic vibe there. RPR is more lively, neither as much as HRH IMO.

That said, I book whichever has lower rate. If more than 3 pp, we book @ PBH in order to get the bigger suite (via the youfirst program benefits). Really nice to have the 2nd full bathroom @ PBH in the suites too.

We've been landing @ RPR lately, and enjoy it there, especially their King suite.

If I were going to walk from the resort (and that's a big if, no issue with the boats as I think they're fun & I get more than enough walking in the parks lol), I'd go with RPR. Probably would be best for a 1 night stay.

When we do breakfast, we don't bother at resorts. We head directly to park and grab something quick. Typically, just grab eat an early lunch as main meal of the day. Find we don't tend to eat much in the parks, combo of heat & walking, mostly just thirsty. If lingering at the pool first, we'll munch on a snack we picked up prior to arriving @ the resort.

 

[bumbershoot]

If price is truly the same, I'd go with PB. The room is larger. Two pools, one with great water slide for all ages. Park in garage keeps car cool, too.

3 pools! The hillside pool is tiny and almost impossible to find (their directional sign has pointed the wrong direction to it for all our visits there) but it's there.

True about the garage but we've found it to feel like a steam bath in there. The car is cooler but I'm a sweaty mess by the time I get to it. .

 

[wookiebeck]

True about the garage but we've found it to feel like a steam bath in there. The car is cooler but I'm a sweaty mess by the time I get to it. .

We drove waaaay down in the garage. Go deep under cover and right at the door to the elevator (no one else is down there and you get choice spot). Jump in the elevator and pop out at the valet parking desk. No walking required. That remains my best original tip on these boards. Everything else I learned from you and Mac! THX