Universal newbie considering a trip in June--thoughts?

[mamamelody2]

So I have been to Disney a number of times, but never Universal.
Considering going in June, just my husband and I. We would get the seasonal APs then stay at CBBR from Friday 6/11 (flight would get in late) to Saturday 6/19 (flight would leave early.)
Is this too long? Would we be bored? We actually are looking for a much more relaxing trip than Disney. Would spend a lot of time at the pool. Is it worth an extra $200 for the 2 of us to the AP Volcano Bay? Seems like yes with such a long trip and CBBR right next to VB.
We are late 40s, enjoy rides, but can't do them over and over. Probably will skip a few of the more extreme ones due to motion sickness (and chicken-ness LOL). Likely we would go early morning, do a few things, head back for pool and/or nap, then back in the evening.
I feel like with 7 days we would be able to do everything we wanted multiple times even without the Express Pass. Yes? No? Considering one day at a premier hotel in the middle of the week to get two days of EP. Also considering doing 3 night CBBR, 2 nights Portofino, 3 nights CBBR. Can I get three separate hotel reservations with an AP?? Not sure how that works.

Any help is appreciated!! I will be asking more questions as well. I have started researching, but there is definitely way less Universal info out there than Disney info.

 

[macraven]

You can change room and have 3 separate reservations at the hotels

deposit needed for dog for each hotel room you book

 

[DisneyMom93]

You can change room and have 3 separate reservations at the hotels

deposit needed for dog for each hotel room you book

Dog? Who mentioned a dog??

 

[DisneyMom93]

I think it sounds like a great relaxing trip. We do five full days at Universal parks (Monday through Friday) and spend the weekends at the pool and Citywalk. Right now we go with two teen daughters, but I would definitely do it just my husband and me. I do enjoy the Express Passes and have never done Universal without them. They are included with our hotel stay though.

We always spend a day at CityWalk too, mostly for dining, but some shopping. We also spend a day or two at the pool (weekends). We love the pool at Hard Rock. It has a "sand beach" on one side. And a nice outdoor bar/restaurant that we do lunch and dinner at.

 

[DisneyMom93]

Also, there are some nice restaurants or casual dining in the parks and since you're not in a rush to get on rides it's great to just relax and eat and enjoy the atmosphere. And there are lots of stores to browse or shop.

 

[Gatrcruzer]

I can understand your reasoning for considering a hotel switch, but that sounds annoying to have to keep switching rooms - you lose time, and it is tiring/stressful. Have you considered Sapphire Falls? IMO it is as nice as the "deluxe" hotels but doesn't come with fast passes; it is a relatively easy walk from the parks, just next door to Royal Pacific. It's nice to be able to just walk back and forth during the day - maybe go for a few hours then hang out by the pool or go to City Walk. Given how long you will be there you are probably okay to skip the Express Passes. As far as too much time, it really depends on you. It sounds like a nice relaxing trip, but if you get bored you could always upgrade your passes to include Volacano Bay?

 

[mamamelody2]

Dog? Who mentioned a dog??

Hah! There is no dog!

 

[mamamelody2]

I can understand your reasoning for considering a hotel switch, but that sounds annoying to have to keep switching rooms - you lose time, and it is tiring/stressful. Have you considered Sapphire Falls? IMO it is as nice as the "deluxe" hotels but doesn't come with fast passes; it is a relatively easy walk from the parks, just next door to Royal Pacific. It's nice to be able to just walk back and forth during the day - maybe go for a few hours then hang out by the pool or go to City Walk. Given how long you will be there you are probably okay to skip the Express Passes. As far as too much time, it really depends on you. It sounds like a nice relaxing trip, but if you get bored you could always upgrade your passes to include Volacano Bay?

Well, we are trying to make this a "budget" trip and Sapphire Falls if $40 more per night, so over $300 extra over 8 nights. I don't think the shorter walk is worth it for us. Also I am really looking forward to the lazy river at CBBR!

 

[Gatrcruzer]

Well, we are trying to make this a "budget" trip and Sapphire Falls if $40 more per night, so over $300 extra over 8 nights. I don't think the shorter walk is worth it for us. Also I am really looking forward to the lazy river at CBBR!

I hear you. Personally, I would pay the extra $40/night to be walkable - it is really a lovely convenience to make your trip more stress-free. Just keep in mind that Cabana Bay is a really long walk (20-30 minutes), which means you will likely want to bus back and forth or drive, whereas at Sapphire it is more like a boat trip or 10-minute walk. However, if you are on a budget by all means pick the cheaper location.

 

[the46zone]

We are going during that same time frame. We are going for 4 days so we can also come back and enjoy the pool at the HRH. I hope you have a wonderful time, too bad about your dog though .

I think you may find that you hit a lot of the rides if you spend full days there (assuming a EP) so be sure to take it slow like you said. Go to the pool in the middle of the day when the park is crowded and hit the park mornings and evenings. Have dinner at CityWalk. Enjoy your time. I hope you have as much fun as we plan to.

 

[Shellyred8]

So I have been to Disney a number of times, but never Universal.
Considering going in June, just my husband and I. We would get the seasonal APs then stay at CBBR from Friday 6/11 (flight would get in late) to Saturday 6/19 (flight would leave early.)
Is this too long? Would we be bored? We actually are looking for a much more relaxing trip than Disney. Would spend a lot of time at the pool. Is it worth an extra $200 for the 2 of us to the AP Volcano Bay? Seems like yes with such a long trip and CBBR right next to VB.
We are late 40s, enjoy rides, but can't do them over and over. Probably will skip a few of the more extreme ones due to motion sickness (and chicken-ness LOL). Likely we would go early morning, do a few things, head back for pool and/or nap, then back in the evening.
I feel like with 7 days we would be able to do everything we wanted multiple times even without the Express Pass. Yes? No? Considering one day at a premier hotel in the middle of the week to get two days of EP. Also considering doing 3 night CBBR, 2 nights Portofino, 3 nights CBBR. Can I get three separate hotel reservations with an AP?? Not sure how that works.

Any help is appreciated!! I will be asking more questions as well. I have started researching, but there is definitely way less Universal info out there than Disney info.

As long as you are in decent shape, the walk from CBBR to the parks is totally doable, especially if it is a more relaxed trip. Also, they have a shuttle if you don't want to walk.
I would vote for just staying put at CBBR for the trip. Or, if you really want to do 2 nites at Portofino, I would do it at the beginning or end of the trip so you only have to do one move. But given that this is supposed to be a relaxing trip, you might be totally fine with doing two moves.
If you both like water parks, I would go for the volcano bay upgrade. My niece went and she loved it. I haven't been there myself yet, but hopefully some day!

We really enjoyed our stay at CBBR a couple of years ago and I wouldn't hesitate to stay there again. It was just a fun resort.

Have a great trip!

 

[bchbetha]

I think it's a fine plan. You might not want to do the parks every day and can enjoy exploring your hotel, neighboring hotels, Citywalk and also just use it as a base to do Seaworld, Kennedy Space Center, beach,...

 

[J'aime Paris]

We are going end of May into beginning of June. Staying at the Hard Rock Hotel.
For me unlimited EP is the only way to go! I feel I can have a lot more free time and relaxation value out of staying at a resort that offers EP.

I watch some popular theme park blogs, and they are predicting a busy, capacity hitting summer...
Just because you have more days, do you want to spend most of it waiting in lines?

 

[DisneyMom93]

If splitting the vacation I personally would do the first two days at the resort that gives you EP (you only need to stay one night to get EP for two days) if you’ll be going to the parks starting on a week day.

I don’t think going to the parks on a weekend with or without EP is worth it because it’s so much busier. And if you use the EPs the first two days then you’ll know which rides you’d like to do again now that you will have to spend time in line for that. You’ll know which rides aren’t worth the wait.

Edited to add: I love the pool and atmosphere at Hard Rock though, so spending the days I'm staying there at the park defeat the purpose of staying at HRH for the pool etc. So I'm not sure what I would do in your place.

Personally I would stay the whole week at HRH. It's so close to the park, too.

 

[Bethany10]

this is what we did in 2019 and we loved it. 7 days at CBBR with 3 park passes.
Busses were fast and easy, virtually no wait.
Lots to do at the resort, I found the pool bar to be lovely and the food was good as well.
EASY walk to VB, and often we'd hit the park in the morning and then my son and I would hit VB where he would hang out in the wave pool and I'd hang out in a chair with my book.
If you need a little Disney spend some time at Disney Springs, we actually loved it more than we thought and have plans to return for a meal this June.

Lastly, as someone who is planning a June trip I'd book your room ASAP. I'm seeing room availability shrink as more and more people become comfortable with travel this summer.

 

[macraven]

Dog? Who mentioned a dog??

When I am sent a pm on the same questions but it also includes something else (a pet stay), I answer both questions in the thread .

That is where the dog came into play with my responses
It was an add on and short cut for me to answer two questions with one portion that included a pet in the room.

I never ignore posts with questions on the threads or those sent to me privately
I try to answer all inquiries and help all peeps.

With me being the only moderator that handles all 4 forums I take short cuts at times

I know peeps don’t want to wait a week for an answer to their questions.

I guess some posters are shy to posting questions and I never fail to help or reply to all.

All questions open or private I try to answer quickly.
I would feel bad if someone thought I was ignoring them

So that is how the dog got into a portion of your answer.

 

[mamamelody2]

I appreciate your help!

 

[mamapenguin]

I hear you. Personally, I would pay the extra $40/night to be walkable - it is really a lovely convenience to make your trip more stress-free. Just keep in mind that Cabana Bay is a really long walk (20-30 minutes), which means you will likely want to bus back and forth or drive, whereas at Sapphire it is more like a boat trip or 10-minute walk. However, if you are on a budget by all means pick the cheaper location.

How long is the Sapphire Falls walk in comparison to the parking garage? I think you might have sold me, trying to plan an extra trip that isn’t expensive. Doing RPR in October I had no idea Cabana Bay was such a long walk...

 

[CAPSLOCK]

Cabana Bay is fine if you take the shuttle bus (note that the actual buildings at CBBR have amazingly long hallways). Those hallways are better mentally after a sit down on the bus, rather than after the walk back from the parks. The shuttle buses are easy and convenient. Obviously the boats are nicer & since they drop off within CityWalk it is even closer. Whether that is $40/night nicer is a personal question.

 

[mamamelody2]

After more research and thinking, I booked Royal Pacific for the first 3 nights, then Cabana Bay for the rest.
I think it will be super nice to have the Express Passes for our first four days. Probably after that, we won't need to go in to the parks much at all. It's a bit of a splurge, but we are really looking forward to it and my husband especially
deserves it after working in our living room for a solid year (and no end in sight.)

Thanks for the help everyone!