Universal resorts VS. Disney resorts

[leopardspot]

What are the differences? What are the advantages in staying in a Universal Resort?

 

[patster734]

Originally posted by leopardspot
What are the differences? What are the advantages in staying in a Universal Resort?

Advantage 1: Close proximity to Citywalk and the parks. Onsite hotel guests can take either a boat ride or a stroll along a pathway to get to Citywalk.

Advantage 2: FOTL! stand for front of the line access. Onsite hotel guests wait in a shorter queue line at the parks as compared to park guests staying off property. Many people consider this the biggest advantage!

Advantage 3: Certain Citywalk restaurants have priority seating for onsite hotel guests.

Advantage 4: Alot of options on getting reduced prices for your hotel stay.

I'm sure others will add to this list.

 

[highlander447]

FOTL need i say more

 

[antmaril]

I agree - FOTL is the best perk EVER!!!!

 

[sandar]

hi leopardspot,

We stayed at Portofino this past August, our first stay at a Universal resort. While the room itself was nice enough, I have to agree that the front-of-the-line perk is the main thing we liked about staying onsite.

The housekeeping staff was great. The rest of the staff at Portofino was just adequate, in my opinion -- efficient but on the chilly side. The checkin clerk was borderline rude. She made quite a point of us not getting any of the Leows First ameneties because we were booked on a discount rate (fan club), even though I hadn't asked about them. Hmph!

By contrast, the folks at the Yacht Club were smiling, upbeat, and extremely helpful. We were greeted warmly and treated to a complimentary upgrade, even though we were booked on an AP discount and hadn't asked about the chances of an upgrade.

I think a lot of how any of us feel about a hotel experience is based on our expectations. I'd stay at Universal again, maybe try Royal Pacific (closer to IOA and less expensive). But I'll take it more on its own terms and not look for that extra level of service and welcome.

my two cents,

Sandi

 

[gschmerl]

Everyone has different experience. I have stayed at WDW and Universal hotels and MUCH prefer the Universal hotels. I know people have been complaining about the Hard Rock Hotel lately, but our stays there were great. We tried Royal Pacific last summer and loved it. The hotels are within walking distance to the parks and provide water taxis and bus transportation. As previously stated, the FOTL can't be beat. There isn't a better perk offered anywhere.

 

[MarkMichaels]

I think its more of a "vacation" difference than a resort difference. We love Disney, have stayed several times at the Poly and Wilderness lodge. While the resorts at Disney are great, our last three trips and our next one are at the HRH and Universal. My favorite resort in Florida is the Poly, but I'd rather vacation at the Hard Rock.

The HRH has always been great for us, we've never had a complaint. When we do Disney, it seems like we don't get to relax much. Between waiting on transportation to the parks and waiting in lines, it takes all day to see a park. At Universal its much more relaxing to walk over to the park, jump on a few rides courtesy FOTL, then walk back to the pool for a couple hours and relax only to return to the parks in the late afternoon for a few more rides. With kids, it seemed like someone was always getting grumpy by the end of a day at Disney, too many lines. We don't have that problem at Universal.

Just my opinion.
Mark

 

[glawgirl]

My DH and I have been staying at the Portofino or at the Hard Rock since they opened and we have never had a problem except sometimes we have had had to deal with people at the front desk who were not the friendliest and kind of rude but that happens everywhere. We use to stay on Disney property but since Lowes Hotels accept pets we now stay there. I also find that all of the Disney resorts and have beautiful facades and beautiful lobbys and garden areas but the rooms are just blah unless you upgrade to a suite. We love the fact that if you stay on-site at Universal Studios you can take the boat over to the parks and you never have to wait in line because of the FOTL perk no matter how packed the parks are.

 

[jonemick]

Originally posted by MarkMichaels
I think its more of a "vacation" difference than a resort difference. We love Disney, have stayed several times at the Poly and Wilderness lodge. While the resorts at Disney are great, our last three trips and our next one are at the HRH and Universal. My favorite resort in Florida is the Poly, but I'd rather vacation at the Hard Rock.

The HRH has always been great for us, we've never had a complaint. When we do Disney, it seems like we don't get to relax much. Between waiting on transportation to the parks and waiting in lines, it takes all day to see a park. At Universal its much more relaxing to walk over to the park, jump on a few rides courtesy FOTL, then walk back to the pool for a couple hours and relax only to return to the parks in the late afternoon for a few more rides. With kids, it seemed like someone was always getting grumpy by the end of a day at Disney, too many lines. We don't have that problem at Universal.

Just my opinion.
Mark

I couldn't have summed it up better. We still do Disney, but the Universal part of our vacation is just as long and more laid back.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

We like both.

When we go to Universal with stay at HRH. Love the hotel, easy access to the parks and best of all FOTL.

Then we go to Disney and stay at GF. Love the hotel, easy access to parks, and a more relaxing atmosphere.

This year we're also taking two days between US/IOA and WDW to spend two nights at the "Nick" hotel. I know that sounds crazy but my kids are nuts for Nick cartoons and really just want to try it. We won't do the parks those two days just enjoy the pools and the fun atmosphere. That is unless DH is blinded by the over the top themes.

The biggest mistake I think people make is trying to compare US/IOA to Disney. They are completely different and I think you should enjoy them each for themselves.

 

[MUFFYCAT]

FOTL.
However, after going to Universal after Disney, Universal looks like one big local fair. It doesn't have the class and appeal that you feel at Disneyworld.
I know many don't agree but I'm sticking to WDW.

 

[patster734]

Originally posted by MUFFYCAT
FOTL.
However, after going to Universal after Disney, Universal looks like one big local fair. It doesn't have the class and appeal that you feel at Disneyworld.
I know many don't agree but I'm sticking to WDW.

Wow! If your local fair is like Universal, I need to move to Long Island!

 

[MarkMichaels]

Not sure if I agree with your "local fair" comment. The only thing I can think of that resembles the fair are the midway games by Amity in USO. And, those are done quite nicely unlike Animal Kingdoms midway area which does look cheap.

Both universal parks are beautifully themed. Universal and Disney are both great vacation destinations with their own pros and cons. You should experience both of them and make up your own mind. Some people prefer the "magic" of Disney, others prefer Universals great rides.

Again, just my opinion.

Mark

 

[webray]

We have stayed at almost every disney resort...and both Royal Pacific and Portofino at Universal.

Besides fotl access which has been mentioned many times..lol.

The Universal resorts are all deluxe. Even the RPR..is equivalent or better than most disney deluxe resorts. The room prices are better. Excellent room ammenities. Parks and entertainment all at your fingertips.

We love the universal resorts.

 

[smg1062]

You hit it on the nose. As much as we love WDW, it always seems like we're rushing to get to either a monorail, or bus line, or rushing to get from park to park. Unless you reserve extra days for RELAXING, WDW is more hustle and bustle. USO/IOA is also smaller, which lends itself to be able to relax more. We're going for nine nights and we certainly dont need all that for the parks. We plan on some good down time at the pools, walking, etc.

 

[johnvree]

I never have to deal with the dilemma of whether to stay at USO or Disney. We stay at both on our trips. Usually we divide up the time approximately 1/3 at USO and 2/3 at Disney. That is not a reflection on what we think about the Universal resorts vs. the Disney resorts. It is simply because there is more to do at Disney. On our first dual-destination trip, we spent 4 days at the Royal Pacific Resort and then split the remaining 10 days at the AKL and the Poly. The Poly is my favorite resort. On our next trip, we are doing the same thing, except we are splitting our Disney time between the Beach Club and the Poly.

Now, as for a comparison of the two destinations: IMHO, Universal parks and resorts are just a good as Disney's, though USO is smaller.

The three Universal resorts parallel the three original MK resorts (I know I am leaving out the WL). The Portifino is very similar to the Grand Floridian. Obviously, they are different themes, but they are similar in terms of being very upscale and catering to guests who prefer to be pampered and want to feel like they are staying in a very expensive resort. The HR parallels the Contemporary. Again, different themes, but similar in a way - both have that sterile, art deco, kinda-cool look. The comparisons between the Poly and the RPR are obvious.

The compare nicely in quality as well. The RPR was immaculate and the staff - from the bell hop, to the front desk, to the people delivering our room service, to the security person on a bike - were genuinely friendly. I think the Poly's grounds are better and more believable, but the RPR had the Poly beat in price and FOTL privilege.

I also think the parks are just as good at USO. Universal is just a clean as MGM, and I thought the staff were just as friendly as Disney's CMs. IOA is amazing and the theming is as good as anything Disney offers.

Bottom line: You can't go wrong staying at either destination. Disney has more to do, so I would stay there for a vacation longer than 4 days. But, if you have the time and don't mind the move, STAY AT BOTH. It is the best of both worlds.

 

[Dizma]

We have stayed at the WL, Poly, Yacht Club, AKL, GF and unfortunately the HRH. WDW resorts and HRH are like night and day when it comes to friendliness, service, and magic. WDW goes above and beyond when it comes to welcoming you, pampering you and making sure that you are completely comfortable. For instance @ WDW resorts: pleasant helpful CM's, maps , directions, surprise champaigne, fruitbaskets and chocolates in celebration of special occasions. Free upgrades without even asking, and even printing out our flight home boarding passes. All with a smile. It seems that they (@ WDW) are in business to make your day. Oh what MAGIC!
At the HRH they act like they are doing you a favor by letting you stay there.And smiles, they are few and far in between if at all. Maybe there is a reason that they are all dressed in black.

 

[gschmerl]

We have stayed at the WL, Poly, Yacht Club, AKL, GF and unfortunately the HRH. WDW resorts and HRH are like night and day when it comes to friendliness, service, and magic. WDW goes above and beyond when it comes to welcoming you, pampering you and making sure that you are completely comfortable. For instance @ WDW resorts: pleasant helpful CM's, maps , directions, surprise champaigne, fruitbaskets and chocolates in celebration of special occasions. Free upgrades without even asking, and even printing out our flight home boarding passes. All with a smile. It seems that they (@ WDW) are in business to make your day. Oh what MAGIC!
At the HRH they act like they are doing you a favor by letting you stay there.And smiles, they are few and far in between if at all. Maybe there is a reason that they are all dressed in black.

Sorry you had a bad experience at HRH. Our stays there have always been great. The staff has always been pleasant and very helpful. We were given free upgrades without asking for them at HRH and were treated very well.

 

[johnvree]

We have stayed at the WL, Poly, Yacht Club, AKL, GF and unfortunately the HRH. WDW resorts and HRH are like night and day when it comes to friendliness, service, and magic. WDW goes above and beyond when it comes to welcoming you, pampering you and making sure that you are completely comfortable. For instance @ WDW resorts: pleasant helpful CM's, maps , directions, surprise champaigne, fruitbaskets and chocolates in celebration of special occasions. Free upgrades without even asking, and even printing out our flight home boarding passes. All with a smile. It seems that they (@ WDW) are in business to make your day. Oh what MAGIC!
At the HRH they act like they are doing you a favor by letting you stay there.And smiles, they are few and far in between if at all. Maybe there is a reason that they are all dressed in black.

Have to agree with gschmerl, we have found the staff at the RPR to be very friendly and helpful. Like I said in my post above, everyone we encountered was genuinely friendly. Don't give up on Universal because of one bad experience. Also, try one of the other resorts.