Universal Resorts worth visiting? Any cool shops, quick service food, hammocks, etc?

[fungchono]

I'm staying at Cabana Bay on an upcoming trip and after being there a few times I think i'm gonna take a day and use the boat at city walk to travel to the other Universal Resorts. Are there any notable things to hit at these resorts? When I stay at Disney I usually like to hit the the Poly, Wilderness Lodge, etc to do shopping at their stores or relax on their beach etc.

On a side note.. is it true that if you stay at a Universal Resort that you can go to any of their pools to use? If so.. which would be cool to relax at for an hour or so? Last time I was at Cabana Bay they told us to try to check out the other pools.

Oh and is there any night events worth going to the other resorts for? Better outdoor movie area or a must-do restaurant? I really wanted to try to do a Universal stay-cation and not leave the area for once lol.

 

[RMulieri]

At Portofino Bay Sals marketplace has fantastic pizza. Also at sunset they have opera singers on the balcony overlooking the Piazza.. I love sitting there with a glass of wine listening to them..Portofino has 3 pools.. The Beach pool is the themed pool with a slide built into an ancient lighthouse .The villas pool is a very serene simple pool and the Hillside pool is a very quiet pool

 

[pepperandchips]

Ditto what previous poster said - we loved the food at Sal's (great pizza) and enjoyed just sitting outside of Sal's listening to live music wafting over from the Thirsty Fish bar in the next building.

 

[macraven]

Rpr on Saturdays at 6:00, have calling if the conch, fire dancer, entertainment for all near the pool by the side of tower 3

Free and fun for guests and day visitors from the other onsite hotels

This is listed on the UO website in the rpr section