what would You do...VOTE!

[alexedan]

Situation is me, DH, DS5 and DS3 are going to WDW in October. We're checking in at the Polynesian Sun night. On Weds the grandparents are joing us. We plan to do MK Thirs, AK Friday, and US IOA on Saturday.Friday we havce dinner reservations at V&A and Sat have tickets for Party of the Senses. I was thinking of staying last 2 nights at Portofino Bay Hotel to get front of the line priveleges at IOA, but is it worth it? I heard you can also just pay extra for universal express plus. I need expert opinions. What would YOU do?

 

[Bob NC]

If you are going to the Universal parks, definitely STAY at a Universal resort. Front of the Line is awesome. Their transportation system is great since their resort properties are so close to both parks.

In MY opinion, the Universal resorts put the Disney deluxe resorts to shame. They actually treat you like a DELUXE guest, something that Disney doesn't do anymore.

 

[Robinette]

What Bob NC said!!

We LOVE Disney and will continue to stay there. But, Universal resorts are all deluxe. And FOTL is amazing!

May of 2003 I stayed at Royal Pacific for $110 a night (entertainment rate). That was a great deal! This October I'm paying $144 a night, still worth it. We will always stay two or three nights at Universal now.

Try it and see for yourself.

 

[MAC3]

Originally posted by Robinette
We LOVE Disney and will continue to stay there. But, Universal resorts are all deluxe. And FOTL is amazing!

I really is the only way to do!! If your going to IOA the definately stay there.

 

[WDW LifeLong Fan]

As everyone has stated, do stay at a Universal Hotel if you are going to their theme Parks. FOTL is without peer as far as a
"Park Perk". IMHO

We usually go 3-4 nights to HRH before our WDW stay for 7-10 nights and really love the FOTL access and finishing our trip inside the "Disney Magic"at WDW!

 

[Mercy]

We just did 7 nights at CSR and 4 nights at HRH. OMGOSH, FOTLA is so great and SO worth it!

My theory... if you are doing Disney stay at Disney, if you are doing US/IOA stay at a US/IOA resort!

 

[Barbday62]

Portifino is so luxurious it even makes the delux at disney seem budget. You ownt beleve how comffy the beds are and the room was so beautiful. The head of line thing is so worth it too!! Also the boat ride is so relaxing and beautiful to look back at the resort. We got Portifino at $150 a night with Entertainment book rate in MAy 2002

I voted split the stay. If you would have asked any other hotel I woulndt have been so quick to choose (mostly because I have never tried the other two hotels at Universal.

 

[BostonDisneyKid]

I'm a DVC owner (OKW) and I still transfer to the Universal resorts while going there as they are top-notch resorts with class and style. I've stayed at the Portifino and the Hard Rock Hotel (next will be the Royal Pacific just to try it out). I prefer the Hard Rock to Portifino for numerous reasons. Both are great hotels but I prefer the style, atmosphere and the uniqueness of the resort and the staff.

As everyone has said, FOTL access is not only a nice perk, it is "the perk" for me and no other place has it. You can buy this perk but it is per person per day + admission. It works out to be cheaper to stay there if you have more than 4 people in your family/party then adding the FOTL Access to your daily pass from what I have read on these discussion boards and have been told this by the Universal staff as well.

Barbday62 - Speaking of comfortable beds... Have you stayed at "The Swan" by chance? IMO, they have the best beds in all of Orlando!!! Talk about comfort!!!

 

[poohkinandpiglet]

I voted for splitting the stay.

I love IOA/US and we had a great time at HRH, but if I had to do it again, I'd wait until my kids are older. At 3 and 4, there wasn't as much for them to do with the height requirements/fear factor of rides.

DH and I will be returning without the kids so we can fully experience US/IOA/Citywalk and will definitely stay on US property for that portion of our trip.

 

[soccercruiser87]

i would say poly, i like disney a lot better....but thats just my opinion, it comes down to if you wanna mix it up...if not stay at disney.

 

[4greatboys]

You have to split the stay!! We love Disney and the Disney resorts but we also love Universal. They have great resorts and FOTL is awesome! We always split out stays and have never regretted it.

 

[Planogirl]

I would bet that most people who have stayed at a Loews resort would recommend splitting your stay. That is what I'd do and I love the Polynesian. However, the Loews resorts are super nice and well worth staying at.

 

[Aimeedyan]

Portofino is GORGEOUS!!! I personally think its much more deluxe and beautiful than Poly anyways, the location is wonderful, and the FOTL is AWESOME!!!!!!!!

Do Disney, stay Disney.

Do Universal, stay Universal.

Its the only way

 

[*Fantasia*]

FOTL is the best!! It is very much worth it to stay on-site. My favorite resort is Royal Pacific Resort. I just love the South Pacific theme. You can enjoy the boat ride to the CityWalk which is 2 minute walking distance to US/IOA. The pool is just awesome!! I love the pool there. We always pool hop. YES, THIS IS ALLOWED AT UNIVERSAL.

If you have AAA or Entertainment Card or Fan Club, you might want to inquire if they have any discounts available. You might also want to sign up for Loews Card so you can get a complimentary cookies/milk or champange (wine?), or a basket of fruits or whatever that was on the list (you just check the options you want when you check-in).

If you want more infos, just check out the Universal Board. I love Universal. I got hooked, so now I split my stay between Disney and Universal.

 

[Lexxiefern]

FOTL is well worth changing to Portofino for!! And Portofino Bay is absolutely beautiful! We stayed there 2 nights last october before heading to disney and it wasn't enough time. Definately split your stay!!

 

[JandT'smom]

Fothl is so great. You get my vote to split the stay