Which hotel with Toddler?

[jacknsally19]

Hi everyone! We are planning our first trip to Universal during the last week of January 2015. We are going on a Disney cruise and decided to go down a few days early and check out Universal. I know that we will likely be limited in what we can do with a toddler but I was wondering what hotel you'd suggest for a small family with a three year old. When I travel to WDW, I always book a deluxe hotel because I like having a balcony / patio so that we can sit outside when my DD is sleeping. It looks like Portofino is the only hotel with that option. However, I looked at the Cabana Bay and it looks like I can get a family suite for a reasonable price but wouldn't be able to get FOTLA. I'm not sure that's really important for Universal given the timing and the fact that we probably wouldn't go on many roller coasters. Anyway, I'd appreciate any insight / experience from others. And I'm completely open to any of the hotels!

 

[bumbershoot]

There are very few balconies at PBH, so don't count on getting one.

Unlimited Express Pass isn't just for coasters! It's for EVERY ride and show except for the few it's not for (Forbidden Journey, Pteranodon Flyers, Ollivanders and whatever in the new WW section). If you can get on the Carouseussel in 2 minutes instead of 15, it's a bonus. And so on.

 

[Dopey1808]

We love Royal Pacific. Our kids 6 and 4 find it great. The pool. The fast walk to the park or boat. You can sit in the lobby/bar on huge comfy couches order a drink and some sushi while the kids watch tv or play on ipad. Its loud since it in the lobby. So dont have to worry about the kids making too much noise. In August will be our third stay at Royal pacific.

 

[hermionesnape]

Hi everyone! We are planning our first trip to Universal during the last week of January 2015. We are going on a Disney cruise and decided to go down a few days early and check out Universal. I know that we will likely be limited in what we can do with a toddler but I was wondering what hotel you'd suggest for a small family with a three year old. When I travel to WDW, I always book a deluxe hotel because I like having a balcony / patio so that we can sit outside when my DD is sleeping. It looks like Portofino is the only hotel with that option. However, I looked at the Cabana Bay and it looks like I can get a family suite for a reasonable price but wouldn't be able to get FOTLA. I'm not sure that's really important for Universal given the timing and the fact that we probably wouldn't go on many roller coasters. Anyway, I'd appreciate any insight / experience from others. And I'm completely open to any of the hotels!

As long as your not there on a holiday weekend in January, I would say express passes are not needed, a nice plus, but not required to have a blast.

The family suites at Cabana Bay are very large from my understanding. But, the service level is not the same as at a Deluxe resort. They don't have bad service it's just you can't expect even a really good three star hotel to have the same offerings and service level as a five star hotel.

These are a few things to factor into your decision about a hotel at universal. I think it comes down to budget and what you want out of your hotel. I suggest reading all of the extras at Cabana Bay verses a Deluxe (I would recommend either RPR or HRH as they are closest to the parks).

 

[RMulieri]

Balconies at PBH are few and they are now given as a first come/first serve basis( can not book them ahead) and there is a nightly charge for them $15 per night for a "Juliet" ( standing only )balcony and $30 per night for a full balcony.As of now , no charge for a patio, but you can't reserve in advance either

 

[rcraw45425]

Balconies at PBH are few and they are now given as a first come/first serve basis( can not book them ahead) and there is a nightly charge for them $15 per night for a "Juliet" ( standing only )balcony and $30 per night for a full balcony.As of now , no charge for a patio, but you can't reserve in advance either

wow, did not know that about the fee for balconies. We were CL in villa room and didn't even realize we had a real balcony until the second day, so used to not having one!

 

[jacknsally19]

Thanks for the feedback. The Royal Pacific hotel looks very nice so maybe we will try that... I'm really surprised that the hotels don't have more balconies. I love sitting outside especially as some one that comes from New England. Its great sitting outside in the middle of winter!

 

[RMulieri]

wow, did not know that about the fee for balconies. We were CL in villa room and didn't even realize we had a real balcony until the second day, so used to not having one!

It's a new thing .They only started this about a month or so ago