Which of the Universal Resorts Do You Prefer?

[aubriee]

I'll be at WDW with my mom mid May for ten nights/eleven days and was thinking about spending a couple of nights over at Universal. I've stayed at Royal Pacific twice, but have never been inside the Hard Rock or Portofino Bay resorts. I know RPR is within easy walking distance and my mom will be in an ECV, which means at RPR we could walk and avoid the boat. How far are the other two resorts from the parks? Using an AP discount, Portofino Bay and Hard Rock are the exact same price and Royal Pacific is only $56.00 cheaper for the two nights, so the price is about the same. Why do you like one over the other and which would you choose for two females?

I'm still unsure if we are even going to stay over there though. I'd be looking at going to Universal Sunday-Tuesday. I already have a one bedroom condo booked at Wyndham Bonnet Creek and can not change my dates, so would be paying for those two nights at Bonnet Creek in addition to the room at Universal. However, I like the idea of not having to drive over to Universal three days, having front of the line pass for three days, and having a place for my mom to go back and rest mid day.

 

[tajz90]

Hard Rock. We feel it's the easiest walk its our favorite. We've stayed at all 3.

 

[RMulieri]

Portofino is our favorite..I like the theming, that it feels secluded( it is the furthest from the parks but still isn't too far) and the restaurants are fantastic

 

[keishashadow]

All are very nice

PBH my fav, a true deluxe resort

RPR lovely theme, but more compact/less public space imo and not as luxe as PBH. Certainly more lively, seems to always have more kids when we visit especially at the pool.

HRH is oh so cool, the staff espouses the hipster mode. My kids love it, fun indeed, but i prefer a bit more refined experience, however, it's crazy close to the parks. If walking distance were of primary concern, it'd be at the top of my list.

It's not the same experience staying offsite imo. Prepaid rates have tripped up me in last minute tweaking of plans too but i'm betting you snagged a great rate that'd take the sting off it if you let a night or two go.

options: can you consider adding on 1 night at end of your stay to get two days in the parks & do you have any idea how long they'll hold the room for your arrival? You could hit U first then transfer over to BC and be able to check in 'early' if you like.

good luck

 

[macraven]

RPH is my home away from home.




if you do a search, you will see the past polls for favorite onsite hotel.

i know i did a detail essay in one of them the past 6 months explaining my love and enjoyment for RPH.



aubriee, sometimes you can't consider the extra hotel costs a make it or break it decision, for what is best for you and mom.

it will cost you more as you already have a paid place for your entire stay.
but, it will be less time consuming, relaxing, less stressful situation if you do stay onsite for those few nights.


your mom will have her w/c.
she will be able to get back to the hotel within a short time period.
she can rest out of the sun and away from crowds at the hotel.
4 places plus 24 hours room service for dining needs at rph.

if she needs a break or rest period after being in the park for 2 hours, so much easier to go back to the onsite room instead of going back to the garage for your car to drive back to the Bonnet Creek hotel.
after an hour break, do you drive back to the darkside parks then?


flip a coin to decide if you go with convenience or money as the decision maker.


if it was me, i would favor any decision that made the trip more pleasurable for my parental unit.

 

[schumigirl]

I voted RPR.............

Don`t want to stay anywhere else.

Love everything about the hotel.

Sounds like it might be ideal for your mum to be close to a place you can take her to if she needs a little break in the middle of the day.

 

[Bluer101]

RPR for us as well. Never stay anywhere else. Will be back there in a few weeks.

 

[nhrenee]

I voted for the Portofino. We love the peacefulness. But I did stay at the Hard Rock girls only trips and I loved it! I loved being able to walk so easily.

 

[lhguillory]

We are going to Universal for the first time over Thanksgiving. Knowing how busy it will be, we are planning to switch from our resort near Disney to a Universal hotel. With a group of 5, it looks like all three hotels will be able to accommodate us in some manner (plus my kids are younger and could squeeze into a queen bed). I am leaning toward RPR.

 

[glocon]

I voted for HRH because we love the theme and the vibe. It is the closest to the parks, but let's face it- none of the resorts are too far from the parks. It is actually the only resort at UO we have stayed at, but we have visited all three. It is just fun fun fun, and young young young.


Love the theme and the feel of RPR, and if my son was younger (he's 16 now) or we were going without him, that is where we would stay. It is a pretty walk to IoA, and not much farther to US. The pool is great for younger kids. I know you can pool hop at UO, but that is not exactly convenient and not something we would do. These standard rooms are the smallest of the three.

The PBH is pretty, but to me felt more adult than kid-like. The pool looks great for kids though, and it is definitely quieter than the HRH. Just over-all seemed more adult like than kid like to me. The shops were more geared towards adults, the walk is the farthest to the parks, but then again- there is PIZZA! These standard rooms are the largest of the three.

 

[wiigirl]

My vote would be for Hard Rock, but it would be close.

 

[glocon]

I just wanted to add that we have walked the paths from all three resorts to the parks, and the paths are all lovely. It would be easy to use the ECV from any of the resorts, and would be an enjoyable walk for the two of you. Lush landscaping, the water views, peace- all make it worth the walk.

 

[tajz90]

All of them are worth it. They are very nice hotels.


HRH is the closest and has a great ice cream shop with reasonable prices. Go figure. haha

Have fun. You won't regret any of the choices.

 

[Metro West]

RPR is the only one that I've really toured although I did see the men's restroom at the HRH once...long story.

 

[schumigirl]

although I did see the men's restroom at the HRH once...long story.

I have to hear that story in September

 

[macraven]

 

[schumigirl]

 

[momto3gr8boys]

I have only stayed at HR but loved it! It's easy to walk to the parks, great vibe, great pool. We ate at the bar area by the pool while the kids swam and watched Harry Potter in the pool. While I wasn't crazy about Universal (WWOHP was amazing!) and Disney has my heart, I did enjoy the Hard Rock.

 

[aubriee]

RPR is the only one that I've really toured although I did see the men's restroom at the HRH once...long story.

All right now, you've got to tell us that story!

So Hard Rock is closer. How much closer exactly? How long is the walk from each one.

 

[glocon]

HRH was less than 10 easy walk to the parks. The PBH probably 5-10 min longer on the path along the water. I think the RPR between 10-15 total walk. And that is at an easy pace, not speedwalking. You can always take the boats too.