Whoo Hoo! Portofino here we come!

[chrissyc]

Well we booked our first trip to Universal for May 13th! We are staying at the Portifino with our 2 kids and they are 9 and 11. This is a first time for all of us so does anyone have any recommendations for what we must do? We are so excited to go and since we are Disney people I am so excited to try something new. So for anyone who stayed at Portifino do you have any tips or suggestions for us? Thanks!

 

[chrissyc]

Anyone?

 

[Disneyhappy]

I have not stayed at the PBR since the first year it opened but I will tell you it is a gorgeous resort and has the largest rooms on site. You did not mention how long you will be staying. Time for only the parks or will there be enough time to enjoy the resort also? With front of the line access at the parks, it will open time to really enjoy the resort experience. We love hanging by the pool drinking our fruity drinks (DH beer). My experience was so long ago that I wish I had more to offer. I will say that your kids are a great age to really enjoy USO. The rides and attractions are awesome, especially if they like thrill rides and rollercoasters. The themed attractions are also great. Depending on the length of your stay, you may be there for the opening of Simpsons. Make sure you tell us about it when you get back! Do you have any specific questions?

 

[chrissyc]

Oops! We are staying for 6 nights and we will be there for the opening of the Simpsons! The kids are sooooo excited. Any tips will help!

 

[dsmom]

We have stayed many times at the PB and we LOVE it!! What kind of room do you have? The West wing is the closest to everything but we have had great rooms in the East wing with huge balconies. We love Trattoria for the breakfast and dinner buffets (ask for Mohammad - he is wonderful!)
The Gelateria is great for ice cream or an early morning snack. Sal's deli had incredible pizza. Our son loves the beach pool - it has a nice slide. The Villa pool is more relaxing. We tried bocce ball one night- they have it over by the Villa pool. They have dive-in movies at the beach pool - these are a lot of fun also. If you have any questions I will be glad to help! Have a great time!

 

[chrissyc]

Thanks! All I know is that it is a Bay View. I am wondering though about the fridge in the room. Is there one? If so can I put some milk in it or am I better off renting one? Also, my kids are wondering about the slide. I know the Hard Rock has a big slide, is the one here big also?

 

[dsmom]

There is a mini-fridge in the room and you can squeeze fit milk in it. There is a rental fee for a fridge if you need more room. ( We get one no charge for medical reasons for our son)

You will love the bay view room! I would definately ask for a balcony. We have gotten one every time we have gone.

I have never seen the Hard Rock pool slide but the one at PB is great! Check out the photos at Dis- there are some great ones of the beach pool and the slide. Also check out Lindalindas trip report (which is great BTW!) She has some great photos too.

 

[patster734]

Congratulations on booking your first Universal hotel! Hopefully you'll enjoy it.

Did you sign up for a Loewsfirst membership? The PBH is a Loews hotel and, depending upon how you book, you will receive a complimentary welcome gift. You might also receive a free upgrade, but that also depends upon how you booked and availability.

I also second Dsmom's advice on Sal's. Really good pizza. On a warm, calm day, its relaxing to order a pizza from Sal's, and then eat it on the harbor piazza.

Are you aware that pool hopping is allowed at Universal. Feel free to walk over to the HRH and use their pool. Just make sure you have your room key to show that you are a Universal hotel guest.

 

[Motherfletcher]

I'm not sure how much you have read on this site. But we have touched on everything you can imagine. Do you have specific questions about the following:

Self parking? How, where?
Club access? Asking for an upgrade to club?
Getting to the parks? Boat, bus, walk? How much time?
Breakfast? Dinner? Any fine dining plans?
Child care?
Fitness room?
Awesome co-ed whirlpool?
Massage?
Cabana?
Checking in? When? How early? FOTL access?
Turn down service?
Tipping?
Game room?

You can pool hop to RPR, as well, patser734 might even give a fellow disser the 25 cent tour?
We will be checking in to PBH early (around 8) Thursday the 15th and I can show you what you haven't already found.

 

[dsmom]

I forgot to mention the nightly music by the bay- it is wonderful. Our son also loves the character dinner at Trattoria- it was on Friday nights when we were there.

Motherfletcher- we will just miss you- we will be at RPR the first week in May. What suite will you be in this time?

 

[chrissyc]

Wow thanks so much to all of you! We are not using a car since we want to just stay on property so don't need parking info. Still trying to figure out what to do about the fridge. Wanted some milk for breakfast but when I called about renting it was 15 a day. Hubby is a beer drinker and I wanted to have some cold in the fridge so I might have to rent one. Umm, you mentioned masages, please tell me about that! Since my kids are 9 and 11 are there any rides that you suggest I don't have them go on. And last, do they do games by the pools for the kids?

 

[Motherfletcher]

Motherfletcher- we will just miss you- we will be at RPR the first week in May. What suite will you be in this time?

I just made the ressies yesterday. One night at $169 APH. I might have to email them and see if they will upgrade me. Might be tough though because the Simpson's big wigs will likely stay there. Too bad we'll miss each other cause I'd like to meet your PBH contacts.

They have different children's activities every day and will give you a paper showing the activities and times when you check in.
The spa is awesome. http://www.mandaraspa.com/Main/SpaView.aspx?SpaID=7 My wife has had treatment$ there. I like to shower in the locker room to free up space in our room. They have a co-ed whirlpool that is beautiful and I have never seen anyone using it. People must not know that it exists. You get in free with your Loew's First membership card.
If you can upgrade to club you can get milk and beer there free. Breakfast in the club is quick as well.
My kids at that age were fearless and rode all rides. Some may be a little intense for the squeamish.

 

[patster734]

I'm not sure how much you have read on this site. But we have touched on everything you can imagine. Do you have specific questions about the following:

Self parking? How, where?
Club access? Asking for an upgrade to club?
Getting to the parks? Boat, bus, walk? How much time?
Breakfast? Dinner? Any fine dining plans?
Child care?
Fitness room?
Awesome co-ed whirlpool?
Massage?
Cabana?
Checking in? When? How early? FOTL access?
Turn down service?
Tipping?
Game room?

You can pool hop to RPR, as well, patser734 might even give a fellow disser the 25 cent tour?We will be checking in to PBH early (around 8) Thursday the 15th and I can show you what you haven't already found.

I only charge the non-dissers. For the dissers it free, although there are a lot more dissers here that know more than I do. I just like to think I know a lot!

I should be easy to find. I'll be waiting in line, like everyone else, for the Simpsons ride, if its open!

Oh, and I've never used the pools, I'm too busy park-hopping. And when I want to get wet, I'll ride Dudley's or Popeye's!

 

[patster734]

Wow thanks so much to all of you! We are not using a car since we want to just stay on property so don't need parking info. Still trying to figure out what to do about the fridge. Wanted some milk for breakfast but when I called about renting it was 15 a day. Hubby is a beer drinker and I wanted to have some cold in the fridge so I might have to rent one. Umm, you mentioned masages, please tell me about that! Since my kids are 9 and 11 are there any rides that you suggest I don't have them go on. And last, do they do games by the pools for the kids?

How are you getting to the hotel? If you're using a town car service, they will do a grocery stop for you. Then you can pick up a styrofoam cooler and pack it with ice for your stay. We've done that in the past to keep our water, coke and beers cold.

 

[lpandorf]

I forgot to mention the nightly music by the bay- it is wonderful. Our son also loves the character dinner at Trattoria- it was on Friday nights when we were there.

Motherfletcher- we will just miss you- we will be at RPR the first week in May. What suite will you be in this time?

What characters are at the character meal? My son loves Spiderman. I am looking for a meal with him. Thanks!

 

[Motherfletcher]

What characters are at the character meal? My son loves Spiderman. I am looking for a meal with him. Thanks!

When we went it was Scooby Doo and Woody.

 

[scottwhite1964]

Hey I just went with 4 kids. The older 2 12-13,I let do their thing. With the young ones we had a blast. I would suggest the first floor close too the pool. I asked after we got there and I't wasn't a problem to move. The pool is great. My youngest son 6 loved woodys tree house but don't go down the water side with them you will get very wet too much weight. By themselves not a drop. My kids also loved the curious george go too the back and there a room with those soft balls that they can shoot each other its great. The food is very very pricey watch out for breakfast cost me 75 bucks once. I also don't buy tickets from the hotel, I did and they charged me 120 each and could have went too the gate for 80. They didn't tell me that. Alot of fun for kids that age sipderman ride is great. The crowds are bad in the afternoon but with fast pass no problem. I found it nicer to walk than the boats, 5 min. All in all it's pretty good. Have fun

 

[minniejack]

We stayed at the Portofino about 2 years ago during Spring Break. The kids were 10 and 12--they loved riding the coasters over and over.... We had been upgraded to the deluxe room, but didn't realize it until recently when I was reading some of the other messages on this site. Go to Orlandocoupons.com and you will find several discount dining coupons that are worth printing. We are planning a trip for Christmas/New Years and cannot wait!

 

[goofy!]

What characters are at the character meal? My son loves Spiderman. I am looking for a meal with him. Thanks!

There is a Spidey breakfast at Confisco's in IOA. It is a great character breakfast and Spidey spends lots of time with the kids.

As for everything else Portofino, everybody has covered most everything. When at the pools, we forego the pool service pizza and I will walk around to Sal's and bring some pizzas back for my Sal's fix.

 

[bopper]

One thing I would recommend is to just explore...have some time to walk around the resort and check out all of the pools and find the bocce court.