Wilderness Lodge and Portofino

[gina2000]

I need some honest, unvarnished opinions. We have reservations at both hotels with one day double booked at both. I've been inside Wilderness Lodge and it's awesome. I know we'll enjoy our stay there. I've also heard absolutely fabulous things about Portofino and am really, really looking forward to our time there.

My question....I'm currently staying at Portofino for 3 days and Wilderness Lodge for 4 and can go either way with the extra day.

We love both parks, so location, location, location is not a factor. The hotels themselves are.


Anyone care to make the comparision?



*I've also posted this on the Universal Boards looking for opinions.

 

[my2boys]

The only thing I can tell you is my sister-in-law and her family stayed at the Portofino in August and absolutely raved about it. They said it was absolutely magnificent with excellent restaurants and great rooms. They have said that when they go back to Orlando, they are definitely staying there again whether they are going to Universal or not. She also got an awesome deal throught the Entertainment Book....she only paid $99 a night. I do know she booked it before they were oficially opened.

I really can't compare it to the WL.......I have never had the opportunity to stay there......sorry I couldn't help you on that end!

 

[TammiMcMan]

I loved the Portofino Hotel. For me, it would probably depend on where I was staying. If I had a villa room, then I'd never want to leave. The restaurants were very good and the spa is incredible. We spent one full day just lounging at the hotel and then one day for each park and an evening of City Walk, which I kind of prefer over Pleasure Island. Personally, I might like the extra day at WDW, because there's definitely alot more to see than at IOA.

Aren't you lucky to have such a difficult decision

 

[n2mm]

My daughters stayed at Portofino last January, while we stayed at the AKL. Their room made our room look like a closet. THey loved it. My husband said their bathroom was bigger than our room at the AKL.

 

[aring75]

About three weeks ago, my DH and I spent two nights at PBH and six nights at WL. They are both "grandly themed" hotels, but are very different.

PBH is a little more "upscale." It is a very attractive and spacious resort. The garden-view room (where we stayed) is only slightly larger in size to the woodsview room (where we stayed) at WL. The bathroom, however, is much larger at PBH. It's also very bright and modern. The PBH resort is large and we did not try everything there was available to do. One thing we absolutely DID NOT like is the fact that you have to pay to park at this resort whether you use valet or not. If you use self-parking you pay $6.00/day. If you use valet, I believe it was $12.00. We did valet because we couldn't see paying to park our own car at such a pricey resort anyway! Overall, we liked this resort, but could take it or leave it.

We were happier at the WL. Perhaps it was the cozier atmosphere (even though there are many rooms, the resort exudes an intimate atmosphere) or the fact that the staff (Castmembers) was much friendlier. I also liked the restaurants at WL better. It felt relaxing to come back to the WL after a long day, and we liked the transportation better too. (We had to wait a long time for the boat to US/IOA from PBH on several occasions.) The difference may have been because we stayed at the WL longer than PBH, but I felt "at home" as soon as I walked into the lobby. The rooms are decorated in darker colors at WL, so you don't get that bright open feeling like at PBH. Also the WL bathroom is just a regular hotel bathroom, but they do have double sinks and the sink area is separated by a door from the toilet/shower/tub area. That made getting ready in the morning a little more convenient.

Both hotels had their ups and downs. But I think you'll enjoy them both for their differences. I hoped I have helped. If you have any specific questions, I will try to answer them. Good Luck!!

 

[ZerasPride]

I've never stayed at the WL but it looks like a beautiful hotel. I have stayed at the Portofino twice and it was absolutely divine! I loved our room. The restaurants were very good and the whole Medittereanan (sp?) atmosphere was awesome! I told my hubby that I thought our bathroom was bigger than the room we stayed in at CBR (a slight exaggeration of course). The room was definitely luxurious with the marble bath, douvets, Egyptian cotten sheets, high off the floor beds (you'll see what I mean when you check-in), the welcome gift (chocolate chip cookies and a pitcher of milk), friendly staff, boat rides to the parks, Sal's fresh made pizza, cheesecake, the ice cream parlor - well, I could go on and on.

Anyway, if you are looking for an extra day of luxury and pampering then I would definitely go with the Portofino. Have a wonderful trip no matter what you decide (and please say "hi" to my main man "Spiderman" ).

 

[Lewisc]

In terms of room size, amenities and generally ambiance PBH is probably at least at the same level as the GF.

 

[antmaril]

FYI - We stayed at Portofino Bay for four nights over Labor Day Weekend and we were not charged for self-parking. I'm sure we would have been charged had we used the, but there was no charge on our bill for self parking our car, which we found to be quick and easy.

 

[gina2000]

Thank you for all of your responses! I still am not sure what to do but I'm happy to see all the positive responses about Portofino. I know WL is a "must do" but it's nice to know that Portofino is also a good place to stay.

Can anyone compare or talk about the pools? Are there children around at Portofino? I have an 8 year old and I want him to enjoy his pool time - hopefully with some newly made friends.

 

[TammiMcMan]

Yes, Portofino has a kids pool. It has a zero entry section and a water slide.

 

[lookingforward]

I have not stayed at the WL but many times at the Portofino. The Portofino is really a great hotel, although our last stay there was full of problems (dirty sheets, smoky room, etc) I think four days at the WL and 3 at the Portofino is perfect. I am a BIG fan of disney hotels. They are not as upscale as the Loews, but the total "feel" of the resorts are what make them desirable. The Portofino is much more quiet and elegant so if it were me I would do that the last three days to unwind a little bit. Also, you can't beat the express access for the rides at Universal when staying onsite. After a few days at disney and waiting in the lines there, you will really enjoy that perk.
The pool at the Portofino is really great.. there are three. The "quiet" villa pool, the great main pool (cool slide!) and the kiddy pool near the main pool. The kids pool is great because it has giant water fountains and a climbing gym all within the fenced in area, so you can relax a little while your kids run around.
I hope you have a great trip.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

I love the Portofino Bay Hotel, it's amazing, but I think 3 nights is plenty for US/IOA. I'd stick with 4 nights at WL because there is more to see and do at WDW.

Have a great time!!!!

 

[Pkdcoastrs]

I beg of you to add the extra day to the Portifino Bay Hotel LOL! It is definetly the most amazing hotel we have ever stayed at and GRANDLY beats out any of the Disney hotels! We have stayed at the Grand Floridian at WDW and it doesn't even compare to the Portofino!

Enjoy your trip..

Mike