A few "last minute" questions

[stargrl33]

One month until our trip so I guess this isn't really "last minute" but it kind of snuck up on me.

1. At the Universal hotel properties - can you take the water taxis from hotel to hotel, or are they only available for hotel to park guests?

2. If we are transferring hotels halfway through the trip - what's the best way to transfer our luggage? I'd rather not wheel it the 1.8 miles or whatever it is from Cabana Bay to Portofino, but I will if I have to. I was thinking Uber unless anyone else has a secret tip (steal a golf cart?)

3. Do they offer early check-in for Universal hotels? We are staying at Portofino for part of the trip just for the express pass - does it kick automatically on our check-in day, or do we need to show up at the Portofino front desk to prove ourselves?

TIA. I tried searching online for the answers to these questions but wasn't coming up with anything recent or anything that I trusted.

 

[JoeCamel]

1 They want your money so you are free to go anywhere the taxi runs, lots of dining and pool opportunities at the hotels
2 I don't know if the hotels will transport it for you. Call and ask. Otherwise Uber, cab etc is available.
3 EP is available from day of check in to day of check out, you check in then print your express at a kiosk in the lobby. They will give you a room placeholder card so you can print the EP, do EPA at the parks and then text you when your real room is ready. I have done this at 5am. The hotels also have bag storage until your room is ready.

 

[stargrl33]

1 They want your money so you are free to go anywhere the taxi runs, lots of dining and pool opportunities at the hotels
2 I don't know if the hotels will transport it for you. Call and ask. Otherwise Uber, cab etc is available.
3 EP is available from day of check in to day of check out, you check in then print your express at a kiosk in the lobby. They will give you a room placeholder card so you can print the EP, do EPA at the parks and then text you when your real room is ready. I have done this at 5am. The hotels also have bag storage until your room is ready.

Thanks so much!

 

[BubbaQuest]

The water taxis are not directly hotel to hotel. You will need to take the water taxi from a hotel to CityWalk and then from CityWalk to another hotel. All free and doable, you just may need to wait a few minutes at CityWalk to transfer.

I don't know if the Uni hotels will transfer your bags automatically for you, but they do offer free direct hotel to hotel shuttles. I heard a rumor you may need to transfer at the main parking garage to get to/from Cabana Bay, but I'm not sure about that. You should be able to contact the hotel directly for more details. Their concierge desks have been very helpful for me in the past.

Have a great trip.

 

[fosse76]

One month until our trip so I guess this isn't really "last minute" but it kind of snuck up on me.

1. At the Universal hotel properties - can you take the water taxis from hotel to hotel, or are they only available for hotel to park guests?

Anyone can take the water taxis. However, they don't go from hotel to hotel, so you will have to transfer to a different one of that's what you want to do. And note that Cabana Bay is not accessible by water taxi.

2. If we are transferring hotels halfway through the trip - what's the best way to transfer our luggage? I'd rather not wheel it the 1.8 miles or whatever it is from Cabana Bay to Portofino, but I will if I have to. I was thinking Uber unless anyone else has a secret tip (steal a golf cart?)

No. I did exactly what you plan on doing. When I asked, I was told to take the Cabana Bay bus to City Walk and transfer to the shuttle bus for the Deluxe hotels (not the water taxis). However, I only had a backpack, so I don't even know if they'll let you bring luggage on those buses.

3. Do they offer early check-in for Universal hotels? We are staying at Portofino for part of the trip just for the express pass - does it kick automatically on our check-in day, or do we need to show up at the Portofino front desk to prove ourselves?

TIA. I tried searching online for the answers to these questions but wasn't coming up with anything recent or anything that I trusted.

Even if you arrive at 7am, you can check-in to your hotel (you just most likely won't get your room). Once you have your room key, you can get the express passes from the kiosk in the lobby.

 

[stargrl33]

Hmm. went to make Mythos reservations and it's closed the entire time we are there. What gives? Can't find any info online about it. Anyway, that was the only restaurant we really cared about having reservations for - does anyone have any suggestions for another good sit-down place? I've heard good things about Cowfish.

 

[BrianV]

Hmm. went to make Mythos reservations and it's closed the entire time we are there. What gives? Can't find any info online about it. Anyway, that was the only restaurant we really cared about having reservations for - does anyone have any suggestions for another good sit-down place? I've heard good things about Cowfish.

Closed?!? That's terrible. I hope. emporary but sorry it's while you are there.

We loved cowfish. Also love emerils. And the tchoup chop (spelling) at rpr is great.

We also like Finnegans.

 

[Disneyhead'71]

I think most of your questions have been answered.

1. Hotel Transfer: Bus with a transfer at the transportation hub.y suggestion if you have a lot of luggage would be Uber. Should be less that $5.

2. You can check in as early as 5am and receive you Express Passes. They will text you when your room is ready.

3. Water Taxis are free for anyone to use.

It is a shame Mythos is closed, but there are plenty of dining options. The 4 signature restaurants, Emeril's Orlando, Emeril's Tchoup Chop, Palm, and BiCE are all great. CityWalk has Cowfish, Vivo, and Antojito's. They are all quite enjoyable.

 

[matt clark]

we ate really well at Confisco Grille.
my fiance had them custom make the black and bleu burger because it was no longer on the menu.
i had a great greek salad with chicken.
my daughter had a burger and my son had a pizza.
everyone loved their food.

the previous day we ate at the simpsons food court and everyone hated everything they got except me.
i got a turkey wrap, but the kids hated the chicken fingers and my girl hated her burger.

 

[matt clark]

 

[ratherbeinwdw]

Closed?!? That's terrible. I hope. emporary but sorry it's while you are there.

We loved cowfish. Also love emerils. And the tchoup chop (spelling) at rpr is great.

We also like Finnegans.
It only shows it closed for one week. The next week, it is open for reservations.

 

[DisneyDaver]

Hmm. went to make Mythos reservations and it's closed the entire time we are there. What gives? Can't find any info online about it. Anyway, that was the only restaurant we really cared about having reservations for - does anyone have any suggestions for another good sit-down place? I've heard good things about Cowfish.

Too bad about Mythos. Best park food, but the downside is that I have found the service to be very slow. Cowfish is awesome! If you do to Cowfish, don't skip a shake for dessert!