I always stay off of Disney property for a couple of reasons. One expense and two I couldn't take that kind of sugary fun first thing in the morning. I have always been tempted by Universal resort though as I love City Walk. I've stayed in the LA Universal resort (not great but they we're refurbishing so hard to judge on my experience) but wonder what Orlando is like. What hotel would you recommend?
Hey now...my MIL comes with us to every WDW vacation we take. She has a rod in her back and a replaced knee. She loves to come with her grandbabies, eat the amazing food, take in the beautiful sites. I just wish there was more for her to do! It kinda sucks to have to leave her outside with the stroller once again to hop onto another ride. She does her best, and we ARE going to a National Park, instead of WDW next year....but thats the reason many with physical disabilities go to WDW. : ) They want to be there for their family!
There is nothing bad about either IMHO. Except Disney is just so darn expensive!
Shula's is very good. I put on par with some of the better Morton's that I have tried. One step up from Ruth Chris. But The Palm and and Bull and Bear are truly top shelf steakhouses. Right up there with Del Frisco's Double Eagle in NYC. The Bull and Bear wins on ambience, but the food at The Palm is right there with it.
You wrote that there was "only 1 steakhouse at WDW" (at Bonnet Creek). Now you post that Shula's is "very good". Make up your mind.
For our family, we greatly prefer UOR over WDW these days. WDW is still a wonderful place for first time visitors and families with small children. But we are a family of 3 with me being a 50 year old single guy and my 2 teenage daughters.
I think one the major reasons that people have a "less than" feeling about their Universal visits is they approach it and visit there differently. If you immerse yourselves in the Disney "Magic®" by staying at a Disney hotel and spend almost all you time on-prop and only leaving for the day trip up to Uni with it's logistical hassles of either renting a car or a Mears shuttle then spending a day cramming in both Uni parks then having to make it back to Disney property at the end of the day. You are not going to get close to 1. the kind of experience that you are getting at WDW. And 2. the kind of experience Universal Orlando Resort has to offer. I believe that if most people really want to give Universal Orlando Resort a fair shake, you really need at least 3 nights a one of the Universal on-prop resorts, take in some signature dining like Emeril's Tchoup Chop and The Palm (my new favorite restaurant in any destination theme park environment), And if you have included La Nouba in your WDW visits then catch The Blue Man Group. The Universal product really is a quality product on the level of Disney and now there are certain aspect where they are kicking some mouse tail. Mostly state of the art exciting, compelling attractions. But also their resorts are really kicking Disney's tail in terms of quality amenities and service. In April we stayed at The Portofino Bay Resort for our 2nd time, and I was as blown away as I was the first time. Stuff like 2 staff at the pool. One called The Pool Concierge who could take care or any needs or problems and the Pool Valet who would grab 4 towels for each person in your party and then ask where you wanted to sit. He would escort you to the lounge chairs of your choice. Then took one towel and wrapped the lower portion of the chair, used a 2nd towel to wrap the upper portion of the chair, used the 3rd to make a pillow to rest our head and placed the 4th towel folded at the foot to use to dry yourself. They also have 2 large glass ice water dispensers, one Lemon/Lime the other Orange/Tangerine, which was very nice on the hot days. The rooms are very nicely appointed with a Keurig and Emeril's Big Easy coffee, fully appointed honor bar with snacks (no hiking to a venting machine). The bathroom had a "Rain Shower" stall and a soaking tub. The room was quite large and had a fantastic view of the harbor. And with my AP discount it was $174/night.
I guess WDW just isn't for us anymore. We are looking for new attractions, a relaxing well appointed resort hotel, and some fine dining.
I too stay at the Portofino. I'll compare it to any of Disney Deluxes. And yet Uni doesn't try to draw tourists to the property to make additional bucks. In theory it is for the resort guests. I loved our room 4th floor, dead center looking out at the bay. Nothing prettier at Disney, the lighting and theming is over the top. Lack of Uni theming is a Myth of those who flatly refuse to acknowledge anything Uni. The transportation to the parks and City Walk is equal and trumps Disney's boats, buses and reliability of the monorail. It is efficient, charming and fun.
Disney still warms my heart but if I try to put my finger on it, Uni is Disney of the 90's. Right now Uni is expanding and adding like Disney did in the 90's. About the time Uni finally comprehended what made Disney magical, Disney Forgot. Uni will never be Disney but it doesn't have to be. All you have to do is stare up at the wonderful HP mountain and then stare up at the FLE mountain and you can immediate tell Uni's imagineering of holy rock mountains is superior.
First look at the buildings themselves. Uni's has far more details, from windows, steeples even the masonry details. Then look at the mountain rocks. Uni's fountains have far more details in the Holy Rock they both have. Then move onto the landscaping. Uni goes over the top making the vision look amazing. The sad thing is Uni's mountain and forced perspective went up first. Disney had the opportunity to 'top' what Uni did. They opted not to.
Actually, I said that there is only 1 steakhouse on Disney property that compares to The Palm and that is The Bull and Bear. Not that there is only 1 steakhouse in property. I am fully aware of Shula's, Le Cellier, and Yatchman's but I think The Palm is better than those. But Shula's is the best of those 3. If I'm going to Shula's I usually go to the one near the RDV in Maitland. And I pretty stoked that they are about to open a Shula Burger down on W. Irlo Bronson Mem. Hwy. near The 429.
