-
Welcome to the WDWMAGIC.COM Forums!
Please take a look around, and feel free to sign up and join the community.
What's your favorite Universal Resort??
- Thread starter tpac24
- Start date
avenger1138
New Member
If you want to be more in walking distance I’d say Royal Pacific. For just the best hotel, I’d say the Portafino. Good food options, best pools of the 3 (even if the hot tub doesn’t work 50% of the time), and very pretty in general.
The Hard Rock is OK, but I don’t like the layout.
The Hard Rock is OK, but I don’t like the layout.
The_Jobu
Well-Known Member
My favourite is Sapphire Falls, actually my favourite in all of Orlando. But, while they're all cheaper than Disney, their deluxe properties are still pricey.
I would say a good compromise would be Cabana Bay, you can even get a suite for around $225 a night depending on season. It has a nice pool and things to do, but I also like the fact that you can walk across the street to Sapphire Falls and enjoy their restaurants (or take the boat to the parks).
I haven't stayed there yet, but the Endless Summer hotels look like the best deal in the city. Suites for 100 something. Cant beat that price. But they're kind of on their own so you cant walk to other hotels, but they do have excellent bus service to the parks.
I would say a good compromise would be Cabana Bay, you can even get a suite for around $225 a night depending on season. It has a nice pool and things to do, but I also like the fact that you can walk across the street to Sapphire Falls and enjoy their restaurants (or take the boat to the parks).
I haven't stayed there yet, but the Endless Summer hotels look like the best deal in the city. Suites for 100 something. Cant beat that price. But they're kind of on their own so you cant walk to other hotels, but they do have excellent bus service to the parks.
OG Runner
Well-Known Member
I would disagree with your selections only for the following reasons. How much time do you actually spend in your room during your vacation? Cabana Bay & Endless Summer may be cheap, but there is a reason for it. Both are a bit away from the parks and you pretty
much get what you pay for. You get a little more square footage for a lower price, but it also includes the atmosphere of a Hotel 6.
If the poster is staying at the Polynesian for half the trip, both Cabana Bay & Endless Summer would be huge steps down.
The_Jobu
Well-Known Member
Me personally, I'm there to sleep at the end of the day, but everyone's different. Not sure what OP is looking for, but Cabana Bay has a great pool with slides and lazy river and the bowling alley. Sapphire Falls and Aventura are across the street if he's looking to mix things up. You could even take the boat to Portofino if you like. For me, that's perfect! But that's me of course, just offering my opinion. You do get what you pay for, but I'm quite happy with what I'm getting for what I paid.
I guess it all depends on how literal OP is about "budget friendly". Maybe $500 a night is budget friendly to him? If so, then sure, any of the deluxe properties are excellent hotels. I took it more literally to looking for a low/er price if his wallet is screaming at him after the Poly.
Cabana Bay and Endless Summer (particularly) would definitely be steps down from the Poly, but you'd expect so when you're paying less than a quarter of the price. They're definitely better than a Motel 6 though! I dont know if you've never been to a Motel 6 or Cabana Bay, but they're not comparable.
Endless Summer is farther from the parks, though a bus comes by at least every 10 minutes (from what I've heard). Cabana Bay also has a bus, but I like walking across the street and catching the boat to the parks. Was planning to stay at Endless Summer in the Winter actually, but with my family thinking of coming I decided to splurge on a Cabana Bay suite. If I could afford it, I'd go back to Sapphire Falls but they really priced me out since I stayed there last time (a few months after they opened).
If OP ever comes back: what's budget friendly for your budget? There's lots of good recs we can provide.
OG Runner
Well-Known Member
I was thinking "budget friendly" would be about half of the Polynesian's room rate, which would be the Pacifica or Portofino.
They are much more convenient to the parks. (Again, they are leaving the Polynesian, which is just a monorail ride to the Magic Kingdom)
Also the fact that the Portofino includes express pass, a great feature to get the most out of their time in the Parks.
Yes, I have stayed at both Cabana Bay and a Motel 6. Though they do have a very large pool, the last time I was there it was wall to wall
people and I was in line waiting for the big slide. The Portofino, had a number of pools, one geared more towards adults that was very
relaxing. Honestly, I put it on the same level as the All Star or Art of Animation resorts, (Yes, I have stayed there also.), and they do not
compare to the Portofino either.
The_Jobu
Well-Known Member
Yeah, they're busy but they're no Motel 6 lol.
But like I said, there's no point comparing Cabana Bay to Portofino, you would expect for double the price. For June 2022 I just priced the Poly at $700 a night and Portofino at $500 (after promotion) so it all depends how much "budget friendliness" he's looking for.
Basically OP: If you got the cash Portofino is a great hotel, if you're looking for a deal, Cabana Bay is a great choice.
My95cobras
Well-Known Member
Graceland suite at the hard rock is an amazing weekend getaway.
Rob562
Well-Known Member
If you're looking for a good middle option that balances budget with amenities, I recommend Sapphire Falls.
It doesn't have the Express Passes of the top-tier resorts, but it's a step up from the more basic Cabana Bay and Endless Summer. Nicer/bigger pool, more dining options. It also has boat service to CityWalk, which avoids the central hub by the parking garages that the buses for Cabana and Endless bring you to. You can also still walk to Volcano Bay from Sapphire.
A Passholder rate on a standard-view room at Sapphire is usually within $10/night of a family suite at Cabana Bay. (At least at the times of year we go)
To the OP, definitely price out getting an Annual Pass for one adult in your party vs whatever ticket you'd have to get. You'll likely more than make up the difference in hotel savings.
-Rob
It doesn't have the Express Passes of the top-tier resorts, but it's a step up from the more basic Cabana Bay and Endless Summer. Nicer/bigger pool, more dining options. It also has boat service to CityWalk, which avoids the central hub by the parking garages that the buses for Cabana and Endless bring you to. You can also still walk to Volcano Bay from Sapphire.
A Passholder rate on a standard-view room at Sapphire is usually within $10/night of a family suite at Cabana Bay. (At least at the times of year we go)
To the OP, definitely price out getting an Annual Pass for one adult in your party vs whatever ticket you'd have to get. You'll likely more than make up the difference in hotel savings.
-Rob
Last edited:
The_Jobu
Well-Known Member
Is there a way for not yet passholders to see passholder rates? I'm currently booked in a Cabana suite but I'd definitely pay an extra 10 for Sapphire.
Rob562
Well-Known Member
Click "check rates" on this page.
You don't need a pass to book, but you'll need it for checkin.
-Rob
The_Jobu
Well-Known Member
Click "check rates" on this page.
You don't need a pass to book, but you'll need it for checkin.
-Rob
Thanks!
Looks like no rooms when I'm visiting, only suites, but it was worth a check. Would love to go back to Sapphire one day, amazing hotel.
JoeCamel
Well-Known Member
Did you check the volcano view rooms in the CBBR towers by Volcano bay? Those views at night are amazing
The_Jobu
Well-Known Member
Wow! I didn’t know Cabana Bay was right next to Volcano Bay.
JoeCamel
Well-Known Member
Google it, best early entry place....