I stayed at Portofino Bay in December (2023) when I went. The construction didnt hamper our experience at all. We never heard them (and they were working on the building next to ours). The scaffolding was up, but we were in the parks all day, not looking at scaffolding. The construction in the parks was more inconvenient that at the hotel. Loved it...5 stars. 100% would reccommend
@fudge_factor We had a ground floor bay view room and ducks came to visit us every morning! Best view ever! (It helped that our first morning, someone in our party, not me, gave them cheez itz)
Mw wife and I have reservations for Portofino Bay in December for our 10th wedding Anniversary. It will be our first experience together at one of the high end resorts! We are very excited. Orlando Informer falls on our anniversary while we are there, so we are going to try that for the first time as well. December can't get here soon enough, but watching videos like this getting us prepared!
This definitely helped me for my next trip. I’ve been wanting to book a premier resort solely based on the express passes. Thank you! I usually always stay at Cabana Bay (loveeeee it) but next trip I’m thinking premier.
Great video! We stayed at Portofino Bay during Christmas. They happened to put us in the wing with the construction and our window was covered with tarps, so we were unable to see the great water view. However, fortunately, we were barely in our room during the stay so it didn't bother us too much.
I have stayed at all 3 hotels. By far my Favourite is the Royal Pacific.. It feels like you are on a exotic vacation... the other 2 premier hotels just feel like hotels...
Totally fair!! That island vibe is nice!! All the wood accents at RP are super nice! Plus express pass is a game changer! What’s your favorite part about RP?
Greetings peeps ! I love all 3 and have stayed at each a few times but for me .. Porto Fino is the best . The overall theming is awesome. You really feel like you are in Italy . As far as location Hard Rock wins as it’s so dang close to the entrance to Universal . 😎😎😎 And yes I agree I love Bice . Great food !
Great information…my husband and I stayed at the Portofino way back in 2014 for the opening of Diagon Alley….we loved everything about this resort! The Deluxe room was wonderful, location was good, atmosphere was nice and we enjoyed the club level lounge. Looking forward to trying some Universal hotels next year when Epic opens!!!!!
My favorites in order: Royal Pacific, Hard Rock, Portofino. Royal Pacific is just closer in the morning when you're headed to Hagrid's. I feel the boat options are better there too because you can walk easily from Islands with how close it is or take the boat from Universal. Coming from the other side (Hard Rock/Portofino), it's difficult to get first in line because the gates open at the same time. Hard Rock is nice, but the loud music everywhere gets annoying after a while. Portofino is great, but your feet will absolutely hate you.
Awesome video...we still think the Hard Rock overall is the best. You can't beat the vibe and pool area and also you can walk to the parks. Can't be beat!
I’m so excited about staying at Royal Pacific in May! I did enjoy my stay at Hard Rock last time, it was way better than the first time I stayed there. The only thing I was bummed about is, there is no Universal store. Portifino is on my list! Maybe not for my next meetup trip, I like a close hotel for that 😅. Maybe the spring of 2025 I’ll stay there. Maybe the renovation will be done by then 😃.
Fingers crossed! It’s such a great hotel when it’s not under construction! I wonder if hard rock doesn’t have a studios store because it’s not a Loews hotel 🤔
We were just debating this for our Dec stay! Had missed this video of yours, thanks! Have you ever gotten the complimentary turntable and records when staying at HR? We try every time, but no luck yet!
I stayed at the Hard Rock, beautiful hotel but very expensive, parking is very expensive, I took my car out three times in one and had to pay the same price three times.
It’s is expensive! Especially during the busy season. Parking is one of those expenses people underestimate. Self parking at hard rock is $28 per day or $37 per day for valet
We really didn't like Portofino bay at all. We didn't enjoy the rooms or the atmosphere in general and the pool was freezing to my recollection. It wasn't memorable and we all missed Hard Rock. So, the next time we went to Hard Rock and were disappointed that there was major construction at the times and they changed the rooms. This was a while back, but we preferred the style of the old rooms. We've never been to Royal Pacific so, I think we will try that one next time. Although...... I'm still tempted to just go back to Hard Rock :/
Oh no! That’s not good!! Was the hard rock construction when they were sprucing up the exterior paint? If so that’s complete Royal pacific is great also! We love it!!
@@fudge_factor We will definitely go back but I think Pacific is on the cards next - since it's the only one of the three we haven't done and its a bit cheaper...... PLUS... We love sushi :)
Haha 😂 maybe! We haven’t heard that within any spec yet, but you never know! We’re hoping Universal will drop more info once Mardi Gras is officially kicked off 🤞🤞🤞
Just checked out of Disney Polynesian resort (i loved it) and arrived at the hard rock and honestly i did not like the vibe i was getting in the lobby im hoping my vacation isn't gonna have any issues because i choose the wrong resort i hope it gets better 😅
Oh interesting! Yes, two very different hotel experiences there! Hoping you enjoy HR still! If you need a recommendation, Emack and bolios ice cream is delicious! 🤤 let us know how it goes!
I stayed at Portofino Bay in December (2023) when I went. The construction didnt hamper our experience at all. We never heard them (and they were working on the building next to ours). The scaffolding was up, but we were in the parks all day, not looking at scaffolding. The construction in the parks was more inconvenient that at the hotel. Loved it...5 stars. 100% would reccommend
We love Portofino bay! It’s our favorite hotel….just maybe not for 2024! That view at portofino is 🔥🔥
@fudge_factor We had a ground floor bay view room and ducks came to visit us every morning! Best view ever! (It helped that our first morning, someone in our party, not me, gave them cheez itz)
Hahaha you made friends for life!
Mw wife and I have reservations for Portofino Bay in December for our 10th wedding Anniversary. It will be our first experience together at one of the high end resorts! We are very excited. Orlando Informer falls on our anniversary while we are there, so we are going to try that for the first time as well. December can't get here soon enough, but watching videos like this getting us prepared!
Gahhh how excited are you??
This definitely helped me for my next trip. I’ve been wanting to book a premier resort solely based on the express passes. Thank you! I usually always stay at Cabana Bay (loveeeee it) but next trip I’m thinking premier.
Which premier are you thinking??
@@fudge_factor I’m thinking Hard Rock!
Party like a rockstar!! That’s going to be so much fun!
Great video! We stayed at Portofino Bay during Christmas. They happened to put us in the wing with the construction and our window was covered with tarps, so we were unable to see the great water view. However, fortunately, we were barely in our room during the stay so it didn't bother us too much.
We were talking about if they were still putting people in those rooms. Did you still pay a water view rate? Even though your view was covered
We did not pay for the water front view luckily!
Phew! That would’ve been madly disappointing
I have stayed at all 3 hotels. By far my Favourite is the Royal Pacific.. It feels like you are on a exotic vacation... the other 2 premier hotels just feel like hotels...
Totally fair!! That island vibe is nice!! All the wood accents at RP are super nice! Plus express pass is a game changer!
What’s your favorite part about RP?
Greetings peeps ! I love all 3 and have stayed at each a few times but for me .. Porto Fino is the best . The overall theming is awesome. You really feel like you are in Italy . As far as location Hard Rock wins as it’s so dang close to the entrance to Universal . 😎😎😎
And yes I agree I love Bice . Great food !
Yess! Totally agree! All three are great for their own reasons. How long until you get to stay at one of them again???
@@fudge_factorI normally go the Monday after Thanksgiving as the crowds are lighter . I live in South Florida so it’s only a 2 hour drive for me .
Oh nice! That’s super fun! Thats a great time to go!
Great information…my husband and I stayed at the Portofino way back in 2014 for the opening of Diagon Alley….we loved everything about this resort! The Deluxe room was wonderful, location was good, atmosphere was nice and we enjoyed the club level lounge.
Looking forward to trying some Universal hotels next year when Epic opens!!!!!
Portofino bay is awesome! Can’t wait to see it after the refurb!
What hotel are you looking forward to??
@@fudge_factor we have it narrowed down to Cabana Bay and the new Grand Helios but who knows I might just use my DVC points and then drive over 🤣
Hahah using the points for a discounted/free stay is super nice!
My favorites in order: Royal Pacific, Hard Rock, Portofino. Royal Pacific is just closer in the morning when you're headed to Hagrid's. I feel the boat options are better there too because you can walk easily from Islands with how close it is or take the boat from Universal. Coming from the other side (Hard Rock/Portofino), it's difficult to get first in line because the gates open at the same time. Hard Rock is nice, but the loud music everywhere gets annoying after a while. Portofino is great, but your feet will absolutely hate you.
Those are great points! Being on that islands side is super nice for epa! Great points for consideration when choosing where to stay!
Thank you ❤
You’re so welcome! Hopefully this was helpful! Are you planning a trip for this year? 😊
Awesome video...we still think the Hard Rock overall is the best. You can't beat the vibe and pool area and also you can walk to the parks. Can't be beat!
It really is hard to beat! It’s a great hotel! Have you tried any of the restaurants there?
Yes...The Kitchen, but with three kids we love the pool bar/restaurant! @@fudge_factor
Oooo we haven’t tried the pool restaurant! It was good??
Fish tacos were great...as were the margaritas. plus the pool is our favorite part of Hard Rock!@@fudge_factor
That’s great info to know! We are going to have to try those in September
I’m so excited about staying at Royal Pacific in May! I did enjoy my stay at Hard Rock last time, it was way better than the first time I stayed there. The only thing I was bummed about is, there is no Universal store. Portifino is on my list! Maybe not for my next meetup trip, I like a close hotel for that 😅. Maybe the spring of 2025 I’ll stay there. Maybe the renovation will be done by then 😃.
Fingers crossed! It’s such a great hotel when it’s not under construction! I wonder if hard rock doesn’t have a studios store because it’s not a Loews hotel 🤔
@@fudge_factor I think you’re right on Hard Rock. They looked at me like I was stupid when I asked them if they had a Studios store in there 😅
😅
We were just debating this for our Dec stay! Had missed this video of yours, thanks! Have you ever gotten the complimentary turntable and records when staying at HR? We try every time, but no luck yet!
No, we haven’t! We have to try that and the guitar! What did you decide on for December??
Hard Rock 👑
🎸🤘
Understand your conclusion on PB - the upside this year is that the resort is offering solid discounts especially for passholders this year.
Are they? I would hope so! I’d be a bit frustrated if my room had a view of a construction tarp lol 😂
LOVE YOU GUYS!! Your the BEST!!! FIRST! ?? All that Give you Unlimited Fast PASS are Awesome!!
Thank you so much!! 😊
Atm, Portofino is the cheapest followed by Royal Pacific then Hard Rock, by cheapest room
Thank you for the update! Probably due to the construction that is currently ongoing!
RP all the way! Hard Rock with all those connecting room doors, no thank youuu 😂
That’s a fair point!! Is RP your favorite?
I stayed at the Hard Rock, beautiful hotel but very expensive, parking is very expensive, I took my car out three times in one and had to pay the same price three times.
It’s is expensive! Especially during the busy season. Parking is one of those expenses people underestimate. Self parking at hard rock is $28 per day or $37 per day for valet
We really didn't like Portofino bay at all. We didn't enjoy the rooms or the atmosphere in general and the pool was freezing to my recollection. It wasn't memorable and we all missed Hard Rock. So, the next time we went to Hard Rock and were disappointed that there was major construction at the times and they changed the rooms. This was a while back, but we preferred the style of the old rooms. We've never been to Royal Pacific so, I think we will try that one next time. Although...... I'm still tempted to just go back to Hard Rock :/
Oh no! That’s not good!! Was the hard rock construction when they were sprucing up the exterior paint? If so that’s complete
Royal pacific is great also! We love it!!
@@fudge_factor We will definitely go back but I think Pacific is on the cards next - since it's the only one of the three we haven't done and its a bit cheaper...... PLUS... We love sushi :)
Oh the RP is going to be right up your alley! A little longer of a walk, but still close! Especially nice if epa is at islands!
Premier sooo expensive now. Sapphire is the best option now in my opinion 😎
They are that’s true but sometimes, depending on if you want express pass m, they make sense! Vs buying express passes for everyone
could the new teddy bear movie imaginary be a haunted house for hhn 33 idk if that would fit🤔
Haha 😂 maybe! We haven’t heard that within any spec yet, but you never know! We’re hoping Universal will drop more info once Mardi Gras is officially kicked off 🤞🤞🤞
I whonder if theses hotels will give unlimited passes to Epic universe in 2025.
That’s a great question! 2024 will be full of epic universe updates!
Hard Rock
🤘🤘
Just checked out of Disney Polynesian resort (i loved it) and arrived at the hard rock and honestly i did not like the vibe i was getting in the lobby im hoping my vacation isn't gonna have any issues because i choose the wrong resort i hope it gets better 😅
Oh interesting! Yes, two very different hotel experiences there! Hoping you enjoy HR still! If you need a recommendation, Emack and bolios ice cream is delicious! 🤤 let us know how it goes!