help me decide where to stay?!

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tiggger1

<font color=green>I put vicks on my feet<br><font

Joined

Feb 2, 2002

• Dec 17, 2017

• #1

we are going to Disney with my daughters dance team in August and a bunch of us are going over to Universal for the end of the week.... it kills me that I can do 5 days at Disney in a Moderate and its still cheaper than 2 nights at Universal.

Do my question is... do we really need the front of line passes? The plan was to stay at Portofino because of the front of line passes and you can walk to the parks....but the we arent a sit down family...we'd rather just grab food and eat in the room... I like the of Cabana bay because of the food court and save us some money but you dont get the passes. I looked into paying for the passes but at over $800 for just the 4 passes... that didnt work out well either....

we are a family of 4... hubby, me dd15 and ds11

 

damo

Proud Redhead

Joined

Jan 1, 2001

• Dec 17, 2017

• #2

tiggger1 said:

we are going to Disney with my daughters dance team in August and a bunch of us are going over to Universal for the end of the week.... it kills me that I can do 5 days at Disney in a Moderate and its still cheaper than 2 nights at Universal.

Do my question is... do we really need the front of line passes? The plan was to stay at Portofino because of the front of line passes and you can walk to the parks....but the we arent a sit down family...we'd rather just grab food and eat in the room... I like the of Cabana bay because of the food court and save us some money but you dont get the passes. I looked into paying for the passes but at over $800 for just the 4 passes... that didnt work out well either....

we are a family of 4... hubby, me dd15 and ds11

Click to expand...

When in August? Beginning of August is swamped. End of August is very manageable.

You are comparing prices for a moderate at WDW to prices for the most expensive hotel at Universal. That's like complaining about the price difference between Caribbean Beach Resort and the Grand Floridian.

 

wookiebeck

Fan of both WDW and USO

Joined

Jul 26, 2011

• Dec 18, 2017

• #3

We have done Cabana Bay and loved it. This was in middle August. We did not need the express passes. Just used the app and watched line waits. Utilized early entry and rope drop. These things are the also the best answers to getting bang for the buck at WDW.

Portofino is an awesome resort. It is definitely better than any WDW moderate. And the EP's feel like (and are) a huge luxury. The FP+ system has nothing on the EP's. Hard to compare these and not get all wrapped up. Now you have some info from this board. Have fun at USO no matter what choice you make.

 

RalphinSC

Daft Brotherhood of the Ubiquitous Mugshare

Joined

Nov 11, 2010

• Dec 18, 2017

• #4

Heck, in my opinion Cabana Bay itself is a notch above the Disney Moderates.

Hotel comparisons (just my dumb opinion, and quality level versus theming)
Portofino Bay ------ Grand Floridian
Hard Rock Hotel---------Contemporary Resort
Royal Pacific ----------- Polynesian
Sapphire Falls ------------- Swan or Dolphin
Cabana Bay -------------- Port Orleans

 

Princess Minnie321

Mouseketeer

Joined

Dec 19, 2015

• Dec 19, 2017

• #5

Have you checked the Royal Pacific? They are usually less then Portifino and include the express pass.

 

Captainkidd76

DIS Veteran

Joined

Dec 7, 2017

• Dec 19, 2017

• #6

We prefer the Hard Rock. In fact, we wouldn't go to Universal without staying on-site at one of the big 3.

 

Patience

DIS Veteran

Joined

Jul 7, 2011

• Dec 20, 2017

• #7

We love Royal Pacific and feel it gives good value for the price, especially with the annual pass discount. It's a lovely hotel with a relaxing theme and the express pass is a must have for us. We've only gone at busy times though.

 

V

VacaPlanner2012

Mouseketeer

Joined

Aug 27, 2011

• Dec 21, 2017

• #8

Our family prefers Hard Rock, but we now stay at Royal Pacific and it is just great. We stay for longer trips now (6-8 nights), and the premium for Hard Rock over Royal Pacific does not make sense budget wise, plus we can spend as much time at Hard Rock as we want, we just can't sleep there...and Royal Pacific has great sushi!!!!

If I were to take my in-laws again, I would probably bite the bullet and stay at Hard Rock due to proximity. Been caught out in the Florida afternoon rain and lightning enough to know not to count on boats all the time.

We have never stayed at Portofino, but we visit often for Sal's Pizza, can't imagine its not great to stay at. But, we are now spoiled and require EP in all seasons, so we will always stay at the Big 3.

 

bumbershoot

DIS Veteran

Joined

Mar 5, 2007

• Dec 21, 2017

• #9

tiggger1 said:

it kills me that I can do 5 days at Disney in a Moderate and its still cheaper than 2 nights at Universal.

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You’re not comparing apples to apples.

I love POR, but it pales in comparison to PBH. Of course you can expect PBH to be more expensive.

Not sure if you’re looking at packages or room only, but be sure to check both. With room only if a better rate comes out between now and then you can switch your rate. With a package you might face a change fee.

tiggger1 said:

The plan was to stay at Portofino because of the front of line passes and you can walk to the parks....but the we arent a sit down family...we'd rather just grab food and eat in the room...

Click to expand...

Ok I don’t understand what one has to do with the other.

We generally have a car so we go to Publix and/or Trader Joe’s and\or While Foods, get food for the room, and eat whatever while on the way to the parks.

I hear there’s a Starbucks at portofino now that wasn’t there last time we were there. There’s also one at citywalk.

We’ve never had a sit down breakfast in all the times we’ve been to Universal.