Universal Hotels
 

My family and I are planning a trip to Orlando in early April. We would like to stay on property at Universal. Which resort would you recommend for two kids, ages 6 and 3.

The Hard Rock Hotel is awesome. Despite the trendy, hip name, it offers exception service and very nice accomodations. The best part: your room ket is a "Fast pass" to the rides at Universal. You don't have to wait in line! This can significantly affect your experience. I cannot emphasize the importance of this enough. Also, there is a nice boat shuttle from the Hard Rock Hotel to the parks. Fun and relaxing. Also close to Downtown Disney which will be fun for everyone in your family. Have fun!

If your children are not rockers you might investigate the Portofino Bay Hotel, patterned after the resort on the Italien Riviera. It's understated elegance. The "Beach Pool" has a sandy area your children should enjoy, together with a nice waterslide that would delight your older child.
Agree that the Universal Express feature of your room key is priceless. Near immediate access, as often as you wish, to virtually every attraction in the parks, as well as preferred seating at many of the restaurants. Best perk available at any theme park hotel, by far.

And yet another option. For young children I would recommend the Royal Pacific Resort. Their pool has a huge play area for young children. The atmosphere is very relaxed and the hotel is beautiful. It is also within walking distance to the parks, but also has the water taxi and bus. For loads of info on Universal, go to www.disboards.com and scroll down to the Universal forums.

By the way, you're within walking distance of CITY WALK, not Downtown Disney, which is way south in Disney kingdom.

Hard Rock's pool is the nicest of the three hotels. I would recommend either the HR or the Pacific Beach. The Hard Rock was starting to look a little worn and ready for a renovation my last visit, and Pacific Beach is new and closer to the parks and City Walk. Also the cheapest of the three.

Hard Rock isn't THAT far from Downtown Disney, and I think the shuttle even takes you over there if I remember corerctly. Not matter, the Pacific Beach may work better for you anyway. Just BE SURE you can use your room key as a fast pass. It will significantly affect your trip!

The Universal area is about 20 minutes or so from Downtown Disney (depending on the time of day). I have stayed at all three of the Universal Resorts and they are all great. We prefer the Royal Pacific or Portofino Bay to the Hard Rock, but that is just a matter of preference and theming. The closest resort to the parks and Citywalk is the Hard Rock. The other hotels are an easy walk (10 minutes or so -- or you can take a water taxi).

Since your children are young, I would choose Royal Pacific or Portofino Bay. Portofino Bay has a beautiful beach pool and the rooms are quite large - especially deluxe pool view rooms - they are approximately 500 square feet. The bathroom are huge!! It is nice to have the extra room with the little ones.

The best part is - you can't really make a mistake. These hotels are great and you will absolutely LOVE being able to use your room key for express access to the rides. It's the best!!!

Have fun!