Universal Studios vacation
 

Hello from NY: Thinking of traveling the last week of June with my wife and daughter (6th grader) to the Orlando area. My daughter would like to experience Universal studios. It seems that Universal runs their own resorts. Any comments on these resorts would be helpful in choosing accommodations. I would also gladly accept advice on touring the parks, planning one's day and where to get good food.
Thank you for your time and advice.

We did Hard Rock hotel with our early teens... loved it... plus you get special access to rides...

If you stay at Portofino, Hard Rock, or Royal Pacific your room key is also an express pass for the rides. That in and of itself is worth the price you pay. Have stayed at Portofino and Hard Rock both are nice, prefer the Hard Rock. There are two other hotels that offer early admission but not express, Cabana Bay, and Sapphire Falls. Both CB and SF are closest to new water park Volcano Bay which opens at the end of the month.

We have stayed at the Hard Rock Hotel and Royal Pacific Resort. We prefer the more laid back atmosphere at the Royal Pacific. If you stay one night your get two full days express access with your room key. It is still good after you check out of the hotel on your last day.
You can easily walk to the parks from the Hard Rock or the Royal Pacific or take their water taxis. It is so easy to go from park to park as they are right next to each other.

We’ve stayed at all three express pass hotels with our two boys, the Hard Rock the only one twice. Not a big deal, but the Hard Rock has a sink inside and outside of the bathroom easing the morning/evening rush and the shortest walk to park entrances/City walk. Of the other two:
1.) If just the wife and me and price no object would probably stay at the Portofino as it has the nicest/biggest rooms, is quieter, and has a separate quiet pool. Longest walk to the park though.
2.) Royal Pacific is fine, has a nice pool area, and a bit shorter walk than Portofino. Less expensive than the others so a good choice if you want to save a few bucks.

We have always gone at busy times around the holidays so the express pass was invaluable. You really can’t go wrong with any of the three.