Best Disney/Universal hotel

[melandjake]

Just receved the Virgin brochure for next year.

Which in your opinion is the best disney or universal hotel and why?.

I know I will have lots of different opinions on this but trying to weigh up the cost vs value for money vs benefits.

I could just about afford the most expensive disney/universal hotel but not sure if they are the best all round or not IYSWIM.

Many thanks Mel

[melandjake]

just bumping :grin:

[philinmerthyr]

Just receved the Virgin brochure for next year.

Which in your opinion is the best disney or universal hotel and why?.

I know I will have lots of different opinions on this but trying to weigh up the cost vs value for money vs benefits.

I could just about afford the most expensive disney/universal hotel but not sure if they are the best all round or not IYSWIM.

Many thanks Mel


Why not stay in more than one. We have 5 nights in POFQ, a week in a condo at Vista Cay and 2 nights at Universal RPR. Get all the on site benefits and some variety.

[melandjake]

Now thats a good idea Phil. Keeps the cost down I guess too if you mix it up with other hotels not in disney or universal

[fred20]

For me it has to be Portofino Bay at Universal - it's just so relaxing, the theme parks are a 5 minute walk away and yet when you are back at the hotel its like a different world

The pool is fantastic and the hotel itself is huge plus the view over the bay is awesome. Then there's the added bonus on front of line passes. The theming is amazing - Italian sports car's and vespa's parked in the main entrance

I love Disney and have stopped at Animal Kingdom Lodge,Beach Club, Yacht Club etc but Portofino puts them all in the shade as far as I'm concerned

Depending on how long you are syaing in Orlando why not do both 2-3 nights in Universal and then some time at one of the Disney resorts. Best of both worlds

Fred
:wavey:

[JudyC]

For Disney I'd always pick a hotel in the Epcot resort, either Yacht and Beach Club or the Boardwalk over the Grand Floridian.

That's just my opinion as I'd love to be within walking distance of my two favourite parks Epcot and MGM. The friendship boats runs from this area too.

[melandjake]

I have to say the Portofino hotel looks superb. I quite fancy the club lounge with the complimentary breafast, hor derves and wine and beer at night

Also Its a great idea to stay in one of the hotels near epcot as we can walk to MGM and EPCOT

Keep your opinions coming everyone!

[Mazzy]

We've stayed in all 3 Universal hotels and prefer the Hard Rock, it's pretty cool, but that's just personal choice, as they're all lovely hotels. :d:

For Disney, well if you look at my siggy you will see our favourite! ;) :pgig: It's also in the EPCOT Resort area, and terrific value for money.

[missbounce]

Our favourite is Polynesian Resort - it's absolutely beautiful and the location is perfect. There's nothing quite like laying in a hammock on the beach at the Poly and watching the Wishes Fireworks across the water - bliss!

Cara

[Clare]

I have a number of favourites lol :blush:

I loved Portofino Bay at Universal, gorgeous hotel with fantastic theming (really felt like Italy, albeit a little more sanatised), the rooms were beautiful and the whole resort had wonderful feel to it.

At Disney my favourite(s) are:

Port Orleans French Quarter (moderate) - it was my first onsite stay so I'm probably a little biased but it is so pretty, to walk along the river to POR is so relaxing, and to hop on the boat to DTD is a nice bonus.

Boardwalk Inn - I think because the Inn (not villas) side is so small with only about 350 rooms it gives a calm feeling once you're off the actual boardwalk, it's a beautiful resort with a quirky feel. Being able to walk to Epcot and HS is one of the big attractions here - I also like the Yacht Club (never stayed at the Beach Club) but for me the BWI is my favourite Epcot resort.

Grand Floridian - beautiful hotel, loved it! But, the BWI still wins for me based on location. Now, if the Grand Floridian was actually based in the Epcot resort area I'd be happy ;) (but I wouldn't pay rack rate, crazy rates for the level of hotel it is, but that's just my opinion).

[Imagineer2802]

PORT ORLEANS RIVERSIDE!
In my opinion that is the best Disney hotel.....we would prefer to stay here than at a deluxe. The grounds are absolutely beatiful, cosy and welcoming, and the atmoshere is so relaxing, yet you can still tell its disney if you know what i mean. The rooms are a nice size, along with the pools. I think you should at least try staying here!!
hope this helps! pm me if you want to know more specifics about the resort, pm me! :wavey:

[melandjake]

Gosh how to choose. Port Orleans sounds fab too

[pinkypominnie]

Animal Kingdom Lodge - without a doubt the most stunning, amazing place I have ever stayed anywhere in the world!!

As an animal lover there is no competition for me, there is nothing like sitting on your balcony with free roaming giraffe, zebra, ankole cattle and other beautiful animals just below you, it was breathtaking :inlove: xxx

[melandjake]

Wow animal kingdom lodge sounds superb:grin:

[disney_cjd]

If you can afford it then by far the best resort hotel is the Polyneasian at Disney.

So many reasons but here are some
- it was the first hotel to open
- it has the best and most complete theming of any Disney hotel
- it has a wonderful location in the MK and also on the Monorail
- it has its own beach where you can watch the fireworks and the EWP
- it has great places to eat

If a deluxe is too expensive then the best moderate I would say is the POFQ.

I would avoid the Colorado Springs like the plague

Never stayed at Universal but hope this helps. I have stayed at most of the Disney ones.

Cheers

[melandjake]

Thanks disney_cjd I will have a look at that resort too and check out the costs -lots of good reasons to stay there, its so difficult having to choose!

Do any of these hotels have an AA discount and if so typically how much do you get off. I think the Universal hotels do this don`t they ?

[BigCol]

If you can afford it then by far the best resort hotel is the Polyneasian at Disney.

So many reasons but here are some
- it was the first hotel to open
- it has the best and most complete theming of any Disney hotel
- it has a wonderful location in the MK and also on the Monorail
- it has its own beach where you can watch the fireworks and the EWP
- it has great places to eat

If a deluxe is too expensive then the best moderate I would say is the POFQ.

I would avoid the Colorado Springs like the plague

Never stayed at Universal but hope this helps. I have stayed at most of the Disney ones.

Cheers


Spot on. The Poly rocks. :D

[disney_cjd]

Thanks disney_cjd I will have a look at that resort too and check out the costs -lots of good reasons to stay there, its so difficult having to choose!

Do any of these hotels have an AA discount and if so typically how much do you get off. I think the Universal hotels do this don`t they ?

No worries, it whats its all about on here.

As for discounts, the AA i believe is affilated with the AAA and yes their are AAA discounts. I managed to get a couple of nights at the Poly in a Magic Kingdom facing room for 300 dollars a night which with a normal rate of 500 is not bad.

I would suggest you email Beci or Annette of www.mousefantravel.com as they can check all the discount codes for you. Thats if you are booking direct of course.

HTH
Craig

[melandjake]

Thanks Craig, thats a big saving!

Will check out that link too

If im staying in a disney or universal resort obviously want to save as much money as possible so probably will book DIY. Almost always find it cheaper that way:grin:

[pinkypominnie]

Wow animal kingdom lodge sounds superb:grin:

It is - there is really no other like it - best theming of any of the Disney resorts (although all of them are really gorgeous and you would have a great time no matter which one you choose) The AKL just has that special "extra", it has a great African feeling and is very authentic, there are huge fire pits and rocking chairs and you can get night vision glasses to observe the animals at night.

Or maybe do a split-stay? Combine a stay here with one of the other deluxe or a moderate? Everyone speaks extremely highly of the Port Oleans resorts (both POFQ and POR) and often favour them to the deluxe properties.........or one of the hotels on the monorail (the Poly or the GF are both superb too) xx

[pinkypominnie]

Thanks Craig, thats a big saving!

Will check out that link too

If im staying in a disney or universal resort obviously want to save as much money as possible so probably will book DIY. Almost always find it cheaper that way:grin:

We booked DIY and just booked a week in each in the POR and CBR.
Disney US currently have a fantastic offer on, where we paid for 4nts stay and 4 days park entry (Magic Your Way Base Tickets) and got 3 FREE nights and 3 FREE days park entry!! So 7 for the price of 4 :) xx

[MATMELSAM&MOG]

Have not stayed outside of Disney yet, but would recomend Animal Kingdom Lodge, Port Orelans and All Star Movies & Sports though

[disney_cjd]

If you are going DIY then try www.mousefantravel.com you get all the benefits and all the discounts and they charge nothing for it.

Also if a deal comes out after you have booked they are normally able to add this to your booking.

Beci is the owner and Annette is the person I deal with.

Cheers
Craig

[melandjake]

Port Orleans sounds great also AKL and Polynesian if I can afford it.

What about universal hotels? Portofino hotel the best?

Will def contact mousefan travel but I think some prices for Oct next year may not be out until August

[diamondminnie]

well we'r booked for 2010, staying at lowes universal ? for a week then disneys yaht club for a week