have2getaway
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jul 5, 2005
We are planning a split stay with Disney, and I have honestly been all over the map regarding where to stay at both parks. We started out just planning a throwaway room at Universal to use for Express Pass, only to decide we really want to stay deluxe at Universal and experience all that Universal has to offer, so we cancelled our Beach Club/Poly split stay, and are now ending our trip at the Polynesian. We have 3-9 year old triplets who love Harry Potter, so it’s the right time. That said, I now am on the fence as to which hotel to stay at, while at Universal. We know we want the Express Pass, so that eliminates Sapphire Falls, which we were considering for the two room suites. I’m leaning towards Portofino Bay in just a standard room, although we were considering club level to use for breakfast each day. For us, I’m just not sure club level make sense other than for breakfast?We want to experience the parks and the restaurants — the Harry Potter ones and City Walk, Sal’s, Mama Dellas, etc. I don’t know that we will do that if we use club level? I was considering Royal Pacific for the proximity to Islands of Adventure and for the kid’s suite, But the kids suits is considerably more and we don’t plan to spend a lot of time in our room. Our biggest concern with Royal Pacific is the room size, as there are five of us. Has anyone ever stayed at Sapphire falls, but just bought one night stay at RPR to use for Express Pass? I have actually considered that. I don’t love the room Decor at hard rock, and to me, it screams teenagers, which we won’t have with us. I love everything about Portofino Bay, except the location, and the fact that it doesn’t have a washer and dryer. Also, my TA said we would not love RPR, but did recommend PBH. We will be arriving around 3:00 pm on a Saturday and heading to Disney on Weds. Does anyone have any suggestions for us?
The Disney portion of our trip is considerably more expensive. we do have the dining plan included so that’s part of it, but the Poly room is more expensive as well. One thing we have considered is staying a 4th night at Universal and doing a day at Sea World or Volcano Bay. Our boys all love penguins, so that would be the primary reason to go, and I’m honestly not sure they makes sense when the Montreal Center has Antarctic Penguins and we can see them next spring. We are going in January, so Volcano Bay seems kind of silly. But...it was something we did consider.
The Disney portion of our trip is considerably more expensive. we do have the dining plan included so that’s part of it, but the Poly room is more expensive as well. One thing we have considered is staying a 4th night at Universal and doing a day at Sea World or Volcano Bay. Our boys all love penguins, so that would be the primary reason to go, and I’m honestly not sure they makes sense when the Montreal Center has Antarctic Penguins and we can see them next spring. We are going in January, so Volcano Bay seems kind of silly. But...it was something we did consider.