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    sapphire falls or lowes portofino

    Some things to think on between the two hotels: SF base rooms are 321 sqft. PB base rooms are 450 sqft and they have deluxe rooms (non-suite) that are 490 sqft. If room size means anything to you, then PB will have significantly larger rooms. SF has 1000 total rooms. PB has 750 total rooms...
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    First time Universal what hotel

    Agree with going for the cheapest for your case. You are only staying one night (2 days). That probably doesn't leave a lot of down time at the hotel. I'd guess you will want to spend most of the time at the parks (and maybe CityWalk some as well.) If you were staying longer, then spending...
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    Best way to switch to a Premier level hotel and check in?

    I would probably have one person get up extra early and head over to RPR to check in for the whole group (i.e. getting there between 6am and 7am). As others have mentioned, you don't need everyone at the front desk to check-in. You will get a room card for everyone listed on the reservation...
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    Portofino through Amex Fine Hotels and Resorts program

    I think the confusion came from mixing the 4pm late check-out benefits at PBR that comes with the Amex FHR program and the Premier Annual Pass which comes with a single-use EP after 4pm.
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    Amex FHR at PBH - experiences?

    You should get the AMEX benefits for the first 2 nights (the nights you are staying with the AMEX rate.) I doubt you will get the benefits beyond that. So I would use the $100 sometime during that first 2 nights. And don't expect to get free breakfast after that as well. Note those benefits...
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    Pool service Portfino bay

    I know they have them walking around the Villa pool area as my wife usually gets some food and drinks. My wife and daughter tend to like the Villa pool better as it is quieter, but if they have that service around the Villa pool, I'd guess they have it at the Beach pool (the largest pool.)...
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    How important are reservations at restaurants?

    Both restaurants (Finnegan's and Lombards) are inside the Universal Studios park.
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    Portofino v. Royal including walking distance

    Neither are base level rooms. So you are probably getting a discounted rate through Costco Travel where the RPR room isn't as discounted. Another pointer since it looks like you will be staying at PBR in a Deluxe room. If you would like a balcony room, if possible try to check-in very early...
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    Portofino v. Royal including walking distance

    One more point, usually RPR is the less expensive resort than PBR. Quite often when you see rates being less at PBR that means your probably seeing a base room at PBR and a non-base room at RPR. If that is the case in your situation, what are the 2 room types you are comparing? That could...
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    How important are reservations at restaurants?

    To make restaurant reservations: https://www.universalorlando.com/web/en/us/plan-your-visit/dining-experiences/reservations The HP restaurant menus do have overlaps, but there are differences. For Leaky Cauldron: https://www.universalorlando.com/web/en/us/things-to-do/dining/leaky-cauldron...
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    How important are reservations at restaurants?

    Will you want to eat at traditional times? If so, in June especially on the weekends, I'd say there is a good chance there will be a wait for getting a table at the more popular restaurants. I've had to wait for a table at Antojitos before and if City Walk is really crowded, that wait could be...
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    Portofino v. Royal including walking distance

    As has been mentioned, the rooms at RPR are smaller. At RPR most of their rooms are 335 sqft. At PBR their base rooms are 450 sqft and the Deluxe rooms are 490 sqft. (Just for comparison purposes, an Endless Summer 2-bedroom suite is only 440 sqft.) Also as mentioned, there are 3 different...
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    Universal Studios coming to DFW ... just announced!

    We also live close by and our granddaughter is not even 1 yet. So the timing on this may work out very nicely for day trips with the grandkids. 👍
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    Transportation to/from airport from Universal Resort

    This is what we do quite often. The MCO Hyatt is extremely convenient. No worrying about traffic or what time to get a pick-up. The morning is much less chaotic since we are already at the airport. The Hyatt is a nice hotel with a nice pool and restaurant (or you can eat at most any of the...
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    Booking a room with an annual pass

    The T&Cs specially state "one room per Pass credential". So for 2 rooms, then 2 people will need to have an AP.
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    Can I more or less wing this trip?

    If you want to eat at Mythos (in IOA), I'd also recommend reservations unless you are going during a less crowded day and an off eating time. My daughter loves to eat at Mythos, but even here, we don't usually make reservations until after we arrive for our trip. We don't plan out the meals...
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    It seems like buying a package (direct from Uni) is more expensive than buying hotel + tickets separately?

    It can also be the whole "one stop shopping" experience as well. Some may feel getting the package with one purchase is easier than the effort required to purchase everything separately. We've only purchase a package deal once and that was decades ago right after RPR first opened. Universal...
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    Transportation to/from airport from Universal Resort

    If you are renting, don't forget to include parking charges, gas, tolls, etc. to your cost estimates.
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    UO Newbie - Royal Pacific vs Sapphire Falls?

    One thing to think on with your decision is that with EPs you won't be spending as much time in lines as you might without the EPs. That means more time spent with your friends (since it sounds like they won't be standing in lines with you.) So even if they won't be on the rides as much, you...
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    How early to book Universal Resorts?

    Correct. If AP rates are available, you can make them whether you have an AP in hand or not. But you will need to actually have an AP to show during your stay. And as I mentioned before, you only need one AP per room. So you don't necessarily have to purchase an AP for everyone.
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