Great information…my husband and I stayed at the Portofino way back in 2014 for the opening of Diagon Alley….we loved everything about this resort! The Deluxe room was wonderful, location was good, atmosphere was nice and we enjoyed the club level lounge. Looking forward to trying some Universal hotels next year when Epic opens!!!!!

@fudge_factor

6 күн бұрын

Portofino bay is awesome! Can’t wait to see it after the refurb! What hotel are you looking forward to??

@lexirowe3151

5 күн бұрын

@@fudge_factor we have it narrowed down to Cabana Bay and the new Grand Helios but who knows I might just use my DVC points and then drive over 🤣

@fudge_factor

5 күн бұрын

Hahah using the points for a discounted/free stay is super nice!

I stayed at Portofino Bay in December (2023) when I went. The construction didnt hamper our experience at all. We never heard them (and they were working on the building next to ours). The scaffolding was up, but we were in the parks all day, not looking at scaffolding. The construction in the parks was more inconvenient that at the hotel. Loved it...5 stars. 100% would reccommend

@fudge_factor

5 ай бұрын

We love Portofino bay! It’s our favorite hotel….just maybe not for 2024! That view at portofino is 🔥🔥

@Rene...startingover

5 ай бұрын

@fudge_factor We had a ground floor bay view room and ducks came to visit us every morning! Best view ever! (It helped that our first morning, someone in our party, not me, gave them cheez itz)

@fudge_factor

5 ай бұрын

Hahaha you made friends for life!

Mw wife and I have reservations for Portofino Bay in December for our 10th wedding Anniversary. It will be our first experience together at one of the high end resorts! We are very excited. Orlando Informer falls on our anniversary while we are there, so we are going to try that for the first time as well. December can't get here soon enough, but watching videos like this getting us prepared!

@fudge_factor

5 ай бұрын

Gahhh how excited are you??

This definitely helped me for my next trip. I’ve been wanting to book a premier resort solely based on the express passes. Thank you! I usually always stay at Cabana Bay (loveeeee it) but next trip I’m thinking premier.

@fudge_factor

5 ай бұрын

Which premier are you thinking??

@NickBrunet

5 ай бұрын

@@fudge_factor I’m thinking Hard Rock!

@fudge_factor

5 ай бұрын

Party like a rockstar!! That’s going to be so much fun!

Great video! We stayed at Portofino Bay during Christmas. They happened to put us in the wing with the construction and our window was covered with tarps, so we were unable to see the great water view. However, fortunately, we were barely in our room during the stay so it didn't bother us too much.

@fudge_factor

5 ай бұрын

We were talking about if they were still putting people in those rooms. Did you still pay a water view rate? Even though your view was covered

@mistyross1135

5 ай бұрын

We did not pay for the water front view luckily!

@fudge_factor

5 ай бұрын

Phew! That would’ve been madly disappointing

Awesome video...we still think the Hard Rock overall is the best. You can't beat the vibe and pool area and also you can walk to the parks. Can't be beat!

@fudge_factor

5 ай бұрын

It really is hard to beat! It’s a great hotel! Have you tried any of the restaurants there?

@MyThreeSons

5 ай бұрын

Yes...The Kitchen, but with three kids we love the pool bar/restaurant! @@fudge_factor

@fudge_factor

5 ай бұрын

Oooo we haven’t tried the pool restaurant! It was good??

@MyThreeSons

5 ай бұрын

Fish tacos were great...as were the margaritas. plus the pool is our favorite part of Hard Rock!@@fudge_factor

@fudge_factor

5 ай бұрын

That’s great info to know! We are going to have to try those in September

Thank you ❤

@fudge_factor

5 ай бұрын

You’re so welcome! Hopefully this was helpful! Are you planning a trip for this year? 😊

We were just debating this for our Dec stay! Had missed this video of yours, thanks! Have you ever gotten the complimentary turntable and records when staying at HR? We try every time, but no luck yet!

@fudge_factor

Ай бұрын

No, we haven’t! We have to try that and the guitar! What did you decide on for December??

Greetings peeps ! I love all 3 and have stayed at each a few times but for me .. Porto Fino is the best . The overall theming is awesome. You really feel like you are in Italy . As far as location Hard Rock wins as it’s so dang close to the entrance to Universal . 😎😎😎 And yes I agree I love Bice . Great food !

@fudge_factor

5 ай бұрын

Yess! Totally agree! All three are great for their own reasons. How long until you get to stay at one of them again???

@anthonylagano

5 ай бұрын

@@fudge_factorI normally go the Monday after Thanksgiving as the crowds are lighter . I live in South Florida so it’s only a 2 hour drive for me .

@fudge_factor

5 ай бұрын

Oh nice! That’s super fun! Thats a great time to go!

Understand your conclusion on PB - the upside this year is that the resort is offering solid discounts especially for passholders this year.

@fudge_factor

5 ай бұрын

Are they? I would hope so! I’d be a bit frustrated if my room had a view of a construction tarp lol 😂

RP all the way! Hard Rock with all those connecting room doors, no thank youuu 😂

@fudge_factor

Ай бұрын

That’s a fair point!! Is RP your favorite?

My favorites in order: Royal Pacific, Hard Rock, Portofino. Royal Pacific is just closer in the morning when you're headed to Hagrid's. I feel the boat options are better there too because you can walk easily from Islands with how close it is or take the boat from Universal. Coming from the other side (Hard Rock/Portofino), it's difficult to get first in line because the gates open at the same time. Hard Rock is nice, but the loud music everywhere gets annoying after a while. Portofino is great, but your feet will absolutely hate you.

@fudge_factor

4 ай бұрын

Those are great points! Being on that islands side is super nice for epa! Great points for consideration when choosing where to stay!

I’m so excited about staying at Royal Pacific in May! I did enjoy my stay at Hard Rock last time, it was way better than the first time I stayed there. The only thing I was bummed about is, there is no Universal store. Portifino is on my list! Maybe not for my next meetup trip, I like a close hotel for that 😅. Maybe the spring of 2025 I’ll stay there. Maybe the renovation will be done by then 😃.

@fudge_factor

5 ай бұрын

Fingers crossed! It’s such a great hotel when it’s not under construction! I wonder if hard rock doesn’t have a studios store because it’s not a Loews hotel 🤔

@jo.universalstateofmind

5 ай бұрын

@@fudge_factor I think you’re right on Hard Rock. They looked at me like I was stupid when I asked them if they had a Studios store in there 😅

@fudge_factor

5 ай бұрын

😅

Hard Rock 👑

@fudge_factor

5 ай бұрын

🎸🤘

I whonder if theses hotels will give unlimited passes to Epic universe in 2025.

@fudge_factor

5 ай бұрын

That’s a great question! 2024 will be full of epic universe updates!

LOVE YOU GUYS!! Your the BEST!!! FIRST! ?? All that Give you Unlimited Fast PASS are Awesome!!

@fudge_factor

5 ай бұрын

Thank you so much!! 😊

I stayed at the Hard Rock, beautiful hotel but very expensive, parking is very expensive, I took my car out three times in one and had to pay the same price three times.

@fudge_factor

2 ай бұрын

It’s is expensive! Especially during the busy season. Parking is one of those expenses people underestimate. Self parking at hard rock is $28 per day or $37 per day for valet

Premier sooo expensive now. Sapphire is the best option now in my opinion 😎

@fudge_factor

5 ай бұрын

They are that’s true but sometimes, depending on if you want express pass m, they make sense! Vs buying express passes for everyone

Atm, Portofino is the cheapest followed by Royal Pacific then Hard Rock, by cheapest room

@fudge_factor

2 ай бұрын

Thank you for the update! Probably due to the construction that is currently ongoing!

could the new teddy bear movie imaginary be a haunted house for hhn 33 idk if that would fit🤔

@fudge_factor

5 ай бұрын

Haha 😂 maybe! We haven’t heard that within any spec yet, but you never know! We’re hoping Universal will drop more info once Mardi Gras is officially kicked off 🤞🤞🤞

Hard Rock

@fudge_factor

5 ай бұрын

🤘🤘