Well on the other side of Orlando there is a little theme park named Universal Studios.

Now I do not get to Universal much, why, well with annual passes to Disney, I can't bring myself to buy other tickets. Plus my daughter is young so I thought she would be afraid of the rides they had there.

I had to go to an awards dinner in Orlando at the Portofino Bay, so I said what the heck, it is my birthday, I will splurge and buy tickets to Universal.

That was a great idea. Because we had an amazing time. The Portofino Bay Hotel is the pinnacle of the three Universal Studios hotels. Built to resemble a small Italian town on a bay, this hotels is amazing. The walk down from the lobby to the Harbor Piazza, takes you back to Italy. Most of the guests rooms are situated in buildings on this u-shaped lake.

The rooms are big, real big. I entered the room thinking I was going to see the standard two queen set-up o most hotels. Well I was wrong. The Portofino does it better. They give you a huge king size bed for the parents and an overstuffed chair that converts to a full size bed for the kids. A welcome surpise if you ask me. With the Kurig coffe system in room and the huge bathroom this room is worrth every penny. In fact, these rooms are what the rooms at the Grand Floridian should look like. Unfortunately the Grand's room are smaller.

Our wing exited out ono the Piazza right next to the boat launch, which whisks you to Universal and Islands of Adventure (every 15 minutes).

3 pools, an arcade, and 8 restaurants including Bice, The Thrirsty Fish, A tasty Deli and Mamma Della's Ristorante. Round out the options here at Portofino Bay.

Plus everyone in your party gets Univerals Expres Pass. A line hopping pass that enables you to get onto every ride ahead of everyone else. Think of it like a permanent Fast Pass to every ride. A $30 or more value per person.

Now with all of this good there has to be bad right. The things I did not like.

The boat service runs only in good weather. So when it is raining (like it did when I was there) the boats do not run. So you have to either wait for a bus or walk back. Also it is a bit pricey, for people on a budget. Yes you get a lot and this is on the luxury side of hotels. So choose carefully. As with Disney, if you want to eat at places not on property you have to drive.

Overall, Universal has steped-up their game here. They are creating a world like Disney's, where if you stay on property your surrounded by Universal 24-7.

If you have the extra cash in your budget check this hotel out. You will like it I am sure.

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