Profile: Universal Orlando's new Sapphire Falls resort

Starting to think I may really, really enjoy a vacation at Universal now. I've never done one, because I'm always down the road with the mouse and Uni is always a side-trip, if at all, but this place looks incredible.

Without Universal Express, I think that Royal Pacific would be my minimum. I had a couple of years where I had annual passes, and stayed there a ton between 2004 and 2007. Service was suboptimal toward the end of that time period, unfortunately. Seemed like an institutional problem with Loews. Frustrating because I loved staying on-property.

Jeff said:
Without Universal Express, I think that Royal Pacific would be my minimum.

Agreed. If I am paying that price level I am going to want an Express Pass. It's worth it during busy times. In December however we are staying at Cabana Bay again. It's a bit large and sprawling and you don't have the boat or a reasonable walk but the pool, pool bar, and rooms are really nice.

Jeff said:

here a ton between 2004 and 2007. Service was suboptimal toward the end of that time period, unfortunately. Seemed like an institutional problem with Loews.

We had a throwaway night there in 2012---it was cheaper to do that than buy express passes for the four of us for two days---but we though the hotel's general level of service was quite nice. Granted, I was comparing it to Disney DVC/Deluxe, so the bar was low, but still.

Our stay at Royal Pacific was what made me finally decide once and for all to get to Hawaii. Sounds silly, but it worked.

I was at Universal in February staying somewhere across the street. But I drove by both of the new resorts (SF was still being built) many times and what shocked me was how close some of the buildings were to I-4. That side of both resorts, (Cabana Bay especially) looked right out onto the freeway.
At the time they were still very torn up with work on the new Universal exchange/exit (probably still are) and the men, machines, noise and lights were out there all night. It was the best/only time for the work, but it just looked miserable for the guests. I had some of that from my Clarion, but I was at 80 a night, so...

I realize available space at Universal is different than at Disney, but for that kind of money I don't want to look out onto a freeway and the tacky end of I-Drive just past. That, the proximity to the parks, and Express make the original hotels more attractive to me.

We are paying $110 a night for Cabana Bay in December. It's way nicer than what $110 a night.

It was 150? 180? When I was there. I said no.
Plus I was in Orlando for a week and at universal for 1 day outta that. I also got free parking.