5 Universal Orlando Hotels We’re Getting Worried About

Universal Orlando hotels have always been a huge part of the appeal of staying on property, but lately, a few things have started giving us a bit of pause.

We still think Universal has some great hotel options, especially if you want convenience and perks. That said, not every experience has been smooth lately, and some patterns are starting to stand out. Here are five Universal Orlando hotels we are keeping a closer eye on and why they have us a little concerned.

Endless Summer Resort – Dockside Inn and Suites

Dockside has long been a go-to for value seekers who want extra space, but a recent experience raised some red flags. We booked a room, and check-in ended up being a nightmare. Arriving around 9 PM, the wait to check in was close to an hour, and nearly everyone around me was visibly frustrated.

Guests were being told that mobile check-in was only available to select guests chosen at random. Apparently, if you were selected, you would have received an email ahead of time, and if you did not get that email, you were out of luck. There was no other online option available. Compared to how streamlined Disney check-in tends to be, the whole situation felt chaotic and unorganized, which is not what you want after a long travel day.

Endless Summer Resort – Surfside Inn and Suites

Surfside shares a lot of similarities with Dockside, including pricing and layout, which puts it in a similar category of concern. These resorts are often priced close to Terra Luna and Stella Nova, but they offer larger suite-style rooms that can sleep more people. On paper, that sounds like a great deal.

The issue is transportation. From Surfside, you have to bus to every destination, no exceptions. When prices start creeping closer to newer hotels with better location perks, it makes us question whether Surfside will continue to feel like the value option it once was.

Universal Terra Luna Resort

Terra Luna is shiny, new, and very appealing, but we’re worried about how it fits into the bigger picture. Pricing is comparable to Endless Summer, yet room sizes are smaller, and the transportation situation is not ideal. You still need to rely on buses for most destinations.

There is also the concern that Terra Luna may never get its own dedicated walking path to Epic Universe. If that ends up being the case, guests would always be forced to walk over to Stella Nova just to access that path, which takes away from the convenience many people expect when booking a newer hotel.

Universal Stella Nova Resort

Stella Nova shares a lot of the same concerns as Terra Luna, but it has one key advantage. It currently has the walking path that Terra Luna guests rely on. That kind of puts Stella Nova in an awkward position where it could become overcrowded with foot traffic from another hotel.

While having a walking path is a huge plus, it also raises questions about how smooth the experience will feel long term, especially during busy seasons when Epic Universe crowds are at their peak.

Loews Portofino Bay Hotel and Universal Aventura Hotel

Finally, we have two hotels that seem to get lost in the shuffle. Portofino Bay is one of Universal’s premier hotels, but it does not get talked about nearly as much as it used to. With newer properties grabbing attention, Portofino risks feeling overlooked despite its perks.

Aventura falls into a similar category. It is sleek, modern, and often priced well, but it rarely comes up in conversations about where to stay. When hotels stop being part of the discussion, it makes us wonder how they will hold up against newer competition.

We still think Universal Orlando has some fantastic hotel options, but these are the ones we’re watching a little more closely.

We’ll be sure to keep you updated on all the latest Universal Orlando news, so make sure to stay tuned to AllEars!

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Have you stayed at any of these recently, and did you notice the same issues, or did you have a totally different experience? Tell us in the comments!

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