Hard Rock Vs. Sapphire Falls January 2020

sunnyd_83

Earning My Ears
Joined
May 4, 2009
Hello,

This will be our first year staying on property at Universal Orlando and we are currently debating between Hard Rock and Sapphire Falls. When I say currently debating, what I really mean is...

1. We were planning an on-site disney stay renting points at Polynesian, then decided to steer clear of Disney for a while until we can see how Galaxy's Edge crowds shape up
2. Booked at Cabana Bay for the suite
3. Cancelled Cabana Bay and booked a standard garden view at Hard Rock
4. Are now thinking of cancelling Hard Rock and booking a kid's suite at Sapphire Falls.

There are 5 of us (2 adults, 3 boys aged 13,8,4 at time of trip)

I've youtube video'd myself and my family to death and have been wondering if the unlimited express pass is worth sacrificing the space in January. We also understand we would be sacrificing a bit of convenience with the further walk to the parks at Sapphire Falls (understand the water taxi is a great option for both as well).
Any help would be greatly appreciated. My hubby hated the theming of Cabana Bay:( I loved the "fun" atmosphere and the access to family friendly dining options, but that ship has sailed.

Your help would be greatly appreciated!
 
Sounds like you need to decide if you want more room or EP more... The EP's are a significant 'value' as there are 5 of you. Can't say what crowds will be then.

How much time will you spend in the room ? Will feel more crowded with older kids in a smaller room, but if only there to sleep and shower, may not be as bad.

But you know your family better.. Which will make for a more enjoyable vacation ?
 
If you're familiar with Disney moderates, we last stayed at Port Orleans Riverside and it was a few degrees below torture in terms of space. I wonder how busy crowds are at Universal in January. Looking at some crown calendars, it looks to be "low" season, but I have no real perspective of what that means. If it's between waiting in line 20 minutes or less for most attractions and the extra space, we will pick space. If the lines are usually quite a bit longer than that in January, the express pass may be worth a bit more to us.
 
I suppose another option would be to keep HRH and go for a deluxe guest room with the sleeper sofa. I'm getting rates for this room about $200 more than the kids suite at SF. The standard rate room at HRH is about $200 less than the kids suite.
 


Hard Rock for sure. For the EPs, for how close it is to the parks (it’s probably closer to walk back than take the boat) and it’s just a fun fun vibe.
 
I know you said your husband didn't like the theme of Cabana Bay but my husband said the same thing before we stayed there. He actually loved it once there. The family suites were wonderful and the overall resort was so much fun. We went at a low crowd time the first week of December and we didn't miss express at all. Now if you are going at a time when the crowds are high then I would definitely choose one of the resorts that come with express. Honestly Cabana Bay would be our first choice always if it came with express :)
 


We just did another stay at Hard Rock in January, crowds were mixed some days surprisingly busy others nice and calm, we have many stays at Hard Rock and love being able to walk quickly to the parks. The Express Passes are a HUGE perk. Both places we really think are beautiful. Oh my family is 5 of us also, myself and wife and 2 teenagers and our 10 year old, all boys, the older and bigger they get the smaller the rooms begin to feel...lol. If you plan on a lot of park time I would easily choose Hard Rock to enjoy the EP’s!!!
 
We just did another stay at Hard Rock in January, crowds were mixed some days surprisingly busy others nice and calm, we have many stays at Hard Rock and love being able to walk quickly to the parks. The Express Passes are a HUGE perk. Both places we really think are beautiful. Oh my family is 5 of us also, myself and wife and 2 teenagers and our 10 year old, all boys, the older and bigger they get the smaller the rooms begin to feel...lol. If you plan on a lot of park time I would easily choose Hard Rock to enjoy the EP’s!!!

Thanks:) Which room category does your family usually stay in at Hard Rock?
 
I know you said your husband didn't like the theme of Cabana Bay but my husband said the same thing before we stayed there. He actually loved it once there. The family suites were wonderful and the overall resort was so much fun. We went at a low crowd time the first week of December and we didn't miss express at all. Now if you are going at a time when the crowds are high then I would definitely choose one of the resorts that come with express. Honestly Cabana Bay would be our first choice always if it came with express :)

How is the transportation to the parks from Cabana Bay? I know they have the busses and a long but walkable path to the parks, but wondering how that translates in terms of convenience, frustration. Did you guys use the busses? Do you trek over to Sapphire Falls for the boat?
 
How is the transportation to the parks from Cabana Bay? I know they have the busses and a long but walkable path to the parks, but wondering how that translates in terms of convenience, frustration. Did you guys use the busses? Do you trek over to Sapphire Falls for the boat?
The first day we walked. It wasn’t a bad walk at all. Took about 20 minutes but this was December so it was cool out. I think I remember clocking it at just under 2 miles. We had our 6yr old grandson with us and he did fine also on the walk. The rest of the week we took the bus. No wait at all. There was always a bus there waiting and it took maybe 5 minutes to get to the park. I didn’t feel like the walk through city walk was bad either. Again on the way back there was always a bus waiting. And btw the bus is really nice. Very comfortable seats! I felt that the bus was just as fast if not faster then waiting on the boats from the other resorts. We took our grandson bowling one of the days also and it was a lot of fun. We actually first were assigned a regular standard room but after checking in I felt it was too small so we upgraded to the family suite which was wonderful! Even better then I imagined it would be. This June we are going back and doing 2 nights at Cabana bay for Volcano Bay and then 4 nights at Hard Rock for express since June can be crowded. We were originally going to do Portofino but got a decent Aph rate yesterday for Hard Rock. Here is a link to my review of Cabana Bay if you would like to read it :)
https://www.disboards.com/threads/my-thoughts-on-cabana-bay.3655285/#post-58695127
 
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Thanks Laurie! I was able to read your review and it sounds like you guys had a great experience:) We are used to staying off site and walking though the parking lot to get to city walk so aren't "spoiled" yet by the closer entrances of the deluxe resorts and the SF boat. We are also used to going in the summer and having longer than 5-10 minute waits in line! Seems like January may bring this type of low wait time like you experienced. Honestly, in the summer, we didn't think the waits were that bad either. We have disney waits to compare those wait times to and compared to those the 20-40 minute waits seemed pretty bearable. We will be there 7 nights with a 5 day ticket.
 
I suppose another option would be to keep HRH and go for a deluxe guest room with the sleeper sofa. I'm getting rates for this room about $200 more than the kids suite at SF. The standard rate room at HRH is about $200 less than the kids suite.
We've stayed in the deluxe room at HRH with a party of 5 a couple of times. It's wonderful! So much roomier than standard.
I couldn't "do" Universal with out EP, so it's a no-brainer choice for me. You can always purchase EP, but with a family of 5, the upgraded hotel room will work out to be a better deal.
 
did HRH for this past january, a 5 day weekend on MLK weekend. The crowds weren't that bad.....but did see wait times over an hour on the major headliner rides, during peak times. The weather was chilly , but squeezed in a few good pool days. We stayed club level, on the seventh floor.....it was surprisingly worth it to us , it was like another $70 per night. let me tell you honestly, the food there in the parks is quite expensive....maybe even more than disney. That , coupled with the fact that time is money , even on your vacation , i would highly recommend for you and your party of five to do a club level stay in a room that will easily fit your family, and the convenience of your kids being spoiled in the club lounge, and at the end of the day not having a long trek back to your room.......good luck with your decision!
 
Dimmy, how much time did you spend in the parks during your 5 day. I understand you thought club level worth it, but wondering how often you were able to utilize services...
 
What dates in January are you planning on?

I’ve gone twice in January and had crowds in the early portion of the month and have gone the last week and did not run into crowds

I would choose HRH over Sfalls
The ap wins for me every time

I have a decent length of stay and do the parks at a snails pace
A few hours here and there and lot of relaxing down time at the hotel and city walk
 
Macraven we are going Jan11-18th with 5 days planned in the parks. Should we wait for AP rates to come out before buying our tickets in case getting the AP makes sense? My cousin works for Disney and has a Universal annual pass. Would we legitimately be able to get a hotel booked with someone else's AP? She wouldn't be staying with us.
 
If your cousin is not staying in the room, then answer would be no

There is a surcharge per night if you have more than two adults (18+) in the room
Can have up to 5 in the standard rooms

I would book with the rate you can live with to secure the room by sometime in October

You can always rebook a room with the new offered discount and cancel your previously booked room if they will not allow you to modify a rate

I have seen discounts in early September before for January stays

Each year I do get surprised when I see discounts come out earlier than usual

Subscribe to the UO notifications so you receive emails in advance alerting you to special deals

I so hope you can book a great rate !
 
If you buy park tickets in advance and decide you want an ap, you can go to guest services and upgrade your tickets to an ap

I have the preferred ap and get 10% discounts off food and merch besides discounts on hhn events

Look at the ticket options and perks for all 4 ap levels

Go with the one that fits your needs best

You will see that the lower cost ap will be cheaper for the 2 P2P tickets if you plan on 5 park days
 

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