What are the Best Universal Orlando Hotel for Families?

What are the Best Universal Orlando Hotel for Families?

What are the Best Universal Orlando Hotel for Families?

This article is your ultimate comparison guide to determine the best Universal Orlando hotel for families! From our experience helping our clients, we have found that Loews Portofino Bay is the best premier resort, and Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach resort is the best value resort based on amenities for kids to enjoy.  We would also emphasize that Portofino Bay does come with the free Universal Orlando Express Passes and is within walking distance of the two main theme parks, making it extremely convenient for families with younger children.

We hope you find this post helpful! Our goal at The Park Prodigy has always been to help you save time and money on your next Universal Orlando vacation!  If you are planning a trip to Universal Orlando be sure to check out our discounted multi-day Universal Orlando tickets and Universal Orlando vacation package deals which include EARLY PARK ADMISSION to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter!

SPECIAL NOTE: If you’re looking for the best time to visit Universal Orlando check out our Universal Crowd calendar!

Universal Orlando Crowd Calendar

Best Universal Orlando Resort for Families

From our experience helping our clients, we have found that Loews Portofino Bay is the best premier resort. Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach resort is the best value resort based on amenities for kids to enjoy. The main reason is that Portofino Bay has three swimming pools to enjoy, and Cabana Bay has two and a lazy river. We also love the Minion-themed suites, which can be found at Portofino Bay, as well as the very affordable suites found at Cabana Bay Beach Resort. So, for this reason, we would lean towards Portofino Bay for families looking for free Universal Express Passes and a more elegant experience, as well as Cabana Bay Beach resort for families looking for the most amenities at a very affordable price.

What is the best Universal Orlando premier resort for families?

Our top choice for families visiting Universal Orlando is always Loews Portofino Bay Resort, as we love all of the amenities this hotel has to offer and the fact that guests will get the Universal Orlando express passes absolutely free with their stay here. We also find the minion suites to be the perfect fit for families with both young boys and girls compared to the Jurassic park suites at Loews Royal Pacific Resort.

What is the best Universal Orlando hotel for families on a budget?

What We Love at Each Universal Orlando Hotel for Families

Sapphire Falls Resort

Favorite room for families: regular standard room

Sapphire Falls is home to the largest pool of any of the Universal resorts. The main pool is 16,000 square feet and has two sand beaches and cascading waterfalls. A great thing to note is that the middle of the pool is zero entry which is great for families with little ones! We can’t forget to mention the water slide since kids (and adults) just love a good hotel pool water slide. You can play all day at the pool area with ping pong tournaments, water balloon tosses, hula hoop contests, an outdoor pool table, fire pit and a children’s play area.

Cabana Bay Beach Resort

Favorite room for families: Volcano Bay view regular standard room

Cabana Bay is the best resort for families to stay at Universal Orlando. It is affordable with great value and has amazing amenities for the whole family to enjoy. At the Cabana Courtyard, there is not only a sprawling pool but also a dive tower-themed water slide, the Atomic Tonic bar, fire pits, and cabanas for rent. But it doesn’t stop there; Cabana Bay has its very own lazy river! That’s a lazy river right at the hotel that guests can enjoy and we highly recommend making some time in your vacation to enjoy the pool. Guests can enjoy Galaxy Bowl, the full-sized bowling alley with ten lanes and a full-service restaurant. And of course, Cabana Bay does have an arcade for video game lovers.

Aventura Resort

Favorite room for families: regular standard room

The sleek and modern design of Aventura also carries over to the pool. It has a splash zone for kids and a firepit for nighttime bonfires. However, the pool is more geared towards adults visiting Universal Orlando. It is important to point out that Aventura is a short walk away from Universal’s Volcano Bay water park, so if you are interested in visiting it, this is a great place to stay!

Endless Summer Dockside and Surfside

Favorite room for families: 2-bedroom suite

Endless Summer Dockside has 2 basic swimming pools and their own poolside bars. The pools are almost identical, and each pool is located on both sides of the resort, corresponding to Tower 1 and Tower 2. The good thing is that it spreads out the crowd, so there isn’t just 1 pool for all resort guests. Both pools have a children’s area with a splash pad as well. Located near the pool is that trusty game room where families can play the latest games.

Best Universal Studios Orlando Hotels for Families FAQs

Aventura vs. Cabana Bay for Families?

Both prime value resorts offer amazing amenities with a convenient location for all Universal Orlando guests. Cabana Bay is a wonderful option for large families or parties that plan on maximizing plenty of time at the pool and enjoying unique recreational activities like the Galaxy Bowling Lanes. Aventura Hotel is for those looking for upscale, high-tech resort life in mind. With everything done conveniently from your tablet, and a calming design in mind, Aventura offers relaxation at its finest. With the Aventura family suites, you can fit the whole family with ease. No matter which resort you choose, both have plenty of perks, and neither Aventura Hotel vs Cabana Bay Beach Resort will be a bummer!

Is there a Minion Hotel Orlando?

There is no Minion Hotel in Orlando…yet! For now, families can enjoy the minion suite Universal Orlando at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel. Families can experience the playfulness of Gru’s Laboratory alongside the charm of traditional Italian accommodations in 650 square feet of space at Portofino Bay. You can expect to pay around $870 per night for the minion suite Universal Orlando.  

When Is The Best Time To Visit Universal Orlando?

Our Universal Orlando Crowd Calendar is the best tool to help you get the most out of your time in the parks. We breakdown the park crowds, park hours of operation, ticket prices by day, and average temperature.

Are You Ready to Plan Your Next Universal Orlando Trip?

If you are planning a trip to Universal Orlando be sure to check out our discounted multi-day Universal Orlando tickets and Universal Orlando vacation package deals which include EARLY PARK ADMISSION to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter!

And to stay up to date on everything going on inside the theme parks be sure to check out our partners at Themeparktoday.com!