What are the Best Universal Hotels for Families?
What are the Best Universal Hotels for Families?
This article is your ultimate guide to the best Universal Orlando hotel for families! From our experience helping our clients, we have found that Hard Rock Hotel and Royal Pacific Resort are the best signature resorts, and Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach resort is the best value resort based on amenities for kids to enjoy. We would also emphasize that Hard Rock Hotel and Royal Pacific do come with the free Universal Orlando Express Passes and is walking distance to 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 Resort 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
Royal Pacific and Hard Rock Hotel are tied for the best hotel at Universal for families. The reason is the free Universal Orlando Resort Express Pass for every single member of the family and how close the two hotels are to the parks. One of the biggest stressors of going to theme parks is the distance from the hotel to the parks and getting the whole family there easily. Luckily, both Hard Rock Hotel and Royal Pacific are a quick walk to the entrance of Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. The food choices at Hard Rock tend to be the most versatile for families with kids too!
Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach resort is one of the best family friendly hotels in Orlando and the best value resort based on amenities for kids to enjoy. Portofino Bay also 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.
It’s important to note that at all Universal Orlando resort hotels, guests will receive early park admission. This allows you access into either Universal Islands of Adventure, Universal Studios Florida, or Epic Universe one hour before the park officially opens to ride the most popular attractions in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Super Nintendo World.
5 best Universal Hotels for families:
- Hard Rock Hotel – Walkable distance to the theme parks, Future Rock Stars kids suites, best dining options, incredible pools, free Express Pass
- Royal Pacific Resort – Close to theme parks, nice pools and kids area, free Express Pass, Jurassic Park kids suite
- Cabana Bay Beach Resort – Budget-friendly, great recreation options
- Portofino Bay – Three incredible pools, many dining options, free express pass, Minions kids suite
- Universal Helios Grand Hotel* – How to Train Your Dragon kids’ suite and dedicated Epic Universe park entrance
*New Epic Universe Family Hotels
Helios Grand Hotel is coming in May 2025 with the opening of Epic Universe, and it is going to be one of the best hotels for guests with kids. This new hotel will be connected to Epic Universe, making it the closest hotel to any of the Universal theme parks. Helios Grand Hotel will also have How to Train Your Dragon kids suites that will have a Viking theme with Toothless and more. It quickly was added to our list as one of the best Universal hotel for families.
Ranking the Best Universal Hotels for Families
#1 – Hard Rock Hotel
Favorite room for families: regular standard room or Future Rock Star Kids Suites
The highlight of the Hard Rock Hotel for families is its amazing 12,000 sq, foot zero-entry pool with white sand beach and a 260-foot water slide. The pool has an underwater sound system that kids will get a kick out of hearing music underwater! Need a break from the action in the parks? Families can have some fun at the pool with ping-pong tournaments, water balloon tosses, pool basketball, hula hoop contests, and arts and crafts. Guests can continue to rock out to the latest arcade games in the Hard Rock game room, open from 8 am to midnight. This Universal Orlando resort hotel is also the closest walking distance to Universal Studios Florida.
#2 – Loews Royal Pacific
Favorite room for families: Jurassic World kids suite
The highlight of the Royal Pacific amenities for families is the lagoon-style pool. This gradual swimming pool features a Royal Bali Sea interactive water play area for children. Families can play at the pool all day long with ping pong tournaments, water balloon tosses, pool basketball, hula hoop contests, and arts and crafts. Located next to the pool, Royal Pacific has their own arcade filled with the latest and greatest games. This hotel also has one of the most popular Universal-themed rooms the Jurassic World Kids Suite. The door to the kids’ room is modeled after the dinosaur enclosure. The fun doesn’t stop at just the door. When your kids lay down in bed, they’ll feel like they’ve stepped right into their gyrosphere ride, maneuvering through the jungle terrain. These raptor-inspired rooms bring the fun of Jurassic Park back to the hotel, making it the best hotel for kids in Orlando!
#3 – Loews Portofino Bay
Favorite room for families: Universal minion suite
At Portofino Bay, you will find three different swimming pools, as well as charming live music playing among the streets lined with lush cypress trees and vegetation. Rooms at Portofino Bay start at $388 a night, which seems worth it to be transported across the world to a small village in the Italian Riviera. One of the main reasons why this is one of the best universal resort for families is the minion-themed room which replicates the excitement and playfulness of Gru’s Laboratory, including Minion bedding and custom-designed missile beds. Not only can your family enjoy Despicable Me Minion Mayhem in Universal Studios Florida but then come back to rest like a minion. Plus – that on-site Gelateria hits the spot after a long day in the parks!
#4 – Cabana Bay Beach Resort
Favorite room for families: Volcano Bay view regular standard room
Cabana Bay Beach Resort 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 plus a new shakes and ice cream shop!
#5 – Universal Helios Grand Hotel
Favorite room for families: How to Train Your Dragon Kids Suite
The Universal Helios Grand Hotel is perfect for families, especially with its How to Train Your Dragon-themed suites. These suites bring the magic of Berk to life with dragon-inspired decor, including Viking-style beds, themed bedding, and unique wall art that immerses young fans into the adventurous world of Hiccup and Toothless. After a day of excitement in Universal’s Epic Universe, families can continue the fun back at the hotel with these vibrant, playful rooms that transport guests into the Viking village.
In addition to the themed suites, Helios Grand also offers a spacious zero-entry pool with underwater speakers, an outdoor fire pit, and rentable cabanas to keep the whole family entertained and relaxed. With additional amenities like a dedicated game room and a private hotel entrance to the Celestial Park section of Epic Universe, Helios Grand provides an unforgettable family experience that goes well beyond the parks
#6 – 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.
#7-8 -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.
Endless Summer Surfside is a lot smaller than Dockside but still has a fun pool, game room, and activities for kids. Plus during the day you may see some Unviersal characters walking around the lobby!
#9-10- Stella Nova Resort and Terra Luna Resort
Favorite room for families: Standard 2 Queen Bedroom
The Terra Luna and Stella Nova Resorts are Universal’s newest Prime Value options designed for budget-conscious families eager to stay near the upcoming Epic Universe theme park. Terra Luna, opening in March, embraces a planetary theme with circular motifs, while Stella Nova features constellations and cosmic-inspired decor.
Each resort offers standard rooms with modern essentials, including 55-inch TVs, mini-fridges, and coffee makers. While neither location has family suites, the rooms have a unique lounging area with built-in seating. The outdoor areas include pools with hot tubs and interactive splash zones for children, perfect for family relaxation. Stella Nova is slightly closer to Epic Universe.
#11 – Aventura Resort
Favorite room for families: Kids suite
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!
Related post: Guide to Best Universal Orlando Hotels
Best Universal Studios Orlando Hotels for Families FAQs
Q: Is Aventura vs. Cabana Bay better for Families?
A: 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!
Q: Is there a Minion Hotel Orlando?
A: 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.
Q: What is the best Universal Orlando hotel for families on a budget?
For families planning a visit to Universal Orlando on a strict budget, the Cabana Bay Beach Resort is often considered the top choice. It offers a family-friendly atmosphere with its retro theme, extensive amenities like pools, a bowling alley, and a lazy river, along with various dining options that cater to all ages.
Q: What is the best Universal Orlando hotel for families of five or more on a budget?
We almost always recommend either the Endless Summer Dockside or Surfside resort for families of five or six planning to visit Universal on a budget. Both of these resorts offer very affordable 2-bedroom suites, which are great for those larger families.
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!
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