Hotel Pool Hopping at Universal Orlando
My kids and I love a good hotel pool. Actually we are pretty judgemental about hotel pools. So when we all agree that a group of hotel pools earn our approval, it’s worth sharing how you can experience them all in one hotel stay!
We decided to do a little pool hopping during our recent stay at Universal Studios. Yes, you read that right- hotel pool hopping is allowed here! Universal encourages guests at Premier, Preferred, and Prime Value resorts to visit each other’s pools. Staying at Sapphire Falls and want to try out the lazy river at Cabana Bay Beach Resort? No problem- your family can pool hop. Want to spend a day lounging in luxury at Portofino Bay Resort but you are staying at Aventura Hotel, Yep, you can pool hop. I highly recommend making use of the beautiful walking paths to the resorts from the parks because bus transportation directly from one hotel to another is not offered.
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Pool hopping is actually a major reason why I prefer Universal Orlando over Disney World. Read my full post answering is Disney or Universal – which is better?
Just make sure to take your room key card for your resort so that you can present it at the concierge desk of the hotel you are visiting, because you will need it to get a visitor amenity card that gives you pool access. Otherwise, you will not be admitted.
Here are the Five Universal Resort Pools we visited while on our Four Day Vacation in Orlando:
Loews Portofino Bay
The Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando has become our favorite hotel in Orlando now with some tight competition though. The pool is the tipping point for why we love it so much. From the comfy lounge chairs to the selection of pool toys to the excellent food and beverage ooptions, this pool outshines the others.
Daily 9 am – 10 pm
*Pool hours can change without notice. It will also shut down for weather situations in which lightening has been recorded within so many miles. Always check the daily schedule at the hotel for the updated hours to the pools and any events.
There is one very large (16,000 sq feet) pool, outside and heated year round with two zero entry points. There is no lazy river or quiet pool.
Towels are provided for all pool guests. Nothing is needed to exchange or show for them.
Cabanas are available to reserve for an additional fee.
A very small splash pad area is off to one side with pop-jets that can keeps the little kids entertained and cool.
Lifeguards are on duty around the pools and at the to and bottom of the water slide.
There is one very large hot tub located behind the Dhrum Club, near the fire pit.
6601 Adventure Way,
Orlando, Florida 32819
Loews Sapphire Falls
The entire hotel is themed as a gorgeous island escape. (read our full Sapphire Falls hotel review here.) And with the 16,000 square-foot pool being surrounded by tons of palm trees, rocks and waterfalls, the feeling extends outside at the tropical water oasis. There are two sand beaches along the sides which spells fun and relaxation, as does the 100 foot water slide, a game area nearby, cabana rentals and more.
The large lagoon pool is unique for it’s zero-entry walk through on both side, making it easy to get across from the sand side to the hot tub and fire pit.
Daily 9 am – 10 pm
*Pool hours can change without notice. It will also shut down for weather situations in which lightening has been recorded within so many miles. Always check the daily schedule at the hotel for the updated hours to the pools and any events.
There is one very large (16,000 sq feet) pool, outside and heated year round with two zero entry points. There is no lazy river or quiet pool.
Towels are provided for all pool guests. Nothing is needed to exchange or show for them.
Cabanas are available to reserve for an additional fee.
A very small splash pad area is off to one side with pop-jets that can keeps the little kids entertained and cool.
Lifeguards are on duty around the pools and at the to and bottom of the water slide.
There is one very large hot tub located behind the Dhrum Club, near the fire pit.
6601 Adventure Way,
Orlando, Florida 32819
Cabana Bay
Universal’s Cabana Bay Hotel is a hotel we have been frequenting for years. The vintage theme is fun and the hotel amenities are ideal for families with kids of all ages. (read our full review of this Orlando hotel here.)
There are two large pool areas at this hotel, a slide and a splash pad. But the lazy river is the star of the show! Both pools have poolside restaurant & bars (Atomic Tonic at the Cabana Pool and The Hideaway at the Lazy River Courtyard), as well as hot tubs, sandy areas and plenty of lounge chairs.
Daily 9 am – 10 pm
*Pool hours can change without notice. It will also shut down for weather situations in which lightening has been recorded within so many miles. Always check the daily schedule at the hotel for the updated hours to the pools and any events.
There is one very large (16,000 sq feet) pool, outside and heated year round with two zero entry points. There is no lazy river or quiet pool.
Towels are provided for all pool guests. Nothing is needed to exchange or show for them.
Cabanas are available to reserve for an additional fee.
A very small splash pad area is off to one side with pop-jets that can keeps the little kids entertained and cool.
Lifeguards are on duty around the pools and at the to and bottom of the water slide.
There is one very large hot tub located behind the Dhrum Club, near the fire pit.
6601 Adventure Way,
Orlando, Florida 32819
Hard Rock Hotel Orlando
The Hard Rock Pool at Universal Orlando is unique because it has an underwater speaker system throughout the pool so you can feel and hear the music when you are underwater – so you never miss the party vibe they have going. Though this 12,000 square foot pool seems most appealing to adults at first glimpse, it definitely has something for all ages My kids love this fast, twisting water slide the most of all hotel water slides they have experienced in Orlando.
Daily 8am – 11pm
*Pool hours can change without notice. It will also shut down for weather situations in which lightening has been recorded within so many miles. Always check the daily schedule at the hotel for the updated hours to the pools and any events.
There is one very large (12,000 sq feet) pool, outside and heated year round with one zero entry point located across from the pool bar. There is a 260 foot long slide. There is no lazy river or quiet pool.
Towels are provided for all pool guests. Nothing is needed to exchange or show for them.
Cabanas are available to reserve for an additional fee.
Lifeguards are on duty at all times the Water Slide is open.
There are two hot tubs in the pool area.
5800 Universal Blvd, Orlando, FL 32819
Loews Royal Pacific Resort
Relax in a South Pacific atmosphere of lush tropical plants, palm trees, and beautiful colors. Though it was our least favorite pools at all of the Universal Hotels, the kids did have a great time at the Royal Bali Sea interactive water splash zone where there were splashing fountains, water jets and cannons.
Daily 8am – 10pm
*Pool hours can change without notice. It will also shut down for weather situations in which lightening has been recorded within so many miles. Always check the daily schedule at the hotel for the updated hours to the pools and any events.
There is one decent size pool, outside and heated year round with one zero entry point. There is the large splash play area but no slide.
Towels are provided for all pool guests. Nothing is needed to exchange or show for them.
Cabanas are available to reserve for an additional fee.
Lifeguards are on duty around the splash play area at all times of operation.
There are two hot tubs in the pool area.
6300 Hollywood Way,
Orlando, Fl 32819
What is your favorite hotel pool in Orlando or what is the one thing you want to do the
most on your next trip to Orlando Florida?
I’d love to hear from you!
Feel free to comment below or email me at Mandy @ acupful .com
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I’m sure these are good tips and I will get back to your blog the next time I go to Universal Orlando Hotel.
Wow, how fun it is to do pool hopping! The colorful hotels are wonderful backgrounds for photo taking too. Thanks a lot for sharing this and I am looking forward to visiting those places myself someday.
Wow, There are a lot of great pools at Universal Orlando hotels. I might be sad if I can’t spend the day at all of them
Hhhhmmmm….Florida is always a beauty. I’d want to visit all the beaches here. Thank you for this, Mandy!
I love a good day at the pool! Pool hopping at Universal Orlando Hotels sound perfect for a vacation. The underwater speakers at Hard Rock are so cool! Great tips!
I Cant wait to afford trips like this with my daughter. She deserves it.
All of these places sound like paradise! My family and I were talking about a beach vacation sometime in the near future, so I’ll bring these options to the table! Thanks so much for sharing!
I tried pool hopping at Disney so good to know that this can be done at Universal.
Pool hopping!? Looks like a blast. I can’t imagine how much fun the kids would have as it seems each pool has something different for them to enjoy. Thanks for the info on Universal pool hopping.