Universal Studios Orlando hotels are split into 4 categories:
Premier: The three most expensive on-site hotels—Portofino Bay Resort, Hard Rock Hotel, and Royal Pacific Resort—are called Premier resorts, and their perks include Universal Express Unlimited, priority restaurant seating, and water taxi transportation to CityWalk.
Preferred: Sapphire Falls Resort is labeled a Preferred resort; it’s a AAA Four Diamond–awarded hotel, just like the Premier properties, and offers water taxi service but lacks free Universal Express or priority restaurant seating.
Prime Value: Cabana Bay Beach Resort and the Aventura Hotel represent the Prime Value resorts. Both have bus and pedestrian access to the attractions (including Volcano Bay), but neither is connected to the water taxi system.
Value: Endless Summer Resort - Dockside Inn and Endless Summer Resort - Surfside Inn and Suites are the first designated as Value hotels, as well as the first located a brief bus ride across I-4 from Universal proper. Regardless of classification, all on-site Universal guests enjoy amenities that surpass any other value-priced hotels in the area.
AND... Did you know that when you book with a travel agent, you can get EARLY ADMISSION to the parks?
Universal Studios Hollywood does not have on property hotels.
Premier Resort
Premier resorts come with the complimentary Express Pass to skip the lines for the entire stay. This resort is themed like Polynesia. It has a complimentary water taxi to the parks, 2 pools, luau gatherings, sushi bar, market, and restaurants.
Prime Value Resort
This is a nice family resort themed like the 50s and 60s. It has a complimentary shuttle bus to the parks, 2 pools, lazy river, bowling alley, food court, and a Starbucks. This resort is a great choice if you plan on going to Volcano Bay as it has it's own unique entrance.
All premier resorts come with a club level option. Club level will get you free breakfast, free appetizers, soda, water, beer, and wine.
1) Magic Kingdom - the iconic park with the castle
2) Hollywood Studios - home to Star Wars
3) Epcot - home to countries around the world (AKA world showcase)
4) Animal Kingdom - home to Avatar
5) Blizzard Beach - water park
6) Typhoon Lagoon - water park
Walt Disney World hotels are split up into 3 categories:
Deluxe: If you want to stay close to the parks, than Deluxe is the way to go. Deluxe resorts are the closest in proximity, but also the most expensive. They come with early and later extended hours in the park, upscale amenities, several restaurants, room service, fireworks view, and elegant theming.
Moderate: Moderate resorts are the in between price. They are closer to the parks, restaurant and food court style eating, morning extended hours, and elegant theming.
Value: Value resorts are the cheapest, farthest from the parks, food court style eating, morning extended hours, colorful and/or cartoony theming.
Value Resort
This is a value resort and comes with complimentary shuttle bus to the parks. This resort has 2 pools and lots of fun activities for the kids. I like All Star Music for bigger families because they have a 2 bedroom suite with a kitchenette.
Value Resort
This resort is on the skyliner making it easy to get to Hollywood Studios and Epcot. This resort has complimentary transportation to the parks, several pools, food court, and early park admission.
Moderate Resort
This hotel comes with a complimentary shuttle bus to the parks as well as a complimentary water taxi to Disney Springs. It is themed like New Orleans.
Moderate Resort
This resort is themed after New Orleans. This resort has a complimentary shuttle bus to take you to the parks, a complimentary water taxi to take you to Disney Springs, several pools, restaurant, and early park admission.
Value Resort
This resort is very large and has life size Disney statues all over the property. This resort has a complimentary shuttle bus and skyliner to take you to the parks, a restaurant, food court, and 3 themed pools.
1) Disneyland Park
2) California Adventure
Disneyland has 3 Deluxe hotels - The Grand Californian, The Disneyland Hotel, Paradise Pier.
Deluxe Resort
Deluxe Resort