Major UO Room Rate Hikes for 2025

[tbo597]

I've attended Universal FL consistently for the last 18 years. I've stay on site at either the Hard Rock or Portofino. I always start tracking total trip costs March/April to attend HHN in October. This year... I'm blown away by the insane room rate increases compared to last year with the Hard Rock Hotel and Portofino. Granted the Portofino went through a major refresh (didn't include updating the rooms) so some price increase was expected from LY's Garden room rate of $486 (Portofino) but this year, currently, Portofino's entry level Garden room rate is $690 minimum to $987 (as of today 5/2) - insane. The Hard Rock followed with no updates, no additional amenities, and increased their rate from $637 Garden View to $948 - $986 !! Yes, yes... it depends on when, how long, etc. I'm tracking 4 different scenarios... 4 and 5 days stays.

Also be AWARE... they are changing their room rates DAILY! Today was a huge increase with some rooms increasing $50+ just from yesterday (probably so they can drop them $10 tomorrow) !

The rooms at either hotel are only decent...no better than a regular Hilton or Marriott. You're paying for location and included park express passes... which has always been, not new to 2025.

This info may or may not make a difference to your booking... just be aware, coming from someone who has stayed at both NUMEROUS times... the rooms will not be worth what you're paying...
Be AWARE.

 

[Mad Dog]

I've attended Universal FL consistently for the last 18 years. I've stay on site at either the Hard Rock or Portofino. I always start tracking total trip costs March/April to attend HHN in October. This year... I'm blown away by the insane room rate increases compared to last year with the Hard Rock Hotel and Portofino. Granted the Portofino went through a major refresh (didn't include updating the rooms) so some price increase was expected from LY's Garden room rate of $486 (Portofino) but this year, currently, Portofino's entry level Garden room rate is $690 minimum to $987 (as of today 5/2) - insane. The Hard Rock followed with no updates, no additional amenities, and increased their rate from $637 Garden View to $948 - $986 !! Yes, yes... it depends on when, how long, etc. I'm tracking 4 different scenarios... 4 and 5 days stays.

Also be AWARE... they are changing their room rates DAILY! Today was a huge increase with some rooms increasing $50+ just from yesterday (probably so they can drop them $10 tomorrow) !

The rooms at either hotel are only decent...no better than a regular Hilton or Marriott. You're paying for location and included park express passes... which has always been, not new to 2025.

This info may or may not make a difference to your booking... just be aware, coming from someone who has stayed at both NUMEROUS times... the rooms will not be worth what you're paying...
Be AWARE.

Room rates at all the hotels have been bouncing around for the past six months. Sometimes bad deals, sometimes good deals. Evidently the prices are demand or lack of demand driven. HHN seems to be in heavy demand and the rates have been reflecting this. Myself, I got the best AP rates I've seen for Portofino in a few years, for this November. The prices have risen a tad since I booked in Feb., but just a tad. It seems rates are very seasonal sensitive at this point in time. Rates change often, sometimes day to day. Keep checking and you might get lucky for a week not as strong as they expect. My guess though, is that this will be a very strong attended HHN, and coupled with Epic opening there may be some tough rates, especially at the deluxes.

 

[tbo597]

Thanks for the reply Mad Dog. Glad to hear from another traveling fan! Enjoy your stay at the Portofino!

Regarding your response... I appreciate the attempt to take the edge of my original post... however, these rate hikes are not simply "hotels bouncing around for the past six months" - these hikes are a baseline 30,40, 50% (in some cases 100%) increase APPLES to APPLES vs. last year. My post is simply BE AWARE... I'm a big fan of the experience, but don't try to diminish Lowes Hotels or Hard Rock's roles of contributing to an environment of significant price increases.

(Preface, not sure of your acronym AP rate) But at published rates - there is no way you grabbed a deal -same dates, same room type this year better than the last two years. Last year alone, the Portofino was offering the lowest rates due to their yearlong construction/refurbish. Not sure when in Feb you booked but I started tracking on Feb 10 and in most (not all) cases that was nearly some of the highest rates of '25... if you check now vs. Feb, the rate should be down but still 30-50% higher than LY. If I were you, please continue to check your room... because if you booked in Feb. - you should cancel and rebook...

I'm holding, hoping, for more promos to show in June/July for an October travel time. April 25th showed the greatest deals thus far and I'm kicking myself for not booking because they've only increased since then, but there is still plenty of time...holding my breath...ugh. Feel free to view my above attachment...Which shows (Portofino only) that April '25's daily rates across 4 different time scenarios and various room types was the best time to book thus far.

Yes, HHN or close to HHN will bring a price tag... but my post is apples to apples same time LY. HHN '24-time frame vs. HHN '25.

I literally have 8 months of last year rates for the Portofino, Hard rock, Royal Pacific, and Saphirre weekly for 8 months. Their rates stayed consistent (for the same travel period) all year with exception to maybe 2-3 random weeks in the year when they offered a promo (hence, I snagged the Hard Rock for $486 vs. $637 during a two-week promo in June '24). That is not the case TY - TY they are changing rates on a daily basis, up and down... this is a new pricing model/strategy... I haven't captured a pattern yet to know the best day of the week to book.

I appreciate your attempted spin... and I can (we all can) handle some price increase...But in the hard numbers, these increases vs. a year ago are INSANE. Even with Amex platinum perks at the Portofino...the rate of a room needs to hit $608 (it did come close, $619 on April 25th) to meet my LY Hard Rock room rate of $486. Sadly, that room now is $690! That is how much they are changing rates.
FYI.

Mad Dog, if you did get a better deal vs. the last 2 years...where can I get an AP rate?

 

[tbo597]

AP rate - Annual Passholder rate. Correct?

 

[Mad Dog]

Thanks for the reply Mad Dog. Glad to hear from another traveling fan! Enjoy your stay at the Portofino!

Regarding your response... I appreciate the attempt to take the edge of my original post... however, these rate hikes are not simply "hotels bouncing around for the past six months" - these hikes are a baseline 30,40, 50% (in some cases 100%) increase APPLES to APPLES vs. last year. My post is simply BE AWARE... I'm a big fan of the experience, but don't try to diminish Lowes Hotels or Hard Rock's roles of contributing to an environment of significant price increases.

(Preface, not sure of your acronym AP rate) But at published rates - there is no way you grabbed a deal -same dates, same room type this year better than the last two years. Last year alone, the Portofino was offering the lowest rates due to their yearlong construction/refurbish. Not sure when in Feb you booked but I started tracking on Feb 10 and in most (not all) cases that was nearly some of the highest rates of '25... if you check now vs. Feb, the rate should be down but still 30-50% higher than LY. If I were you, please continue to check your room... because if you booked in Feb. - you should cancel and rebook...

I'm holding, hoping, for more promos to show in June/July for an October travel time. April 25th showed the greatest deals thus far and I'm kicking myself for not booking because they've only increased since then, but there is still plenty of time...holding my breath...ugh. Feel free to view my above attachment...Which shows (Portofino only) that April '25's daily rates across 4 different time scenarios and various room types was the best time to book thus far.

Yes, HHN or close to HHN will bring a price tag... but my post is apples to apples same time LY. HHN '24-time frame vs. HHN '25.

I literally have 8 months of last year rates for the Portofino, Hard rock, Royal Pacific, and Saphirre weekly for 8 months. Their rates stayed consistent (for the same travel period) all year with exception to maybe 2-3 random weeks in the year when they offered a promo (hence, I snagged the Hard Rock for $486 vs. $637 during a two-week promo in June '24). That is not the case TY - TY they are changing rates on a daily basis, up and down... this is a new pricing model/strategy... I haven't captured a pattern yet to know the best day of the week to book.

I appreciate your attempted spin... and I can (we all can) handle some price increase...But in the hard numbers, these increases vs. a year ago are INSANE. Even with Amex platinum perks at the Portofino...the rate of a room needs to hit $608 (it did come close, $619 on April 25th) to meet my LY Hard Rock room rate of $486. Sadly, that room now is $690! That is how much they are changing rates.
FYI.

Mad Dog, if you did get a better deal vs. the last 2 years...where can I get an AP rate?

I actually had nearly the exact same price for the same dates at Portofino in 2024 (avg. 340 night) that I got in 2025 ($330 a night) when I booked. Within $10 a night.(As of today it climbed to $410 a night)...... AP is for Annual Passholders. Sometimes the discount goes all the way to 40%. Universal used to offer the Stay More Save More discounts (that went up to 35% with 7 days booked at times) always before covid. But now its haphazard. Some times they offer it, other times they don't. If there's high demand on the deluxes, those daily rates sometimes hit around $800. and then they don't offer any discounts.....Unfortunately the days (before 2017) of $220 a night during Save More or AP discounts are long gone. I've been to Portofino over a hundred nights since 2011. But I often split a vacation with CBBR or Sapphire to lower the total costs. Portofino was real expensive for my dates in 2022 and 2023, so we didn't stay there. The rates I got last year and this year are so much better.....But now with their demand pricing, rates fluctuate day to day, and sometimes by a lot. So I just constantly monitor. And the AP rates, when available (they're not always available for all hotels) are a fantastic reward for being a passholder ( I'm out of state). From what I understand, some weeks are real soft for hotel bookings so far. But often the deluxes book fast but the lower hotels don't, and then they have better bargains at the non deluxes, especially for AP holders....( Note: The deluxes are sometimes booked by day visitors coming down from Disney to get the Hotel Express passes. Sometimes they never even go to the room, they just use the passes for two days, for a one day booking, for their entire family. That eats up rooms during high demand times)

 

[tbo597]

Mad Dog you woke me up! AP rates! which I'm now learning are a "fantastic reward" - current savings are about 30% per night which is great. Which AP do you have? I should have been doing this all along...I'm glad you stated AP in your first post... I'm in Texas and it's a definite benefit even if I only go for HHN each year... over a 5 night stay it saves $1055 Portofino to $1350 Hard Rock - well more than the cost of AP w/blockout dates.

So how does the hotel insure you're an AP holder? Because you can "book" the room online... do they check at check in? It states online that the only delivery method for an AP is to pickup at window...so I guess I would need to go to the Park window first prior to checking in?? Just asking...I apologize for the back and forth...you are right with the AP rates... only way to go!! Thanks Mad Dog... (I'm still correct on the Published pricing though) But you helped me save my trip this year!!!

 

[UNIrd]

Live from Cabana Bay Beach Resort as we speak and paying the most I've ever paid yet.. over $215 a night.. and it's for a Pool View 2 Queen room. Not even one of the family suites.

And it's looking ROUGH. Carpets are tired, the runners/comforters are so nasty at this point... went from vibrant blue to grayish, paper wet paint signs everywhere. Sigh.

Should've paid the extra to stay at Sapphire Falls because this is bad.

 

[Mad Dog]

Mad Dog you woke me up! AP rates! which I'm now learning are a "fantastic reward" - current savings are about 30% per night which is great. Which AP do you have? I should have been doing this all along...I'm glad you stated AP in your first post... I'm in Texas and it's a definite benefit even if I only go for HHN each year... over a 5 night stay it saves $1055 Portofino to $1350 Hard Rock - well more than the cost of AP w/blockout dates.

So how does the hotel insure you're an AP holder? Because you can "book" the room online... do they check at check in? It states online that the only delivery method for an AP is to pickup at window...so I guess I would need to go to the Park window first prior to checking in?? Just asking...I apologize for the back and forth...you are right with the AP rates... only way to go!! Thanks Mad Dog... (I'm still correct on the Published pricing though) But you helped me save my trip this year!!!

Order online. When you check in just show them your receipt, if they ask. They don't always ask. The Pass doesn't start until you actually use it. You can get the actual card AP when you go to the Annual Pass person at the park entry. I get the Power Pass, It's reasonable in cost and the only blackout dates are two Christmas weeks and 1 r 2 Easter weeks. I don't go then anyway. Seasonal is cheapest but it has a lot of blackout dates. The top tier passes are unnecessary expenses for us out of state tourists that stay onsite...........................May/June/ July guests will be paying more with the Epic pre opening and opening......I got CBBR AP rate, for Thanksgiving week this year, after my week at Portofino, for $132 a night. Never thought I'd see Thanksgiving rates this low for CBBR or any onsite hotel.....Its all about demand with this new demand pricing....And demand changes constantly. .I stay at CBBR often. Some rooms are in excellent shape, especially the towers. Others are average. And some are showing their age. With 3200 rooms there's probably going to be a wide differentiation as rotation fixes occur.

 

[tbo597]

Thanks again, Mad Dog!! I was eyeing the same AP.
To find the AP rates...I had to go thru the Universal site, then to the AP benefits, go down to Hotel rates and explore rates... is this where you check AP rates also or is there another easier way? Can you check AP rates on the hotel site, or must you go thru the Universal site?

 

[tbo597]

Live from Cabana Bay Beach Resort as we speak and paying the most I've ever paid yet.. over $215 a night.. and it's for a Pool View 2 Queen room. Not even one of the family suites.

And it's looking ROUGH. Carpets are tired, the runners/comforters are so nasty at this point... went from vibrant blue to grayish, paper wet paint signs everywhere. Sigh.

Should've paid the extra to stay at Sapphire Falls because this is bad.

UGH...sorry to hear that, but thanks for the notice. I've never stayed there and wondered it was worth it considering no express and worse access to parks (no boat and much farther walk)...

 

[Mad Dog]

Thanks again, Mad Dog!! I was eyeing the same AP.
To find the AP rates...I had to go thru the Universal site, then to the AP benefits, go down to Hotel rates and explore rates... is this where you check AP rates also or is there another easier way? Can you check AP rates on the hotel site, or must you go thru the Universal site?

Its complicated, like everything on Universals web site and their App. Sometimes it pops up easily, other times you have to hit a bunch of buttons. Don't use the hotel site for AP's....For CBBR we short walk over to Sapphire if we want to use the boat. The busses are real fast. Unlike Disney, there's almost always one waiting. The walk to the parks is about the same as Portofino walk to the parks. We like CBBR. Sometimes, at any hotel, you get stuck with a bad room. We've even had rooms like UNIrd described at Royal Pacific and Portofino, but not often. It happens.....

 

[Captain Spaulding]

Its complicated, like everything on Universals web site and their App. Sometimes it pops up easily, other times you have to hit a bunch of buttons. Don't use the hotel site for AP's....For CBBR we short walk over to Sapphire if we want to use the boat. The busses are real fast. Unlike Disney, there's almost always one waiting. The walk to the parks is about the same as Portofino walk to the parks. We like CBBR. Sometimes, at any hotel, you get stuck with a bad room. We've even had rooms like UNIrd described at Royal Pacific and Portofino, but not often. It happens.....

I don't think there is any advantage to it as it's the same layout, but if you want to use the hotels site then just type APH into the special rate code.

 

[kristenabelle]

We booked Helios in October 2024 for December 2025. The room rates for both rooms (park view king room & king suite) have doubled since. I figured they'd go up, which is why I like to book early, but these increases are WILD.

 

[Captain Spaulding]

What's odd about Helios is I'm looking for late August and the rate is the same for Standard, Pool View, Park view and Deluxe rooms.

 

[kristenabelle]

What's odd about Helios is I'm looking for late August and the rate is the same for Standard, Pool View, Park view and Deluxe rooms.

That is odd!

I'm a little bummed that our suite isn't parkside (no view offered when I booked, I read the king suites are all non-park view but could be wrong) and there's no window in the living space. We wanted the separate spaces so my parents and I would have some privacy, but it may have been better to just book separate rooms at this point.