Hi all! My 16 year old and I are going to be at Universal in early August. I booked Surfside (pool view) with my AP rate -staying 5 nights-and I saw I could book Sapphire Falls for a total of $158 more for the entire stay. My teen is on the spectrum and likes familiarity (we have stayed at Surfside 3 other times and are completely happy with it), but I know at Sapphire we could walk and have access to the boat. My main concern is food options at SF. Surfside’s quick service actually has a lot to offer in the way of familiar food and options for both me and my teen; is there any place comparable at SF to get things like traditional breakfast, salads, chicken, pizza, sandwiches, quesadillas, etc like there at Surfside? Thanks! Looking for all the pros and cons from anyone who has stayed at either resort. We are planning 2 days at the original parks, 2 days at Epic, and then 1 day at the originals, so I’m not sure it’s worth the upgrade to have the boat and walking path for just 3 if our 5 days.
Only thing I can speak to is the walk to USF/USF from SF. It’s right next to Cabana Bay and we did that walk frequently. I didn’t time it, but it’s a 10-15 minute walk if moving at a decent pace. My guess is it’s a further walk than to HRH. After a long day at the parks, the boats seem way more attractive.
I have not stayed there, but I have walked by from Aventura. I love the look and vibe of the resort! I wish it was a premier resort instead of moderate. The boat and walking path are both relatively convenient. The pool looks awesome. They have a couple of restaurants plus a grab-and-go.
Here are a couple of resources:
Touring Plans
Quick service / grab and go restaurant:
For $158, I would certainly upgrade to Sapphire Falls. For me, the number one benefit is the water taxi. You’ll do the easy security check at the boat dock and arrive much much closer to the parks than using the bus/main hub. The more private feel of the boat is super.
The quality of the hotel is more upscale. And you’ll feel like you are on the main ‘campus’.
For the food, I would 100% take the 5 minute walk over to Aventura to the Urban Pantry. The breakfast is traditional and amazing. Sandwiches are great and the pizza is some of the best I’ve had. Another bonus is Aventura is a small hotel, so it doesn’t get crowded and service is fast. Here are some pics I took
Cabana Bay has a bigger food court, but is not that easy to walk to from SF.
Super-thanks! I was going to ask how close any of the other resorts are for food options. 
I have not stayed in Sapphire Falls, but I visited it three times on our last trip.
The Strongwater Tavern is excellent for food and drinks.
The pool is fantastic and the pool bar was the best I’ve eaten at.
It’s a beautiful hotel.
It’s a really short walk to Aventura and only a tiny bit further to Cabana Bay.
The water taxi is awesome too 
Good luck with your decision!
There is a quick service inside Sapphire Falls with sandwiches etc cuz I ate there while we waited for our room to get ready (they were late). RPR is also a hop skip and a jump as is Aventura and Aventura has a huge quick service (It’s actually the shorter of the two walks too)
I would personally prefer Sapphire Falls as I didn’t have the noise issues I did in Surfside (but my bathroom wasn’t super clean, probably why they were late rushing the cleaning). But I like the boat and walking path too. So easy to get to Citywalk as well with even more quick service options.
I stayed in Sapphire Falls last December and I am returning in September. The QS is not big and I only went for breakfast but they had a selection of hot grab and go breakfast sandwiches and coffee (among many other choices).
Just catching up…I’ve never slept at SF, but have been there many times.
If the price is $158, that’s a bargain for that hotel. It’s usually over $225 - $250.
That’s not the price, that’s the total extra for 5 nights.
The price is $142 per night for a standard room at Sapphire Falls when we’re going… The price for our current pool view 2 queen room at Surfside is $111 per night.
Hey! I’m catching up! I haven’t been as active lately…
Yes! There’s a pretty good QS restaurant in the lobby along with a “grab & go” section. It’s called the Dutch Trading Company. I have eaten there late at night on the way back to my room. (It’s open very late!)
When I can get a room at the Endless Summer resorts for under $90 / night I’ll do it. However, I know I’m not going to sleep well. The rooms are so loud / no sound proofing and the A/C is pretty bad too…
I haven’t stayed at SF, but if the total upgrade is only $160 / $35 per night I would consider it for the quality of room.
I have slept better at every other hotel I’ve stayed at while visiting UOR. However, if I’m solo and want to save $$$ I will consider Endless Summer rooms
Avetura is my preferred hotel. The beds are better and the food is above average. I don’t know if I’d walk there for a meal as I’d just go to the parks, but I’d stay there versus SF if rates were similar
Looks like everyone is saying similar things that I would… Overall, I’ve never stayed at SF because the price was crazy compared to value AND premier resorts. It was “stuck” in the middle of not offering enough amenities while charge too much for my past visits.
I do use the water taxi habitually and have to go into the hotel all the time. I do feel confident I could answer any questions not about the rooms if that would help!
Thanks, Larry! I’m going to do some digging into Aventura as well. We will have a car, and parking is twice the cost at SF compared to Surfside which will increase the overall cost, too. Also, Surfside has a full Starbucks which is important to my teen. 
We’ve only ever stayed at either Royal Pacific or Surfside, and due to life changes beyond my control RP is sadly out for us now. Sigh. My teen has the IBCCES card and has qualified for the attraction assistance pass in the past, so I’m hoping they will be approved again for this trip. I think if it weren’t for my teen coming along I’d probably go with SF for myself, but I’ll mull things over the next day or so and see where I land. If I have any specific questions, I’ll be sure to let you know-thanks again!
Surfside may be the best option then! I do like the hotel except for the noise issue. If they’d invested a little more money during construction this could’ve been a GREAT value hotel.
The Starbucks in the Aventura lobby is never busy! Another reason I stay there. My DD23 insists on stopping by each morning!
I like Aventura as well. Solid hotel. And you can just walk the 2 minutes across the entrance to the SF to use their boat or go to their restaurants.
Is covered parking and poolside service important?
No, we probably won’t spend much time-if at all-at the pool. At Surfside I’ve always parked in their parking garage which is covered. Does SF have a garage, too?
Yes, and Aventura does as well.
We have stayed at SF a few times and always enjoyed it very much. Most standard room views aren’t bad as its a surprisingly quite resort.
If you want a traditional food court with familiar breakfast this aint the place. There is/was a breakfast buffet in the sit down along with good order offerings.
The resort layout is a little different becuase its tucked into the corner of the property. If you are used to everthing being on the ground floor it might be confusing at first.
For us its a plus because of the transportation, serenity, price and service, but its always been a slight miss on quick service.
A ding on Stella Nova is their hybrid quick service, but with some tweeking it could work better. SF could benefit from somthing like this but again the footprint is pretty small so somthing would have to go.
I love Sapphire Falls and think it rocks… BUT for the case of your son and his food familiarity that will be better served at Endless. The quick service at Sapphire is pretty bad and the only other dining is full service or pool bar. Besides that, Sapphire is wonderful.