Universal’s Endless Summer Resort — The Ultimate Showdown: Surfside vs. Dockside!!
Sunshine, sea air, and swimming are quintessential to any summer vacation. That’s why Universal’s Endless Summer Resort is the perfect hotel choice if you’re visiting Universal during the ultimate vacay season! However, there’s more to it than meets the eye. The Endless Summer resort is actually two hotels in one: the Surfside and the Dockside.
Both are super affordable and provide vibrant, sunny retreats where you can luxuriously escape from everyday life. And as Universal Studios’ first-ever value category hotels, you can rest easy knowing you’re getting the best bang for your buck.
But that still leaves you with a big choice. Surfside or Dockside? Each one has its own unique style, and today, we’re putting them to the test in an ultimate summer showdown!
Surfside — Surf’s Up!
Surfside lets you slide into the surfing lifestyle with a relaxed and easygoing feel perfectly accented with fun surfer-style décor. Even the pool is shaped like a surfboard! When you want to channel your inner beach bro, Surfside is the perfect place to stay. Enjoy gorgeous views of the lake right outside your door, then kick back by the pool with tons of shaded chairs for sunbathing, relaxing, and catching up on your next beach read.
Inside, the vibe is bright, beachy, and soothing with cool colors and wood tones. Take advantage of the fitness center with a gym and workout room, the hotel lounge, and free shuttle services. Grab a bite to eat at the snack bar or head to the onsite shops to stock up on vacation essentials (you can never have too much sunscreen) or to find the perfect souvenir to memorialize your stay.
You’ll also love the family-friendly onsite activities offered at Surfside. You can enjoy yourself without even leaving the resort! And don’t forget to book a table at the onsite restaurants for a flavorful adventure that will take your trip to the next level.
The Surfside also offers laundry service, towel service for the pool, and an onsite convenience store, so you’re never without whatever little things you may need.
Dockside — Destination Downtime
If relaxing by the beach is your favorite pastime, then Dockside is probably the right choice for you. Inspired by sun, sand, and breathtaking waterfront views, this carefree escape is by far the best spot if you’re looking for a sunset view right from your hotel room. The vibe is cool, calm, carefree, and sleek.
Rather than having a single pool (like at Surfside), Dockside has two large pools, featuring a shallow end for the kiddos. The pools are dotted with palm trees and surrounded by shaded lounge chairs so you can easily kick back, relax by the pool, and enjoy a day by the water.
This hotel is larger than the Surfside and features two towers. (Kind of like Lord of the Rings…okay, not really, but “two towers” was too good of a reference to pass up!) There’s also a lobby bar for you to lounge in, grab a drink, and unwind after your day’s adventures at Universal. Inside your room, expect warm colors for a breezy yet vibrant feel. We love the blend of warm and cool tones to mimic the feeling of being at the beach at sunset.
The Dockside also features a fitness center, onsite restaurants, laundry service, and a shuttle service. It also features a poolside bar, a business center (so you can get some work done if you’re on the clock while you’re on vacation), baggage storage, and a coffee shop on-site, so you’re never far from your next caffeine fix.
Direct Comparison
Starting with stats, the Surfside is simply smaller than the two-towered, two-pooled Dockside. So, part of your decision will depend on whether you want a more intimate feel that’s slightly easier to navigate or a grander experience with more space and more choices. Though Dockside might dwarf Surfside just a bit, both hotels are incredibly large resorts!
Pricing
Though different in size, Dockside and Surfside have similar pricing. Both are very affordable and can accommodate families or groups of any size, offering standard rooms and spacious 2-bedroom suites. The standard rooms both start at 313 square feet and feature two queen beds, a separate bathroom and vanity, and can sleep up to four adults.
The 2-bedroom suites in both hotels start at 440 square feet. They include three queen beds with a separate bathroom and vanity, as well as a kitchenette with a picnic table so you can easily gather together in your suite for meals. These suites sleep up to 6 adults.
Perks
Dockside does have a few more perks (as well as an additional onsite pool), but these might not matter to all guests. Both resorts have plenty of restaurants and things to do nearby, but obviously, the main draw for each is being close to Universal Studios.
Dockside and Surfside grant you the perks of staying at a Universal hotel, including:
- Complimentary transportation to the parks and to Universal CityWalk
- Resort-wide charging privileges with your room key
- Early park admission
Ratings
Surfside does rank slightly higher on TripAdvisor than Dockside does. Surfside is ranked in the top 100 hotels in Orlando, whereas Dockside is #118. The rankings are similar, but Surfside has sneaked its way to the top. This may be due to factors that don’t show up in basic hotel stats, or maybe folks simply can’t resist that surfer aesthetic.
And the Winner is…
Ultimately, the winner of the Surfside vs Dockside summer resort smackdown is up to you! Which one speaks to you or vibes with you? Which one seems best suited to your family’s wish list? Just go with your gut, because when it comes to Surfside and Dockside, you can’t go wrong with either of them!
Have you stayed at Universal’s Endless Summer Resort? Did you stay at Surfside or Dockside? What did you think? Drop a comment below!
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