Discover everything about the 2-bedroom suites at Dockside Inn and Suites with our in-depth resort review. Learn about spacious rooms, amenities, dining options, and tips for making the most of your stay at Universal Orlando’s value resort.
When I learned Universal was building a budget friendly resort that would have affordable 2-Bedroom Suites I was so happy.
As a family of five we are growing out of standard hotel rooms and at times have to book connecting rooms when we travel.
Visiting the theme parks can be really tricky…and expensive. Enter the Endless Summer Resorts!!
Universal has two Endless Summer Resorts: Dockside Inn and Suites and Surfside Inn and Suites. I compare the two in this post: Endless Summer Resort: Universal Surfside vs Dockside, but today I want to share my review of Dockside Inn and Suites 2-Bedroom suites at the Universal Orlando Resort.
- Dockside Inn and Suites Overview
- Perks of Staying at Dockside Inn and Suites
- Dockside Inn and Suites 2 Bedroom Suite
- Cost of a Night at Dockside Inn and Suites
- Dining
- Can you walk from Dockside Resort to Universal Studios?
- How much is parking at Dockside Resort?
- Pool Area
- Is Dockside Inn and Suites a Good Choice for Families?
Dockside Inn and Suites Overview
Dockside Inn and Suites offers standard and two-bedroom suites to guests visiting Universal Orlando. It is a dockside theme with weathered wood pieces subtly decorating the lobby.
The entire resort has a relaxed vibe that is warm and welcoming. There is a pool, casual dining area, gift shop, fitness center, game room, and Starbucks.
Perks of Staying at Dockside Inn and Suites
- Early Park Admission into select theme parks. This typically alternates between Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida.
- Complimentary bus transportation to the Universal theme parks and CityWalk.
- Guests do not receive Unlimited Express Pass with their stay at Dockside. The Premier resorts do include Express Pass.
Dockside Inn and Suites 2 Bedroom Suite
The 2 bedroom suites at Dockside are what I will rave about to anyone that will listen. For a family of five or more these rooms are perfect.
They have a main area with two queen beds, a dining table with seating for 5, a microwave, sink, coffee maker, and mini-fridge. There is one bathroom and a vanity area with two sinks and a bedroom with a queen bed.
This room allows my family space to spread out and has a bed for everyone to sleep in. We don’t have to worry about pull-out sofas or requesting a rollaway bed. It is perfect! The price is also on point with most nights starting at $149.00 a night. (Prices subject to change.)
Cost of a Night at Dockside Inn and Suites
During our visit Endless Summer Dockside nights were starting around $88.00 a night. This was for a standard room. For a 2 bedroom suit the cost increases to about $130.00/night. This is a great deal for an on property resort in Orlando. The room is incredible! I will go into more details later in this article.
I suggest planning at least a 4 night stay if you decide to visit all the theme parks. Universal often runs special rate deals for the longer you stay, the less you pay. This can save you more money in the long run for your stay.
Dining
Dockside has an on-site dining option at Pier 8. Pier 8 offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner options. This includes salads, sandwiches, pizza, and grab and go options. We ate at Pier 8 a few times and enjoyed the Cuban Sandwich and breakfast choices.
If you are traveling with kids you will like the fruit cup, hummus and pretzel, and cereal options for quick snacks. There is also a Starbucks in the lobby.
Can you walk from Dockside Resort to Universal Studios?
You can walk from Dockside Resort to Universal but I do not recommend it. It is about 1.5 mile one way. After a long day at the parks walking an extra 3 miles might not be a good idea, especially with kids.
Most Orlando theme parks are not within walking distance to the resorts. If staying within walking distance is really important to you, check out the Hard Rock Hotel or Cabana Bay Beach Resort.
The buses were very consistent and we never waited more than 10-15 minutes. Typically there was a bus waiting for us.
The bus ride is about 10 minutes from your resort to the parks. I would recommend the buses instead of renting a car and driving to the parks if you stay at Dockside.
How much is parking at Dockside Resort?
Parking is $15.00 a night. Guests need to find their own transportation to and from the local airports too.
Pool Area
Dockside Inn and Suites has two pools. One is located at Tower One and the other at Tower Two. We spent most of our time at the Tower 1 pool. There is no hot tub at the resort.
Both pools are nearly identical. They do not have a water slide or extra amenities but the size of the pool was great for families.
One thing to keep in mind when planning your pool day is the hours differ between the two. There were days when the Tower 2 pool didn’t open until after 3:00pm. Be sure to ask about the pool hours when checking into the resort.
Is Dockside Inn and Suites a Good Choice for Families?
I think Dockside is a great choice for families. From the budget friendly nightly cost to the amount of space, it is perfect for families.
We loved having the extra space in the room and a place to store snacks and food. I also enjoyed the ambiance and the dining options available.
Overall we loved Universal’s Dockside Inn and Suites. It was perfect for a week stay at Universal!
Read Next: Universal’s Surfside Inn and Suites Orlando Review
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Leah has been traveling with her family of 5 since 2012 and sharing her expertise on planning family vacations and visiting theme parks since 2016. Leah has been featured in Visit Rochester, Undercover Tourist, and Home Publications. She has worked with brands like Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, Hersheypark, Toyota, and various Tourism boards and destinations. Leah creates family travel itineraries based on real trip experiences with her family. Her guides and tips help others plan great family vacations. Learn more about Leah and Five for the Road.