This past week, Universal hosted me with a stay as part of their UO Travel Advisor Program. I am so incredibly grateful to be part of a team that offers unique opportunities like this one. The below blog post is my own thoughts and opinions on this Universal resort. See below for more information!

I stayed at Universal’s Endless Summer Resort this week. Universal’s Endless Summer Resort: Dockside Inn and Suites is one of two value hotels at Universal Orlando Resort. Its sister resort, Surfside Inn & Suites is located across from it. Endless Summer Resort: Dockside Inn & Suites opened in December 2020, so it is Universal’s newest hotel on Universal property. To be honest, I usually stay at a Universal premier resort (Loews Royal Pacific, Hard Rock Hotel, or Portofino Bay Hotel). I actually really loved my stay here! This resort is a value resort, so it will not come with Express Passes and will have to be purchased separately with your tickets. I love that this resort has tons of room around the pool, was clean, and super easy to get around. It looks huge and hard to navigate from the outside, but it’s a super easy layout once inside. This is a great resort for budget-conscious families and I think anyone will really enjoy their stay here!

Both Endless Summer properties offer great options for families looking for affordable Universal accommodations. These resorts also offer two-bedroom suites to fit larger size families and groups. It’s a great resort if you’re looking to visit Universal and have a lower budget to work within.

Endless Summer Resort Dockside Inn & Suites has many different room categories:

Standard View Rooms: 2 Queen beds with views of the parking lot

Pool View Room: Standard room with 2 Queen Beds and a view of the pool area

2-Bedroom Suite: These suites fit larger families or groups with 2 Queen Beds in the main room, one queen bed in a separate room, and one bathroom with a separate vanity area.

2-Bedroom Suite with Pool View: These suites fit larger families or groups with 2 Queen Beds in the main room, one queen bed in a separate room, and one bathroom with a separate vanity area. These suites offer pool views.

Housekeeping

Summer Resorts offer two different housekeeping options for guests. If a guest would prefer alternative housekeeping arrangements, they must contact the front desk of their resort.  In an effort to reduce the impact on the environment, housekeeping has a “tide” program.

Low Tide: If a guest is staying less than seven nights, light housekeeping will be offered. These services include making beds, fresh new towels, emptying trash cans, and replacing bathroom amenities.

High Tide: If a guest is staying longer than seven nights, a full-service cleaning will be provided on the seventh day. The Low Tide housekeeping will then be provided on all additional days.

When staying on Universal property, you will receive exclusive hotel guest benefits:

Early Park Admission to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Universal’s Volcano Bay one hour before the theme parks open (valid theme park admission required)

Resort-wide charging privileges with your room key

 CityWalk Party Pass that provides access to select live entertainment venues at Universal CityWalk (Currently not available due to Covid)

Complimentary resort merchandise delivery purchased to your hotel

Kids age 17 and under stay Free

Guests staying at either Dockside Inn & Suites or Surfside Inn & Suites get access to both resort’s amenities

Accommodations are available for up to six people

When staying at Endless Summer Resort, you can also enjoy other amenities during your stay:

Safety Deposit Box (Found in the closet of your room)

Pack ‘n Plays (By request only)

Universal Orlando Vacation Planning Center: A ticket desk and kiosk are located in the resort lobby to assist guests with Universal information, purchasing tickets to Universal theme parks and other area attractions, and retrieving pre-purchased tickets. (Hours of operation are 7:00 AM – 8 PM)

Laundromats: Guest laundry rooms located on floors three, six, and nine in each tower

Package Shipping/Delivery: Guests can have packages shipped from and received to the hotel. The front desk charges a fee for receiving, handling, and/or storing your packages.

Temporary Luggage Storage at Bell Services

Dining at Endless Summer: Dockside Inn & Suites

Pier 8 Market: Designed to feel like a coastal market that offers many different food stations to choose from

Sunset Lounge: VW Bus Inspired bar

Oasis Beach Bar: Drink exclusive bar

Starbucks

Pizza Room Delivery

Refillable Souvenir Cup: Guests can purchase refillable souvenir cups at the resort Guests can purchase the number of days they want for soft drink beverages.  Theme park soda stations are not included with this program and are different from the resort refillable mug station

Recreation at Endless Summer: Dockside Inn & Suites

Pool & Pool Activities

There are two pools at this resort: one located in each courtyard and a splash pad for kids

Poolside activities include hula hoop contests, poolside movies, ping pong, and bingo. (Currently unavailable due to Covid)

Both pools also provide complimentary life vests and towels. Lifeguards are also always on duty.

Pool hours vary by season and may change due to inclement weather.

Game Room: Arcade games are available for a fee

Fitness Center: Complimentary to Endless Summer Resort guests

Shopping

Universal Orlando Resort Store: This is the official resort store on the property and offers Universal and Universal’s Endless Summer logo merchandise,  guest necessities, and more.

Parking and Transportation

On-Site Transportation

Guests can use the complimentary shuttles to get to CityWalk and the parks.  A shuttle arrives at the resort about every 15 minutes and is available for guests right outside the resort lobbies. This is the only transportation option to and from the hotel to the parks.

Guests can also use the complimentary shuttle available outside the resort lobbies to get to Volcano Bay Water Park.

Resort Parking
If a guest parks their car at either Endless Summe Resort, there is a nightly parking fee of $15/car (plus tax) that will be charged when you check out. Endless Summer Resorts do not offer valet parking.

I am so grateful for my experience and stay at this resort. It offers so much for the family and is a great way to visit Universal. I would highly recommend this resort, especially if you’re trying to stay within a low budget.

Interested in staying at this Universal resort? I’d love to help you plan a vacation to Universal Orlando! Contact me for my free travel planning services!

Love and Travel Dust,

Molly