Universal's Endless Summer Resort - Surfside Inn and Suites Review

This is my hopefully comprehensive review of Universal's Endless Summer Resort - Surfside Inn and Suites. Located on the crossover of International Drive and Universal Boulevard...opposite Endless Summer Dockside Inn. It's a 5 minute drive away from the parks, so not an on-site resort.
Within this review I'll be covering transportation options to Universal Studios Orlando, dining, room features, pricing, hidden fees, the pool area, resort benefits...but most of all, I'll be focusing equally on the pros and cons to booking this resort. I'll be throwing in some tips I've picked up at the end of the video. If you have any tips of your own, it'd be awesome if you could throw some in the comments :)
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My vlog of the endless summer resorts on my other channel:
• Universal's Endless Su...
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CONTACT:
For all business enquiries ⇢ [e-mail]
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[@TheFrugalBrit]

I thought you guys might also be interested in my vlog tour of the two resorts on my other channel (Jay Jack - Orlando): kzbin.info/www/bejne/r6q7i2itgriDqZI

[@SomethingSomethingg]

Every other channel I find is someone with a selfie stick. Thank you for focusing more on the hotel and less on yourself. I feel like I'm watching an actual travel guide. Thanks to you I booked Cabana and this. Universal should be paying you lol

[@TheFrugalBrit]

Thank you for that 👍 Yeah, ‘less face more place’ is my motto haha 👍😁

[@SomethingSomethingg]

@@TheFrugalBrit Good! Please keep it up. Quite frankly I could care less what these KZbinrs are doing because my vacation will likely be quite different from theirs. A "just the facts" approach is waaaaaaaaay better.

[@TheFrugalBrit]

So apparently the gate has very recently been opened 7am to 7pm which will help daytime access to the Walgreens. Special thanks to Lyndsay Booth for the knowledge!

[@stephaniewest20]

This was spot on. When I stayed here I loved it, great value for money, and as we were staying for two weeks with a car they offered us at check in a reduced parking fee, didn't even ask. Staff were friendly and really clean rooms. The pool area was lovely and loved the under water speakers. Buses were frequent and when we went to the disney parks we drove to disney springs to park for free and then got a free bus to the nearest hotel to the park we were visiting, had to be organised to do that but saves on travel. Planning to go back and stay there again.

[@Ishida2725]

Love these videos. Very handy and the detail put in is great. Can see these videos becoming the go to vids for Orlando planning!

[@TheFrugalBrit]

Thank you! Feedback like this means a lot and puts a big smile on my face 😁

[@giftenetienne9556]

Brilliant video, gave me pretty much all the info I would've wanted. Defo gonna check out your other vids!

[@Klynch111]

Endless summer is the perfect hotel for a budget trip to Orlando. I know there is cheaper hotels lower on the budget scale, but endless summer is new, has loads of facilities and its clean and the pool area is fantastic. I'm staying at cabana bay on my upcoming trip and id like to experience aventura but I think id def return to endless summer again

[@meadowstar6834]

I went here last December, was very clean and great service! The food was awesome too, I definitely recommend it.

[@MrLadiesman216]

Glad you covered this hotel as i’m staying here at the end of September. For what i need as a base,this should be great,international drive access is a huge bonus.

[@TheFrugalBrit]

This hotel is great and September is a smart time to go. Thanks again for watching!

[@CuddleBunny1901]

I'm going in September too but towards the beginning of the month, hopefully we both will enjoy our stays

[@ItzTheJLife]

Really great helpful thorough review. Fabulous it has no resort fee. I hadn't realised that and presumes it would have one when others have. Thanks for this review x

[@TheFrugalBrit]

Glad you found it useful. Yeah no resort fee, they just temporarily hold a security fee. Thanks for watching 👍😂

[@hazelannett-jones8658]

Thank you for this vlog, very informative 🙌🏻

[@TheFrugalBrit]

Very welcome, thank you for watching 👍😁

[@edvaira6891]

A few reviews I’ve seen on YT for this place were not kind; nice to see an alternate perspective...Nice video, as usual!

[@TheFrugalBrit]

It’s a great hotel, but can be a bit noisy. Would definitely recommend a 9th floor room. Thank you for the kind feedback!

[@DaveyFamily]

Really great videos, keep them coming :)

[@TheFrugalBrit]

Thank you Ollie, appreciate that! Animal Kingdom tour will be ready next week.

[@blaster-zy7xx]

I've stayed there and it was a great deal. I'm going back. It was a new hotel and the price was amazing. For Florida residents it was only $78.00 night on weekdays which is what I have spent for an older hotel farther away. Since covid was still going on, and they were trying to get people back into the parks, they removed the parking fee. Since parking was $25 at the park per day, the hotel basically cost me $28.

[@TheFrugalBrit]

That’s a steal!

[@1agelessbeauty]

Today Friday 4.9.21, and I just booked this this resort for our June trip. Thanks for all the questions one may want to know, regarding staying here. I now know to request to be in tower #1 for the convenience of the bus stop. Great tip ideas, to boot👍👌

[@TheFrugalBrit]

Brill, hope you have an amazing trip, glad you found it useful. Thank you for watching 👍😁

[@mazzy2121]

Thank you for this!! I was scheduled to stay at Dockside but they have pushed the opening - again (this is my second attempt at a reservation there that has been cancelled by Uni). They automatically switched me over to Surfside, but IMO Dockside just looks nicer and the pool looks nicer and the menu sounds more appealing so I wasn't excited about Surfside. I'm going to check out your Cabana Bay vid next since I switched my reservation to there (but there is still time to change).

[@TheFrugalBrit]

I don’t think you can go wrong with any of those choices! Main benefit to Surfside over the others is access to I-Drive, but like you say amenities look better at Dockside.

[@MattGamerUtlimate]

Another amazing review! It’s a shame that they cut off easy access to I-Drive but I guess it’s to keep people on property to spend.

[@TheFrugalBrit]

thank you sir! I’ve read some conflicting info about the gate now being open 7am to 7pm which is encouraging. Hoping they’ll allow 24 hour access soon enough (or at least to cover most of the evening).

[@squigglove]

Yeah, I agree with the value; I also agree with the lack of storage/clothing space! We're able to stay longer because of the value pricing so in turn we bring a LOT of luggage....and we leave with even more! LOL

[@TheFrugalBrit]

Yeah luggage is always a source of anxiety for us! Thanks for watching 😁

[@TheSues105]

I have provisionally booked this hotel for July 2021 (Covid dependant.) let’s hope it happens 🙃 thanks for the video!

[@Frank-ed3db]

Great video!!!!

[@TheFrugalBrit]

Thank you! 😁

[@patrybrian]

Thanks for the review! We're thinking of staying at the Dockside Inn and Suites because of it. Any chance you've got a review of that resort coming soon? Would also love to see your impression of the Aventura.

[@TheFrugalBrit]

Hi Dayspring! I’m hoping to do a review of Dockside Inn as soon as possible but unfortunately it’s dependent on the travel ban being lifted 😭 I’ll hopefully be on the first flight back over there 👍😁

[@tracistacy9378]

We stayed at Surf Side in Jan 2022 and thoroughly enjoyed it. Had a suite which worked great for us. We really enjoyed the breakfasts at the Beach Break; they were much better than the ones we had at the Polynesian at Disney later in the week. The only time we ate there was the night we arrived after a horrendous travel day (9 hour departure delay). It was about 15 minutes before they closed; they offered to fix us a fresh burger/pizza, but we were too tired just got something already prepared. So the food wasn't great, but the service was superb. The rooms were clean and very comfortable; didn't have an issue with noise. The bus transportation to the parks was quick and efficient. We are planning another trip in January 2024 and plan on staying here again.

[@thecoolestdad]

My daughter and I stayed at Dockside the last week of June. We had the suite. I stayed in the bedroom and she stayed in the main room. We were on the 10th floor with no floors above us. It was quiet the entire trip. Our view was facing the front of the Dockside entrance and the bus stops were directly below us. No noise at all. With no carpet, it was extremely noisy in the food court seating area. I wasn't a fan of the elevators, being 4 in the same location. A few times there were crowds waiting to board the elevators to their rooms. The food was mediocre at best. I feel that Disney's value resorts food courts have better foods than Endless Summer had. I mean it was ok, but not over the top. The pool was just a pool. I mean what does adults do in pools these days? We get in, get wet, and squat down in the water up to our necks and go, "ho hum" and get out. I did however enjoy one night just sitting in a lounge chair by the pool for a while at night just watching people; mostly girls. LOL. The room was fine to me. The bed slept good, but I needed more covers. I did get cold in there throughout the night. The buses were great. Just a few minutes away from the hub to City Walk. Very convenient. The buses were never overly crowded either. maybe once, but not like Disney's buses, which I can't stand anymore, because they pack people in like sardines and the whining of small kids because they are tired, and the parents DO NOTHING to quieten them down! I avoid Disney buses as much as possible, but we do still use them when resort hopping during the day. That way they aren't crowded and no whiny kids to deal with. Universal has certainly stepped up their game with the buses. There was literally a very, very short wait time for a bus. They ran like clockwork. Disney buses, can keep you waiting 10, 15, 20 minutes for one. Bottom line: I liked Endless Summer Dockside resort. We never walked over to Surfside to check it out. Looks somewhat the same, with some differences. I enjoyed our stay there. Here's the big question: would I ever stay at Dockside, or even Surfside again? Maybe, and that's a slight maybe, but most likely probably not. But I do want to stay at Cabana Bay and even Sapphire Falls and Portofino Bay.

[@SJDevenney1]

International Drive is so cool!!

[@jeninaslicer352]

Would love to see a video on the Cabana Bay Resort!😊

[@TheFrugalBrit]

I’m editing a Cabana Bay video now 👍😁

[@theactualdarthvader]

im a UOAP holder and this for 1 night would be perfect!! already booked for next week 👍🏽

[@TheFrugalBrit]

👍😁

[@TheFrugalBrit]

👍😁

[@heyykristee]

This was very helpful! Could you do one about Dockside?

[@TheFrugalBrit]

Hoping to have this ready for January 😁👍

[@sltsang5]

We stayed three days at Endless Summer and three days at Disney All-Star Movies in Summer 2019. I would give my stay at Endless Summer a 7.5 out of 10. It was spanking brand new and clean, the staff were super nice and the onsite restaurant was okay. The towels were small, super thin and nubby - a big negative. I would give Disney All-Star Movies resort a 8.5 out of 10. My room was newly renovated with a double bed along with a double Murphy bed, along with a coffee maker. It felt a level above Endless Summer. The on-site restaurant was better and had more variety. There was renovation going on at the nearby wing, so the elevators were filthy. We just used the stairs.

[@TheFrugalBrit]

That’s interesting, thanks for sharing. Did you pay similar price for both?

[@561jeffkelly]

Hi, Great Vlog as always. I had this booked for my May holiday this year for 10 nights and then cancelled it, one of the reason the parking price. We are not doing any off the Disney or universal parks this time. After 13 visits we have out grown them this visit but we are doing 4 nights at Cocoa beach and 10 on international drive but changed from this Hotel to the Avanti resort, we have stayed at the Avanti the last 3 times we have come. Like your Vlog said great if your doing Universal for early entry but some of the reviews and the parking put us off. Keep up the Good work 👍👍👍

[@TheFrugalBrit]

Thank you, really appreciate this comment! Avanti Resort is one of my faves for sure. I share your pain with the parking fees. Tempted to go all Uber on my next trip.

[@mazzy2121]

Thanks for this one. I'm staying at Dockside in a couple weeks when it opens. Good to know about the Walgreens. If you can deal with it, one I would really like reviewed is the BHostel within Days Inn. I have looked up everything I can and it appears they are 4 bed rooms and since they are attached to the back of Days Inn you get a pool and the pics show many transportation options (scooters, bikes, and on the trolly line). I'm really interested whether those public transportation options are really available (since the scooters and bikes can be taken and left anywhere), and how the neighborhood is, as I saw a review that said "people outside selling weeds!" which... to be honest I'm not sure if that was supposed to be a pro or a con. :)

[@blaster-zy7xx]

Did you end up going? I think you wrote this before covid

[@mazzy2121]

@@blaster-zy7xx So, Dockside never opened. Universal cancelled that and one other reservation I made after re-open to Dockside, and it is still closed today. I did end up staying at Surfside one of those times (Uni moves you to another hotel). The beds weren't great. I feel like you can get nice(r) mattresses pretty cheap now and they could have shopped better for that. But the front desk staff were the friendliest and most helpful of any of the Uni hotels I've stayed at (Cabana Bay, Aventura, and now here). The store staff was 'meh' - way better at Aventura. They upgraded me to a suite on the 9th floor cuz my room wasn't ready at 4pm check in, and I heard no noise or anything but I see that's a common complaint. I can't speak to that, probably because of being on the top floor. Anyway, for the overall look I would still choose Dockside if I had that choice but I'm thinking of another trip and of the choices that are open right now I will for sure pick Surfside.

[@blaster-zy7xx]

@@mazzy2121 Glad you got to go. I stayed at Surfside and we were very pleased. It was pretty empty so that was nice. Compared to spending $25 a day for parking for two day, a $78 dollar hotel that included parking (only because they were trying to get people back into the parks) was a great deal!

[@Disneythroughourveins]

this looks like a gorgeous hotel xx thanks so much for sharing - we enjoyed watching xx

[@TheFrugalBrit]

Very welcome, thank you for watching!

[@plamoretti673]

Disney should reconsider their pricing. Because of Surfside's value pricing, I'm staying an extra week and I'm buying more park tickets + express passes + spending more at City Walk. So if they have any loss at Surfside, they'll definitely make it back at other spots.

[@esmeraldagauzin1151]

Can you walk to universal studios from here?

[@darrencole9485]

Thanks i will be booking this for next summer, is this hotel walkable to the I drive trolley

[@TheFrugalBrit]

Yeah I believe there’s a green line stop on universal boulevard. But you’ll also be able to walk to one on I-drive. Depends on how long you consider an acceptable walk. I’m at the hotel as I write this 😁.

[@kentgraham2780]

Hi new subbie here, love your videos can you please do a review of Loews sapphire falls resort

[@TheFrugalBrit]

It’s definitely on my list! Just not sure when I’ll get round to it. There’s too many hotels! Thank you for watching ☺️

[@jaydenchrist6152]

We are staying at this hotel for our next universal trip

[@queenbee587]

I’ve stayed here and I’m pretty picky. I’d rate it at as a 4 star. The restaurant is very good. Avis car rental onsite. Their blankets are not duvets but more like a sheet. That would be my only complaint. Personally, I like a cozy sleep and a duvet is something that adds to that. Everything else was very good and reasonable.

[@jaydenchrist6152]

The resort dosent want to be on int drive so true heck at the universal orlando app universal trys to block out int drive road lol

[@craigdeftydrums2314]

Can we have a review on the dockside please ??

[@TheFrugalBrit]

Hoping to get this done by the end of the year 🤞 thanks for watching 👍😁

[@thenfochairman]

do we know if there is a Universal Blvd entrance & exit for the Dockside Hotel Or will the parking garage exit force you on to International? hard to see how to get from the parking garage to Universal Blvd.

[@TheFrugalBrit]

Oooh I’m not sure unfortunately. Do you mean for surfside or dockside?

[@thenfochairman]

@@TheFrugalBrit Dockside....I was hoping you can just exit on Universal Blvd and go straight leading right to parks without having to turn on International each time

[@TheFrugalBrit]

Fairly certain you wouldn’t have to head onto international drive.

[@michaelmckinney518]

Will the shuttle bus run early enough to get you to park before it opens?

[@TheFrugalBrit]

100%! Just don’t get caught in the Starbucks queue 😉

[@Mike_Vlogs_YT]

I think it’s a really nice hotel for the price

[@TheFrugalBrit]

Agree 100% Thanks for watching!

[@wesdavies2455]

Hi, do you know of a dinning plan that universal may offer please ?

[@LyndsBooth23]

Insightful vlog however the info about access to Idrive is dated and you should know that given you've recommended a very useful Facebook page. The gate allowing direct access to Idrive is now open from 7am-7pm which saves needing to use the parking lot during those hours.

[@TheFrugalBrit]

How did I miss that!? Think I’d read conflicting info about the other gate but not this one. Thank you for sharing! Really useful.

[@BEACHLIFE78]

A nice looking resort BUT for the location i would rather stay at the Avanti palms on i.drive only 2 minute walk from here and much much cheaper with free shuttle to all parks not just universal.Great review as always 🙂👍🇱🇷

[@dylan9382]

Can you do a video comparing Surfside and Dockside to see which is better

[@TheFrugalBrit]

Yeah I’d like to do a comparison at some point 👍

[@dylan9382]

@@TheFrugalBrit thanks I am planning to stay at endless summer resort but I don't if I should go with Surfside or dockside

[@lvaughn25]

Hello are the shuttles free or is there a charge?

[@TheFrugalBrit]

Free for universal parks 👍

[@myhipsdontlie773]

Hi if we are staying at this resort could we go to endless summer pools?

[@TheFrugalBrit]

I’m fairly confident you can pool hop between the two ES pools, but not 100%

[@markturner5644]

We booked to stay there, however the food and bar choices were so poor we changed our mind in favour of Royal Pacific which, for not much more money gives the express pass

[@TheFrugalBrit]

Wow that must have been a great deal! I’m hoping to stay there for a night or two this year. Thanks for watching.

[@markturner5644]

The Frugal Brit - Orlando £300 extra for 4 nights! Well worth it for express pass. Another great video BTW

[@TheFrugalBrit]

Thank you sir! Debating RP and Hard Rock at the moment 🤔

[@markturner5644]

The Frugal Brit - Orlando RP every time

[@macybrookez5570]

Is there no balcony in the rooms?

[@samplautz5586]

While they don’t have a resort fee, they charge 15 per night for parking which is basically a resort fee

[@donnapartridge4387]

Looks lovely if u need a large pool still find it a little pricey im still a no1 fan of the rosen inn across the road!

[@TheFrugalBrit]

It‘s a really impressive resort has to be said. Still love the Rosens though for the free parking etc! Thanks for watching 😊

[@largol33t1]

I find it strange that the resort will deliver pizza from its own kitchen to you because Cabana Bay instead hires a family pizza shop to do the deliveries for them!

[@TheFrugalBrit]

That is strange. Maybe they wanted to outsource it given the size of Cabana Bay?

[@felkerforcongress]

is there a Dockside review?

[@TheFrugalBrit]

That’s weird, I’m literally editing it right now!

[@felkerforcongress]

@@TheFrugalBrit ok we waiting! Thanks

[@jaydenchrist6152]

I dont really have any interest to stay here because it is the farthest resort from the universal parks so I think I'll be sticking with cabana bay thanks

[@TheFrugalBrit]

I get what you mean, however it is popular with people who want to be close to I-Drive.

[@carosole574]

If you stay at this hotel, can you use the pools of the other Universal hotels? Thanks

[@TheFrugalBrit]

Unfortunately not. Unlike the Cabana Bay, no pool hopping with the other Universal hotels.

[@mindyschocolate]

I’m fine with no room clean. I don’t like people in my room with my stuff there without me there.

[@TheFrugalBrit]

Yeah I like to have towels etc refreshed, but I don't need a thorough clean every day.

[@Coolscarykid]

Noise helps me sleep which is weird. So I don’t care how noisy it is

[@TheFrugalBrit]

That’s an underrated superpower!

[@Bonsp1]

If you will be parking your own car or a rental, they raised the parking fee too 30$ a day..

[@TheFrugalBrit]

Oh really? At the hotel? Are you sure that’s not for non resort guests?

[@Bonsp1]

@@TheFrugalBrit no I'm sure I'll be going there going in June. They told me this when we made reservation. Bummer huh..

[@TheFrugalBrit]

@@Bonsp1 that’s insane, they’re still advertising it as $15 online though. When you get there, I would have a word and say that you were misled into believing it was $15. I reckon they let it slide.

[@Bonsp1]

@@TheFrugalBrit oh for sure. It was a package deal park tickets included and fast pass. But definitely bring it on chk in. Love your channel bro

[@TheFrugalBrit]

Thank you, hope you have a great trip 👍

[@Brooklynyc918]

I have to pay for parking if I'm staying on property. No, but hell no.

[@TheFrugalBrit]

I hate parking fees!!

[@Brooklynyc918]

@@TheFrugalBrit me too..

[@jasonevans1679]

Slow down the footage, waaaayy too fast...

[@TheFrugalBrit]

Thanks that’s useful feedback, which bits in particular?