Planning a Quickie!

[Cass]

Hi to the Universal board people :goodvibes

I have a big trip coming up in the fall but I am thinking I can squeeze a quickie summer trip to PBR just for 4 days Aug 2 - 6th.

The last 2 times I booked I just did it straight online at the universal site - once at the RP and once at the HR Club Level. I think I'd like to try PBR to experience all three resorts. Should I just go through the universal website again? how are most people booking these days, maybe room and tickets separately?

I won't bother with club level this time - just a regular room.

Thanks for your insight. :yay:

[damo]

Tickets are $86/7 days, so I would just do it separately. I always call just because sometimes there are offers and upgrades that you can't get online.

[Cass]

Hi Damo, so who would I call? Lowes? or what?

[Cass]

Also, last time I was there I rode King Kong (it was closing the next week) I am going to assume the Mummy is up and running, anything else new?

[rlduvall]

"Planning a Quickie"

Hey, don't you know this is a family friendly board. Watch it!!:rotfl:

To answer your question: Yes, Mummy is up and running. Was Shrek3D open when you were there last? It is fabulous. Back to the Future is now closed. Hanna Barbera is now a Jimmy Neutron attraction. Ghostbuster street show is gone . . . Can't think of anything else.

Have stayed at both PBH and RPR and I sincerely think PBH is one of the nicest resorts I have every stayed at. Everytime our water taxi would come around the bend and we would see our hotel, my husband would say, in a fake loud Italian accent "Portifino." Okay, I guess you had to be there.

[Cass]

lol, well a 4 day stay is a quickie for me, usually I go to Florida for at least 2 weeks and often longer. :)

Shrek & Jimmmy were there, we did them... what is going in where back to the future was? thanks for your help!

[Cass]

Hi again, okay I booked a water view room at PBR without tickets because like you said, Damo, the tickets are only like 85.00pp

and now I'm looking at the other resorts and it is cheaper for a club level room at RP which would give me my breakfasts, water, pop etc...

I can't decide what to do - it's just I'm diabetic so it would be a big help to be able to get some breakfast quickly instead of going to a restaurant. I stayed Club Level at Hard Rock and breakfast was a zoo, not enough chairs, people standing everywhere - someone tell me that RP Club is better?

Thanks

[damo]

Hi again, okay I booked a water view room at PBR without tickets because like you said, Damo, the tickets are only like 85.00pp

and now I'm looking at the other resorts and it is cheaper for a club level room at RP which would give me my breakfasts, water, pop etc...

I can't decide what to do - it's just I'm diabetic so it would be a big help to be able to get some breakfast quickly instead of going to a restaurant. I stayed Club Level at Hard Rock and breakfast was a zoo, not enough chairs, people standing everywhere - someone tell me that RP Club is better?

Thanks

Everyone seems to think that RPH Club is the best one. I've only done HRH and PBH club so I can't be much help. Since you are going in mid summer, I think all of the Club lounges will be a zoo. However, you can always just take a tray of stuff back to your room if worse comes to worse. Is it a lot more expensive?

[Cass]

RP Club was almost 300 cheaper than regular PBR which made me consider it.

I'm torn because I really want to try PBR, but on the other hand I need to watch the $$ because I have big cruise coming up in Nov/Dec

[damo]

RP Club was almost 300 cheaper than regular PBR which made me consider it.

I'm torn because I really want to try PBR, but on the other hand I need to watch the $$ because I have big cruise coming up in Nov/Dec

Portofino is a gorgeous hotel. You won't regret staying there.

[goofy!]

Since you are going twice in one year - I would suggest you invest in the Preferred Annual Pass. 2 sets of the $86.00 tickets (one for your quickie and one for your upcoming extended fall vacation) and you have just about paid for your AP. That way you can book your rooms with the AP discount and you get the benefit of all the AP discounts at the restaurants and the stores.

We love PBH - it is our hotel of choice now.

[damo]

Since you are going twice in one year - I would suggest you invest in the Preferred Annual Pass. 2 sets of the $86.00 tickets (one for your quickie and one for your upcoming extended fall vacation) and you have just about paid for your AP. That way you can book your rooms with the AP discount and you get the benefit of all the AP discounts at the restaurants and the stores.

We love PBH - it is our hotel of choice now.

I think Cass's big trip in the fall is not to Universal but on a cruise, so she actually is only going once in one year.

[goofy!]

I think Cass's big trip in the fall is not to Universal but on a cruise, so she actually is only going once in one year.

Ahhh...didn't catch that. Of course, the signature would be a clue :crazy:

Cass - forget what I said. Follow Damo's suggestions :goodvibes

Off to get more coffee, as I obviously need it!

[Cass]

LOL, I like universal to go twice in one year, we had so much fun on our trips.

Are the parks still as nice as they were 4 years ago? be honest with me :)

[damo]

LOL, I like universal to go twice in one year, we had so much fun on our trips.

Are the parks still as nice as they were 4 years ago? be honest with me :)


I was there twice in three months from up here in Toronto and I must say that they are nicer.

[AlexandNessa]

Hi again, okay I booked a water view room at PBR without tickets because like you said, Damo, the tickets are only like 85.00pp

and now I'm looking at the other resorts and it is cheaper for a club level room at RP which would give me my breakfasts, water, pop etc...

I can't decide what to do - it's just I'm diabetic so it would be a big help to be able to get some breakfast quickly instead of going to a restaurant. I stayed Club Level at Hard Rock and breakfast was a zoo, not enough chairs, people standing everywhere - someone tell me that RP Club is better?

Thanks

I have never had a problem getting a table for breakfast, and I've stayed RPR Club 6x. :) One thing to consider ... how many folks are in your party? The only reason I ask is because the RPR rooms are small, IMHO. You might like the size of the rooms at PBH better, and you could just do a grocery stop for breakfast items.

[Cass]

Just the 2 of us, mother/DD trip so the room size doesn't really bother me. I recall the rooms being small at the RP last time I stayed there. Are the club rooms the same size as the standard I had before?

[AlexandNessa]

Are the club rooms the same size as the standard I had before?

yep. :)

[Cass]

Wow, I though they would be a little fancier. Maybe they are better located?, last time I stayed at RP our std. room was quite a hike to the pool or lobby.

[AlexandNessa]

All the club rooms in RPR are in Tower 3, Floor 7. Tower 3 is very convenient to the pool (probably the most convenient), the restaurants, the shuttle, the boat dock, the walking path to the parks, the lobby. It's a very nice location. Since only 1/3 of the club rooms overlook the pool, you do run the risk of a roof/highway view. You could also end up with a view of the luau. Let me know if you decide to book here as I'm happy to help further.

[Cass]

Well my quickie has become a longy, I just added another night leaving now on Aug 1 - 6th.

That gives me a day for seaworld, we like it there a lot, we did the VIP tour which was so much fun and no waiting for rides, great seats for the show, meet a penguin so I think we will do that again.

I think I will stick with PBR, just so I can try all three.

[damo]

Well my quickie has become a longy, I just added another night leaving now on Aug 1 - 6th.

That gives me a day for seaworld, we like it there a lot, we did the VIP tour which was so much fun and no waiting for rides, great seats for the show, meet a penguin so I think we will do that again.

I think I will stick with PBR, just so I can try all three.


There's a new little coaster at SeaWorld too. :cool1: :rotfl2:

[Cass]

Ohh, cool - what's it called? My favourite thing there is that little Pets Ahoy show LOL honestly I could see it a couple of times.

My sister is coming now and we are switching to club level, what the heck is wrong with me? why can't anything ever be simple when I travel? :eek:

[damo]

Ohh, cool - what's it called? My favourite thing there is that little Pets Ahoy show LOL honestly I could see it a couple of times.

My sister is coming now and we are switching to club level, what the heck is wrong with me? why can't anything ever be simple when I travel? :eek:

It is a really creative new name...The Shamu Express
http://www.seaworld.com/SWF/ama_shamus_happy_harbor.aspx

http://cache.rcdb.com/pictures/picmax/p16200.jpg
http://cache.rcdb.com/pictures/picmax/p16198.jpg

[Cass]

aww, that's adorable. I'll be on that for sure.

Thanks

[Cass]

I just watched this video (http://www.universaltravelagents.com/videos/portofinobay.html) and now I'm getting really excited :hyper:

[damo]

I just watched this video (http://www.universaltravelagents.com/videos/portofinobay.html) and now I'm getting really excited :hyper:

It is a nice place. You'll like it!!!

[Cass]

It looks gorgeous, and will get me in the mood for Rome in November (that's where our cruise leaves from) :)

[damo]

It looks gorgeous, and will get me in the mood for Rome in November (that's where our cruise leaves from) :)

I bet you the shutters on the buildings in Rome will be real though!!!:rotfl2:

[Cass]

Yeah, for 1200.00 a night you get real shutters!

[Cass]

So our plans are coming together... we fly out the evening of Aug 1st, 5 nights at PBR - Club Room,

I have a VIP Tour booked at Sea World + dine with Shamu

Do I need to make dining reservations in advance (like Disney?) or can I wing it a little? I would like to eat at Margaritaville, Bubba Gump's, Mythos and something nice in PBR, although I am not sure what - not too fancy, but a really nice meal.

Any suggestions? and should I book them now?

[Cass]

Hi guys, it's 4 weeks until our trip... do I need to make meal reservations like at Disney? or can I walk in?

this is what I am planning

Day 1 - Universal Studios - lunch at Lombard's Seafood
- Dinner at Mama Della's

Day 2 - IOA - lunch at Mythos
- Dinner at Trattoria del Porto

Day 3 - Sea World all day/dinner

Day 4 - Lunch at Margaritaville
- Dinner at Bubba Gumps


Please let me know what you think about making ressies now,

Thanks

[Cass]

:scratchin

[damo]

I've only made ressies the day of but I guess it can't hurt!

[tlinus]

your plans look ok to me, but be sure to see about Mythos as soon as you get in the park see if they can give you your time preference.....use the dining kiosk at the end of Port of Entry maybe and this way it will all be done so you can enjoy your morning! Do the same for Margaritaville if you can on day 4!

[AlexandNessa]

Hi guys, it's 4 weeks until our trip... do I need to make meal reservations like at Disney? or can I walk in?

this is what I am planning

Day 1 - Universal Studios - lunch at Lombard's Seafood
- Dinner at Mama Della's

Day 2 - IOA - lunch at Mythos
- Dinner at Trattoria del Porto

Day 3 - Sea World all day/dinner

Day 4 - Lunch at Margaritaville
- Dinner at Bubba Gumps


Please let me know what you think about making ressies now,

Thanks


No need to make ressies a month before. A day or two or maybe a week before. Also, I am pretty sure Bubba's doesn't take ressies at all. If you were eating at either of Emeril's restaurants, that would be the only situation I'd recommend making ressies > 30 days in advance. Have fun.

[Cass]

Thanks everyone, I called and made ressies - one thing that was cool - trattoria is a character dinner! I had no idea, my sister has never been to univeral before so I think it will be a lot of fun.

Also, when I called for Mythos - I could hear a roller coaster in the background roaring past, the guy has to wait for 10 seconds and then continue - we laughed, I guess he is located near the hulk as he said it was the hulk LOL it was so cool to hear it in the background, got me all excited.

Bubba's did take a ressie for me.

Can someone explain Mama Della's to me so I know what to expect? I take it Mama herself is there? are there otherfamily members like at Prime Time Cafe? is it a fun meal or just a normal meal?

Thanks for your help, I am jumping out of my skin here with excitement :)

[AlexandNessa]

Bubba's did take a ressie for me.

Can someone explain Mama Della's to me so I know what to expect? I take it Mama herself is there? are there otherfamily members like at Prime Time Cafe? is it a fun meal or just a normal meal?

Thanks for your help, I am jumping out of my skin here with excitement :)

Good to know that Bubba's takes ressies. That's a new one to me!

Yes, the reservations stand is right next to the Hulk. You'll see it if you look left after coming in the Port of Entry.

Mama Della's v. Prime Time? Mama is there, but she's more of a hostess. No one has to set the table at Mama's either. She will come around to say hello and ask how you're doing, but it isn't intrusive. It's a nice Italian restaurant. Not upscale. Just nice. The last time we were at Mama's strolling violinists came to our table side and asked for requests. I couldn't think of anything on the spot, and they wound up playing a song that I swear lasted 15 minutes (but seemed like an eternity). So, if that's not your thing (I never know what to do ... look at them the whole time, continue eating?), be prepared with a short tune.

[Cass]

When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie that's amore' :rolleyes1