Hard Rock or Royal Pacific???

[ellie34]

I am torn............. I really really like the theming & pool at RP, but my travel prof. keeps pushing me toward HR. I don't really like HR. She keeps "reminding" me that it is just a walk thru a back gate to the parks from HR, but it could take up to 10 minutes for a water taxi from RP. And that is on a good day when they aren't backed up. From what I have read, the walk isn't bad from the parks to RP and the water taxi seems to run pretty well. I guess what I really want is to stay at RP, but am afraid she is right. Any experienced dis'ers with tips?? Thoughts/suggestions for a newbie?? Thank you!

 

[HM]

The walk at HRH is really short, but if you aren't interested in staying there, why even bring it into the picture. Don't let your TA push you into something you don't want. Reserve your stay at RPH, where you want to be. The walk (or boat ride) will be a bit longer, but not by all that much.

 

[DPCummerbund]

I went through the same discussion myself. I haven't stayed at either hotel, but like the look of RPR (a 10 minute walk), but the proximity of HRH (a 5 minute walk). I finally realized that we'll probably be walking for at least 6-8 hours a day, so a five minute difference between the two is about 1% more walking for the day. I'll gladly spend 1% more time and energy to stay at a resort I like better.

 

[ellie34]

Thank you both!! I am a disney girl and have never stayed onsite at US/IOA. Listening to the TA she is kinda freaking me out a little with the distances. lol

 

[nkereina]

I suspect your TA is pushing you towards HRH because it's more money. She gets commission on what you book.

We stayed at RPR in November and loved everything about it. The walk was less than 10 minutes over to City Walk, so we only used the water taxi once on our last day just to say we did it. We found it faster and easier to walk. HRH may be a few feet closer, but the difference is negligible IMO.

I'll liken the proximity to the International Gateway at Epcot - Beach Club is the closest but Boardwalk is a stone's throw further. Same type of distances with HRH and RPR.

We saw HRH from the water taxi when we visited PBH, and while it looked nice, it would be hard for us to justify spending the extra money over RPR. RPR had everything we wanted.

 

[schumigirl]

Don't let walking distance be an issue.

It takes us 6 minutes to walk to IOA as its closer to RP......slightly longer to Studios but not by much.

None of the three hotels are really any distance from the parks in the grand scheme.........it's so convenient and a pleasant walk actually.

You'll be more than happy at RP I'm sure

 

[CPanther95]

I can't comment on the HRH because my opinion is skewed due to some negative first impressions - and I know from reviews since that first year that my impressions are not reflective of the hotel for most. Most that stay there absolutely love it.

But I will say that 2 of the biggest draws for the HRH are the theming and the pool - so if the RPH theme and pool appeal to you more, I'd say you stick with your gut - the RPH should be a no-brainer choice for you.

 

[FLVacationGirl]

If you stay at the Royal Pacific, you will not regret it. Did my first stay 3 weeks ago and it was gorgeous! I think that if you are a Disney person, you will love the theming at the Royal Pacific.

Originally I was booked at the Hard Rock but switched to the Royal Pacific a few weeks before our trip.

 

[marchingstar]

We stay on US property for the first time last summer at RPH. The big thing to remember (as someone coming from disney) is that everyting is a lot more compact on the dark side. We took the water taxi back to RPH one night because we felt exhausted, but every other trip to/from the hotel we walked, and it took less than 10 minutes each way. To be fair, we're two adults without children and mobility concerns. But we were also there after 10 days of running around WDW. Even at 10 minutes away, RPH feels luxuriously closer, compared to disney hotels.

 

[bas71873]

I don't understand why HRH gets no love. We love it there. And not just this thread, but I read a lot of threads where HRH gets the shaft

 

[Nomarian]

We stayed at RPH a few years ago and thought it was nice, but this year we booked the HRH. We are looking forward to it!

 

[damo]

I don't understand why HRH gets no love. We love it there. And not just this thread, but I read a lot of threads where HRH gets the shaft

I'd stay at HRH if it weren't exempt from the Youfirst perks. We used to stay there all the time until it was removed from the Loews property alliance.

 

[Music City Mama]

We stayed at RPH a few years ago and thought it was nice, but this year we booked the HRH. We are looking forward to it!

Same here. We liked it, but I want to try HRH. RPH is significantly cheaper during our dates, but I'm willing to spend the extra $ to try something new. We visited PBH during our last trip -- seemed nice too, but we're big music people, so HRH makes sense for us. I also really like the idea of a fridge instead of a mini-bar.

 

[Clemson Bama Fan]

We have never stayed anywhere except HRH so can't compare it to the other onsite options, but we love it. From the vibe to the staff to the proximity to the parks it is perfect for us. We also love the Kitchen breakfast buffet, great way to start the day. We have already booked our December 2015 room. Can't wait...

 

[marchingstar]

I don't understand why HRH gets no love. We love it there. And not just this thread, but I read a lot of threads where HRH gets the shaft

Oh, I didn't mean to suggest there's any problem with HRH. We're staying there during a split WDW/US in May, and I'm really looking forward to it! All I meant was that the OP shouldn't base the decisions exclusively on distance from the park. RPR is further, but relative to disney it's not far at all.

 

[bas71873]

Oh, I didn't mean to suggest there's any problem with HRH. We're staying there during a split WDW/US in May, and I'm really looking forward to it! All I meant was that the OP shouldn't base the decisions exclusively on distance from the park. RPR is further, but relative to disney it's not far at all.

It was a jokey comment . We love HRH and I never really even took proximity to the parks into consideration when I booked for the first time a few years ago. We tend to go for more compact resorts and ones that have waterslides (that's DD's requirement). And even though we could walk to the parks, we usually took the boat. One of the many things I LOVE about a US/IOA vacation is that it's so laid back and not all go, go, go and frantic like WDW seems to have gotten. Have a great trip. We will be there in early June!

 

[anorman]

We've stayed at RPR twice and visited HRH for pool time once and had a look around. I much prefer the RPR for the warmth and the decor. It is just a wonderful place to sit and relax with all the greenery around the resort. The inner courtyard is so peaceful and a great place to sit and have a quiet drink. It's only a short walk to the parks. Maybe it's just me, but the HRH seems to have an unwelcoming decor (sooooo white) and I found it a difficult place to relax because of it. That being said, we didn't spend any more than a few hours there but IMHO you can't go wrong with a stay at the RPR.

 

[Bluer101]

I'd stay at HRH if it weren't exempt from the Youfirst perks. We used to stay there all the time until it was removed from the Loews property alliance.

Yep, us too. Not paying the price to recieve no credit or benefit.

 

[sharona]

We've stayed at both. I prefer HRH for the theme and liked the room better. RPR was nice too. Service was equal. While at HRH we used the water taxi just as often as we walked because we enjoy the break from walking. We even tried the pedicab - fun! Next trip we're at RPR because it was $45/night cheaper and over 4 nights that difference will pay for a couple of meals.

If I preferred RPR pool and theme that is where I would stay, especially if it's cheaper.

 

[Luvzmy3boys]

Have not stayed at hard rock but stayed at RPR 2 yrs ago. Public spaces were nice and pool was ok, but the room (especially bathroom) needed refurbishing. Furniture and baseboards and walls were beat up. Did not seem like it was worth the price but maybe my expectations were too high. Good and service in the main restaurant were terrible-- 30 minutes before a waiter showed up-- and food took an hour to arrive. I kid you not- we sat down at 7 and left at 10-- a miserable experience dining with 7 kids all under the age of 7! We only ate there because we were too tired to walk to city walk. We ate at city walk the next 2 nights.

We are going back to US in a few months and will likely stay at HR for proximity.