I just read an interesting theory about the RPR remodel in the new version of the "Universal Orlando 2015" guidebook by Kelly Monaghan. The author states that after the convention center addition & the room remodeling is finished, RPR may raise its rates to match HRH and PBH. That way, all Deluxe hotels would be in the same tier, leaving a gap in the middle for the new Sapphire Falls Resort. That way, UO can offer a moderate resort for higher than the Cabana Bay, but still leave the Unlimited Express Pass out of Sapphire Falls. On one hand, I'm not sure that entirely makes sense. RPR isn't adding any real guest amenities, so I don't see how they could justify raising rates by $50-$100 per night just because they have new carpet and wallpaper in the rooms. The rooms will still be smaller than the other resorts, and nothing else has changed - if UO execs feel that they could get even $50 more per night out of RPR guests then they'd probably already be doing so. On the other hand, if the added convention space (and the link to the Sapphire Falls convention space) means that RPR will be packed with conventioners, then perhaps they won't have as many rooms left for the general public. This could cause an increase in prices for those who happen to prefer RPR. Or, the whole Unlimited Express Pass structure could be eliminated or changed altogether, which I think would be the worst case scenario - but the more hotel tiers UO creates, the harder it's going to be to sell anything without an Express Pass if the price difference isn't very high.
