A few questions about the RPR...and early entry

[MIF738]

I few questions if all you experts out there do not mind answering

We are staying for 2 nights at the RPR this comming Labor day weekend.

1. I heard the best tower to stay in as far as proximity to IOA is Tower 1? What is this walk way that leads you straight to IOA? Where is it? Back of hotel or front? Is it worth it in this heat and walking with a 7 year old (distance)? Or should we just wait for the water taxi?

2. I know being Labor day weekend It will be packed. The hotel says they start the water taxi at 7:15 (8:00 early entry to the HP stuff)....has anyone found this to be acccurtley on time?

3. How is the crowd for early entry? insane? like we should start getting there at 7ish or not so big of a deal? This answer would determine if we should walk it at 7 or wait for the water taxi....

Thanks so much!

 

[MIF738]

ALSo....
What is the best way to do room request? Email or Fax? Also does anyone have that address/numbers?

 

[damo]

I few questions if all you experts out there do not mind answering

We are staying for 2 nights at the RPR this comming Labor day weekend.

1. I heard the best tower to stay in as far as proximity to IOA is Tower 1? What is this walk way that leads you straight to IOA? Where is it? Back of hotel or front? Is it worth it in this heat and walking with a 7 year old (distance)? Or should we just wait for the water taxi?

2. I know being Labor day weekend It will be packed. The hotel says they start the water taxi at 7:15 (8:00 early entry to the HP stuff)....has anyone found this to be acccurtley on time?

3. How is the crowd for early entry? insane? like we should start getting there at 7ish or not so big of a deal? This answer would determine if we should walk it at 7 or wait for the water taxi....

Thanks so much!

The walkway is along the water. Just head for the water and you will be on it. I don't think Labour Day weekend will be any more busy than it has been the last couple of weeks. You'll be fine. The crowd should be fine for early entry. I'd get there around 7:30.

 

[MIF738]

Is the walk longer from the water taxi exit to IOA than walking from the hotel? Not sure if that made sence, but I remember when you got off the water taxi you have to go up the ramp to the left (almost close the the Universal ball) then walk towards IOA....if we walk from the hotel do we have to do the same thing? like walk all the way to ramp to access the walk way towards IOA....
Not sure if i'm making sence

 

[Bluer101]

Is the walk longer from the water taxi exit to IOA than walking from the hotel? Not sure if that made sence, but I remember when you got off the water taxi you have to go up the ramp to the left (almost close the the Universal ball) then walk towards IOA....if we walk from the hotel do we have to do the same thing? like walk all the way to ramp to access the walk way towards IOA....
Not sure if i'm making sence

For early entry I would walk. Its about 6-10 minutes depending on your speed. The walkway comes out right between Margaritaville and the bridge to IOA. Yes, if you take the boat you are placed in the middle of Citywalk and have to walk back to IOA.

 

[Bluer101]

I just measured on google maps.

From RPR to IOA front gate 2100 ft.

From the boat dock in Citywalk to IOA front gate 970 ft.

 

[MIF738]

Thanks Bluer- I'm glad you understood what I was saying
Looks like we will walk it

 

[MIF738]

ohhh so its shorter to walk from the boat dock?
hmmmmm just trying to see what would get me to IOA quicker for early entry...

 

[Bluer101]

Thanks Bluer- I'm glad you understood what I was saying
Looks like we will walk it

If you get off the boat you turn right and walk towards the Margarittaville sea plane, not towards the US ball.

We normally stay in tower 1 and walk down the emergency stairs for early entry days. Those steps come right out at the far end of the hotel closest to the path to the parks. We tend to walk more than ride the boats.

 

[MIF738]

Thanks again for all your help. Not sure how fast my 7 year old will walk
But I will for sure request tower 1

 

[Bluer101]

This photo is from mesaboy2, it is from the entrance of RPR to IOA. When you get there you will see. The walkway also extends down by the hotel along the water way, that is where the RPR boat dock is.

 

[MIF738]

wow this is great! I think if we catch the first boat at 7:15 (thats when they said it starts) we will take the boat- if not we will walk it...just dosent seem like a fun walk (1/2 mile) with a 7 year old...atleast at parks she dosent realize shes really walking so much since theres so much to see

Thanks again!

 

[damo]

wow this is great! I think if we catch the first boat at 7:15 (thats when they said it starts) we will take the boat- if not we will walk it...just dosent seem like a fun walk (1/2 mile) with a 7 year old...atleast at parks she dosent realize shes really walking so much since theres so much to see

Thanks again!

Depending on where you are in that tower, it can be easier to just down down the stairs and out the end. Then scoot over to the pathway. We were in the wing of Tower 1 that was closest to the park and it was so easy to just go down the stairs. We always came back through the main entry though, cuz our legs were too tired to go back UP the stairs.

 

[christophfam]

wow this is great! I think if we catch the first boat at 7:15 (thats when they said it starts) we will take the boat- if not we will walk it...just dosent seem like a fun walk (1/2 mile) with a 7 year old...atleast at parks she dosent realize shes really walking so much since theres so much to see

Thanks again!

You'll have a bit of walking to do just to get to the boat dock from tower 1. The boat dock is closer to tower 3 so you'll be back tracking to check out if the boat is there. Your first morning just walk to the park. The walk isn't bad at all and there is enough to see along the waterway to keep your daughter interested. Take the boat back at the end of the day and then you'll know how the two differ and can decide how you want to play it the next day. For early entry from tower 1, I'd definitely walk.

 

[damo]

You'll have a bit of walking to do just to get to the boat dock from tower 1. The boat dock is closer to tower 3 so you'll be back tracking to check out if the boat is there. Your first morning just walk to the park. The walk isn't bad at all and there is enough to see along the waterway to keep your daughter interested. Take the boat back at the end of the day and then you'll know how the two differ and can decide how you want to play it the next day. For early entry from tower 1, I'd definitely walk.

Me too.

If you take the boat you still have to walk from the arrival boat dock to IOA. That walk is about half as long as the walk from Tower 1 to the park would be. Add that on to the walk from Tower 1 to the boat dock at RPR and really, you aren't saving any time by taking the boat.

 

[macraven]

to answer one of your other questions, send an email about 5 days out from your arrival date for your requests.

 

[wdhinn89]

Is Tower 1 non-smoking?

 

[macraven]

Is Tower 1 non-smoking?

the universal hotels went non smoking as of may 1st this year.

no smoking in any of the hotels.

 

[wdhinn89]

Great!!! Thank You!

 

[bean bunny]

We just came back from a visit over Labor Day and while the resort is quite full - it seemed that was mostly people at the pool! The actual parks weren't that bad. We were there in January and May this year as well and found the crowds much less this weekend! Harry Potter was always hopping but many other rides include The Hulk and Spiderman had 5 minute waits!