A few questions from a newbie...

[janets]

We're planning on doing a partial stay at US in August. We'll be doing 5 nights at WDW then coming over to US.

I've been pricing the different resorts and trying to decide if we should book RPR at about $167/night w/ AAA rate vs. PBH at about $215/night. Can anyone give me a reason to do one over the other? I signed up for Loews card as well. We'll be coming from the free dining promotion at WDW so I'm also interested in knowing what dining options are available.

Also, I was checking the posts about the onsite hotels and was shocked to learn that there is a daily parking charge at these hotels? I guess I'm surprised since when you stay on site at WDW, there is no parking fee unless you use valet. When you add $12/day for parking, the price of the room isn't that cheap anymore. Is this so with all the resorts? We will have a car since we're flying in and I prefer to have my own transportation when staying for a week.

Also, for those experienced with tickets, is the current ticket option the best one around (unlimited visits for 7 days for $85)? I'm wondering if we should wait to buy or buy now and hold them.

Thanks for any information.

 

[patster734]

The PBH has larger rooms, while RPR is much closer to Citywalk and the parks. Both offer boat transportation and dedicated walkways to Citywalk. Both have a breakfast buffet for $15 per adult, but I like RPR's better. The RPR has one large pool while the PBH has three pools. Because the price difference is almost $50/night, I'd go with the RPR personally.

As for the parking fee, call the hotel you plan to stay at and see if they will waive it for you. I don't know how often they waive the fee but they have been known to waive it at times.

 

[Suzanne74]

I am jumping here. We will be doing the same thing. I was too planning on renting a car but now I am not so sure - those rates are high. We are planning on RPR since it is closer and cheaper. I will try PBR another time.

I would too like to hear more comments from Universal experts...

 

[patster734]

picture thread of RPR:

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1467778

Similar thread from last year:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1131491&referrerid=&highlight=pbh

Here's photos for PBH from December 2005:

 

[AlexandNessa]

You'll find that the parking fee has been debated ad nauseum on here, if the search function is working...

Make no mistake, the WDW hotels may not charge you separately for the parking fee, but each guest does contribute to parking mtce and staffing as part of their room rate, whether you see it itemized or not and whether you have a car on property or not (just like you pay a portion of the water bill/electricity with your room rate ... you dont see it itemized, but you're paying for it). Personally, we like that the parking fee is separate at the UO hotels. We never bring a car since UO transportation is more than adequate. I like that the parking fee is only attributed to those who use the service.

 

[bubba's mom]

btw...rumor has it parking is increasing to $15/nite (you won't find anyone here happy about it..... as for us, we don't care, we take a car service from MCO to UO and rent a car departure day from Budget @ Holiday Inn across the street no parking fee for us

ETA: yes, the $85/7 day ticket is the best deal going.....(best macraven has seen in several years actually!)