JessicaR
<font color=blue>DIS Veteran<br><font color=green>
- Joined
- Sep 26, 2000
- Messages
- 15,730
Although we were just there in March, I had Credit on Southwest and we all have AP's that were just begging to be used! The Fan Club rate was available, it was meant to be!
We had a late flight into Orlando so we decided to stay a night off-site and head to the RPR in the AM. I booked the Crowne Plaza Universal using Hotwire for a rate of $57.00. I would not hesitate to stay there again. The rooms were large and clean and we had a great view of the pool and park. Kids enjoyed the pool and we headed over to CW by cab ($6.00). We had our traditional first meal at Margaritaville and it was great as always. I had Jambalya my husband had the combo Fajitas, chicken fingers and milkshakes for the kids and chocolate cake for dessert. It was all very good as always. It started to pour so we headed back to the hotel( $6.00) The staff here couldnt be nicer or more helpful.
In the morning we grabbed a cab (Brand new Town Car) to the Royal Pacific ($5.25) Hmmm wonder why! We arrived at 8:30A and went over to Loews First Check-In. Waited 5 minutes and we were next. The woman that checked us in was so pleasant and gave the boys pails and shovels, shell necklaces and their report card gifts as well, explained the layout and restaurants and told us our room was ready. Well, it was ready until I asked for a suite upgrade. At first we were told there werent any available. I asked if we could speak to the manager, and he pointed on the screen and told her to give us "any one of these". So it went from none available to having a choice of a few. We had a standard room booked using fan club at $109 a night. After the paperwork was done and keys issued (no room # assigned) we were told the room was not ready and given a # to call and check on it in a few hours.
We took the boat over to CityWalk and went to Universal first. I knew there was a Shrek AP preview but never got the postcard in the mail. Headed to Guest Service, where they are ALWAYS so wonderful and helpful to us. Made a few dinner reservations and got 2 postcards for the preview. First up was Jimmy Neutron first time experiencing this one! Waited 5 minutes with express and we were in. My kids really connected with this since they love all those characters! The adults enjoyed it too although it bounced me around too much (bad back).I wasnt very impressed with the interactive room after the ride. Next up was MIB and after riding, did it again! We are now at the point with this ride to make the silliest faces we can for the picture you can buy at the end. Okay so we didnt like them this time around maybe tomorrow. Next we went to the Woody coaster for the kids and played in that area a while. A few ball fights at curious george and me amazed as always watching my husband actually get giddy while soaking unsuspecting walker-bys. He really does have way too much fun doing that! When its time to leave the area he runs from me and I can collect my kids easier than I can him.
We decided to go back to the hotel and check on the room. Nope not ready yet so we changed into bathing suits and had lunch by the pool at the Bula Bar. I had the ceasar salad with shrimp fritters it was good but didnt like fritters (who knew). Husband had the burger and it was delicious and large, kids had chicken fingers a bite here and there while enjoying the pool. Service and food was great. Called from the pool about room and still not ready so we went over to IOA.
Right over to Spiderman (no wait express) got off and did it again. The kids love the rock wall climbing over in JP so we did that next. The sky became dark and it started to pour so we walked back to RPR to see about the room again it was now close to 3P. The walk from RPR to IOA is not bad at all and very pretty to see the different flowers. We did that more times than waiting for a boat.
Walked over to check-in again and no room yet. We were pretty tired, hot, sticky and really want to get into the room for a rest and shower before the evening. I tried to explain to my impatient husband that check-in isnt until 4P and we cant be upset if the room isnt ready until that time. Although we did feel that they could have had a room cleaned in the 8 hours we waited for it. My husband decided this was our punishment for asking for a suite. He can be so grumpy. We walked over to the Orchid Court and ordered some shirley temples for the kids and I had a cappucinno. The kids loved playing in the Lily Pond area and it is very beautiful. The staff at this hotel is amazing. Every person we encountered had a smile and a hello or asked if we needed anything. The boys went over to grab a napkin and came back with napkins and rock candy swizzles that were handed to them. I thought that was very nice. I took this time to walk around and get familiar with the layout. Found the restaurants and game room (kids played of course) and looked at the shops.
After an hour of relaxing on those comfy couches it was after 4P so my husband went over to check-in and was told not ready. I guess at this point he figured he needed to talk to a manager. The Manager was very apologetic and felt the room should have been cleaned ASAP and we shouldnt have had to wait a whole day and told us he was charging us 1/2 price. His reasoning was that we only had the room for 1/2 a day. I didnt expect that and felt check-in was at 4P but it was very appreciated. This really impressed me and is a part of what will ensure another stay for us. He also said to give him 1/2 hr and just go up to the room. At that point we were given the room #. We were on the 7th floor of Tower 1. Excellent access to the pool and walkway to IOA. Okay it didnt hurt to be near the Ice Cream concession either! We waited and then went up to the room with a bellmen on his way with our luggage. It was an executive king suite. The room was plenty big enough but there was only 1 King bed. We saw the pullout in the parlor area and I knew my boys were not going to be comfortable. My husband went back down to see his friend again. He asked for the same room with 2 queens and was told they dont exsist. So he asked for another suite that offers 2 beds. We could have gone back to a standard room if we wanted but there were no suites with 2 beds .I'm not so sure thats true. Okay, so we decide to keep what we have of course after my husband tells him how much better the suites are at Portofino! I really had my heart set on staying at RPR and I knew hubby was itching to check out and into Portofino. We stayed! When my husband got back to the room the bellman was there laying out the luggage for me to unpack and filling ice buckets. He even offered to fill the cooler with ice! On the table were 2 pitchers of milk and 2 plates of cookies! One had chocolate chip cookies the other an oatmeal type.They were sooo good! I felt a call to the manager was necessary to thank him and to also apologize for being a bit grumpy. He thanked my husband for the call and asked him to call him if we needed anything at all. Very nice. I joked while he waited for the manager to come to the phone that he wasnt gonna pick up and speak to the grouch! That he was probably screening all calls from our room at this point.
The room as you entered had a foyer with the bath on the left a full length mirror. A closet (large) and a safe. The bath had a toilet and shower/bath and a scale. Outside the bathroom was a vanity and sink with a blowdryer and a scale (hid that sucker in the closet). Lots of towels everywhere.Entering parlor was the table/desk and chairs the pullout couch on the left with an end table and phone and opposite that an armoire with a large enclosed TV dvd/stereo/vcr and a nintendo set up. Another table and chair in the corner. A seperate bedroom with a door with a king bed, dresser TV coffee maker the mini bar was in a cabinet here but I never took the key so we couldnt be tempted, another large closet (2 robes) a lounger chair and 2 end tables. We had a view of the park and the pool. There was plenty of lighting in both rooms. The overall feel to the room was lush and tastefully decorated, welcoming.
We unpacked and went back to IOA since it stopped raining (not for long). At park closing 8P we headed over to check out Shrek at Universal. Didnt expect 2 1/2 hour wait and it poured. That was okay we couldnt wait to see this new attraction! We all loved it and if we werent starving would have got back on line again. The kids and us were beat! We decided to go back to the room and order room service. Upon walking in soft music was playing and both the pullout and our bed were turned down with small gifts on the pillows. At about 10:45P we ordered food and it came so quickly! The kids were falling asleep in their food they were so tired. We found out the room service menu is a combination of Jakes and the Island grill with a few select items offered only by room service. I had the turkey avacado club (on jakes menu) my husband had the Burger topped with short ribs ( a little meat with his meat). That burger was awesome! Kids had hot cocoa and grilled cheese. We ordered one dessert it was cheesecake with berries and it was so pretty. $75.00 total with gratuity added in. Off to sleep we went with a 7:30A wake up call. Just a mention...my 10 year old was uncomfortable sleeping on the pull-out and my 6 year old was fine with it. The bars are right against your spine and I know I couldnt sleep on it. So this room type cant be an option for us w/o a roll away next time. More on this in the next days report.
We had a late flight into Orlando so we decided to stay a night off-site and head to the RPR in the AM. I booked the Crowne Plaza Universal using Hotwire for a rate of $57.00. I would not hesitate to stay there again. The rooms were large and clean and we had a great view of the pool and park. Kids enjoyed the pool and we headed over to CW by cab ($6.00). We had our traditional first meal at Margaritaville and it was great as always. I had Jambalya my husband had the combo Fajitas, chicken fingers and milkshakes for the kids and chocolate cake for dessert. It was all very good as always. It started to pour so we headed back to the hotel( $6.00) The staff here couldnt be nicer or more helpful.
In the morning we grabbed a cab (Brand new Town Car) to the Royal Pacific ($5.25) Hmmm wonder why! We arrived at 8:30A and went over to Loews First Check-In. Waited 5 minutes and we were next. The woman that checked us in was so pleasant and gave the boys pails and shovels, shell necklaces and their report card gifts as well, explained the layout and restaurants and told us our room was ready. Well, it was ready until I asked for a suite upgrade. At first we were told there werent any available. I asked if we could speak to the manager, and he pointed on the screen and told her to give us "any one of these". So it went from none available to having a choice of a few. We had a standard room booked using fan club at $109 a night. After the paperwork was done and keys issued (no room # assigned) we were told the room was not ready and given a # to call and check on it in a few hours.
We took the boat over to CityWalk and went to Universal first. I knew there was a Shrek AP preview but never got the postcard in the mail. Headed to Guest Service, where they are ALWAYS so wonderful and helpful to us. Made a few dinner reservations and got 2 postcards for the preview. First up was Jimmy Neutron first time experiencing this one! Waited 5 minutes with express and we were in. My kids really connected with this since they love all those characters! The adults enjoyed it too although it bounced me around too much (bad back).I wasnt very impressed with the interactive room after the ride. Next up was MIB and after riding, did it again! We are now at the point with this ride to make the silliest faces we can for the picture you can buy at the end. Okay so we didnt like them this time around maybe tomorrow. Next we went to the Woody coaster for the kids and played in that area a while. A few ball fights at curious george and me amazed as always watching my husband actually get giddy while soaking unsuspecting walker-bys. He really does have way too much fun doing that! When its time to leave the area he runs from me and I can collect my kids easier than I can him.
We decided to go back to the hotel and check on the room. Nope not ready yet so we changed into bathing suits and had lunch by the pool at the Bula Bar. I had the ceasar salad with shrimp fritters it was good but didnt like fritters (who knew). Husband had the burger and it was delicious and large, kids had chicken fingers a bite here and there while enjoying the pool. Service and food was great. Called from the pool about room and still not ready so we went over to IOA.
Right over to Spiderman (no wait express) got off and did it again. The kids love the rock wall climbing over in JP so we did that next. The sky became dark and it started to pour so we walked back to RPR to see about the room again it was now close to 3P. The walk from RPR to IOA is not bad at all and very pretty to see the different flowers. We did that more times than waiting for a boat.
Walked over to check-in again and no room yet. We were pretty tired, hot, sticky and really want to get into the room for a rest and shower before the evening. I tried to explain to my impatient husband that check-in isnt until 4P and we cant be upset if the room isnt ready until that time. Although we did feel that they could have had a room cleaned in the 8 hours we waited for it. My husband decided this was our punishment for asking for a suite. He can be so grumpy. We walked over to the Orchid Court and ordered some shirley temples for the kids and I had a cappucinno. The kids loved playing in the Lily Pond area and it is very beautiful. The staff at this hotel is amazing. Every person we encountered had a smile and a hello or asked if we needed anything. The boys went over to grab a napkin and came back with napkins and rock candy swizzles that were handed to them. I thought that was very nice. I took this time to walk around and get familiar with the layout. Found the restaurants and game room (kids played of course) and looked at the shops.
After an hour of relaxing on those comfy couches it was after 4P so my husband went over to check-in and was told not ready. I guess at this point he figured he needed to talk to a manager. The Manager was very apologetic and felt the room should have been cleaned ASAP and we shouldnt have had to wait a whole day and told us he was charging us 1/2 price. His reasoning was that we only had the room for 1/2 a day. I didnt expect that and felt check-in was at 4P but it was very appreciated. This really impressed me and is a part of what will ensure another stay for us. He also said to give him 1/2 hr and just go up to the room. At that point we were given the room #. We were on the 7th floor of Tower 1. Excellent access to the pool and walkway to IOA. Okay it didnt hurt to be near the Ice Cream concession either! We waited and then went up to the room with a bellmen on his way with our luggage. It was an executive king suite. The room was plenty big enough but there was only 1 King bed. We saw the pullout in the parlor area and I knew my boys were not going to be comfortable. My husband went back down to see his friend again. He asked for the same room with 2 queens and was told they dont exsist. So he asked for another suite that offers 2 beds. We could have gone back to a standard room if we wanted but there were no suites with 2 beds .I'm not so sure thats true. Okay, so we decide to keep what we have of course after my husband tells him how much better the suites are at Portofino! I really had my heart set on staying at RPR and I knew hubby was itching to check out and into Portofino. We stayed! When my husband got back to the room the bellman was there laying out the luggage for me to unpack and filling ice buckets. He even offered to fill the cooler with ice! On the table were 2 pitchers of milk and 2 plates of cookies! One had chocolate chip cookies the other an oatmeal type.They were sooo good! I felt a call to the manager was necessary to thank him and to also apologize for being a bit grumpy. He thanked my husband for the call and asked him to call him if we needed anything at all. Very nice. I joked while he waited for the manager to come to the phone that he wasnt gonna pick up and speak to the grouch! That he was probably screening all calls from our room at this point.
The room as you entered had a foyer with the bath on the left a full length mirror. A closet (large) and a safe. The bath had a toilet and shower/bath and a scale. Outside the bathroom was a vanity and sink with a blowdryer and a scale (hid that sucker in the closet). Lots of towels everywhere.Entering parlor was the table/desk and chairs the pullout couch on the left with an end table and phone and opposite that an armoire with a large enclosed TV dvd/stereo/vcr and a nintendo set up. Another table and chair in the corner. A seperate bedroom with a door with a king bed, dresser TV coffee maker the mini bar was in a cabinet here but I never took the key so we couldnt be tempted, another large closet (2 robes) a lounger chair and 2 end tables. We had a view of the park and the pool. There was plenty of lighting in both rooms. The overall feel to the room was lush and tastefully decorated, welcoming.
We unpacked and went back to IOA since it stopped raining (not for long). At park closing 8P we headed over to check out Shrek at Universal. Didnt expect 2 1/2 hour wait and it poured. That was okay we couldnt wait to see this new attraction! We all loved it and if we werent starving would have got back on line again. The kids and us were beat! We decided to go back to the room and order room service. Upon walking in soft music was playing and both the pullout and our bed were turned down with small gifts on the pillows. At about 10:45P we ordered food and it came so quickly! The kids were falling asleep in their food they were so tired. We found out the room service menu is a combination of Jakes and the Island grill with a few select items offered only by room service. I had the turkey avacado club (on jakes menu) my husband had the Burger topped with short ribs ( a little meat with his meat). That burger was awesome! Kids had hot cocoa and grilled cheese. We ordered one dessert it was cheesecake with berries and it was so pretty. $75.00 total with gratuity added in. Off to sleep we went with a 7:30A wake up call. Just a mention...my 10 year old was uncomfortable sleeping on the pull-out and my 6 year old was fine with it. The bars are right against your spine and I know I couldnt sleep on it. So this room type cant be an option for us w/o a roll away next time. More on this in the next days report.
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