Advantages to staying at Universal Orlando Hotel

[nyapa2002]

Looking for any other advantages to staying at a Universal Orlando Hotel:

1) Able to enter Islands of Adventure 1 hour before public.

2) Able to have unlimited express pass by showing room key on check in and check out days.

Anything else?

 

[mjohnson96]

Short walk or boat ride over to City Walk and the parks.

Really nice pools at all 3 hotels and the ability to pool hop

City Walk is just a few minutes away with lots of choices for food or entertainment.

 

[acc82]

that express pass is worth every penny. honestly. HRH is one of the coolest places i've ever stayed. the pool was totally awesome. plus, with the resorts, you have free transportation via water taxi to the parks and city walk.

 

[Pink Flamingo]

that express pass is worth every penny.

Totally agree!

Makes for a much more relaxing vacation ~ no worrying about driving/parking/catching shuttle bus, shorter ride lines, beautiful accommodations with great pools.

 

[damo]

If you stay at the RPR or PBH, you get perks for staying more than once, like free internet, use of the gym and free dining and beverage credits, as well as free room upgrades. We stayed last week in a room at RPR for $125 (using the annual pass discount), got free internet, a free upgrade, and a food and beverage credit of $100.

 

[ckay87]

In-room Keurig machine.

No kidding. Nice to have an actual, fast, good cup of coffee while still in your PJs. Don't underestimate that! So much better than the typical, crummy little motel coffee makers.

Toys at the pool. Seriously, who else does that??

As you can see, I am easily amused . I had a whole list of these at one time, but I'm forgetting them.

 

[mickeyluv]

We've never been to US/IOA and are planning a trip for the week of Thanksgiving. Is the weather warm enough to actually get in the pools that time of year down there? Also, which hotel at Universal would you choose if staying on-site and had never been before? Is the Royal Pacific just as nice as HRH?

 

[patster734]

Priority seating at most Citywalk restaurants, although some restrictions may apply during busy, holiday weekends.

I believe that you can have packages delivered to your hotel/room from the parks.

 

[mjohnson96]

We've never been to US/IOA and are planning a trip for the week of Thanksgiving. Is the weather warm enough to actually get in the pools that time of year down there? Also, which hotel at Universal would you choose if staying on-site and had never been before? Is the Royal Pacific just as nice as HRH?

Depends on your idea of what is warm enough to swim in The pools are heated so that is a nice perk and it sometimes will be warm in November and December, when I lived there I would laugh about washing my car on xmas day in my bathing suit...don't get to do that in Kansas

We prefer the RPH because I feel it is better for a family with younger kids. Once my kids become teens then the HRH might be a better fit which the theming. They do encourage pool hopping and the HRH has a great pool and pool bar

The rooms are the smallest at RPH so I think we are going to check out PBH next trip in February since they have larger rooms.

 

[aubriee]

How long does it take to walk to the parks from each resort?

How about the boat? How early do they start running, how long do they take, where do they drop you off at? Also how late do the boats run? Thanks!

 

[justprettynpink]

Purchases in the park can be delivered to your room the next day.

May charge purchases to room key.

 

[debbie655]

How long does it take to walk to the parks from each resort?

How about the boat? How early do they start running, how long do they take, where do they drop you off at? Also how late do the boats run? Thanks!

The walk from the RPR to Citywalk is about a 5 to 10 minute beautiful walk. We've actually only taken the boat once and that is a very short ride as well. As far as the boat schedule, I can't help you with that but I'm sure they run fairly early am to fairly late at night. We also walked to the HRH once and that was also not very long, but I would say a little longer than the walk to/from RPR. My understanding is you can't walk to the Portofino or that it is a much longer walk, but i'm not positive on that.

 

[Pink Flamingo]

How long does it take to walk to the parks from each resort? Took us about 7 minutes to get from RPR to City Walk. It's really a beautiful walk.

How about the boat? How early do they start running, how long do they take, where do they drop you off at? Also how late do the boats run? Thanks!Don't remember from last trip, but they were running as early & late as we needed them. If someone else doesn't post the info, I'll check when I'm there & post what I find (will be arriving on 6/21).

See pink above.

 

[acc82]

How long does it take to walk to the parks from each resort?

i stayed at hard rock and didn't walk you do enough walking at the park.

How about the boat? How early do they start running, how long do they take, where do they drop you off at? Also how late do the boats run? Thanks!

Boat service was great. it only took about 5-10 to get there and the boat is relaxing as well. they drop you off at city walk in front of margaritaville. the boats ran as late as we needed also, I'm not sure when the cutoff time is. I'm sure they run later when the parks are open later and when city walk is open late. The boats come pretty frequently to your hotel. it does take a little longer to leave the park during peak hours because there's usually a line of people trying to get back to the hotel. Sometimes, we would wait about 20 minutes for the boat to get there to go back. BUT, this is still better than the trek to your car if you were to drive!!

 

[patster734]

Last October, the boats ran from 8:30AM to 2:15AM.