Anyone else only go deluxe at Universal?

[TaylorsDad]

We first stayed at HRH a few years ago due to always enjoying Hard Rock Cafe and was pleasantly surprised. After being spoiled with FOTL, this is the only way we wish to visit. I have yet to stay at a Disney Deluxe because I just cant justify the extra cost now after staying at a Loewes hotel with all the benefits at a fraction of the cost. It would feel like buying a car at twice the retail price.
Does anyone else feel this way? Or are the Disney Deluxes really worth the higher cost. I am thinking of doing Disney for a few days after my Universal trip this Sept and dont know if I would feel like I am wasting money after onsite at Universal. I thought about asking on the "other" board but dont feel I would get a fair assesment in comparing anything to mouse.

 

[Wish I lived in Fl]

Onsite rules for US/IOA. Planning to stay 7 nights at RPR in August. Club level even! Thank goodness for booking early and getting a Stay More Save More rate.

At WDW I stay Moderate or DVC studio on rented points. Studio in BCV in warm weather, OKW for more space or AKV just to see the animals.

 

[kevin harrison]

We always stay for 14 nights at the HRH, in at least a queen deluxe or kids suite. We fly from the UK and love the place. The price is excellent, if you compare it to Disney property.

 

[Lewisc]

Disney deluxe hotels are a step below the Universal hotels. Disney deluxe hotels provide access (and views) of theme parks. That allows Disney to price the hotels higher then the level of service.

 

[morecowbell]

I thought all 3 hotels in Universal were considered deluxe.

 

[La2kw]

If I wasn't a DVC member, I wouldn't even stay at Disney anymore. Loews does a much better job of running a hotel than Disney does. Disney charges way too much for their deluxe resorts and the service and value has consistently declined over the years.

 

[thumbalyna]

i have stayed at HRH twice and RPR once and i have only stayed value at disney. next year i am going to try PBH but so far HRH has been my fav

 

[La2kw]

Disney deluxe hotels are a step below the Universal hotels. Disney deluxe hotels provide access (and views) of theme parks. That allows Disney to price the hotels higher then the level of service.

Actually, Loews, which runs the Universal resorts, is actually a step above WDW hotels, IMO. Disneyland Resort hotels are run much differently and still provide excellent service, but service at WDW resorts has consistently declined over the years, especially housekeeping and management.

I'm not sure what your opinion is based on, but the Universal hotels also provide access to theme parks. In fact they are within walking distance of two theme parks as well as Citywalk, and also provide shuttle bus and boat service to those areas. The Hard Rock Hotel is adjacent to Universal Studios and has views of that park, and the Royal Pacific is across the street from IOA and has views of that park.

Disney charges more because people are willing to pay it. If they weren't Disney would adjust the prices very quickly. It has very little to do with quality because WDW has consistenly cutback on services and everything else while increasing prices everwhere.

 

[TaylorsDad]

Well, like I said I only stay onsite at Uni/IOA and probably would even without the FOTL because I truly enjoy my HRH stay. Having only done value at Disney(not having FOTL there one doesnt have much time to spend time at the room anyways) I was just curious about how those who have done both would compare overall quality.

 

[rpbert1]

Since our first trip here over 5 years ago, in which we stayed 1 week at RPR and 2 weeks Disney moderate, we have since then only stayed on Universal property.
Stayed 3 weeks then started 4 weeks last year RPR and PBH with a week at The DonCesar which is worth a stay if you go to the beach, going there on Sat after RPR.
We can oly manage 10 days at RPR this year, because we are moving on to Vegas and California for the remainder of our vacation, but will be back next summer for our 4 weeks .

 

[Clemson Bama Fan]

We have stayed at both Disney Deluxe (Poly) and HRH. For the past several years we will only do HRH. Doing HRH again this December. Perks are much better than anything you get from Disney. We will visit the Disney parks, but as day trips. We make rope drop on non-EMH days and take advantage of the FOTL at Universal on the days we go there. You can't beat it.

 

[Magpie]

Actually, Loews, which runs the Universal resorts, is actually a step above WDW hotels, IMO.

I think you misunderstood LewisC: "Disney deluxe hotels are a step below the Universal hotels."

Both statements mean exactly the same thing. Loews is a step above Disney, and Disney is a step below Loews.

 

[Lewisc]

I think you misunderstood LewisC: "Disney deluxe hotels are a step below the Universal hotels."

Both statements mean exactly the same thing. Loews is a step above Disney, and Disney is a step below Loews.

Thanks.

 

[La2kw]

I think you misunderstood LewisC: "Disney deluxe hotels are a step below the Universal hotels."

Both statements mean exactly the same thing. Loews is a step above Disney, and Disney is a step below Loews.

I sure did misread the post from LewisC. Sorry! I guess I do agree with you then.

 

[SmallWorld71]

We are going to Universal for the first time next month and are staying at HRH.

I've been to Disney lots of times and stayed all 3 levels. For the most part, I don't think the deluxes are worth the money. At Disney, you can stay at a less expensive resort and still have a very similar experience. Every resort is going to be near some parks and away from others and I've had great Mousekeeping and service at all of them. Our last 3 trips have been at Pop, POR, and Movies and all were excellent. We'd love to stay at the Poly, but every time I try to book it, I end up changing resorts because I just can't justify the price. I wish Disney would allow the 5 of us to stay at a lesser priced deluxe (AK, WL) or a moderate other than POR. That's one thing I'm grateful to Universal for; we don't need 2 rooms!

One lesson I wish Universal would learn from Disney, is the fridge included with your room.

 

[knieriem]

I stayed for a week in 2007 at the Contemporary at Disney and liked having the monorail right outside our door.

This week however I stayed at Portofino and it was amazing!!!

 

[morecowbell]

So do any of you stay in Universal and commute over to Disney? Seems far but I've never done it.

 

[TaylorsDad]

No, but I have once went during free dining at Disney and missed Universal so much that had to spend a couple of nights in the middle of my Disney trip at Universal. Even then we stayed onsite, just called Mears and they dropped us off at Hrh and had our return trip back to POP 2 days later via Mears. We flew in and didnt bother with a rental since we had no intention of going anywhere but the parks.

 

[rpbert1]

So do any of you stay in Universal and commute over to Disney? Seems far but I've never done it.

WE drove to DTD from RPR, went via Turkey lake Road, only took about 20 mins by car

 

[Easygoingeezer]

We have two weeks booked HRH in a king suite, can't wait.