Anyone stayed onsite at Universal?

[joolz1910]

We are hoping to book onsite for 16-18th Aug 2015. We are a family of 5 and want the perks (especially FOLP) for our stay before we (hopefully) transfer onsite to WDW.

My kids will be 15, 11 and 7 when we are there and I'm interested in people's opinions of the hotels and any advice info on offer

 

[JillyBean1899]

We are hoping to book onsite for 16-18th Aug 2015. We are a family of 5 and want the perks (especially FOLP) for our stay before we (hopefully) transfer onsite to WDW.

My kids will be 15, 11 and 7 when we are there and I'm interested in people's opinions of the hotels and any advice info on offer

My college just went in October and stayed at the Portofino. While it is a beautiful hotel, I don't recommend it, because it's the farthest away from the parks, so you're basically at the mercy of the bus/boat for transportation. I haven't been in the Royal Pacific, but I have been in the Hard Rock Hotel, and it is *AMAZING*. The pool alone is worth it, especially if the kids like to swim. Decent arcade, ping pong tables, even a *HUGE* chess/checker board (and by huge, I mean the pawn came up to my hip and the checkers look like manhole covers). Plus it's close enough to walk to with no trouble.

So one vote for HRH

 

[joolz1910]

My college just went in October and stayed at the Portofino. While it is a beautiful hotel, I don't recommend it, because it's the farthest away from the parks, so you're basically at the mercy of the bus/boat for transportation. I haven't been in the Royal Pacific, but I have been in the Hard Rock Hotel, and it is *AMAZING*. The pool alone is worth it, especially if the kids like to swim. Decent arcade, ping pong tables, even a *HUGE* chess/checker board (and by huge, I mean the pawn came up to my hip and the checkers look like manhole covers). Plus it's close enough to walk to with no trouble.

So one vote for HRH

Thank you - my kids are water-babies so love the pools. Looks like HRH might be a winner.

 

[WiganTony]

We have done this on previous visits staying at the Royal Pacific, and will be doing the same in July for two nights before we move over to Old Key West.

Certainly in August, we have found the FOTL to be a great timesaver. In the mornings, the parks do seem to be a bit quieter (with the exception of Harry Potter), but late morning the crowds arrive, and we found standby times of 90 mins for a lot of the rides not uncommon - with FOTL we breezed past.

We enjoyed the Royal Pacific. It's only about 10 minutes walk to IoA and 16 mins to the Studios, and about 8 mins to Citywalk.

 

[wayneg]

We stayed at Royal Pacific for a few nights, most people seem to love it but we didn't. Room was really tired, chipped cupboards etc, pool was over crowded, no spare sunbeds, pool water warmer than we like. Parking ontop of room rate, also internet extra. Didn't really use FOTL at end of August but we had been AP holders for about 8-9 years so wasn't a priority for us.
We had moved from a £30/nt hotel which we preffered to RPR but as I say others love it, it just wasn't for us.

 

[DLPDreams]

The HRH does look nice, but then so does the RPR from photos! It sounds like the HRH is the favourite of the two. In my mind though, as we are trying to keep to a budget (!), I will go with whichever is the cheaper - we only really want it for the 'perks' and don't intend to use it much at all - other than to sleep! I guess we might use the pool but in two days, I doubt it.

Are you now using the hire car Joolz? I know RPR charges for parking, but not sure if HRH does - that could swing it if there isn't much in the price difference. Must say, I'm a bit troubled about getting a car to drive there, then park it up for two days (and pay for the priviledge) but we need to get there from the airport and by the time we faff on with private transfers and tips etc, it won't be far off the hire cost for those few days! Another thing to 'iron out' for us .

I recall reading a TR recently where a lady went in August and booked her US room about a week before she went on Expedia - she got a great rate - I can't recall which hotel, but I am inclined to think it was RPR. She bought tickets separately obviously. Not sure I'd have the nerve to wait quite that long .

 

[Lady Jane]

I've stayed in the Hard Rock for four nights before and loved it! The hotel is just amazing especially the pool area and the rooms are a great size. There is free wifi in the public areas of the hotel and you can either get the free water taxi or walk or pay for a rickshaw ride to the parks. The water taxi is a life saver after being in the parks all day haha.

Benefits wise the FOTL pass is so worth it, and you also get into IOA an hour early- if you want to see the HP area, use it! We managed to do all the rides and Ollivanders with little to no wait. For our Dec trip we're looking at going back to HRH or RPR for our Universal days, oh and also if you book one night's stay you get two days FOTL access.

 

[zippy99]

We stayed at Royal Pacific for a few nights, most people seem to love it but we didn't. Room was really tired, chipped cupboards etc, pool was over crowded, no spare sunbeds, pool water warmer than we like. Parking ontop of room rate, also internet extra. Didn't really use FOTL at end of August but we had been AP holders for about 8-9 years so wasn't a priority for us.
We had moved from a £30/nt hotel which we preffered to RPR but as I say others love it, it just wasn't for us.

I know you are not a fan - but to be fair I would like to add that WiFi is now inclusive at all Loews resorts.

In terms of proximity to the parks, the RPR is great - we loved the walk (far quicker than the boat) I never get why people stress about a short walk to the park when you eat less than healthy food all day (let's face it we are on holiday) and seem to accept walking miles round a park. Enjoy a morning trek before it is too hot and it is fab to head back to your resort for an afternoon chill before hitting he parks again.

We will miss our universal trip this year - but have opted on a Cruise on the Disney Dream.

 

[Clare D]

We stayed for 1 night at RPR last August and booked with Thomas Cook via Quidco.
We arrived about 8am on our first day and headed into Universal which was pretty empty. We had left our cc in the safe at Disney so headed back there in the afternoon to pick it up and we had done every ride before we left.

We were given temporary room cards when we checked in so we could get our FOLP. When we got back to the hotel we were very pleased with our room. The beds were huge and we had a pool room even though we had only booked a standard room. We went down to the pool and it was busy. Later we went back into universal and it took us about 10 mins to walk there and our youngest was 5.

The next day the passes came into their own as we could get into HP an hour early but they opened the gates at 7.45am.

After staying in Disney DH said how spoilt we were with free parking as it cost us $20 for our stay and you had to pay for the gym. Nothing is included in the price.

I think with the HP expansion in Universal the FOLP are well worth it but I would only stay there for 1 night as you get 2 days worth of access.

 

[wayneg]

I know you are not a fan - but to be fair I would like to add that WiFi is now inclusive at all Loews resorts.

In terms of proximity to the parks, the RPR is great - we loved the walk (far quicker than the boat) I never get why people stress about a short walk to the park when you eat less than healthy food all day (let's face it we are on holiday) and seem to accept walking miles round a park. Enjoy a morning trek before it is too hot and it is fab to head back to your resort for an afternoon chill before hitting he parks again.

We will miss our universal trip this year - but have opted on a Cruise on the Disney Dream.

Didn't know that about Wifi.

We walked every time, just tried the boat once but as you say it was quicker to walk.

 

[JillyBean1899]

you can either get the free water taxi or walk or pay for a rickshaw ride to the parks. The water taxi is a life saver after being in the parks all day

The rickshaws are nice, especially if you walk out of the park just as your hotel's boat is leaving. There's no set "charge" for it, you just tip, and since I've worked at tips only jobs, I was fine with handing the guy $5 to haul me back to the Portofino by myself.

 

[joolz1910]

I think we will need to stay for two nights as we will be going to US on our day of arrival, so won't get the benefit of checking in early.

When is the best time to book and who should I book with for the best deals?

 

[ChipnDaleRule]

Another vote here for Royal Pacific. We loved the pool area, always plenty going in for the children. We upgraded to Club Level for about an extra $100. For the four of us we easily made that Back in savings on the food. Breakfast was great with cereals, pastries, muffins, fruit, juices etc, and the evening fare was hot and cold buffet, drinks including wine and beers.
We found the rooms to be spotlessly clean and very large with comfy beds.
Early entry in Harry Potter World is worth the stay too, especially with the new expansion, for which in sure will make the parks busier!

 

[joolz1910]

Another vote here for Royal Pacific. We loved the pool area, always plenty going in for the children. We upgraded to Club Level for about an extra $100. For the four of us we easily made that Back in savings on the food. Breakfast was great with cereals, pastries, muffins, fruit, juices etc, and the evening fare was hot and cold buffet, drinks including wine and beers.
We found the rooms to be spotlessly clean and very large with comfy beds.
Early entry in Harry Potter World is worth the stay too, especially with the new expansion, for which in sure will make the parks busier!

Was that $100 each for the upgrade? I like the sound of the food!

 

[ChipnDaleRule]

Just picked a random midweek date in August this year and it is $239 per room standard and $339 Club Level, both plus taxes for Royal Pacific.

 

[juliebro]

We've stayed at all 3 and our favourite is PBH - without a doubt. Very classy. Had been looking forward to trying HRH but it really was not for us. Felt like a slightly upmarket Butlins.

 

[joolz1910]

We've stayed at all 3 and our favourite is PBH - without a doubt. Very classy. Had been looking forward to trying HRH but it really was not for us. Felt like a slightly upmarket Butlins.

If it was just me and DH, I would choose PBH - without hesitation! The kids would love HRH though.

I have been looking at options for 2 nights (which inevitably means spending more ) and wanted opinions on the following choices:

Standard room - cheapest £328 + $50 for rollaway bed
Deluxe 2 Queen room - separate sleeping area = more space, no need for rollaway bed £436
Hard Rock Club - £486 + $50 for rollaway bed but included breakfast, drinks and evening snacks.

I think these will be our choices. Prices are for this August with Thomas Cook.

 

[Clare D]

And don't forget your cashback through Quidco

 

[Kath2003]

We have done HRH - rooms are not huge so I would def get two.

 

[tajz90]

We've stayed at all three and HRH has our vote. It's the shortest walk to parks. The pool is nice & you never know what's going to happen while there. One year Bring It On was being filmed while we were there. We visited the pool during a hot set time & ended up being in one if the movie shots Fun memory.

We wouldn't visit Universal without staying onsite. It's way too easy and the express pass is great!