Are we choosing "right" resort for us?

[Harmony]

Travel Party: 5 family members. Two parents, three children. Oldest "child"--19. Other two children are 14 and 5.

We've stayed at HRH before and really enjoyed it.

This time, we decided to choose RP. Cheaper price had a (little) bit to do with it but also, I've always loved Polynesian Resort at WDW and thought this one was close to it. (by the look of the pictures)

However, I'm a bit wary as I'm now wondering if it's in walking distance to the parks. Or do we *have to* take the shuttle each and every time we head to the parks?

Also, I'm wondering if the resort truly has that "Poly" feel.

Opinions and advice needed! TIA!

 

[Worfiedoodles]

You should read "Eddie's" trip report in that Universal section -- it's currently near the top. He stayed at the Poly and RPR in the same trip, so that would give you a comparative perspective.

We've walked from RPR to Citywalk with a 9 yr. old, and it wasn't any problem. Also keep in mind you can get a pedicab if you really don't want to take the boat, but the boat ride is also pretty short...and the boats also come pretty frequently. It's not like waiting for a bus at WDW...

 

[macraven]

what is so much better at rph than at hrh, is the large selection of places you can eat in or outside of the hotel.

rph has some great dining in the hotel and pool....
and, is so much closer to city walk.

i have stayed 21 times at hrh and a couple at rph.
the ambiance is great at rph..
the lobby is remarkable.

the rooms are smaller but if you don't plan to spend much of the day in them, you don't have an issue with it.

i use the boat taxi no matter which of the three hotels i stay at.
i save me feet for walking in the parks.......


do check out Eddie's trip report. he has presented fine pictures in it.

we all like the 3 different hotels for different reasons.
you need to decide what things are most important to you.

accessibility to different dining choses
distance to the park
size of room
pool size and amenities.

for me, to go from rph to IOA is shorter than hrh to IOA
on the other hand, the studios is closer to hrh than rph.

i enjoy being closer to city walk for the restaurants but do enjoy the island dining room and pool food bar a lot also.

pool amenities and size.
you can pool hop at any of the 3 hotels once you are a guest on site.
you don't have to stick with the pool at your hotel.
you can get pool toys and towels at any of the pools and not have to drag your own stuff with you.

 

[theterms]

We've stayed at all 3 resorts and love them all. We're staying at HRH this time because I booked early with a great super saver rate (deluxe room w/ 2Q and a sofa) for the price of a garden view you'd get if you booked now.

We liked them all, as other posters have said, for different reasons. My kids love HRH for the overall atmosphere aka "coolness" (they're almost 17 & 14) and especially Emack & Bolios for the ice cream!

Loved the PBH because of the pizza place there. Very good and priced pretty much like Jersey!

We walk to the parks no matter what resort we're at - yes, from PBH as well! When we were able to bring our boxer (can't now that we have 3!), it was great to have him stay in the room - people fussed over him all the time and made it such a great vacation to have him included!

I can't really say I like one more than another. They're all beautiful and convenient to the parks.

 

[Bluer101]

We are a family of 3 and sometimes 4, depends on if my DW's brother 16 goes with us. We only stay at RPR due to the cost, atmosphere, and love the hotel. Yes, the rooms are smaller than the other 2, but how often are you hanging around the room, we are not. The walk is about 5-8 minutes on speed of walk. Our DS 6 almost 7 has been walking it since 5 years old. THe walk is nice, relaxing, and alot of times we do this on the way back to the hotel. Most times in the am we take the boat especially when going to US. Don't regret it, just go and you will see its very nice and relaxing.

 

[ky07]

Like the others have stated you will not regret staying at RPR cause we stayed for the first time last year and loved it.
from the great themeing to the pool it just nice and relaxing and like Macraven said they do have some good places onsite to eat and citywalk is very close and alot of places there and now that we have stayed there once my DW refuses to stay anywhere else and who could blame her

 

[re121258]

We have only stayed at PBH and HRH, however last fall we walked around RPR looking for Tchoup Chop and thought it was a really nice resort. One that we would definitely consider for a future trip. Truthfully I don't think you can go wrong with any of the on-site hotels. They are all top notch and offer great convenience, perks and service.

 

[disneyfan67]

To the OP. Let me give you a quick rundown here.

The RPR is a wonderful resort, but looks different from the Polynesian because of two things.

1. The Polynesian was based on actual Hawaiian buildings from the late 1950's and 1960's era. It's one of the reasons why the room buildings aren't attached and called long houses. The design and color scheme of the Polynesian was also influenced from the Tiki culture craze/fad that was very popular in this country 50 something years ago. The Tiki Tiki room built in Disneyland by Walt Disney himself in 1960, was a product of that time period and the fad.

2. The RPR while tropical in theme has a combination French Polynesian and Asian theme to it. It would remind you of a resort set in Bora Bora or possibly a Pacific Island with an Asian influence. It's relaxing, beautiful, well themed, and very unique, but if you're looking for a copy of Disney's Polynesian resort, you might be disappointed. Having said that, you can't go wrong with the RPR with the exception of room size. They are on the small side and you might be cramped. I actually found the RPR more to my liking than the HRH and liked the food and pool better. The RPR is a great hotel hands down and now became a personal favorite of mine.


As for the walk and boat service, The walk can be done in 10 to 12 minutes at a fairly decent pace.

The boat once loaded and on it's way, takes exactly 4 minutes and 25 seconds to arrive. I timed it by using my Flip camera and filmed the trip.

I'm going to try and post the video as soon as I figure out the You Tube soft ware.

 

[ADP]

To the OP. Let me give you a quick rundown here.

The RPR is a wonderful resort, but looks different from the Polynesian because of two things.

1. The Polynesian was based on actual Hawaiian buildings from the late 1950's and 1960's era. It's one of the reasons why the room buildings aren't attached and called long houses. The design and color scheme of the Polynesian was also influenced from the Tiki culture craze/fad that was very popular in this country 50 something years ago. The Tiki Tiki room built in Disneyland by Walt Disney himself in 1960, was a product of that time period and the fad.

2. The RPR while tropical in theme has a combination French Polynesian and Asian theme to it. It would remind you of a resort set in Bora Bora or possibly a Pacific Island with an Asian influence. It's relaxing, beautiful, well themed, and very unique, but if you're looking for a copy of Disney's Polynesian resort, you might be disappointed. Having said that, you can't go wrong with the RPR with the exception of room size. They are on the small side and you might be cramped. I actually found the RPR more to my liking than the HRH and liked the food and pool better. The RPR is a great hotel hands down and now became a personal favorite of mine.


As for the walk and boat service, The walk can be done in 10 to 12 minutes at a fairly decent pace.

The boat once loaded and on it's way, takes exactly 4 minutes and 25 seconds to arrive. I timed it by using my Flip camera and filmed the trip.

I'm going to try and post the video as soon as I figure out the You Tube soft ware.

Wow! This is a great description & comparison. Thanks!

 

[scrabblegirl]

I've only been to Orlando once and stayed at the Royal Pacific, so I can't compare it to anything else. I'm plus-sized and I was able to walk from RPR to the parks. BUT the boat ride doesn't take long and adds to the island atmosphere.

The pina colada by the pool also added to the island atmosphere.

 

[donaldduck352]

Stayed at all three and love RPR.All the OP summed it up why!!

 

[patster734]

Out of the 3 hotels, RPR is our favorite. We would have stayed there for our upcoming October trip, but with 6 in the party, we decided to get a suite at PBH.

 

[Harmony]

Wow, you guys are great with the information!

Based on the pictures, we are *definitely* leaning to RP! It looks wonderful.