Assorted questions

[DisneyDarwin]

45 days to go, and I've got a few questions. We're staying at the HRH for 3.5 days. Where exactly is the HRH is relation to the theme parks? Is it right next to the HR restaurant on the Studios side? Do you just walk directly into that park or have to go to the main gate or what? How do you get to IOA? Foot, boat, tram, spidey-web? I noticed one of the perks for on-property guests is priority seating. At what restaurant? And do I call in advance like Disney or show up and flash my room key or what? And, then there's early entry days. Which parks on which days? What time is early entry in June? Thanks in advance for help with these questions.

 

[PattiHW]

Hey Dizzy Darwin, oh, I mean Disney Darwin. Sorry, just couldn't resist!
I stayed at the HRH a few weeks ago. You exit the hotel into the pool area, veer left, and walk down the paved path directly into Universal Studios. You can also walk down the path, take the bridge to your left and enter City Walk. You can also take the path, walk past entrance to Universal, and be at the Hard Rock Cafe and NBA City. Just past Hard Rock & NBA City is entrance to IOA. It's very easy to navigate! Total walking time to Universal entrance is less than 5 minutes is you're slow. It's so convenient.
As for early entry days and times, they change. We had early entry every day we were there, but we were never there at 8:00 a.m. With the FOTL, there's just no need to rush.
Priority seating: they did not take p.s. arrangements for HRCafe or NBA City while I was there. I did make reservations in advance for Margaritaville though. You can get lots of info on City Walk from www.citywalk.com.
Hope this helps you! Have fun! Patti

 

[PattiHW]

Oh, I forgot! You can also take the boat to City Walk from the HRH.
The boat launch is behind the garden view rooms. It's a nice little ride that docks on the opposite side of City Walk from Universal & IOA. Then it's a short walk around to either park. The boat leaves every 1/2 hour, it's about a 5 minute ride. You should do it once anyway, just for the scenery.

 

[DisneyDarwin]

Patti, thanks for the great info. You're right, early entry is probably irrelevant with FOTL access, but I've still got the combat theme park touring gene in me. Just curious - does the boat dock at the Nascar cafe end, the Margaritaville end or the middle? That might be useful info when we're exhausted and have ressies at one end or the other. I finally found a map on the universal site, and that plus your description gives me a good lay of the land. Thanks again.

 

[PattiHW]

Hi Darwin, First off, you're very welcome!

City Walk is divided into 2 parts, with NBA City & Hard Rock Cafe on one side of the lagoon. This side is closest to Universal & IOA.
The other side of lagoon is where you will find Nascar Cafe, Pastamore, Margaritaville's, shopping, movie complex, etc. This side is where the boat docks. You will need to walk from this side over to either park. It's a short distance, again it will take less than 5 minutes.

Walking from the HRH to parks or City Walk is quicker than taking the boat. Patt

 

[sha_lyn]

There are 2 paths leading from HRH to Universal. I like the one in fromt better than the one form the pool. Take the door that goes out the fornt on the 1st floor, floow the court yard around in either direction to the path to the water taxis and keep walking. the distance seems to be about the same and the view is better taking the front path.
We took the water taxi most of the time. It usually ran about every 15 min and was a nice break from all the walking.
I like using the early entry. it isn't needed really for the rides (very few are open for it anyway) but it is great for photos of the attractions or family without getting in the way of (or them in your way) a big crowd.

<font color= red Comic Sans MS> All Star Music-April 2000 </font>
<font color=blue font+comic sans MS>HRH/IOA/US/SW April 2001 </font>
<font color= purple font= Comic Sans MS> Shades of Green- May 2002 </font>