We were at Hard Rock Hotel, from July 3-5. I was not impressed at all. For the 2 nights, 3 day park tickets for 6 of us, (1 adult, 3 juniors, 2 kids) was $2,200. We spent 9 nights, 8 days in Disney with Free Dining, Hopper passes and 7 of us, 2 adults, 3 juniors and 2 kids, for a little over double. No charge to park the car.
I found that Universal really forces you to stay onsite in order to get the full express pass benefits. Which, by the way, we absolutely loved, loved, loved. However, no free wifi, no free parking. Hated the passes, a key for the door, a paper pass to get into the parks, a paper pass for Express pass. Times 6, that is 12 passes, not to mention another 6 for city walk bars. Then the room keys.
Our rooms were ready at 8am when we arrived. I got 2 rooms, connecting, since it was just me and my 5 kids. The key card for room 2 did not work, so the kids headed down to desk, and received new ones, they still did not work. We stopped by the desk on the way to the park. They said that the key scanner needed a battery, so we left for the parks. Returned at 3, still the key to the room did not work. I called down, they apologized, said they would get someone up asap. 45 minutes later, no one. 6 of us sitting in the room. Then concierge called asking how our stay was going, which was nice, but had to inform them, it was going ok, but still had no access to room 2. Again, apologized, said they would call again asap. 20 minutes later, they arrived. It took them 45 minutes to change it out, they had to remove the entire thing and replace the whole thing. I get these things happen, but really at $320 a night, times 2 rooms, and no access to one of them. Very disappointing. and yes, I called and let the front desk know.
I was glad we went, as it had been about 18 yrs since I went to Universal and 12 yrs since we had been to Islands of Adventure. But, will we be going again anytime soon, no. Not impressed at all.
It did make us realize we like the moderate resorts of Disney with the outside doors, and not the interior doors. We all felt very cramped in the halls with all the cleaning carts, the people, etc. Our room, and then eventually rooms, were just fine, clean, neat, decor was eh. The staff was nice. The lobby was neat to look out, but very loud in music. No real place to pick up snack foods, or something like a counter service meal at the hotel. One little "store" type place for chips and drinks, but not a lot of choices for food.
