back from RPR Easter break trip

[KalBen]

RPR
Things we liked:
-friendly staff, good service
-pool area, my young kids loved the sand castle area,ask for buckets/shovel at front desk
-close proximity to parks by walk or boat
-beautiful grounds

Things we didn't like:
-20 min. wait to get to check-in desk, then another wait the next day to get new keys for room change. (see below)
-room we requested not ready so we had to move rooms after our first night (they did reduce our room rate however after my dh complained)
-stains on carpet
-dusty room
-being charged for waters we didn't drink, luckily I caught the $26 in charges on the bill (I had tucked them behind the tv so the kids wouldn't drink them)

Parks/City Walk:
We loved both parks and found plenty to do, even for our 3 yr. old. The FOTL was crucial in eliminating/shortening wait times. We went on rides we enjoyed several times in a row. City Walk had good places to eat. Overall the food quality (counter service) in the parks and hotel were much better than Disney.

 

[Foladar]

Thanks for the report!! Glad to see another trip report, and glad you enjoyed yourself!

 

[Minniespal]

Enjoyed reading your report ~ Thanx for sharing.

 

[Mad Hatter]

HI!

I was wondering how long the lines at IOA and US were? WAs is like a hour long wait on the major attractions? or less than a hour? My family is going in three weeks and we only have express pass for one day.

 

[Dislifer]

RPR
Things we liked:
-friendly staff, good service
-pool area, my young kids loved the sand castle area,ask for buckets/shovel at front desk
-close proximity to parks by walk or boat
-beautiful grounds

Things we didn't like:
-20 min. wait to get to check-in desk, then another wait the next day to get new keys for room change. (see below)
-room we requested not ready so we had to move rooms after our first night (they did reduce our room rate however after my dh complained)
-stains on carpet
-dusty room
-being charged for waters we didn't drink, luckily I caught the $26 in charges on the bill (I had tucked them behind the tv so the kids wouldn't drink them)

Parks/City Walk:
We loved both parks and found plenty to do, even for our 3 yr. old. The FOTL was crucial in eliminating/shortening wait times. We went on rides we enjoyed several times in a row. City Walk had good places to eat. Overall the food quality (counter service) in the parks and hotel were much better than Disney.

I'm curious: $26 would have been for how many waters???
What other food do they leave out to tempt you into spending more $$???

Thank you so much for your advice and info!

 

[PlutoLuvr]

Great trip report! Thanks so much for sharing

FWIW, my only complaint with staying on site at USO is "billing." I've been charged for things, too, that I didn't use, i.e., daily valet service instead of self parking and having my first night's deposit, which had been paid for months earlier, mysteriously ending up being back on my bill when I check out. It's now to the point I just bring my calculator on our trips and plan for the extra time at check out to get things squared away.

 

[lindalinda]

Great trip report! Thanks so much for sharing

FWIW, my only complaint with staying on site at USO is "billing." I've been charged for things, too, that I didn't use, i.e., daily valet service instead of self parking and having my first night's deposit, which had been paid for months earlier, mysteriously ending up being back on my bill when I check out. It's now to the point I just bring my calculator on our trips and plan for the extra time at check out to get things squared away.

I agree! I think they must just automatically charge for valet parking. But I havent had too much trouble getting them to take off the extra charges. I think they must be used to it. Always check!

 

[KalBen]

I was wondering how long the lines at IOA and US were? WAs is like a hour long wait on the major attractions? or less than a hour? My family is going in three weeks and we only have express pass for one day.

I know some of the major rides had waits of an hour but we were there over Easter break so I think it was busier than usual

 

[KalBen]

I'm curious: $26 would have been for how many waters???

They had large bottles of water that were between 6-7 dollars each! There was also a "service charge" on food/drinks we bought at the pool of about 18% and then there was another line for you to add a tip. I shook my head at that one too!

 

[Motherfletcher]

I just returned from a weekend at RPR and feel like I should defend them. As I walked into the lobby there was a few people waiting but Pia saw me coming and motioned for me to come to her station so check in was a walk on. She asked if I self parked and I told her that I had and asked about the increase. RPR doesn't provide the service and she said another company took over from AAA and they raised the rate. I was charged the $10 on this bill but on other stays they haven't.
When I got to the room there was a platter that said Loews and what looked like a window washer's squeegy with Loew's backwards in white. On closer inspection I discovered that it was made of chocolate. The white chocolate was sinfully good. The thing was so big that when housekeeping came to see if I wantied anything I had them take it away. With it was 2 bottles of water. One was green and the other blue. I had her take those too. About an hour later a guy showed up with cookies and milk. I didn't have the will power to deny those. God, I love those cookies! I had booked with a APH rate and received 2 Loew's First amenities.
My Executive Suite was emaculate. I checked and the only thing I found was on the end tables where the finish was gone from not using the coasters. Twice housekeeping showed up to ask if I needed anything.
When I checked out I went to the desk because I wanted to use my new Scooby Doo checks instead of leaving it on the Visa. She asked if the bill was OK and it was.
I was kind of miffed that a cheeseburger and fries to go from Jake's was $20.
The parks were busy. If you get there when it opens it doesn't matter. We did the IOA loop counter clockwise and didn't need FOTL until Cat In The Hat. We did need it for all re-rides and the afternoon water rides.
After 5 at US the lines were bad. We did the express for Shrek and it was the longest wait we have ever had. The Mummy and MIB were bad too.

 

[rie'smom]

I'm curious: $26 would have been for how many waters???
What other food do they leave out to tempt you into spending more $$???

Thank you so much for your advice and info!

We have never seen any food left out to tempt us. There is a minibar but you have to request a key-we don't. I always check our bill-no matter where we stay- and have never had a problem with "extra" charges. Go and just enjoy your trip. You'll love RPR!!!

 

[Lindy Loo]

We are staying at RPR for 2 nights in Oct, coming from our villa, just to get FOLT access. What time do you think we should check in ? so we have time to get to the park for opening? I was going to say 8am, but that might be cutting it fine to check in, go to room and then get to universal. Do you think 7.30 a better option?

anyone know what time the pool is open till please? do all the pools close at the same time? ie is HRH oen later ?