Booked HRH - 1st timer need info!

[tjmw2727]

Booked club level at the HRH, really looking forward to Universal. Going the week between Christmas & New Years so I know I need to plan

Please humor me with any info about HRH, transporation and dining. I am scouring threads and trip reports - its lots of fun.

So - for now,

Is fotl enough or do you need to buy the express pass as well?
Do you need reservations or is the priority seating afforded onsite guests enough?

Thanks in advance -

TJ

 

[francie57]

We stay at HRH every trip (but not club level so can't help with that). There are boats that you can take to the parks but the quickest way is to walk since HRH is the closest to each park. FOTL is express pass so don't buy that. Every ride offers it except the pteranodon flyers in IOA. For meals we love Richter Burger for a lunch at Universal and Finnegan Pub for dinner. We like Thunder Falls Terrace at IOA and Margaritaville at City Walk. The Kitchen restaurant at the HRH is good also. For a quick breakfast we like the bakery on the way into IOA. They offer a breakfast deal of a muffin (or a breakfast sandwich I think) with fruit salad and drink.

 

[tjmw2727]

Oh thanks -that helps alot.

I thought I read a trip report where someone staying at HRH was thankfull for express pass - perhaps they meant fotl pass? I was nervous.

Is it true that the room key gives you priority seating at the restaurants? Are there some restaruants you would still make reservations for - ?

Its overwhelming - but fun

TJ

 

[breebella]

We just returned from HRH (club level) last wk. I haven't completed a trip report as of yet, but hopefully, I'll be able to help you out with any questions that you might have.
Every staff person we encountered was more than helpful and pleasant.
The pool is lots of fun. When we were there, they have dive in movies and on other nights, they had a DJ, along with hula hoop & dance contests. My daughters also loved the slide.

We had one meal poolside @ the Beach Club. It was good, but they do charge an added 18% automatic gratuity on your bill, even if you just get drinks.
We had dinner one evening at The Kitchen. Not too many menu choices, but the food was excellent! We had reservations for Wednesday night because it was character dining night.
We also had ice cream twice at Emack & Bolios and it was very good. Expensive, but good.
The Club room was kinda small. Breakfast was the best. It included: Bagels, different breads for toasting, croissants, peanut butter, jams, butter and cream cheese. Several cereal options. Hard boiled eggs. Oatmeal with various toppings. Orange & apple juice, milk, coffee, & tea.
Afternoon snack consisted of individual bags of pretzels, doritos, & granola bars. Cans of soda.
Evening hors d’oeuvers served at 5 pm were different almost every night. This was my least favorite. They only had 2 hors d’oeuvers to choose from and usually I didn't like them. Twice they had spring rolls and some other asian type food. One night they had mini meatballs and they were good. One time they had eggplant fritters, yuck! They also had a fruit and veggie tray and salad. I basicially skipped this part.
Evening dessert consisted of the same thing every single night and we were there for 6 days; chocolate chip cookies and white choc macadamian nut cookies and fortune cookies. There was a great wine and beer selection, but I don't drink, so I always got soda or bottled water.
We ate at CityWalk's Margaritaville and NBA City. Both were good, but I enjoyed NBA's food alittle better. The atmosphere at Margaritaville was great, but very loud. Not a problem for me though.
The walk to Universal Studio's was short and quite enjoyable. The landscaping was gorgeous and quite tranquil.
We never took used the shuttles or the boats because everything was so close.
The front of the line was the BEST! It really is worth it. We walked on just about everything. It helps when you have kids.
If you have other questions, I'd be glad to answer.

 

[damo]

For clarification, what you get at the hotel is called Express Pass. The pass you purchase if you are not staying onsite is called Express Plus Pass. It is confusing, I know, but if you are staying onsite, you have the best pass of all.

There really is nothing called FOTL anymore since you use the express pass lane. The only true "front of the line" is the VIP tour.

 

[DisneygirlTeacher]

We are also going to HRH this weekend. Thanks for all the tips and advice..it really helps...so would we need reservations for Emeril's, The Palm and also for Margaritaville? I know at Disney you have to have ADRs or you probably won't get in!! Can you just call HRH and make the reservations there and at Citywalk? Do you need them for Hard Rock Cafe? As you can tell from my name, I am a expert on "the other park!" Thanks for any help.

 

[macraven]

if you stay club, concierge in the lounge can make your restaurant reservations.


emerils you would need a ressie but the other places listed, you don't.

there are places at CW that will give you a priority for seating if you show your hotel room key.

if you have a large group and plan to eat at the busiest time period, get a reservation if possible.



for HRC, if you have the All Access card, you will have priority seating.
i have gone there when the wait is an hour.
i show my All Access card and am seated within 5 minutes.

All Access card is a paid membership program.

 

[DisneygirlTeacher]

Thank you for all the help! Yes, we are staying Club Level. Thanks again!!

 

[macraven]

many locals go to the Palm restaurant on saturday night.

have concierge book you right away if you are planning a Saturday dinner there.

 

[msminniemouse]

for HRC, if you have the All Access card, you will have priority seating.
i have gone there when the wait is an hour.
i show my All Access card and am seated within 5 minutes.

All Access card is a paid membership program.

I just got back from HRH and they gave me a free All Access Card. They said the membership is now free, you just have to ask for it at check in. I got a free room upgrade from obstructed view to garden view!

 

[SNylund]

We just returned from HRH (club level) last wk. I haven't completed a trip report as of yet, but hopefully, I'll be able to help you out with any questions that you might have.
Every staff person we encountered was more than helpful and pleasant.
The pool is lots of fun. When we were there, they have dive in movies and on other nights, they had a DJ, along with hula hoop & dance contests. My daughters also loved the slide.

We had one meal poolside @ the Beach Club. It was good, but they do charge an added 18% automatic gratuity on your bill, even if you just get drinks.
We had dinner one evening at The Kitchen. Not too many menu choices, but the food was excellent! We had reservations for Wednesday night because it was character dining night.
We also had ice cream twice at Emack & Bolios and it was very good. Expensive, but good.
The Club room was kinda small. Breakfast was the best. It included: Bagels, different breads for toasting, croissants, peanut butter, jams, butter and cream cheese. Several cereal options. Hard boiled eggs. Oatmeal with various toppings. Orange & apple juice, milk, coffee, & tea.
Afternoon snack consisted of individual bags of pretzels, doritos, & granola bars. Cans of soda.
Evening hors d’oeuvers served at 5 pm were different almost every night. This was my least favorite. They only had 2 hors d’oeuvers to choose from and usually I didn't like them. Twice they had spring rolls and some other asian type food. One night they had mini meatballs and they were good. One time they had eggplant fritters, yuck! They also had a fruit and veggie tray and salad. I basicially skipped this part.
Evening dessert consisted of the same thing every single night and we were there for 6 days; chocolate chip cookies and white choc macadamian nut cookies and fortune cookies. There was a great wine and beer selection, but I don't drink, so I always got soda or bottled water.
We ate at CityWalk's Margaritaville and NBA City. Both were good, but I enjoyed NBA's food alittle better. The atmosphere at Margaritaville was great, but very loud. Not a problem for me though.
The walk to Universal Studio's was short and quite enjoyable. The landscaping was gorgeous and quite tranquil.
We never took used the shuttles or the boats because everything was so close.
The front of the line was the BEST! It really is worth it. We walked on just about everything. It helps when you have kids.
If you have other questions, I'd be glad to answer.

How much extra is the club level? I'm assuming you pay for club and then eat whatever they put out in the room. Do they have like the rasberry/apple type of cinamon rolls and stuff like that? I know you said bagels etc. Was just wondering if the breakfast spread is the exact same they sell in the other area, or if its kind of a scaled back version.

 

[macraven]

I just got back from HRH and they gave me a free All Access Card. They said the membership is now free, you just have to ask for it at check in. I got a free room upgrade from obstructed view to garden view!

i saw your post about that in another thread today.

i got a sweet deal when i signed up for the All Access membership.
For $20, i received the membership card, the $20 gc card, HRC back pack, 2 guitar pins and another item.
it was like getting the membership for free plus gifts.

they change the policy so often.
i'm glad the hotel is doing this HRC special for the guests.

 

[goofy!]

Emerils, Tchoup Chop, Bice, NBA City and the Palm are all on Open Table, so you can also make reservations that way.

 

[Coach81]

Don't forget to check out "Bubba Gump Shrimp Co." while you are at Universal.. it is a great resteraunt with very good seafood!!!

 

[breebella]

How much extra is the club level? I'm assuming you pay for club and then eat whatever they put out in the room. Do they have like the rasberry/apple type of cinamon rolls and stuff like that? I know you said bagels etc. Was just wondering if the breakfast spread is the exact same they sell in the other area, or if its kind of a scaled back version.

I really don't know how much more club level is, the price depends on the time of year that you are going, but you could easily check the Universal website to get a price if you have a date in mind. To answer your other question, they did have cinamon rolls for breakfast too, but not rasberry or apple.

 

[disney_princess_85]

Thanks for the info on Club Level guys! Could anyone please tell me if it's ok to take bags of snacks and drinks back to your room?

 

[damo]

Thanks for the info on Club Level guys! Could anyone please tell me if it's ok to take bags of snacks and drinks back to your room?

Yes, there are trays you can use.