First Time Outside WDW! Univ Hotel & Potter Qs

[PoohJen]

Being such a loyal Disney freak, I feel like such a traitor! But we are also HUGE Harry Potter fans since Book 1 came out, and have waited long enough to go to HP Land.

Here are my general questions, but please fill in with any advice you would have for a newbie!

Looking at Royal Pacific for one night in late July/early August.Wow, I thought Disney gave me sticker shock! I won't ask if the hotels are worth the $$, we've decided try it out, esp for proximity, early entrance to HP, and Universal's version of FastPass

- is the Royal Pacific nice? That's the cheapest for our dates. Is there a reason to "upgrade" to another hotel for such a short stay? Dinner recommendations there?

- I'd like to check in the first day and just use the pool/hotel amenities. 4pm check in is listed on the site. Our travel plans would get us there earlier - are rooms generally available earlier?

- are the "Fast Pass"es easy to use? Actually helpful? Can you use them without limit? (I think at Busch Gardens here in VA, you can only use them for each ride once).

- will we likely spend our entire day in the HP portion (or, put another way, how long do big HP fans tend to stay in the HP part?)

- Can you bring bottled water into the parks?

- early entry to HP a must do? (I expect so!)

- Is park parking free for Hotel guests? I know a shuttle service is offered - I'd want to be at the park before the rope drop and not sure if the shuttles would arrive timely.

Thank you for any insights, tips and recommendations!

 

[indimom]

Being such a loyal Disney freak, I feel like such a traitor! But we are also HUGE Harry Potter fans since Book 1 came out, and have waited long enough to go to HP Land.

Here are my general questions, but please fill in with any advice you would have for a newbie!

Looking at Royal Pacific for one night in late July/early August.Wow, I thought Disney gave me sticker shock! I won't ask if the hotels are worth the $$, we've decided try it out, esp for proximity, early entrance to HP, and Universal's version of FastPass - is the Royal Pacific nice? That's the cheapest for our dates. Is there a reason to "upgrade" to another hotel for such a short stay? Dinner recommendations there?
No need to upgrade. It's a very nice hotel. - I'd like to check in the first day and just use the pool/hotel amenities. 4pm check in is listed on the site. Our travel plans would get us there earlier - are rooms generally available earlier?

- are the "Fast Pass"es easy to use? Actually helpful? Can you use them without limit? (I think at Busch Gardens here in VA, you can only use them for each ride once).
AWESOME! Very Helpful. You will fall in love with ExpressPass. It is unlimited, you can ride your fave over and over again. You just flash your room key and get in the Express line.
I believe there are only 3 attractions which do not have ExpressPass. I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong.
- will we likely spend our entire day in the HP portion (or, put another way, how long do big HP fans tend to stay in the HP part?)
Depends entirely on you.
- Can you bring bottled water into the parks?

- early entry to HP a must do? (I expect so!)

- Is park parking free for Hotel guests? I know a shuttle service is offered - I'd want to be at the park before the rope drop and not sure if the shuttles would arrive timely.
There is no need to drive to the parking garage, leave your car at the resort. Just walk from your hotel or use the water taxis. Both are very quick. The hotel to park proximity is similar to the Contemporary to MK or Boardwalk to Epcot.
Thank you for any insights, tips and recommendations!

I answered the questions I could. I'm sure someone else can fill you in on the rest. We stayed at RPR in 2008 (so we haven't been to WWoHP yet), but we absolutely loved the resort, proximity to the parks, ExpressPass perk, the hotel restaurants, pools; and IOA is a really beautiful and well-themed park. You will be amazed.

 

[Bluer101]

Parking is $15 plus tax per night. Universal's hotels are like Disney's deluxe.

 

[christophfam]

Royal Pacific is very nice. We love it! No need to upgrade. Our favorite place to eat is by the pool! The food is really quite good and the kids love to swim and play while we wait for our food.

- I'd like to check in the first day and just use the pool/hotel amenities. 4pm check in is listed on the site. Our travel plans would get us there earlier - are rooms generally available earlier?

I wouldn't count on it in the summer. We've gotten in as early as 8AM before, but that was in the off season. Just pack a bag with your suits and you can change and hang by the pool until your room is ready. There are restrooms near by. I'd also consinder heading over to WWOHP in the evening that night. It might be worth it to add another day to your tickets. The evenings are my favorite time there right up to closing.

- are the "Fast Pass"es easy to use? Actually helpful? Can you use them without limit? (I think at Busch Gardens here in VA, you can only use them for each ride once).

They are very easy to use, but you do have to show them each time you enter the line so come up with an easy way to keep them handy. We have the hotel hole punch them and attach them to lanyards. It is unlimited.

- will we likely spend our entire day in the HP portion (or, put another way, how long do big HP fans tend to stay in the HP part?)

We usually spend a few hours in the morning, maybe stay for an early lunch, then head out as the park fills up and then head back over in the evening when the crowds die back down. I can't imagine spending a whole day there. There is much more to see at IOA!!

- Can you bring bottled water into the parks?

You can, but I wouldn't. You don't want to have any bags when you ride many of the rides at IOA. They require you to store them in lockers which will really slow you down. Just ask for the free cups of ice water.

- early entry to HP a must do? (I expect so!)

That and late in the evenings will be your best time at WWOHP!! Don't miss it!

- Is park parking free for Hotel guests? I know a shuttle service is offered - I'd want to be at the park before the rope drop and not sure if the shuttles would arrive timely.

You have to pay for parking at the resort. It isn't added in like at Disney. There isn't any need to move your car. In fact, it would only slow you down. This is one of the many things I love about Universal and their resorts. No buses!!! I'd just walk it in the morning if you are worried about the boat slowing you down. It is an easy walk - maybe 7 minutes. Take the boat the rest of the day if you don't feel like walking.

 

[damo]

To undo some of the sticker shock, take a look at the comparable prices at Disney. Any of the deluxe hotels within walking distance of the parks can be compared...so Contemporary or Beach/Boardwalk/Yacht will give you an idea of the prices charged over there.

Yacht Club is $311/night on July 27 with the summer discount
RPR is $269 rack rate

Staying at RPR will give you unlimited express ride access for full two days plus early entry for two days (can't compare that with Disney early entry since there are so many people going that it isn't really a perk but a bad time to go)

 

[Metro West]

Here are my general questions, but please fill in with any advice you would have for a newbie!

- are the "Fast Pass"es easy to use? Actually helpful? Can you use them without limit? (I think at Busch Gardens here in VA, you can only use them for each ride once). Yes...Express Plus passes are easy to use especially onsite. Your hotel room key is your Express so just show it to the TM standing at the beginning of the attraction queue. Onsite guests receive unlimited Express access but the EP you purchase at the parks or online is only good once through the line.

- will we likely spend our entire day in the HP portion (or, put another way, how long do big HP fans tend to stay in the HP part?) It depends on the crowd levels...I would say all day is a little long but I'm not an HP fan. Just play that section by ear and stay as long as you like but don't waste a day and not see the rest of IOA. There are many great attractions besides WWoHP.

- early entry to HP a must do? (I expect so!) If you want to see WWoHP, early entry is a definate must do.

- Is park parking free for Hotel guests? No...resort guests pay $15.00/day for parking at the resort.

See my answers above.

 

[Pembo]

- is the Royal Pacific nice? That's the cheapest for our dates. Is there a reason to "upgrade" to another hotel for such a short stay? Dinner recommendations there?RP is beautiful, we loved it there. We had dinner at Jake's bar. Onion rings aren't on the menu but are delicious. But it's so close you can also walk to CityWalk.

- I'd like to check in the first day and just use the pool/hotel amenities. 4pm check in is listed on the site. Our travel plans would get us there earlier - are rooms generally available earlier?We got there at noon and our room was ready but we didn't care about location. The pool area is very nice.

- are the "Fast Pass"es easy to use? Actually helpful? Can you use them without limit? (I think at Busch Gardens here in VA, you can only use them for each ride once).loved the Express Pass, way easier than FP imho and it's unlimited. DD rode the Hippogriff 5 times in a row.

- will we likely spend our entire day in the HP portion (or, put another way, how long do big HP fans tend to stay in the HP part?) Hp isn't as big as we thought so a few hours was enough. We did EE and stayed until 11, then came back after 6 for another round of fun.

- Can you bring bottled water into the parks?yes

- early entry to HP a must do? (I expect so!)definitely, park opening was 9, ee was 8, we left our room at 7:30 and were let in to the park at 7:45

- Is park parking free for Hotel guests? I know a shuttle service is offered - I'd want to be at the park before the rope drop and not sure if the shuttles would arrive timely.no shuttle needed, the walk from RP to IOA is shorter than most parking lots at WDW, you will be pleasantly surprised, we were!

You're going to love HP!!! Try the cauldron cakes in Honeydukes and make sure you see the Frog Choir. Just ask a witch or wizard what time they perform.

 

[Planogirl]

The Royal Pacific is very nice and well worth the money! I would only say that the Hard Rock Hotel's pool is a bit nicer but if you want to swim there you are welcome to pool hop.

It's also nice that you can walk to the parks or ride the boat shuttle if you wish. Everything is right there together much like Disneyland if you've ever been there.

Be sure to see WWoHP at night if you can. We loved it during that time even though it was packed.

 

[PoohJen]

Very, very helpful, Everyone! Thank you so much for your quick and informative responses! You're getting me even more excited for our Universal stint! (in the interest of full disclosure, it will round out a cruise on the Disney Dream this summer) - can't wait to tour HP!!!!