FOTL Q: Is it as good as advertised

[alexandrew]

We are staying at RPR this weekend ....lots of Qs

We plan on driving first to RPR, parking car there, getting room card, and then on to USF....

For those of you who have stayed at the onsite resorts, and have used FOTL, is it literally FOTL? Do you have to wait at all? Are there limitations, exclusions, or drawbacks to this benefit?

Please let me know, since this seems too awesome a benefit to be true...we stayed offsite last June and waited on the sweltering lines all day....

also, if you have any tips on navigating the park, as well as your favorite place to eat lunch inside US (non Citywalk restaurants)....Also, can souveniers purchased at US and CityWalk be delivered to our room at RPR? If so, do they deliver same day (we are only staying at RPR 1 night)

 

[Teris]

You are in for a treat

You will be shocked at what a short wait you will have. The longest I have ever waited in the 3 times I have gone, is about 10 to 15 minutes for rides that have a queuing time of about 2 hours for those who don't have FOTL. For some attractions you will be shocked not to have to wait at all. It's wonderful

Someone posted a wait of 20 minutes for Return of the Mummy recently, and the wait for those without FOTL was like 240 minutes or something crazy.

With FOTL, you really don't need to worry about special navigation plans,,

IOA,,,,we start from the left side, and go clockwise thru the park. You may want to take note that the waterrides will get you wet, without doubt,,lol.

Universal, we just go with the flow,, again, with FOTL, you don't need to worry too much.

I love the RPR,, you will have such fun!

Have a great time!

edit,, if you are only staying one night, you won't be able to have things delivered, unfortunately.

My fav place inside IOA is Mythos (special meal) ,, with The Enchanged Oak for quick counter service Both are in The Lost World.

 

[themepark]

Yes you might still have to wait, but like Teris said, your wait times will be 10-15 minutes for an attraction where the regular line is 90-120 minutes. Staying at RPR you will really be able to take it easy and not worry about being a park commando. Are you only going to USF? I can't recommend a place to eat there as we have been less than impressed with the only 2 we have chosen. Richter Burger was just ok. Intl. Food and Film Festival was less than desirable. I have had desserts at Beverly Hills Boulangerie and they were delicious. You might consider exiting USF through the Hard Rock Cafe gates next to Nickelodeoon Studios, get your hand stamped and have lunch at the Hard Rock. Others here have USF restaurants they can recommend too.

If you are going to IOA, for great counter service go to the Enchanted Oak. Good food in huge quantities. For something out of the ordinary, go to Mythos. It will be a theme park meal like none you have ever had. Great atmosphere too. We foun Burger Digs good too.

 

[antmaril]

FOTL is fabulous. As the others have said, the longest wait we've had is 15 minutes. The whole experience is just so much more fun when you aren't standing in those insanely long lines. We've stayed at RPR twice and love it. We've also stayed at the HRH and Portofino Bay. All great.

You are going to have big fun.

We like Mythos for lunch in Islands of Adventure. Very nice.

You don't really need a plan with FOTL.

Have fun!

 

[alexandrew]

Thanks for the insight all!

themepark, eating at the HardRock Cafe sounds good, since the food places in the park last year were pretty lackluster, but top $....you mentioned exiting the park near Nickelodeon Studios....How far is the HardRock from this exit?

 

[the Dark Marauder]

Originally posted by alexandrew
Thanks for the insight all!

themepark, eating at the HardRock Cafe sounds good, since the food places in the park last year were pretty lackluster, but top $....you mentioned exiting the park near Nickelodeon Studios....How far is the HardRock from this exit?

Extremely close. You could walk there in maybe 2 mins if you walked slow.

 

[Beckles]

Originally posted by alexandrew
is it literally FOTL?

No, it's not literally FOTL. What I consider FOTL access disappeared a few years ago when Universal Express was introduced and became available for all park guests. Prior to Universal Express, there was truly FOTL access for hotel guests (this was before RPR even opened) where you would have to take all sorts of weird routes to get into the rides and go straight on.

That being said, even though you sometimes have to wait longer, it's also less of a pain now that they have the clearly marked Universal Express entrances instead of having to go in the exits and such.

What hotel guests now get is better described as Universal Express access.

 

[wendypooh]

You will LOVE it!!! It is so great, you will get spoiled. Even if you are only staying one night, you get 2 full days of fotl, so that makes it worth it!! The RPR is gorgeous, it is our favorite place, and we don't stay anywhere else!!! The Hard Rock is immediately outside the nickelodeon exit, we used this exit a lot, although we only ate at hr once.... ( and that was enough) our experience was not a good one. I personally would recommend NBA city, the food is fantastic!!!! and for the price, you can't beat it, even if you're not into basketball, don't let this place pass by........ it is really good.

Also, try Jakes, at the RPR, the ribs are to die for.............. they are soooooo good!!!! ( and if you are tired, take it to your room)!!!

Have a great time........... enjoy FOTL!!!!

 

[themepark]

Originally posted by alexandrew
Thanks for the insight all!

themepark, eating at the HardRock Cafe sounds good, since the food places in the park last year were pretty lackluster, but top $....you mentioned exiting the park near Nickelodeon Studios....How far is the HardRock from this exit?

The Hard Rock is right beside this exit. In fact the entrance/exit here is labeled "Hard Rock Exit". You walk out, walk along the side of HRC to the front doors.

 

[SpideyHulk24]

FOTL Q: Is it as good as advertised?

answer: better than advertised!

It makes your vacation so laid back!

I love it!