This was our first trip to Universal. Myself (39), Husband (41), daughter (14) & son (12).
We flew Southwest out of Providence. All went well. We were 25 minutes early when we landed at Orlando, but sat for 40 minutes waiting for a gate. Not fun. Our Tiffany person was waiting and our luggage was the first out of the shoot. Now that's better. I will say the Southwest planes were dirty, actually filthy! I know they turn them over quickly, maybe a little too quick.
Next stop Royal Pacific. We had booked a club level room with 2 queen beds. There were none left on floor 7, so down to floor 6 we went. We were in 3604. A nice room overlooking the pool and park. Storage was a little bit of a problem. There is not very much of it. They are not laid out well at all. Lots of wasted space. They are set up for the business traveler or a couple, not 4 people. For those of you who are always wondering, there is a blow dryer and it works well. It was very quite the entire trip. We found the staff to be very friendly and helpful. We asked that bathrobes be sent up, they were. We received daily newspapers and turndown service, without request. We used both the water taxi and the walkway, but not the shuttle.
The lounge was very nice. Mornings started with fruit, pasteries, bagels, toast, yogurt, cereal, muffins, juice, coffee, tea and cocoa. Everything was very fresh. The offerings during the evening where veggies & dip, cheese & crackers, nachos and a few different appetizers. The appetizers were substantial (steak and cheese sandwiches & asian chicken salad one night).They also have free wine and beer. At night they offered a couple of different cakes, cookies and fruit. All day you could get fresh fruit, chips and cookies as well as drinks. The room itself is large and pretty. It has two large tv's at either end and a computer with internet access. The staff did an excellent job! For us it was worth the extra money spent.
The pool at the hotel is wonderful. It had plenty of activities to keep the kids busy with other kids.
The gym is adequate. The locker room with hot tub, sauna and steam were very nice. After the pool we would shower there. It saved the room from wet towels and a messy bathroom. I found the shampoo better in the locker room than in the room.
The best part of staying on site is the express pass. It was not very busy in the parks for most of our trip. We never waiting in line more than 5 minutes on any ride at anytime.
We bought our tickets through RCI, which I found out about on Mousesavers. They worked great. We paid under $400. for 4 adult, 7 consectutive day passes. We picked them up at guest services on the first day and they worked all week with no issues.
All the rides were great. My favorites were the Mummy and Spiderman. If anyone has questions about the ride. let me know and someone here will answer them. I have to admit, I did not do any of the rollercoastes, but the rest of my clan did.
We ate mostly lunches out. We ate at Hard Rock (okay), NBA (good), Confiscos (okay) and Mythos (excellent). I can't remember right now where else we ate, but with the exception of Mythos they were what I expected.
The only other tip I can think of get to the parks early, it makes a huge difference in the lines.
We also stopped at SeaWorld and Discovery Cove. I will post again on those.
If anyone has any questions, fire away.
We flew Southwest out of Providence. All went well. We were 25 minutes early when we landed at Orlando, but sat for 40 minutes waiting for a gate. Not fun. Our Tiffany person was waiting and our luggage was the first out of the shoot. Now that's better. I will say the Southwest planes were dirty, actually filthy! I know they turn them over quickly, maybe a little too quick.
Next stop Royal Pacific. We had booked a club level room with 2 queen beds. There were none left on floor 7, so down to floor 6 we went. We were in 3604. A nice room overlooking the pool and park. Storage was a little bit of a problem. There is not very much of it. They are not laid out well at all. Lots of wasted space. They are set up for the business traveler or a couple, not 4 people. For those of you who are always wondering, there is a blow dryer and it works well. It was very quite the entire trip. We found the staff to be very friendly and helpful. We asked that bathrobes be sent up, they were. We received daily newspapers and turndown service, without request. We used both the water taxi and the walkway, but not the shuttle.
The lounge was very nice. Mornings started with fruit, pasteries, bagels, toast, yogurt, cereal, muffins, juice, coffee, tea and cocoa. Everything was very fresh. The offerings during the evening where veggies & dip, cheese & crackers, nachos and a few different appetizers. The appetizers were substantial (steak and cheese sandwiches & asian chicken salad one night).They also have free wine and beer. At night they offered a couple of different cakes, cookies and fruit. All day you could get fresh fruit, chips and cookies as well as drinks. The room itself is large and pretty. It has two large tv's at either end and a computer with internet access. The staff did an excellent job! For us it was worth the extra money spent.
The pool at the hotel is wonderful. It had plenty of activities to keep the kids busy with other kids.
The gym is adequate. The locker room with hot tub, sauna and steam were very nice. After the pool we would shower there. It saved the room from wet towels and a messy bathroom. I found the shampoo better in the locker room than in the room.
The best part of staying on site is the express pass. It was not very busy in the parks for most of our trip. We never waiting in line more than 5 minutes on any ride at anytime.
We bought our tickets through RCI, which I found out about on Mousesavers. They worked great. We paid under $400. for 4 adult, 7 consectutive day passes. We picked them up at guest services on the first day and they worked all week with no issues.
All the rides were great. My favorites were the Mummy and Spiderman. If anyone has questions about the ride. let me know and someone here will answer them. I have to admit, I did not do any of the rollercoastes, but the rest of my clan did.
We ate mostly lunches out. We ate at Hard Rock (okay), NBA (good), Confiscos (okay) and Mythos (excellent). I can't remember right now where else we ate, but with the exception of Mythos they were what I expected.
The only other tip I can think of get to the parks early, it makes a huge difference in the lines.
We also stopped at SeaWorld and Discovery Cove. I will post again on those.
If anyone has any questions, fire away.
I hope I have just as much luck with our bags.
) I'm not familiar with that, obviosly I have not read these boards enough 
