Hard Rock or Royal Pacific?

[sandam1]

Scenario: Upcoming Universal trip 1/5-11 with my best friend in combination with me running Disney's Dopey races. Both of us are AP holders although our last trip was February 2020. The plan is to stay at an EP hotel for the first two nights before moving to a family suite at Cabana Bay for the rest of the trip.

When the APH rates came out, I grabbed a Hard Rock room for $234, which I thought was great. I've stayed at Hard Rock for one night on a previous trip and the hotel was okay IMHO, but the location was great as we tend to spend more time at the Studios and we loved the short walk. BUT I just checked back and there is a standard room at Royal Pacific for $30 less per night. What are the pros and cons of staying at RP? Is the walk to IOA really as short as Hard Rock to Studios? Is there anything that I'm missing? We will have a rental car so proximity to transfer hotels isn't a huge factor.

 

[macraven]

From RP it is walkable to IOA
Maybe 10-12 minutes.

 

[Gizmo74]

Thanks for starting this thread. I am in same boat but my travel dates are in Feb. I currently have RP reserved because the Hard Rock does not have the cheaper rooms for discount yet. I am not sure if moving to Hard Rock is worth $30/night more. We stayed at RP years ago but I don't remember much. I just did a you tube to watch tours of each room and it appears that RP standard rooms have showers instead of tub/shower. I would prefer a real shower and not dealing with a shower curtain. Not sure if that is a deal kill since I always wanted to try Hard Rock since it is so close. I'll probably just keep what I have at RP since it's cheaper, has showers and gets up to Express Pass. We won't be using the pools so that is not part of my decisions for this trip. Sorry no help and I am also undecided.

 

[sandam1]

it appears that RP standard rooms have showers instead of tub/shower.

Oooohhhh, for me, this might be a big thing! Since I'm going for the Disney races, I really would want/need a bathtub since soaking in epsom salts is part of my plan. Admittedly, we will only be staying there after the 5K and then checking out the morning of the 10K so it isn't as crucial as after the half and the whole, but it definitely has me thinking.

 

[macraven]

I had room RP 3514 (or maybe it was 3516) and it has a tub with a shower
Nice view of the pool area

I never request the room with a shower and tub but this was the third time I have been assigned the room

 

[Gizmo74]

I had room RP 3514 (or maybe it was 3516) and it has a tub with a shower
Nice view of the pool area

I never request the room with a shower and tub but this was the third time I have been assigned the room

So was it a separate tub and shower or tub/shower combo? I watched a couple you tube videos of standard queen rooms and it only had a showe.

 

[macraven]

It was a shower tub combo with slider doors
Room was a 2 Q beds
I was there just over 2 weeks ago

 

[cfoxga]

RPR is smaller (335 sq ft) vs HRH (375 sq ft).

HRH is a couple minutes closer to US than RPR is to IOA. Since you run 5k/10k, I doubt this is a significant issue. IMO, the walk is nicer for HRH because of the vegetation.

If you've stayed at HRH, then trying RPR might be a good change to try, especially with the price difference. Everyone has different likes/dislikes so it is hard to say which one you'd like better. We made sure to try all 3 deluxe resorts before returning to one for a second time.

 

[Gizmo74]

It was a shower tub combo with slider doors
Room was a 2 Q beds
I was there just over 2 weeks ago

Is a shower a different category to book? The video on You Tube that I watch said they were standard queen room and when they showed the bathroom it was a shower.

 

[macraven]

Some rooms have showers only
Not many have the bath and shower with slider doors.

Rooms are 2 standard Queens
Talking about rooms at RP

 

[stinkpickle]

Room #2225 has a tub/shower with a curtain. We left yesterday.

 

[weather_lady]

My family loves both resorts. Although the RPR standard rooms are a little smaller than HRH's standard rooms, they weren't cramped by any means, and were pretty comparable in terms of the configuration and furniture in the room. There are minor differences though: we've always had showers at RPR, and standard tub/shower combos at HRH. Also, while both resorts have divided baths with a sink/vanity area outside of the tub-and-toilet portion of the bathroom, HRH has a second sink in the tub-and-toilet section, whereas RPR does not. Some of the extra floor space at HRH includes a small, dedicated cabinet and shelf area for the mini-fridge and coffeemaker, whereas at RPR, you'll find them inside the TV cabinet/dresser. Given that in my family there are 4 of us trying to get ready and have breakfast in the room at the same time every morning, that second sink, and separate coffee/fridge area, do come in very handy when we're staying at HRH.

Location and distance are a minor consideration. HRH is a teensy bit shorter a walk, and the path emerges right in front of the USF entrance. The walk from RPR is just a couple minutes longer, and comes out next to Margaritaville on Citywalk, near the bridge closest to IOA. Both have terrific regular boat service to and from CityWalk as well.

I think the only significant difference is theming. RPR has a relaxed, tropical, "zen" vibe - which on the flip side could be seen as boring. HRH is more boisterous, loud and energizing - which on the flip side could be considered "sensory overload." It's up to you whether you prefer one or the other (or like my family, enjoy them both).

 

[Gentry2004]

My family loves both resorts. Although the RPR standard rooms are a little smaller than HRH's standard rooms, they weren't cramped by any means, and were pretty comparable in terms of the configuration and furniture in the room. There are minor differences though: we've always had showers at RPR, and standard tub/shower combos at HRH. Also, while both resorts have divided baths with a sink/vanity area outside of the tub-and-toilet portion of the bathroom, HRH has a second sink in the tub-and-toilet section, whereas RPR does not. Some of the extra floor space at HRH includes a small, dedicated cabinet and shelf area for the mini-fridge and coffeemaker, whereas at RPR, you'll find them inside the TV cabinet/dresser. Given that in my family there are 4 of us trying to get ready and have breakfast in the room at the same time every morning, that second sink, and separate coffee/fridge area, do come in very handy when we're staying at HRH.

Location and distance are a minor consideration. HRH is a teensy bit shorter a walk, and the path emerges right in front of the USF entrance. The walk from RPR is just a couple minutes longer, and comes out next to Margaritaville on Citywalk, near the bridge closest to IOA. Both have terrific regular boat service to and from CityWalk as well.

I think the only significant difference is theming. RPR has a relaxed, tropical, "zen" vibe - which on the flip side could be seen as boring. HRH is more boisterous, loud and energizing - which on the flip side could be considered "sensory overload." It's up to you whether you prefer one or the other (or like my family, enjoy them both).

I also travel with a family of 4 and agree with the bold. HRH also has 2 chairs and a small table by the window where my 2 kids eat breakfast in the room each morning. IIRC RPR just has the chair/desk but no additional chairs. For 4 people I think the extra space/HRH configuration is worth it, but I'm not sure it mattres so much for 2 people. I don't think you can go wrong!

 

[Gatrcruzer]

I like both hotels but HRH is a shorter walk to the park area by a lot - we can do it in 5 minutes if you take the parking lot shortcut. If you don't mind the extra walking, saving $30/ni is nice. Didn't realize that RP doesn't have tub as standard - we have gotten one when we stayed there, but I think we have only stayed twice, so maybe we were lucky.

 

[mmh711]

As others have said, HRH is definitely the shortest walk possible. You really can't get any closer. RPR is certainly walkable....just not as close. We have stayed at both. From RPR we would usually take the boat from the resort to US but then walk back at the end of the day. For 2 people and if you're not using any of the hotel amenities, you can't go wrong with either. Hard Rock rooms are a little bigger if that is important to you. We stayed in both with a family of 4 and managed just fine so I expect either room would be spacious enough to meet your needs.

 

[gharter]

Stayed at both. Just not a fan of HardRock, but loved Royal Pacific. About an equal distance walk. About 5 minutes from either. To be honest, you can't go wrong with either. Its a matter of personal preference.

 

[RocketCityMama]

So we stayed at HRH in June 2021 and RP (currently here) and to be honest I love the theme of Royal better, it is more my style as far as atmosphere goes but I think I prefer HRH overall. There are pros and cons to each. Hrh is a shorter walk for sure, I walked fast from meetup check in back to Royal and did it in 7 mins but was walking fast. Normal pace it takes me about 10 mins. Its not a hard walk and runs right by the river. Def close to IOA, we can see Doom from the outside and hear Hulk lol and the walk to Studios is not bad, we go right in front of toothsomes and you are there pretty quick.

I felt I slept better at HRH, I like the bathroom size better at Royal. I liked the chairs/table at HRH. Both rooms fit a twin air mattress for our younger dd to sleep on, no issue there. We have a 2 queen room with a shower only but it only has a shower but large.

We will prob stay at Hard Rock next time but if no room avail then Royal will work.

 

[mamapenguin]

We like both, I’d stay at whichever one is cheaper. Even money, I go with HRH because it’s closer to Universal which is our favorite park.

 

[hhoope01]

I tend to agree with mamapenguin. I normally will go for whichever is cheaper (unless we are staying at PBR in which case we are willing to pay a bit extra for it.) We do like the restaurant choices at RPR better than at HRH. I like Jakes quite a bit and getting sushi at the Orchid lounge along with the all you can eat stir-fry at Islands Dining is must at least once per trip.

 

[schumigirl]

I wouldnt take walking distance as a consideration for choosing either hotel. The difference is negligible.

It takes us around 7 minutes to walk from RP to IOA……no time at all really and it’s mostly in the shade, so very pleasant in the extreme heat. Couple of minutes more to Studios.

Our favourite is of course RP, never liked the HR much at all as it just doesn’t feel like a resort the way RP does.