Hard Rock or Royal Pacific

[mrspaha]

Please help me decide... We've never been to Universal; I'm travelling with my ds15 and dd16. My daughter really really wants to stay at HRH because it sounds cool; my son would prefer HR, but doesn't really care too much. It sounds like HRH is closer to both parks to walk (is that correct)?, so I kind of like that convenience factor.

But is it worth it to pay $40/night more (for 3 nights)? Anyone have any ideas, or other pros and cons on these two resorts?

 

[Motherfletcher]

With kids that age the "coolness" factor plays heavy on the hotel choice. My kids prefer HRH's pool. HRH is the closest to US.

 

[tippytoe]

Yes, it is worth the $40 difference! Your teenagers will love HRH. I think RPR is better suited to younger kids-esp the pool area. HRH has a fun slide. RP pool has a play area that would not appeal to older kids. Also, HRH is so conveniently located. It is closer to parks and City Walk than RPR.

 

[Motherfletcher]

HRH has under water speakers and a slide in their pool.

 

[Antonia]

Of course, at Universal they encourage pool hopping - so you could always stay at RPR and still swim at HRH.

 

[Aimeedyan]

We enjoyed the RPR better than HR because we wanted a quiet, tranquil exp. RPR was perfect! DH visited the HR pool and wasn't impressed, said it was too crowded, loud, and too many kids =) But with teenagers, I would think they would really LOVE the HR. I know I would have 10 years ago when I was that age... So for their sake, I'd give the extra $40. If the place gets too crazy for you, grab your beachbag and take the ferry to the beautiful RPR pool =)

 

[FeeFeeWhite]

Do the Hard Rock for the kids. You will reap the rewards by them thinking you are so cool for staying there. My son thought I was great.

 

[mrspaha]

Thanks everyone for your replies. I think we will go with the Hard Rock.

You know, sometimes I think I get too wrapped up in the "well we could save $ xx.xx more if we do this or that". But, it is our vacation -- our first time at Universal, maybe one of the last times we'll all be able to get away together, etc. I'm still getting a discounted rate at the HRH -- and it is really convenient to both parks, so we can go back and forth easily to relax and escape the August heat. And I'm sure it will be something they'll remember.

So Hard Rock it is! Thanks again!

 

[bjakmom]

You won't regret a minute of it !!! My DS (15) LOVED, LOVED, LOVED the HRH (he's a musician) - and so did my grown-up kids!!

RPR is beautiful and quiet and I'm staying there again with my little nephew to save some $$ - but in my family the HRH is IT for the big kids!!