Help! Sheraton Vistana v Royal Pacific or Hard Rock for 1 week

[magicmouse2]

There will be 2 adults , 3 kids age 13, 7 , 6. Splitting the stay is not an option as we are already doing this with the first part of our vacation at WDW.

We have a rental car, so transport is not a problem. We have 1 week to do Universal so time is not a problem.

I know the front of line express is a real bonus, but cramping 5 of us in one room seems

Would it be worth staying onsite with all of us in 1 room or is the Vistana the best choice ?

 

[spiceycat]

depends upon what you want - room - then the Vistana - but easy access to IOA - Royal Pacific or US - Hard rock

I just loved being able to walk over to IOA.

and with your kids ages - they can walk over - of course - if you don't feel like going but they do - staying at a hotel that they walk over - might be a bad ideal.

besides if you don't stay at a US hotel - the walk from the parking lot to the theme parks is a 1/2 mile - very long..... After you going to feel like during that at least twice a day (there and back) - if not more.

besides I love any 4 star hotels that allows PETS!!!!

 

[JenDaveBrendan]

We just came back from the Vistana and loved it---- you will have plenty of room and it is a lovely resort, and there is a lot to do there. The kids will love the 7 pools. There are childrens pools and also the kids can rent rafts. We did not take our son with us, but I would take him in a second, since it is very kid friendly. Since you have a car, I really don't see the problem of just parking and going into the parks. It is more of a walk to get into Universal, but I think having the room and ammenities at the Vistana outweighs that. I personally would choose the Vistana.
Good luck!

Jen

 

[hercamore]

Hi,

If this is your second week of vacaation, I'd go with the more spacious units, which has kitchen and w/d.

You could also do Vistana Villages which are midway between USF and Disney.

herc.

 

[Robinrs]

Now you've got me, these are my favorite resorts!

I assume you mean Vistana Resort, which is a bit far from Universal. The Villages are much closer. I agree with the other posters, space is a BIG issue for me. But convenience and locale are also big considerations. What time of year are you going? If it's during high season, Universal express pays for itself! If not, that jacuzzi at Vistana can bubble away any commute!

Let us know what you choose!

 

[magicmouse2]

Thanks for help everyone. We will be doing Universal from April 28-May 5. The vistana resort is much cheaper on expedia than the villages, which is why I picked that resort
Does anyone know how big the Hard Rock rooms are ?
Are they about the same size as the Grand Floridian rooms at WDW ?

 

[Robinrs]

Originally posted by magicmouse2

Does anyone know how big the Hard Rock rooms are ?
Are they about the same size as the Grand Floridian rooms at WDW ?

For a great comparison of the Universal hotels, CLICK HERE. I don't know the size of the GF rooms but I'm sure you can find out on the Disney Resorts board.

 

[jdm]

We stayed at the Vistana and loved it. If you have a whole week to see Universal then it's really not critical that you have front of the line access. We stayed at Hard Rock for 2 nights last year. after our condo stay. There were 4 of us in a pool view (not deluxe) room and felt extremely cramped. I couldn't imagine it for a week with 5 people. Maybe a deluxe room would be a little larger? We stayed in a deluxe room at The Portifino and it was much bigger than the room we had at the Hard Rock. Although the location was certainly convenient with the water taxi etc. I felt the resort was over rated. The pool is pretty shallow (3 1/2) feet deep all the way through-- although the slide was fun. Any kind of convenience food for the morning was extrememly expensive which you might want to consider with a family of 5. With the condo, you'd have a full kitchen. Even with the close location of the Hard Rock, I don't think I'd let a 13 year old take a 6 & 7 year old over by themselves, so I wouldn't consider that a perk...... Good luck with your decision!

Jenn

 

[magicmouse2]

Thanks for that jdm. Head says go for Vistana, Heart says try Hard Rock or Royal Pacific. Left to my husband to decide, he would go for the Vistana out of the two. He likes having spacious accomodation and doesnt do pools unlike the Kids and I. Looks like it may be the Vistana.

 

[magicmouse2]

When I checked the website it says there are no non smoking rooms available during our stay (vistana) are all or most of their rooms smoking rooms ?

 

[JenDaveBrendan]

All of the Vistana's rooms are smoking rooms, however when we were just there, we could not smell any smoke or anything in there. There is a patio outside every room, so I am sure a lot of smokers use that.

Jen

 

[jdm]

Same with us, hubby smoked then (since quit:~) but only did so out on the patio. We had very spacious accomodations and if your husband doesn't like swimming...... I'd go with the Vistana.