Hi guys, I'm back! :( UNIVERSAL STUDIOS, BACKLOT EXPRESS + WPE 11/10

[luke]

Hey Lauren
Glad you had a good time!
We loved SSR too, as well as OKW when we visited. Like Wayne they're definitely the only way we will really stay onsite again if they have offers plus free DDP

We didn't have a real bad experience at RPR but then we were only there for a night, sorry you had such a 'meh' time there

 

[disney_princess_85]

Welcome back - glad you had an amazing time.

Thanks. Can't wait to return!

Hey Lauren
Glad you had a good time!
We loved SSR too, as well as OKW when we visited. Like Wayne they're definitely the only way we will really stay onsite again if they have offers plus free DDP

We didn't have a real bad experience at RPR but then we were only there for a night, sorry you had such a 'meh' time there

Thanks Luke. We were only at RPR for one night too but we expected a lot more, considering we'd booked a Club Level room. There was nothing special about the room/service at all. It was just a (slightly shabby) standard room with sub-standard CL facilities. Even the lounge had an awful view! The one at HRH was much more pleasant. Oh well, you live and learn I suppose.

 

[luke]

Oh dear!
in all honesty, we loved being at Universal, and decided we would definitely stay onsite there again if just for the FOTL and being able to walk to the hotel after the parks!

Sadly we won't be going back for a few years but still

 

[Pegasus928]

So jealous you got picked togo on stage at BMG - thats one of my favourite shows over there and I would love to take part.
Also good to see you had a lot more highs than lows - will you be able to post any pics

 

[Pegasus928]

I've been reading a lot lately about how the free DDP seems to be affecting the level and quality of the service you receive in the restaurant (based - I assume - on the fact that the tip is automatically included).
Would you say that was a factor on your trip?

 

[2Tiggies]

I've been reading a lot lately about how the free DDP seems to be affecting the level and quality of the service you receive in the restaurant (based - I assume - on the fact that the tip is automatically included).

Every year for a couple of years at least, there have been posts during free dining where people report this. I am sure Disney will deny it but last year there were several items taken off of a few quick service menus (the higher end items), only to have them reappear once the public free dining offer had run its course.

I don't think the tip should be a factor because dining plan or no dining plan you tip OOP and the same with the 6 or more policy. Groups of 6 or more have it added to the bill whether on the DDP or not. But then again, who knows I actually wondered whether it was to do with the servers having too much to handle and simply being rushed off their feet and unable to give the level of service they would if they had a respectable number of tables to serve. Again, it's just a guess and not based on anything.

I am very keen to hear Lauren's experiences of both TS and CS from a vegetarian point of view

 

[cantwait!!!!!!!!!!!!]

Glad you had a good time
We loved SSR too, would love to stay there again. Flights too expensive next August as yet though The boat service was great wasnt it, one day we went up to the treehouse villas, back to SSR then to downtown disney which was a nice ride.

We had a lovely meal at Tuttu Italia, think 3 of us had some sort of pasta and my daughter had lasagne (yes I know thats pasta too !) and all were delicious, good service too and I liked the way they sang happy birthday in Italian ! Maybe you just hit an off night.

 

[wayneg]

I've been reading a lot lately about how the free DDP seems to be affecting the level and quality of the service you receive in the restaurant (based - I assume - on the fact that the tip is automatically included).
Would you say that was a factor on your trip?

With the exception of a couple of meals I would say we had as good if not better service everywhere we ate this August. I can only recall 2 meals I didn't leave over 15% with a few in excess of 20%. For a tight, sorry thifty Yorkshireman it has to be good for me to tip those amounts
Next year there could possibly be 6 of us at every meal, we will see if we are treated any different, I would expect the same as they are more certain of their money, parties of 5 and under might not leave anything.

We had a lovely meal at Tuttu Italia, think 3 of us had some sort of pasta and my daughter had lasagne (yes I know thats pasta too !) and all were delicious, good service too and I liked the way they sang happy birthday in Italian ! Maybe you just hit an off night.

We had a lovely meal at TI last year, we really looked forward to going again this August as I saw someone on the table next to us last year have lamb that looked delicious, this year not on the menu. We still had a good meal and we had good company with Rob & family (Fuse04) but I was dissapointed the lamb had gone. Karen & Matt had lasagne both visits, I like something a bit different so went for veal this time. Doubt we will go back next year.

 

[crabbie1]

Glad you had a great time!!

Glad you enjoyed the BMG! I love them, seen them 3 times now (New York, Vegas & Orlando) and my boyfriend got picked for the male part while in Vegas! Very brave of you to go up there!!

Seem to be reading some bad reports about RPR but we had an amazing weeks stay in May! So much so that I don't think we'd go back to Orlando without staying there!

Thanks for the positive review scottie.I was beginning to feel a bit depressed after reading other peoples views on RPR. However I have read more good reports than bad and each to there own.I was told in advance the room size is the same only its in tower 3 and as long as it is clean I am happy. Not expecting the ritz.

 

[luke]

Same here regards service, not that I have any bench Mark as we'd not eaten onsite before, but only had sketchy servers at Crystal Palace (didn't get her 20% especially as I have a problem with that being suggested at a buffet although we left that at Cape May and Boma) and Jiko where she was pretty inattentive

 

[wayneg]

Thanks for the positive review scottie.I was beginning to feel a bit depressed after reading other peoples views on RPR. However I have read more good reports than bad and each to there own.I was told in advance the room size is the same only its in tower 3 and as long as it is clean I am happy. Not expecting the ritz.

Other people love RPR, they can't please everyone. If we listened to every bad review we wouldn't even board a plane.
For us we went from a $45 offsite room to RPR at $200(incl tax/net & parking) and apart from a flat screen TV which we didn't switch on & a few extra pillows on the bed it was no more luxurious and certainly not worth 4 times the price.
Pool water was too warm for our liking, too busy and too shallow. Others probably thought it was great.
We hardly benefit from FOTL, others do.
I am sure you will have a great time.

 

[tinks_1989]

Aw glad you had a great time

sorry you didnt get your room request glad you still enjoyed where you were did you ask again when they told you were your room was?

 

[Tinks1984]

Welcome back home Lauren!

Sounds like you had a fab trip, despite RPR not being up to scratch!

 

[disney_princess_85]

So jealous you got picked togo on stage at BMG - thats one of my favourite shows over there and I would love to take part.
Also good to see you had a lot more highs than lows - will you be able to post any pics

BMG was just fantastic, it definitely lived up to the hype.

As for pics, I'll post some when I finally get round to uploading them!

I've been reading a lot lately about how the free DDP seems to be affecting the level and quality of the service you receive in the restaurant (based - I assume - on the fact that the tip is automatically included).
Would you say that was a factor on your trip?

The tip is only included for large parties of 6+, so the servers we had still had to 'work' for their tip. Based on what I've heard/read, it seems that the quality of both the food and service has dropped since free DDP was introduced.

I am very keen to hear Lauren's experiences of both TS and CS from a vegetarian point of view

Most of our meals were good-very good. We only had a few bad-average meals, thankfully. I will go into more detail when I can upload some pics.

Glad you had a good time
We loved SSR too, would love to stay there again. Flights too expensive next August as yet though The boat service was great wasnt it, one day we went up to the treehouse villas, back to SSR then to downtown disney which was a nice ride.

Yes, the boat is a lovely perk.

We had a lovely meal at Tuttu Italia, think 3 of us had some sort of pasta and my daughter had lasagne (yes I know thats pasta too !) and all were delicious, good service too and I liked the way they sang happy birthday in Italian ! Maybe you just hit an off night.

We had a lovely meal at TI last year, we really looked forward to going again this August as I saw someone on the table next to us last year have lamb that looked delicious, this year not on the menu. We still had a good meal and we had good company with Rob & family (Fuse04) but I was dissapointed the lamb had gone. Karen & Matt had lasagne both visits, I like something a bit different so went for veal this time. Doubt we will go back next year.

I really enjoyed Tutto Italia last year so it's a shame it didn't live up to expectations this time around. DBF's meal was fine by the way, it was just mine that was awful! Sometimes it seems like they don't know what to do with vegetarians (not TI in particular, just in general). Wayne, I'd noticed that the menu had shrunk considerably since last year. Very disappointing.

Thanks for the positive review scottie.I was beginning to feel a bit depressed after reading other peoples views on RPR. However I have read more good reports than bad and each to there own.I was told in advance the room size is the same only its in tower 3 and as long as it is clean I am happy. Not expecting the ritz.

It's not about 'expecting The Ritz', it's about expecting value for money. In my opinion, RPR Club Level isn't value for money. You may have a different experience- hopefully you will!

Other people love RPR, they can't please everyone. If we listened to every bad review we wouldn't even board a plane.
For us we went from a $45 offsite room to RPR at $200(incl tax/net & parking) and apart from a flat screen TV which we didn't switch on & a few extra pillows on the bed it was no more luxurious and certainly not worth 4 times the price.
Pool water was too warm for our liking, too busy and too shallow. Others probably thought it was great.
We hardly benefit from FOTL, others do.
I am sure you will have a great time.

Exactly.

Aw glad you had a great time

sorry you didnt get your room request glad you still enjoyed where you were did you ask again when they told you were your room was?

Thanks Leanne. I didn't ask again because I thought I'd just wait and see. I'm glad because it really was the ideal location!

Welcome back home Lauren!

Sounds like you had a fab trip, despite RPR not being up to scratch!

Thanks Rachel.

 

[Cyrano]

Welcome home Lauren. Sounds like you had a wonderful time.

We loved Hard Rock Hotel but SIL was similarly underwhelmed with RPR.

 

[Netty]

Glad you had a lovely holiday Lauren

 

[izzie-wizzie]

Sounds like a fun trip, I hope you get a chance to do a trip report

Tune In Lounge is a must do for me next time were back at WDW, it sounds so cool and i had no idea it even existed til recently!!

 

[TCO]

Glad you had a good un.

We must have got lucky with RPR last year as it was awesome, our room had a perfect view of IOA and was spacious, will defo go back again.

Never heard of Tune in before but will look into it now ta

 

[Linda67]

Welcome home

So happy to hear you had a wonderful trip (never in doubt really)

Sorry that the Royal Pacific wasn't so great

When are you planning your next trip for?

 

[disney_princess_85]

Welcome home Lauren. Sounds like you had a wonderful time.

We loved Hard Rock Hotel but SIL was similarly underwhelmed with RPR.

Thanks Reid. HRH is much nicer than RPR.

Happy birthday!!

Glad you had a lovely holiday Lauren

Thanks Jeanette.

Sounds like a fun trip, I hope you get a chance to do a trip report

Tune In Lounge is a must do for me next time were back at WDW, it sounds so cool and i had no idea it even existed til recently!!

Yeah, it was awesome. I have a major case of the post-Disney blues though.

You should definitely visit the Tune In Lounge, it's so much fun!

Glad you had a good un.

We must have got lucky with RPR last year as it was awesome, our room had a perfect view of IOA and was spacious, will defo go back again.

Never heard of Tune in before but will look into it now ta

Thanks. It's just the luck of the draw I suppose! I hope it's good for you next time you visit.

The Tune In Lounge is well worth looking into.

Welcome home

So happy to hear you had a wonderful trip (never in doubt really)

Sorry that the Royal Pacific wasn't so great

When are you planning your next trip for?

Thanks Linda. We're planning to go next September for 17/18 nights. The preliminary plan is: one or two nights onsite, a four-night cruise and 12 nights at OKW.