I forgot how much I LOVE UNIVERSAL!

[lookingforward]

Hi all.
We just got back from four days at the Hard Rock Hotel and Universal. We had such an amazing time, it was a great vacation.

Highpoints:

* The hotel is beautiful. We have been staying there since it opened (literally) and the renovation has really brought new life into her. The staff was very friendly while still being edgy, the vibe has not worn out. We had a corner room which made it a bit smaller than normal but it was ready at check in at 10 a.m. so I can't complain.

* Day by the pool: We rented Cabana 6 and it worked out great. I would have loved a beach side cabana but they were sold out. Great cabana service and the food is really wonderful (although expensive). Really relaxing and the entire pool staff was really wonderful with the kids.

* FOOD: Mythos was amazing as usual although I think it has caught on with everyone..there was an hour wait. I had my usual shrimp tempura appetizer. While waiting this women complained to me that our fellow americans were all fat and scary to look at. Can you believe it? She wanted me to agree with her and make fun of people. I wanted to ask her who died and made her God but she noticed my icey glare and walked away. She ALMOST ruined my day. So superior, what an idiot. Citywalk was fun too, great food at Bob Marleys and relatively inexpensive. Bubba Gumps was underwhelming, not anything special in my book.

The KITCHEN was super expensive but had wonderful food and wonderful service for dinner. Loved it.

Room service at the HRH is good too. Fast, fresh and restuarant quality.

A FEW COMMENTS:

The parks were very crowded and they were selling express passes like they were going out of style. The express line was shorter but not as short as I am used to. We still waited 30 minutes for rides, etc. but the regular line was 90 minutes. YIKES!

Priority dining is a JOKE. The restuarants were so crowded. When I showed my room card they literally rolled their eyes and one women (at Finnegans) said "yea..I'll mark your name "PRIOIRITY" but it will still be an hour wait". OKAY???? THe people they have at the "dining reservations" booths don't know anything. The guy at IOA told me that NBA is the only place that does NOT take reservations. I had just called each restaurant and it was actually the only one to take a ressie. The guy at the booth said "yea, well if he took your reservation he was lying, did you get his name? they won't have it when you get there, I promise ya". OKAY. THey did have it when we arrived. It was fine.

Ellen was there when we were and she stayed at the Portofino. Wish I had a chance to see her.

Finally,

we took the Adventure Express tour at Seaworld and it was so much fun. Well worth the money, seaworld was PACKED. Had a great time and we thought the park was worthy of repeat visits.

Any questions!?

 

[BEZ]

I hope those crowds were due to Ellen. How is the slide at the pool?

 

[lookingforward]

I wish I could say that the crowds were due to Ellen and I am sure SOME of them were, but the hotel staff said they have been running at 100% occupancy due to conferences and spring breaks, etc. The hotel itself was fine, but the parks were nuts. The most crowded I have ever seen them.

 

[DVC@BWV]

I sent you a PM regarding the Adventure Express tour.

 

[DVC@BWV]

I sent you another PM - thanks!

 

[JMCDAD]

Thanks for the info we will be staying at the HRH for the first time in July
Do you think it will be this crowded then, I hope not
Any other info is much appreciated
Thx

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Priority dining is a JOKE. The restuarants were so crowded. When I showed my room card they literally rolled their eyes and one women (at Finnegans) said "yea..I'll mark your name "PRIOIRITY" but it will still be an hour wait". OKAY???? THe people they have at the "dining reservations" booths don't know anything. The guy at IOA told me that NBA is the only place that does NOT take reservations. I had just called each restaurant and it was actually the only one to take a ressie. The guy at the booth said "yea, well if he took your reservation he was lying, did you get his name? they won't have it when you get there, I promise ya". OKAY. THey did have it when we arrived. It was fine.

I'm glad you enjoyed your stay. We love HRH too! The above statement I highlighted is exactly why I always encourage people on here to make reservations instead of flashing their room key. I know most people don't agree with me, but when the hotels are at capacity, that's a lot of people with room keys. We never go without reservations. You're correct about a lack of knowledge of the TM's where dining is concerned. UO is a more laidback place to visit than WDW, & I think they're more used to people going with the flow. We once had the concierge at HRH tell my DH that he couldn't make us a reservation at Mythos. At 1st, he said he couldn't get through. Then, they supposedly wouldn't allow him to book it. My DH came back to our room & told me what the concierge said. I picked up my cell phone & had a reservation in a matter of minutes. We should have just done that to begin with.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Thanks for the info we will be staying at the HRH for the first time in July
Do you think it will be this crowded then, I hope not
Any other info is much appreciated
Thx

We almost always go in July, & stay onsite. We never wait in line more than 10 min. or so. The only negative to going that time of year is the heat (we're FL residents, so it doesn't bother us), & the thunderstorms, which often result in the dive-in movie being cancelled.

As I mentioned above, I always suggest to those who are going at busier times should make a reservation instead of depending on receiving priority seating with your room key. That's a personal choice though. We don't mind sticking to a schedule, if it means we don't have a long wait to eat.

 

[JMCDAD]

Thanks Tarheel, I feel a little better now, I am so looking forward to FOTL, as I am hoping it will help with one of the issues you mentioned, the heat

 

[Fan2CSkr]

I'm glad you enjoyed your stay. We love HRH too! The above statement I highlighted is exactly why I always encourage people on here to make reservations instead of flashing their room key. I know most people don't agree with me, but when the hotels are at capacity, that's a lot of people with room keys. We never go without reservations. You're correct about a lack of knowledge of the TM's where dining is concerned. UO is a more laidback place to visit than WDW, & I think they're more used to people going with the flow. We once had the concierge at HRH tell my DH that he couldn't make us a reservation at Mythos. At 1st, he said he couldn't get through. Then, they supposedly wouldn't allow him to book it. My DH came back to our room & told me what the concierge said. I picked up my cell phone & had a reservation in a matter of minutes. We should have just done that to begin with.

When we were there in Feb. We tried to get into Margaritaville one night. It was a 2 hour wait! We showed the key and the girl had a hissy fit. She said they really have to stop telling you that this is going to do anything at the hotel! She further said that Margaritaville had NOTHING to do with that program and that they were there own entity. My husband showed her the print that stated otherwise and she still said it didnt matter. Normally I would get into it with them but I figured what was the purpose we would still have over an hour wait so we left.

When we returned home I wrote a letter but never received a reply. I totally agree with you, when it is peak season you better have a plan if you are set on eating at a specific place at a specific time.

 

[Eeyore's Tailfinder]

I wasn't aware that you needed reservations at busier times in CityWalk - we'd like to eat at Bubba Gump and Pastamore whilst there, when would we need to make reservations for these?

 

[tlinus]

I wasn't aware that you needed reservations at busier times in CityWalk - we'd like to eat at Bubba Gump and Pastamore whilst there, when would we need to make reservations for these?

I think it is 2-4 weeks ahead.......but don't quote me on that one.

 

[bubba's mom]

Bubba Gump does not accept ADR's.....Pastamore I dunno? (never ate there)

 

[Fan2CSkr]

I think many CW restaurants dont offer advance reservations. Found this on Margaritaville's website.

PRIORITY SEATING
Priority seating is offered as an alternative to reservations. Please call 407-224-2155 for information and availability.

You can call this number to ask about reservation for all the city walk restaurants except Emerils. 407-224-FOOD