I need some advice from you Universal fans.

[disneyfan67]

I'm kind of in a bind here and would appreciate some advice. Let me fill you in on my story and see what you all have to say. My family and I are going to Disney in July and are part of a great group rate at the Polynesian that just was too good to pass up. I love Disney and anyone who has ever read my posts on the resort board, knows I'm a fan of the Polynesian as well. Having said that lets get to the meat of my problem.

I was able to get some great, cheap airfare going to MCO, but the catch was I had to leave two days earlier than I originally planned. No big deal and I could use the extra two days. The group rate at the Poly doesn't start until Saturday the 28th and I'm arriving July 26th at 1:30 pm and I'll have almost 2 days to kill. Going to Universal has been in the back of my mind for a couple of years now and I really want to see it. I almost did it last year, but I had to cancel my trip. So here is a few questions I'm asking.


I'm thinking of booking the Hard Rock for July 26th to the 28th and I will probably be checking in around 2:30 or so. Will it be worth it just for a day and a half?

Do you think after checking in on Thursday that there will be enough time to go to one of the parks for a few hours?

Or should I just pick one park for Friday and just relax at the pool on Thursday? Do you think I would be pushing it trying to see Islands of Adventure on Thursday? My family and I aren't into Roller coasters and would probably just like to get a glimpse at that park. I'm really thinking of just relaxing at the resort Thursday and enjoy the great looking pool Hard Rock has to offer.

I know a day and half isn't much time but with the schedule and time restraints we have, this my only shot to do it in. I know I have asked a lot of questions and I appreciate any time you take to help me out.

 

[lindalinda]

Absolutely, you will have time to see lots of the park even checking in at 2:30. Its summer, so the park will be open at least til 8pm, and you will have FOTL express with your hotel room key. You might not see every little thing, but you can see lots. Remember to relax and look around, you dont have to stress when you have FOTL!

 

[disneyfan67]

I've been on the phone with Loews and they transferred me to the Universal desk. I got a quote on the HRH for just a garden view and it was $289 per night, no AAA rate was available. On a whim I asked about the cost of a room at the RPH and there was a AAA rate available at $191.00 a night, so I booked that instead. I guess I'll be going with a tropical theme on this vacation, 2 nights at the RPH and a week at the Polynesian. I guess it was meant to be because I got a good rate at both hotels.

I'm still going to check out the pool at the HRH because it looks so cool and I think the Thursday will be a day at the pool. I will play it by ear though and see if the wife and kids are up to a quick trip at IOA after traveling all morning.

 

[damo]

Have fun! Adding a few days at Universal is a great idea. With FOTL, you will get to see mostly everything.

 

[bubba's mom]

the parks will be open later than 8pm the end of June (that's when we'll be there) and staying onsite you will have unlimited EP (= fastpass) to everything....you may be surprised how much you actually do see/do!!! let us know if you're definately going to be there then....we're putting together a "mini-DIS meet" at Universal sometime that week.....(we'd keep you in the "loop" if you'll be there)

 

[disneyfan67]

the parks will be open later than 8pm the end of June (that's when we'll be there) and staying onsite you will have unlimited EP (= fastpass) to everything....you may be surprised how much you actually do see/do!!! let us know if you're definately going to be there then....we're putting together a "mini-DIS meet" at Universal sometime that week.....(we'd keep you in the "loop" if you'll be there)

Thank you very much for your kind offer and if any of you are there on my dates (7/26 to 7/28), I would be more than glad to meet fellow Dis'ers.

I have always wanted to check out Universal Studios and the onsite resorts have me curious. I was kind of disapointed that HRH didn't have any AAA discounts, but was happy that RPH had some and the price is something I can live with. I've done a bunch of research and tours of the resorts and I can't wait to check in. I found a lot of pictures and info, just from these boards.

I'm a Disney fanatic to my core, but if this trip works out good, Ill be adding it to my schedule everytime I go visit the mouse.

 

[bubba's mom]

HRH is popular....they just sold out of rooms at the AAA rate by the time you checked....they are usually the first "discount" rates out and they come out early..... summer usually gets "scarfed up" pretty quick. I'm sure you'll be planning more trips to UO. Just do NOT compare it to Disney....rate it by itself! (a lot of Disney people "compare" the two, and ya just can't do that)
Have a fun trip!

 

[bjakmom]

Don't forget to sign up for Loews First (if you're not already a member?): http://www.loews-first.com/Loewsfirst.asp - then call and make sure they have your loews first # on the reservation. At the least you will get to choose a welcome gift with the AAA rate - and you just might get an upgrade to pool view if you are lucky
I agree that you can do quite a bit in an evening with FOTL - so if you're not too tired from travelling, have some fun that first night - or rest at the pool for a few hours and then head over!
PS: we are a disneyloving family, too, but a few days at USF on either end of our trips has become the norm - so much so that when I suggested we stay at WDW for the final weekend this fall, the kids all said "what, no Mummy?, no Hulk? . . . NO WAY!!"

 

[robvia]

The parks actually stay open until 10pm from July thru the first 3 weeks of August. You'd be surprised at how much you can see in a few hours. Most attractions are different from Disney, in that they don't have a long pre-show that takes 30 minutes. After you check in and settle into your room, you'll have about 6 hours of time if you get to a park at 4pm. This is plenty of time to take a thrill ride tour at IOA then walk over to USF and watch the Aero 360 (fireworks) show in the lagoon which happens at 10pm.

Most people have this idea they need an entire day to have fun, but that's not true. I've visited many times for a couple hours and done most of the rides.

The shows and movie attractions at USF take longer because there is a pre show for them. But for IOA, you can take a lap in 3-4 hours easily.

The PBH is amazing and actually the better choice because the rooms are bigger and the bathroom is huge. The HRH costs more because it is closer to the parks. Here's my PBH page from last year.
Portofino Bay Hotel
When you check in, ask for a West Wing room because they are closer to the pool and boat dock.

 

[disneyfan67]

The parks actually stay open until 10pm from July thru the first 3 weeks of August. You'd be surprised at how much you can see in a few hours. Most attractions are different from Disney, in that they don't have a long pre-show that takes 30 minutes. After you check in and settle into your room, you'll have about 6 hours of time if you get to a park at 4pm. This is plenty of time to take a thrill ride tour at IOA then walk over to USF and watch the Aero 360 (fireworks) show in the lagoon which happens at 10pm.

Most people have this idea they need an entire day to have fun, but that's not true. I've visited many times for a couple hours and done most of the rides.

The shows and movie attractions at USF take longer because there is a pre show for them. But for IOA, you can take a lap in 3-4 hours easily.

The PBH is amazing and actually the better choice because the rooms are bigger and the bathroom is huge. The HRH costs more because it is closer to the parks. Here's my PBH page from last year.
Portofino Bay Hotel
When you check in, ask for a West Wing room because they are closer to the pool and boat dock.

First off, all of you Universal (fans) people who have responded, thank you for helping out. You people are beyond nice and a credit to this board. More members on this board should be this way.


Robvia, thank you for your great pictures and that dog of yours is living the life. My wife and I just laughed at the pictures of your dog in the bed sleeping. Very cool, indeed.