I Never thought I'd do this...

[pluto's fan]

Originally I was booked at POFQ for 14 nights. (Aug.29-Sept.12).
I started thinking that for my Honeymoon I would like to do something slightly different. So I decided to book 4 nights at Universal's Royal Pacific Resort then move on to Disney for the remaining 10 nights. I got a nice CM that was able to change my online ressies for my room and she was also able to change my ressies for the Luau from the 31st to the 2nd with no problems. I asked about AP discounts (doesnt hurt to try lol) but she said nothing yet but to keep checking back.
I have never stayed at a Universal resort before (although I go to the parks every time I'm in FL.) A big draw for me was that I don't have to put out money for tix (stay 4, play free), I dont have to wait on lines and I dont have to put out money for transportation to and from Universal Studios and Sea World. I hope its a nice hotel and for those of you who have done this type of split before I can use any tips or help you can give me...BTW its my honey's first time ever to Fl.
Thanks

 

[FINFAN]

The RPR is gorgeous! I don't think you have done anything you will regret at all! Except maybe experiencing FOTL first, and then fastpass.. it is very cool to have that perk at US/IOA. The RPR is considered a "value" level resort for Loews, but it is by far a delux in my book! The grounds are so lush and the wood carving throughout the lobby/rooms...the pool is HUGE...again, doing that part first may make a moderate pale in comparison. There is a nightly act with a South Pacific fire dancer by the pool, and a luau dinner is also available, you will need reservations for the dinner That said....the atmosphere at WDW to me is a little calmer, more relaxing... you have an awesome trip planned! Also, even tho you are staying at RPR you have swimming pool priveledges at HRH and PB as well. Just boat on over. The walk to Margaritaville(my personal fav @ Citywalk) from RPR is very nice if you dont' want to wait for a boat. I found the restaurants a bit pricey at RPR tho, so we ended up eating over at Citywalk a lot. We are a family of 4 so meals added up quickly. The parking is a bit far if you have a car and you do not choose to accept valet...and at $7 a day and not really needing your car to get around, I'd avoid it. You are showing your Honey a great trip and 2 wonderful resorts/parks. Be sure to take some down time just to explore the beautiful hotels and surroundings. Just one other thing, I believe the first floor is the one for "pet friendly" guests....I have allergies and we were fine on the first floor, building 1, but you may want to keep it in mind.
Have a GREAT time, we were there(RPR) 2 weeks after it opened in July of '02. Turned 40 there. Also, go to the Loews website and become a member, you will recieve a compimentary gift at check-in, and your stays add up towards free one.

Hope this helps,

Pam

 

[pluto's fan]

Thank You so much, FINFAN!!

You made me even more anxious about going. I can't wait to eat at Margaritaville. Thanks for the heads up about the pricey rest. at the resort. Well prob. eat at City Walk as well! After a trip to the universal boards this morning, I signed up to become a member of Loews! Im sure staying on site at Universal will become a part of my WDW/universal/IoA traditions!

 

[castlehappy]

I 2nd the vote for Margaritaville. It is a must, and once you try it, you will keep going back. Everytime we go to Disney, my family knows we have to go over to Margaritaville, I just love it. The food is incredible! and the margarita's aren't so bad either
We have never stayed with Universal, however, this next trip we are going to stay at RPR as well. I can't wait

 

[earthless]

Dumb question..

If I stay two nights at the RPR, do we automatically get the FOTL and do we need to buy additional entrance tickets for US/IOA??

I have never been there, so please have mercy!

 

[FINFAN]

Hi earthless, welcome to the DIS (I'm in Chicago too )no question is dumb...you only need to stay 1 night at an on-site(Loews) hotel for FOTL privledges. From the time you CHECK IN until park closing on the day you check-out, you are valid for FOTL. At least that is how it was in 2002. We even kept our room at WDW one year and checked in for 1 night at RPR just to have FOTL. Of course, I had a great rate of $99 at RPR, so it was worth it to me, and was only paying $55 for our room at ASMU over at WDW. You will still need to purchase park tix(unless the resort is offering a special deal)but go over to the Universal site, they have been offering the 5 day pass for $95 (adult) for several years now. The days do expire tho, but if you are planning on attending 2 or more days it is a pretty nice deal. We used all 5 days in '02 and did not see all we wanted...mostly shows at US, but I can't even imagine w/out FOTL.
Enjoy your trip, get an Entertainment book, and try and get that rate at RPR.
pluto's fan: Happy to help...not that eating out is VER cheap...jsut a bit lower than the RPR, and more variety. Do not wait 'till you are starving tho, as the walk is 10 minutes plus seating time etc. I would also call ahead to Margaritaville B4 you leave hotel and see if you can add your name to wait list. Enjoy!

Pam

 

[FINFAN]

You may also want to head over to the Universal Boards page...there is a wealth of info over there.

 

[earthless]

Thank you so much for the info!!

 

[WDW LifeLong Fan]

On the trips that we will be visiting Universal, we always stay 3-4 nights at Hard Rock or Royal Pacific before the 7-10 days at Disney.

The resorts are beautiful & convienent, however, more importantly you get the front of the line access with your room key!

Have Fun!

 

[momstheword12]

Hi, we are in a similar boat. Just doing Universal 2nd. We stayed at Royal Pacific a couple of years ago and had a great time. The amenities, the room, the FOTL will really make you feel spoiled and pampered. We are going to try Portofino Bay this time. We'll be coming from POP, the value resort to PB and the luxury. I can't wait.

Go to the NBA restaurant. I had no desire to go there at all but it was recommended to us so we tried it. We wound up eating there three times that week. Everything we had was good. Try the Cinnamon Strawberries for dessert - the description doesn't sound terrific, but it is a must try.

I too also enjoy Jimmy Buffet's. The music is so relaxing, I like to go there for lunch for a little mommy calm down time.

Enjoy, Enjoy

 

[FINFAN]

AAAACCCKK!!! Justt saw my post said walk is 110 minutes! YIIIKES! That's 10 ten...minutes...man, my typing.. sorry!

Pam

 

[EmmasGrammy]

Just wanted to pop in with some advise for your Universal stay. We stayed at the Hard Rock Hotel and every evening they had a "Dive- In Movie" ( I did not misspell dive-in). They have a JUMBO screen at the pool complex and they show a movie while you are splashing around in the pool. It was really cool.

 

[MOMTOMOOTOO]

Another fan of the universal hotels. But I absolutely would do it at the end of a disney trip. Nothing beats FOTL. And I would think fastpass would be a huge disappointment after the FOTL.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[Disney Debbie]

We've stayed at RPR & HRH and loved them both. For a so-called "value" resort the RPR is absolutely breathtaking IMO.

And you probably will wish you'd done them in reverse after having FOTL! I don't "mix" my trips just because of that!

 

[dylcon]

And if you or your kids *don't* like loud music...stay away from the Hard Rock Restaurant...it's a loud "party atmosphere..." lotsa fun, but you almost hafta yell to yer tablemates to be heard.

My boys loved getting into the big conga line in the middle of dinner!

I second the NBA Restaurant...it was really good!

 

[professorandmom]

I second, third and fourth everyone's review of RPH - stayed last July, then went to disney - learned everything I needed from the Universal boards! (make sure you sign up for the Loews preferred club (free and easy but takes awhile) you get wine or cookies in the room (and a room upgrade if available)- AWESOME). FOTL is nothing like fast pass...also AWESOME

Unlike disney, you can use any pool in the Universal hotel system (and you are connected to them by boat) so make sure you try them all!

Have a great time
Barb

 

[earthless]

I just booked at the RPH for two nights. That will be after five at CSR. I am so excited!!!!!!

 

[pluto's fan]

Wow, Thanks everybody for the great advice. Im looking forward to FOTL but it wont spoil me too much because I dont really do fastpass at Disney. (im prob. the only one lol)

Oh and Fin Fan iwas going to ask you about the 110 min. walk LOL

momstheword12, Im gonna put the NBA rest. on my list.