I think we are officially done with Disney!!

[Planogirl]

The walk from RPR is easy IMO and the boat ride is a nice alternative if the feet don't wanna go any more. I do think that the Loew's hotels are nicer than any of the Disney hotels (even my beloved AKL) but to each their own.

 

[Albytaps]

The walk from RPR is easy IMO and the boat ride is a nice alternative if the feet don't wanna go any more. I do think that the Loew's hotels are nicer than any of the Disney hotels (even my beloved AKL) but to each their own.

That's a fair comment about the hotels, but to blow them away is extreme.

WL (btw WL is awesome) has a boat ride to MK though so there's an alternative. CR, Poly, and GF have monorails (which can connect to MK and Epcot.) Not like you guys don't know this stuff already....

The walk from RPR to IOA is about 10-15mins (with kids at least.) The boat ride is nice if you want to wait for it. At rope drop we chose to walk over.

 

[damo]

That's a fair comment about the hotels, but to blow them away is extreme.

WL (btw WL is awesome) has a boat ride to MK though so there's an alternative. CR, Poly, and GF have monorails (which can connect to MK and Epcot.) Not like you guys don't know this stuff already....

The walk from RPR to IOA is about 10-15mins (with kids at least.) The boat ride is nice if you want to wait for it. At rope drop we chose to walk over.

When we stayed at WL, our room was absolutely awful. The walls were all marked, the carpet was coming up in several places so that you would trip over it coming out of the washroom and the room was so dark as it was bottom level facing the pool. Not to mention that it was $300/night. All of the Loews hotels blow WL away. I wouldn't say that they blow away Beach/Yacht Club and Grand Floridian but they are definitely on par with a slight edge.

 

[phamton]

The walk from RPR to IOA is about 10-15mins (with kids at least.) The boat ride is nice if you want to wait for it. At rope drop we chose to walk over.

The walk from the Hard Rock Hotel to the Studios is 5 minutes or less. They are right next door.

 

[SmallWorld71]

Personally, I think a lot of things factor into how much someone likes a hotel and that it can be difficult to do a cross comparison.
Newness is one: I was fortunate enough to stay at the Boardwalk Inn when it was still a brand new hotel. It was gorgeous and everything was in tip top shape. To me, that hotel has blown all others out of the water. But, I know it has aged and there have been plenty of concerns over the years. None of it was a problem when I went though.

Personality of the guest is another: We stayed at HRH in August and loved it! The theming suited our family perfectly. On the other hand, the theming at POR was just not us. Everything about the resort was wonderful, we just didn't care for the theming and will likely not return unless we need a room for 5 and can't afford another option.

On another note: What I really wish is that we could customize our own vacations across the Orlando Theme Parks without spending an arm and a leg.
To me, the perfect week long trip would include:
2 days at Epcot, 1 day at MK, 1 day at Universal Studios, 1 day at IOA, 1 day at SW and 1 day at Discovery Cove

I could never afford it, though

 

[kellymonaghan]

Nope, from RPR to IOA. Looks close on paper... but it's long.

And I loved RPR. It was a great hotel and don't want to take anything away from it. But people here are making it sound like Disney hotels are made of turds and popsicle sticks.

When in fact they're made of Magic Mouse Poo!

 

[Albytaps]

Personally, I think a lot of things factor into how much someone likes a hotel and that it can be difficult to do a cross comparison.
Newness is one: I was fortunate enough to stay at the Boardwalk Inn when it was still a brand new hotel. It was gorgeous and everything was in tip top shape. To me, that hotel has blown all others out of the water. But, I know it has aged and there have been plenty of concerns over the years. None of it was a problem when I went though.

Personality of the guest is another: We stayed at HRH in August and loved it! The theming suited our family perfectly. On the other hand, the theming at POR was just not us. Everything about the resort was wonderful, we just didn't care for the theming and will likely not return unless we need a room for 5 and can't afford another option.

On another note: What I really wish is that we could customize our own vacations across the Orlando Theme Parks without spending an arm and a leg.
To me, the perfect week long trip would include:
2 days at Epcot, 1 day at MK, 1 day at Universal Studios, 1 day at IOA, 1 day at SW and 1 day at Discovery Cove

I could never afford it, though

All good points.

 

[Snape]

When we stayed at WL, our room was absolutely awful. The walls were all marked, the carpet was coming up in several places so that you would trip over it coming out of the washroom and the room was so dark as it was bottom level facing the pool. Not to mention that it was $300/night. All of the Loews hotels blow WL away. I wouldn't say that they blow away Beach/Yacht Club and Grand Floridian but they are definitely on par with a slight edge.

Another poor review of a Disney resort. I posted one on the Disney resorts board and the pack of Disney sniffing wolves came out of hiding. That's what I get for trying to help a poster asking an honest question about the quality of Port orleans resort.

I agree that the Universal resorts are better than anything Disney has currently.

 

[Planogirl]

Another poor review of a Disney resort. I posted one on the Disney resorts board and the pack of Disney sniffing wolves came out of hiding. That's what I get for trying to help a poster asking an honest question about the quality of Port orleans resort.

I agree that the Universal resorts are better than anything Disney has currently.

I saw that. In my case I said that I personally hadn't seen that and that I'd seen photos of tacky rooms at all of the resorts. I feel lucky that I haven't seen it because I don't doubt you!

 

[SanFranciscan]

Personally, I think a lot of things factor into how much someone likes a hotel and that it can be difficult to do a cross comparison.
Newness is one: I was fortunate enough to stay at the Boardwalk Inn when it was still a brand new hotel. It was gorgeous and everything was in tip top shape. To me, that hotel has blown all others out of the water. But, I know it has aged and there have been plenty of concerns over the years. None of it was a problem when I went though.

Personality of the guest is another: We stayed at HRH in August and loved it! The theming suited our family perfectly. On the other hand, the theming at POR was just not us. Everything about the resort was wonderful, we just didn't care for the theming and will likely not return unless we need a room for 5 and can't afford another option.

On another note: What I really wish is that we could customize our own vacations across the Orlando Theme Parks without spending an arm and a leg.
To me, the perfect week long trip would include:
2 days at Epcot, 1 day at MK, 1 day at Universal Studios, 1 day at IOA, 1 day at SW and 1 day at Discovery Cove

I could never afford it, though

Except that my husband and I did like Port Orleans and went there three times to eat and gawk, I really like the way you think.

Disneyland has worked out a pass deal with the San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park and something else, which I can't remember. I understand that all theme parks want to turn a profit and stay in business, but to see any of them getting catty about it is a real turnoff.

Yet even I was amused to read a critique by other Disney fans in which Port Orleans was referred to as New Orleans on Lysol so I completely understand why it might not be your thing.

 

[Snape]

I saw that. In my case I said that I personally hadn't seen that and that I'd seen photos of tacky rooms at all of the resorts. I feel lucky that I haven't seen it because I don't doubt you!

I'll know better next time. I just happened to be reading some recent reviews because with the discounts Disney has running I considered staying in a moderate. That particular one stuck in my memory (it was from this August and it was really awful). I saw another from the Poly, but I think I'll keep that one to myself.

 

[bookgirl2632]

For me, it's not a contest. I like both, though I think I'll always like Disney a little more. For my tastes, Disney has more to offer. The chief reason we went to Universal was for Harry Potter. And that will be the chief reason we ever return. I liked the rest of what Universal had to offer and I'm glad I have the option of something different in Orlando. HRH was fantastic, and yes, it is better than any hotel I've stayed in at Disney. Then again, I've only stayed Moderate at Disney so it's really no comparison.

I like both and I'm glad that I can say that. More options for me!!

 

[theSurlyMermaid]

Wow, now granted it was a few years ago, but our stay in HRH was not good.

As I went to turn down one of the beds, there was a open pack of crushed Hydrox in the bed. Gross! We called the front desk. THey said they'd have someone right up. We had to call a second time after an hour. THey said they'd send someone right up. It took about 30 minutes more after that. IT was close to midnight when they arrived.

And the restaurant we ate at there wasn't great either. THey got our order wrong, and the food wasn't good and ugh.

It was just absolutely no comparison whatsoever to the BWI, where we had for the first portion of the trip.

We will be returning to Universal and I want to stay at Portofino. No more HRH, no matter how many raves it gets.

 

[Albytaps]

When we stayed at WL, our room was absolutely awful. The walls were all marked, the carpet was coming up in several places so that you would trip over it coming out of the washroom and the room was so dark as it was bottom level facing the pool. Not to mention that it was $300/night. All of the Loews hotels blow WL away. I wouldn't say that they blow away Beach/Yacht Club and Grand Floridian but they are definitely on par with a slight edge.

Sorry you had such a bad experience but mine was the opposite. WL was/is gorgeous. My family had a great time there and we had no complaints. There was even a light up parade that would pass by at night in the lake. There's no way I would say any hotel blows that away.

By the way, at RPR there's a few things I could mention... starting from the noobie people working there, to the bad service we had at Island breakfast buffet, and the dirty unlined icebuckets we had in our room. I didn't want to bring those things up because they didn't ruin my vacation. I just find it funny how Universal fans (or Disney fans for that matter, all fanboys and girls) will say anything to bash the competitor.

 

[Planogirl]

Sorry you had such a bad experience but mine was the opposite. WL was/is gorgeous. My family had a great time there and we had no complaints. There was even a light up parade that would pass by at night in the lake. There's no way I would say any hotel blows that away.

By the way, at RPR there's a few things I could mention... starting from the noobie people working there, to the bad service we had at Island breakfast buffet, and the dirty unlined icebuckets we had in our room. I didn't want to bring those things up because they didn't ruin my vacation. I just find it funny how Universal fans (or Disney fans for that matter, all fanboys and girls) will say anything to bash the competitor.

I bash (and praise) both when it's warranted because I go to both. I've seen things that didn't please me but overall the hotels are good from my experience. I still prefer the Universal hotels. To each their own.

 

[dtum]

This will be our first trip to UA/IOA. DD and SIL couldn't afford DW tickets. Found UA tickets for $129 for 14 days with park hopper. Not staying on property as we wanted to rent a house so we could all stay together, have a kitchen and a little more relaxing than just staying in a hotel room. I don't do big rides, but am hoping they have something else for me. We're going to share the cost of parking between 3 families...can't wait.

As for Disney, every few years we get that "itch" to go back. Not sure why Disney is going down while their prices go up (well profits for one I guess), but people keep pouring in so they don't have a need to really change until fewer people opt to go to UA instead of DW. Maybe when they say their attendance is down it's because everyone is at UA

 

[damo]

Sorry you had such a bad experience but mine was the opposite. WL was/is gorgeous. My family had a great time there and we had no complaints. There was even a light up parade that would pass by at night in the lake. There's no way I would say any hotel blows that away.

By the way, at RPR there's a few things I could mention... starting from the noobie people working there, to the bad service we had at Island breakfast buffet, and the dirty unlined icebuckets we had in our room. I didn't want to bring those things up because they didn't ruin my vacation. I just find it funny how Universal fans (or Disney fans for that matter, all fanboys and girls) will say anything to bash the competitor.

We used to only go to WDW but it was poor experiences like the shabby room at the deluxe WL and the extra gate fee to be dropped off at the parks by cab at Disney that has made us stop going. As our children got older and there was no longer a constrant draw to see the characters, we began to go to Universal more each trip until we eventually just cut out WDW. We just got so much more for our money at USF. We have never experienced a room at the Universal Resort that was grubby and unlimited express pass and Loews perks (free internet, suite upgrade, and $100 food and beverage credit each stay) really make us feel that we are getting our money's worth.

Sure, we'll add on a day at WDW and SeaWorld every now and...but Universal is our happy place in Orlando.

 

[musical2]

Next summer we are going to Orlando for 12 days. We are only spending 5 of those days on WDW property and 7 days off. The 7 days we are staying off WDW property we will be going a few days to IOA and US. My girls just have to see Harry Potter. They've done WDW quite a few times and we are only going to go to two WDW parks while we are there. The magic just isn't what it used to be.