Just back from all 3 resorts

[Eeyore1928]

We are just back from a winderful 10 night Orlando stay. 3 of the nights were spent in Universal terriotry while the rest in Disney. This was our first trip to Universal. We stayed at each of the resorts 1 night. Had a great stay at Portofino. Terrible at Hard Rock and great at Royal Pacific. Hard Rock was so bad. I really liked the resort itself, but the service and the run in with howling dogs made for an awlful stay. We checked in at 8 am, explained we had a little one that needed to nap and would like our room as soon as possible ( also noted would love to upgrade). I was told they were sold out for the night and that we would have to wait for our room. No problem we went to the park. Back at resort at 1:30..room still not available. So we sat in lobby with cranky baby. Did not get into a room until 4:30 pm. Then starting at 7:30 until 10 pm the dog across the hall was howling, with another dog next ddor answering. Terrible. After we overheard several trips by security to the 2 rooms with of course no answer at the door, I called the front desk. They explained that they had several complaints and that they were going to have the dogs removed from the rooms and asked if we wanted to change rooms? I thought they were sold out??????!!!!.
Thank god that they did remove the dogs and we were able to finally sleep.

We didn't really enjoy the parks as we saw many things there that were unappealing ( people without shirts on, lots of trash, dirty benches). So we jumped over to Disney and enjoyed the rest of our trip.
WE feel that Universal is more for older kids, and young adults. We are 31 years old and found that we finished both parks in about 8 hours. There was really not much for our daughter to do but sit in her stroller and wait for us to ride the big rides. I don't see us returning here within the next 10 years unless something big changes.

 

[robvia]

Great report, sorry you had a bad time at the HRH.

I don't know why the hotel lets people leave their dogs in the rooms. When we took our lab, they said we could do that, but we said no way, she'll bark, so we took her to the kennel each morning. Someone was always in the room if the dog was there.

HRH seems to be popular, thus they sell out and have that snooty attitude. That's why many are staying at the RPR and PBH.

As for the little one, agree, kids aged 4-8 will probably have a better time at Disney. When the kids can make the height requirements for the coasters at IOA, that's when they want to visit. It usually happens at the age of 9 or 10. Right now, a 1 or 2 year old probably won't remember any of this, because most of the time they're sleeping in the stroller. If you have grandparents who can watch the kid, it's better to leave them home and go on an adult trip.

 

[rapunzal]

Put the kids to bed around 9:30 pm...the barking in the next room started at 10:00 and could not take it at 11:30 pm...called the front desk...they came and walked the dog brought him back and said they have no cell phone # for the guests . I demanded to be moved! So at midnight I packed and walked two sleeping kids to tower one near the pool. My husband went to the main desk in his pjs and said what are you going to do about our inconvience? They took $50 off the each night's rate. When we checked in I commented to my husband why are they putting us on the bottom floor near the doggie park area... Not realizing what was ahead! I love the RP pool and how easy it was to get to the parks. We went in early Nov. Next time I will request no dogs!

 

[disneylizzy]

Wow! I will make sure to request not to be near any dogs! I can't believe people would leave their dog alone all day barking!!

 

[katallo]

Do all of the US hotels accept dogs? What do you do if you are allergic?

 

[gschmerl]

Do all of the US hotels accept dogs? What do you do if you are allergic?

Yes, they all accept dogs. Just let them know if you have allergies and ask for a room that is not on a "pet floor".