Just back from Royal Pacific

[mousey]

We spent 2 nights at the RP before taking advantage of the 20.02 at Courtyard DD. I had requested a high floor, non smoking, 2 beds. I inquired several times before arriving about upgrading to a club level room--they told me not available with the entertainment rate. I asked at check in and he told me at first that he only had a king bed available--10 seconds later he told me it was sold out!! Needless to say our high floor was
tower 1 floor 2!!! He made it sound like that was the last non-smoking room available in the whole complex. Later that evening I noticed their was a lot of empty room--all over the place--especially on the club level floor!!! The people checking in next to us had requested a connecting room--not available!! They looked very disappointed. This is my biggest complaint about the Universal Hotels. I really don't think they bend over backwards to give you the room or location you would like. A water view room to them could be looking at a rain puddle!! We did get our cookies and milk (even though we had the entertainment rate). I asked about the grade a program and he requested the report cards (which he looked at and commented on). That was a plus--free drinks at any restaurant/bar in the hotel--including the pool bar!! I must say--our main reason for staying on property here is the front of the line access. It is such a timesaver!! Another complaint I have (and have others) is that the bell hop who takes your bags out of your car--doesn't take them to the room. I don't mind tipping these guys--but really!!! When we were leaving we waited over 45 min. for the bellhop to come to the room to get our bags!! Overall, the hotel is very nice (especially at $99). If Universal ever discontinues front of the line access--I wouldn't dream of staying at any of their hotels.

 

[grace&alex]

Rather than start a new thread, I thought I would just reply to mousey's post since I have to agree with some of what he/she wrote about RPR. We also stayed 2 nights beginning of August to take advantage of FOTL.

Unlike a lot of lucky people on this board, I WAS charged for valet parking for 2 nights. I didn't bother going to the self-park lots after reading all the horrible posts about them. I mentioned that to the person who checked us in and she actually agreed, but said there were more spaces "behind the convention center", but it would be a bit of a walk back. I was told check-out is at 11:00, but we could stay until 12:30 no extra charge, so I said ok to that. I had tipped the valet park person, the person who took our bags to reception, AND the person who took our bags to our room (3 different people).

He brought us to tower 1, 3rd floor (lobby floor), but when we entered, I saw we had a view of a small pond. I told him we paid for a pool view room and he said this was a water view room. I showed him our reservation confirmation which specifically said "pool view" and he phoned reception and got us a pool view room, telling me it was the "only one ready" since we had checked in before (but very close to) 4:00 p.m. He brought us down to the 1st floor (pool floor) to our pool view room. This floor also has the exit to the pathway to the water taxi area. We had arrived earlier that morning after taking the red eye from the West Coast, then did a little shopping at Belz, so we were too beat to do the parks. The kids took a quick swim, I picked up some burgers and brought them to the room, we watched some TV, and hit the sack. I read here that the hotel restaurants were costly, so we didn't eat there at all. The room service menu charged plenty and the $7 bottle of Evian was a bit much. While waiting for valet to bring me the car when I went to Burger King, I noticed a guest paying a Domino's Pizza guy for his pizza right outside the hotel. No room delivery allowed, I guess.

The following two days, we hit both parks. The first day, we walked to IOA rather than wait for the water taxi since we wanted to arrive at opening and I read here the taxis fill up quickly, besides which we had had a good night's sleep and we were ready! The second day, we took the water taxi, but around 1:00 (no need to rush with FOTL), and there was plenty of room to sit.

I know you've read this a thousand times on this board, but it bears repeating: STAY ONSITE. Those room key cards are invaluable. Once on Spidey and once on MIB, we actually heard someone say, "Hey, they're going on again!" That's how long the lines were and that's how fast we got on and off and back on. I had my 11-year-old son and 14-year-old nephew with me and they -- we all felt like royalty. Boy, did we wear those cards out. Son and nephew got on Hulk around 7 times in a row. For me, after the third time, my head started to hurt and my feet couldn't quite find the floor when I got off (LOL), so I told them to carry on while I rode my favorite, Spidey, a few times and I would meet them later. In fact, whenever we would pass Spidey during our circular walks around IOA, I would say, "Well look where we are," and we'd head for the express line. We also had our fill of fire and ice -- "Hey, didn't we just do fire? Oh well, guess we have to do ice twice now." Dudley Do-Right, Bilge-Rat Barges, Jurassic Park . . . we did them all repeatedly. A few times, our card was put through some scanner, and once on Hulk, the girl asked where the other two cards were. I said to her, "I was told one card covered 4 people. Is there a problem?" She didn't look too thrilled, but waved us on. I don't know what that was about. The 3 of us used nephew's card the whole time because he kept it in his pocket and my son's and mine were in my backpack and/or in the locker. I wonder if they will start requiring one card per guest soon.

At US, the kids kept trying to outdo each other on MIB, so we went on that one about 8 times. Terminator, Back to the Future, etc., etc. Since we had been to the parks in years past, FOTL was perfect for us. We did our favorites over and over. I sure hope unlimited FOTL continues for onsite guests and those rumors to the contrary are just that, rumors.

Our last day, my bill was left on the door handle and everything was in order. I called for luggage service (we needed to have ours stored since we were going to the parks) and I, too, waited 25 minutes before calling again. I said, "It's about 12:30 now. I won't be charged extra, will I?" She said, "Yes, check-out is at 11:00." I said, "I was told I could stay until 12:30, no extra charge." "Oh, okay. Someone will be down right away." Took about another 15 minutes.

I paid a few bucks more per night than RPR to stay in a 2br/2ba villa at Marriott's Cypress Harbour and a few bucks less per night for our stay at Coronado Springs, but yes, I will definitely do this again for FOTL as long as it's unlimited. If they start limiting the number of times per ride, though, it's offsite and perhaps buying an express booklet for me.

Any questions?

 

[mousey]

Grace&Alex sounds like your trip at the RP was similar to ours. We used the self parking and was not charged for it. We didn't experience any parking problems--but the hotel was not filled by any means. We also went on several attractions 3 and 4 times. When they scanned our cards at MIB I thought it was to keep track of how many times we went on the ride, but it must be an easier way for them to check the dates on your room key. I agree with what you said about staying onsite for the FOL access. That is the one and only reason to stay at one of their hotels.

 

[CPM]

Just to let you know, I have had Pizza Hut delivered to my room at RP a couple of times.
Frankly for $99.00 I think this hotel is a true Orlando bargin, even for a standard room.

 

[mousey]

I agree Cheryl!! But that price is just an introductory price. Next year at this time those rooms will be $159-$199 a night. I guess what I'm trying to say is that their are other hotels and condos out their that are cheaper and better. The front of the line access is what is selling these hotels. Because these hotels are on Universals property they can get away with a $7 bottle of water and $25 roll away. I made my reservation 6 months in advance and asked for a high floor. I ended up on floor 2. The people checking in next to me reserved 5 months in advance asking for a connecting room--not available! I wouldn't call this great customer relations. But once again, $99 is a bargain!!

 

[CPM]

I agree Mousey,
that's why I stopped staying onsite at Disney. There wasn't any advantage to it, just high priced hotels. I can't imagine they would ever do away with express for resort guests. I think that in combination with discounted rooms really fills up the resorts. But I think you will always see discounted rooms, HRH & PBH still have them now.
I guess I've been lucky at RP, I have always gotten my requests. I hope it continues! LOL
BTW, if you're in Tower three the convention center parking is not that far and you can get your luggage out of your room w/o anyone bugging you to take it for you.

 

[Firedog]

did you still drive up to the main entrance when arriving, or did you just park and haul the luggage yorself?

 

[mousey]

We drove right up and bellboy #1 came and brought our luggage to the lobby. My husband went to self park and I went to check in. After check in they buzz bellboy #2 to come and take you and your luggage to the room. Bellboy #2 also tells you about the hotel and its features, etc. I think it is pretty far to lug your luggage from self park to the room, especially if you have problems finding a spot to park. We didn't have parking problems but plenty of people have. In other words, two tips!!!
Good Luck!

 

[CPM]

We pull right up front & wheel our luggage out ourself. We all have pull style luggage. Then my DH parks the car. This last time we came from another vacation & had a bunch of stuff so we had to get a bellman. After the first bellman gave our stuff to the second bellman I said "who gets the tip?" They said "Oh we can split it" So I gave them each $5.00 right there. I hate the two tier bell hop system they have!

 

[the Legend]

Same here!

This was a very confusing for me when we stayed at the HRH. But I suppose the bellhops/busboys all get there tips.

At least this time I prepared, so $15 dollars in tips this time round. Anyone know how to pack an Elephant in a Trunk, if Im double tipping I want these guys to earn their money!