Puffy2
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Feb 28, 2000
- Messages
- 3,248
Just got back from a three day trip to Universal. Overall, we had a very good time. Some thoughts:
1. We stayed at the Royal Pacific on the club level. The hotel is very nice, the common areas are relaxing and well themed. The rooms on the club level were (in my opinion) just "ok" - they are a step above a Hampton Inn, but not much above. Our room was 7th floor in tower 3 overlooking the pool. We did not hear any noise from pool and believe me, the pool was very crowed. The room has a Kerig coffee maker with Lowes Label coffee and tea provided. (French Roast, Decaf, Green tea). There is a make up mirror in the room, hair dryer, two robes. Resort has in-room movies (for a fee...the $17.99 movie actually cost $20.05...tax I guess). The beds were very comfortable - better than the beds at the Disney resorts.
2. Club lounge - I aways enjoy the services of a club lounge. The food offerings were plenty to choose from but not what I would call "delicious". It was just (in most cases) "ok". Breakfast offers assorted cereals, milk, coffee, hot tea, apple juice, water and OJ. They also have a machine that makes individual pan cakes, there is a wide assortment of breads (bagels, crossants, regular bread for toast, muffins), they usually had hard boiled eggs, oatmeal, cheeses, and fruit (mellons and pinapple only - no berries), and yogurt. I didn't go to afternoon snack time, evening offerings from 4:30 - 6:30pm changed each day. One night was tacos and a taco salad, cheeses and crackers and mexican rice. Again, it was plenty of food but just "ok". The do offer beer and wine also at this time of day. In the 8p -9p hour they have cookies and mini desserts. I really didn't like the mini desserts, but the cookies were good. f you want to save money, I think that in some cases the club level offers the opportunity to not have to buy too many meals, but if you are more interested in good food while you are on vacation, many of the City Walk restaturnts offer better dining options. I loved the club level , however, to be able to leave the room and go relax and read the paper while having a cup of coffee. Also, the concierge printed my boarding passes for me so that was nice too. The lounge also has two kid movies playing for the children to watch (I saw parts of Harry Potter and Shrek). One downer was that the club lounge was very crowded with people...lots of people on club level, but it was still ok - I always managed to find a seat.
3. Pool: the pool was nice but crowded. On our last day it was so crowded, we didn't go. Tip , If you are planning a no-park day, the pool is empty in the morning. Of course that is best park time (cooler and less crowded) also. The cabanas all set too far back from the pool to seem worth it to me. Pool area has a hot tub (maybe more) They provide towels at the pool.
4. Parks: The best ride of all is Gringotts. And Diagon Alley is pretty awesome for potter fans. Gringotts is impressive visually - a must do. I was afraid to go on it because I get motion sickness, but it wasn't that bad at all. There is one drop at the beginning but it is short and over before you know it. Then there is a lot of "twists and turns" maybe a spin or two, but not bad at all. I put it on about the same level as Spider Man. It is easier to ride than the Mummy.
It was very hot the days we were there. I don't think it can be stressed enough to "go early at opening" because as the day heats up and the crowds come, it starts not being fun anymore.
5. Bubba Gump : Delicious! I got Crab Legs (says market for price...$28...comes with a side. They were very good. My daughter got a combo that had shrimp, potatos, sausage, carrots, and corn. Also very good. Highly recommend. We ate there for lunch early and it wasn't crowded.
6. Cowfish was pretty good too. Daughter liked the burger and I thought the sushi was pretty good too.
We used Happy limo for transportation - on time , safe, courteous and no complaints there.
1. We stayed at the Royal Pacific on the club level. The hotel is very nice, the common areas are relaxing and well themed. The rooms on the club level were (in my opinion) just "ok" - they are a step above a Hampton Inn, but not much above. Our room was 7th floor in tower 3 overlooking the pool. We did not hear any noise from pool and believe me, the pool was very crowed. The room has a Kerig coffee maker with Lowes Label coffee and tea provided. (French Roast, Decaf, Green tea). There is a make up mirror in the room, hair dryer, two robes. Resort has in-room movies (for a fee...the $17.99 movie actually cost $20.05...tax I guess). The beds were very comfortable - better than the beds at the Disney resorts.
2. Club lounge - I aways enjoy the services of a club lounge. The food offerings were plenty to choose from but not what I would call "delicious". It was just (in most cases) "ok". Breakfast offers assorted cereals, milk, coffee, hot tea, apple juice, water and OJ. They also have a machine that makes individual pan cakes, there is a wide assortment of breads (bagels, crossants, regular bread for toast, muffins), they usually had hard boiled eggs, oatmeal, cheeses, and fruit (mellons and pinapple only - no berries), and yogurt. I didn't go to afternoon snack time, evening offerings from 4:30 - 6:30pm changed each day. One night was tacos and a taco salad, cheeses and crackers and mexican rice. Again, it was plenty of food but just "ok". The do offer beer and wine also at this time of day. In the 8p -9p hour they have cookies and mini desserts. I really didn't like the mini desserts, but the cookies were good. f you want to save money, I think that in some cases the club level offers the opportunity to not have to buy too many meals, but if you are more interested in good food while you are on vacation, many of the City Walk restaturnts offer better dining options. I loved the club level , however, to be able to leave the room and go relax and read the paper while having a cup of coffee. Also, the concierge printed my boarding passes for me so that was nice too. The lounge also has two kid movies playing for the children to watch (I saw parts of Harry Potter and Shrek). One downer was that the club lounge was very crowded with people...lots of people on club level, but it was still ok - I always managed to find a seat.
3. Pool: the pool was nice but crowded. On our last day it was so crowded, we didn't go. Tip , If you are planning a no-park day, the pool is empty in the morning. Of course that is best park time (cooler and less crowded) also. The cabanas all set too far back from the pool to seem worth it to me. Pool area has a hot tub (maybe more) They provide towels at the pool.
4. Parks: The best ride of all is Gringotts. And Diagon Alley is pretty awesome for potter fans. Gringotts is impressive visually - a must do. I was afraid to go on it because I get motion sickness, but it wasn't that bad at all. There is one drop at the beginning but it is short and over before you know it. Then there is a lot of "twists and turns" maybe a spin or two, but not bad at all. I put it on about the same level as Spider Man. It is easier to ride than the Mummy.
It was very hot the days we were there. I don't think it can be stressed enough to "go early at opening" because as the day heats up and the crowds come, it starts not being fun anymore.
5. Bubba Gump : Delicious! I got Crab Legs (says market for price...$28...comes with a side. They were very good. My daughter got a combo that had shrimp, potatos, sausage, carrots, and corn. Also very good. Highly recommend. We ate there for lunch early and it wasn't crowded.
6. Cowfish was pretty good too. Daughter liked the burger and I thought the sushi was pretty good too.
We used Happy limo for transportation - on time , safe, courteous and no complaints there.
Love Diagon Alley as well- there's nothing like it
