The players for our family vacation: myself, DH, DS 15 DD 11.
We drove from Louisiana, a twelve hour trek. Leaving at 12 midnight and arriving on the 17th at 12 noon. Our room was ready so we checked into the RPR. Used the loews express line, because the regular line was pretty long. I did have to ask for the kids backpacks and for the lowes first amenity. I selected the fruit and water, and requested the turn down service for each night. We were given room 3336 in tower 3, which was a waterview room at the very end of the hall. The view was okay. We were able to see the pool, but did have Bula's Bar right in front, sort obstructing the view. Anyway, for the most part we could see the pool. Next time I'll request a more central room. We had 2 queen beds which is what was requested. Our room was small but comfortable.
After check in we had tickets to Wet N Wild and decided to give it a whirl. Well, the park was fabulous, but no Fotl access at WNW. The kids were not able to ride any rides because of the extremely long long long lines, but they were able to enjoy the wave pool area, and the lazy river. They splashed around there for awhile and was pretty much over the WNW experience. We stay about 4 hours. We returned to the hotel and went poolside. Got back just in time for the torch lighting ceremony, which was sooooo cool, every night. Later we showered and was off to citywalk for dinner. We took the walk over, because we weren't sure where to catch the boat. The walk was nice, but we decided it was the last time we would walk.
We ate at NBA City, well the ambience was great, but the food and service were awful. We waited for 1 and 1/2 hours for food. When the meal finally arrived, it had no flavor and just didn't taste good at all. My son had the pizza, and is pleased with any edible item. My daughter had a burger, which she said was overcooked and hard. My husband had a pasta dish, which was not a all seasoned. I had the chicken penne pasta dish, which was just as bland as his. That was a $60.00 meal. The night did end on a positive note, because we enjoyed playing the interactive games, and my daughter had her picture made with Kobe Bryant. No he wasn't there, she did the computer splicing thing. By the way, I love Kobe and believe in his innocence. Anyway, on the way back, we found the water taxi and enjoyed a leisurely ride back to RPR, while watching the fireworks.
Day 2
We woke up late, skipped breakfast and headed to IOA. It was very hot, but we rode lots of rides. Our first stop was Dueling Dragons, what a thrill! We then did Jurassic Park, including the discovery trail and the ride. It was super. We didn't get too wet. We moved on to Spiderman. My family luuuuuuved this ride. They couldn't get enough. We finally moved on to the Xmen ride, which we rode about 3 times. It' s like the spinning tea cup ride, but faster. We skipped the hulk and toon lagoon, because we were just too tired. Decided we would come back later. We had a quick bite, somewhere in IOA, and then was off to RPR, where my kids were in love with the pool. We had drinks and chips and the pool, while the kids played water volleyball. We finally dragged them out right before a storm started to move in. We couldn't go out to citywalk for dinner, because it raining pretty hard, so we ate a Jakes, inside the RPR. My husband had the turkey club, and the kids and myself had cheeseburgers. It was simply delicious. We ate and listened to the lounge singer bellow out beautiful melodious tunes. It was a good night.
Day 3
Sorry, for the long report. We woke up late, and skipped breakfast. Went to Universal. We found US to be much easier to navigate that IOA. Everything was a lot easier to find. We started out with Shrek. This is a must see. It's just fantastic. We then did Twister, Earthquake, caught the Blues Brothers show. My husbands favorite was the Wild West Stunt Show. He loved it. I'll try to shorten this up a bit. We road every ride, and MIB and Back to the future several times. We skipped the Horror make up show. But loved Ghostbusters, and Beetlejuice. We weren't that impressed with Terminator, but it was okay. Finished everything early and moved on to citywalk. Purused (is that a word) anyway, check out a few shops and headed back to the pool. Did the hula with the torch lighting folks and was off to get ready for dinner. Again the rain hit and we were trapped at the hotel. We decided to order pizza. Went to the concierge, and requested a pizza phone list. Called pizza hut, met him in the lobby and pizza it was.
Day 4
Woke up late, as usual. Skipped breakfast, went to US. Saw the blues brothers show again. Watched the break dancers, rode MIB, and Jimmy neutron and BTTF again, then off to IOA. I rode the hulk alone, because my entire family chickened out at the last minute. It was a blast. What a super coaster! We then moved on to toon lagoon. We road ripsaw falls, and bilge barge ride. We were totally soaked to the skin, but we couldn't resist, one more Spiderman encounter. It was a little cold, but well worth it.
We again went back to the hotel pool and then to dinner at Pastamore. The food was good, but my daughter ended up giving her food back to them at their front door as we left. Too much pool water, and heat, too many coasters and milkshakes.
Day 5
We woke up late, skipped breakfast, checked out. Complained about not receiving my turndown service at all. Went to check out the other hotels, and began planning our next trip. Our overall experience was fantastic. I would go back today if I could. I love the RPR, and we're already planning our next encounter. Hope this was helpful. I tried to shorten it. I'm sure I've left stuff out. So ask me anything. I'll be glad to help. Thanks to all you fellow boarders for helping me to plan a great trip.
We drove from Louisiana, a twelve hour trek. Leaving at 12 midnight and arriving on the 17th at 12 noon. Our room was ready so we checked into the RPR. Used the loews express line, because the regular line was pretty long. I did have to ask for the kids backpacks and for the lowes first amenity. I selected the fruit and water, and requested the turn down service for each night. We were given room 3336 in tower 3, which was a waterview room at the very end of the hall. The view was okay. We were able to see the pool, but did have Bula's Bar right in front, sort obstructing the view. Anyway, for the most part we could see the pool. Next time I'll request a more central room. We had 2 queen beds which is what was requested. Our room was small but comfortable.
After check in we had tickets to Wet N Wild and decided to give it a whirl. Well, the park was fabulous, but no Fotl access at WNW. The kids were not able to ride any rides because of the extremely long long long lines, but they were able to enjoy the wave pool area, and the lazy river. They splashed around there for awhile and was pretty much over the WNW experience. We stay about 4 hours. We returned to the hotel and went poolside. Got back just in time for the torch lighting ceremony, which was sooooo cool, every night. Later we showered and was off to citywalk for dinner. We took the walk over, because we weren't sure where to catch the boat. The walk was nice, but we decided it was the last time we would walk.
We ate at NBA City, well the ambience was great, but the food and service were awful. We waited for 1 and 1/2 hours for food. When the meal finally arrived, it had no flavor and just didn't taste good at all. My son had the pizza, and is pleased with any edible item. My daughter had a burger, which she said was overcooked and hard. My husband had a pasta dish, which was not a all seasoned. I had the chicken penne pasta dish, which was just as bland as his. That was a $60.00 meal. The night did end on a positive note, because we enjoyed playing the interactive games, and my daughter had her picture made with Kobe Bryant. No he wasn't there, she did the computer splicing thing. By the way, I love Kobe and believe in his innocence. Anyway, on the way back, we found the water taxi and enjoyed a leisurely ride back to RPR, while watching the fireworks.
Day 2
We woke up late, skipped breakfast and headed to IOA. It was very hot, but we rode lots of rides. Our first stop was Dueling Dragons, what a thrill! We then did Jurassic Park, including the discovery trail and the ride. It was super. We didn't get too wet. We moved on to Spiderman. My family luuuuuuved this ride. They couldn't get enough. We finally moved on to the Xmen ride, which we rode about 3 times. It' s like the spinning tea cup ride, but faster. We skipped the hulk and toon lagoon, because we were just too tired. Decided we would come back later. We had a quick bite, somewhere in IOA, and then was off to RPR, where my kids were in love with the pool. We had drinks and chips and the pool, while the kids played water volleyball. We finally dragged them out right before a storm started to move in. We couldn't go out to citywalk for dinner, because it raining pretty hard, so we ate a Jakes, inside the RPR. My husband had the turkey club, and the kids and myself had cheeseburgers. It was simply delicious. We ate and listened to the lounge singer bellow out beautiful melodious tunes. It was a good night.
Day 3
Sorry, for the long report. We woke up late, and skipped breakfast. Went to Universal. We found US to be much easier to navigate that IOA. Everything was a lot easier to find. We started out with Shrek. This is a must see. It's just fantastic. We then did Twister, Earthquake, caught the Blues Brothers show. My husbands favorite was the Wild West Stunt Show. He loved it. I'll try to shorten this up a bit. We road every ride, and MIB and Back to the future several times. We skipped the Horror make up show. But loved Ghostbusters, and Beetlejuice. We weren't that impressed with Terminator, but it was okay. Finished everything early and moved on to citywalk. Purused (is that a word) anyway, check out a few shops and headed back to the pool. Did the hula with the torch lighting folks and was off to get ready for dinner. Again the rain hit and we were trapped at the hotel. We decided to order pizza. Went to the concierge, and requested a pizza phone list. Called pizza hut, met him in the lobby and pizza it was.
Day 4
Woke up late, as usual. Skipped breakfast, went to US. Saw the blues brothers show again. Watched the break dancers, rode MIB, and Jimmy neutron and BTTF again, then off to IOA. I rode the hulk alone, because my entire family chickened out at the last minute. It was a blast. What a super coaster! We then moved on to toon lagoon. We road ripsaw falls, and bilge barge ride. We were totally soaked to the skin, but we couldn't resist, one more Spiderman encounter. It was a little cold, but well worth it.
We again went back to the hotel pool and then to dinner at Pastamore. The food was good, but my daughter ended up giving her food back to them at their front door as we left. Too much pool water, and heat, too many coasters and milkshakes.
Day 5
We woke up late, skipped breakfast, checked out. Complained about not receiving my turndown service at all. Went to check out the other hotels, and began planning our next trip. Our overall experience was fantastic. I would go back today if I could. I love the RPR, and we're already planning our next encounter. Hope this was helpful. I tried to shorten it. I'm sure I've left stuff out. So ask me anything. I'll be glad to help. Thanks to all you fellow boarders for helping me to plan a great trip.
or zatarains!!! 
