just recieved comped gold status

[NYMom]

in the mail today (I a have a starwood gold membership) and am need of your opinions.

We're currently booked RPR (directly with them via phone) for Fri 7/13-wed 7/18 at the AAA rate of 191.20/night. I 'll be calling them to confirm that they recieved my status upgrade. It is my understanding that an upgraded room will be assigned at the time of booking and on arrival we could upgrade to a suite if available for $35/n. Is this correct? Does an RPR suite accommadate 4 people.

WE are a party of 2adults, DS13yo and DS9yo. I'm starting to rethink my choice. DH wants RPR for the themeing (we LOVE Hawaii) but rooms are smallest. DS13 is already a full head above me and requires his own bed .At WDW we stay deluxe so he has the daybed, but I don't think he'll fit in it anymore. the 9yo likes to use extra spreads/blankets and pillows to make his "camp bed" on the floor. Does RPR upgrade a family of 4 to a suite? Are suites available this time of year?

Boys would like the HRH, pool, slide, music etc, but DH doesn't think it will be relaxing. What would my upgrade options be? any rooms with a daybed or pullout in addition to double queens?

Now my choice would be PBH (been to hawaii a few times, and stayed at the poly) BUT haven't been to Italy YET The boys will like the pool slide, DH would love the theming but it is the farthest from the parks (and most expensive) i would hear about it all day!!!!

What are your suggestions? How do I reserve the largest room for my family using LFGold?

Also is it worth reserving a club room, is it opened all day and what's available during the day? Which one is better. Is it worth approx $100/n?

If you talk to DH there is a budget, but talk to me, I like to be spoiled on vacation and he likes to keep me happy( I;m the only girl in the house)

Thanks, I'm an obsessive planner and want to get this room done so that i could start mealplanning-wait I forgot this is s universal trip. What am I going to do for 7 weeks!!!

 

[AlexandNessa]

You can get an upgrade to a water view room applied to reservation at RPR. As a family of 4, you do not qualify for the suite upgrades offered at both HRH and RPR; the King Suites there will only accommodate 3.

You do qualify for the Portofino Suite upgrade at the PBH for $35/night, but you are going during a very busy time of year, and I would not count on the upgrade being available at all.

Your best bet for roominess is to get a comped upgrade to a Deluxe room at HRH or PBH. Check out the date/rate thread:

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1322866

Look for those who booked a Deluxe room and have "yes/Gold" in their lines. I am not sure what they booked (standard/water view) to get the Deluxe room, but their usernames are listed with their rates and dates, so you can always seek them out.

As to whether or not club is worth it; only you can decide that. Will you be in the lounge to take advantage of breakfast (only served til 10/10:30)? Will you be in the lounge between 5-7 for appetizers, wine, beer, sodas? Will you be there for desserts at 8? Also note that the club level rooms at RPR are no larger than the standard rooms there. Club rooms at HRH do have some deluxe rooms, but it is totally luck of the draw as far as getting those. I know of only one person who has specifically reserved a Deluxe room at HRH Club. Most of the time, you can just request a Deluxe and take your chances. All rooms set aside for PBH Club are Deluxe rooms. Of course, club does not count as a valid upgrade with the LF program. You will have to book it and/or pay for it at check in, unless you are lucky enough to get comped it. Rare, though it happens. But I wouldn't count on a comp to club during the busy summer season.

Hope that helps.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Thanks, I'm an obsessive planner and want to get this room done so that i could start mealplanning-wait I forgot this is s universal trip. What am I going to do for 7 weeks!!!

Talk to us about your obsessive planning, of course.

 

[NYMom]

Thanks for all the info AlexandNessa!!! It is very helpful. Now I have to crunch numbers and figure out what will be our best option. DH didn't want to go to Orlando this year since we've done WDW the past 2 years with the free DDP (last year the restaraunts were crazy). He wants a relaxing, not too expensive vacation (we just had an addition put on our house). After finding great rates for Jetblue leaving from our local airport (8miles from our house), the 7d/2pk passes for $86 , great deluxe hotels with the AAA discount and my brother telling him about FOTL, I convinced him!
p..s. loved reading your trip report!!

thanks tarheelmjfan. This board is great. Nice and friendly. You and all the other regulars do a great job answering questions. I'm sure I'll have a few more questions before we go.

 

[Disneycrazymom]

NY Mom can you tell me how you went about having Loews match Starwood? DH in Plat at Starwood and we just signed up for Loews (our first Universal trip). Is there a number to call and what information do I need to give them? Thanks for the help and I hope you get your upgrade!

 

[NYMom]

Disneycrazymom,

Thank you.

What I did was call the LoewsFirst number and spoke to Joe. I had to fax him
1) a copy of my current SPG statement (whch I copied off the SPG site)
2) my LoewsFirst membership number
3) my contact info (name, address, home and cell numbers)

I'm sorry but I've misplaced the number but you can call the loews hotel you reserved and ask for the loewsfirst phone number.

Good Luck!

 

[NYMom]

Just found the phone numbers

800-loews12
800-563-9714(fax)

Hope this helps

Good Luck