Just returned from RPR 5/19

[lorivegas]

Had club level, as usual wonderful, kind and friendly people everywhere! We arrived at 10 am and our room was ready! Basic club room, same "food" as last year... although we were pretty sick of it by day 3. (I wanted some real food...haha!!the club lounge is just for munchies ) People still came to club level in their bare feet, although no one in their robes this year... SHOCK !! I'm sorry, but at LEAST put some clothes on, and hey... how about some shoes on those narly toes!! ( I mean we are EATING in here ... don't need to see such funky stuff , especially in the morning!! HAHA! ) Anyway, we did eat at Emerils Choup Chop, VERY nice, fairly expensive, and beautiful atmosphere! Layed by the pool EVERY day,... hot humid and 90 degrees!! woo-hoo!! just what we wanted! Went to both parks in one day, had a blast, gotta love that express line feature! Of course did the usual Margaritaville, hard rock, and had a blast at Pat O'briens! We took some great pictures of the resort again, and of course the "drunken" fool pictures, (not too drunk... this is a family resort afterall! )By the way... NO MORE HAPPY HOURS ! All the places used to do this from 3-5... now just a handful, and they don't advertise it ! Some even said that Universal "didn't allow it anymore" , just so you know.. its not as cheap to drink as it used to be ! ( This, of course, didnt stop us,.. LOL!) We usually walked to parks, it was so nice and we ate so much,... you want to walk it off beleive me!! Took a great picture of some guy "passed out" in a margarittaville chair outside ,with a beer still in his hand!!! Too funny to pass up! Gotta love the entertaining guests we "meet" , let me tell ya!! All in all,.... great trip, great weather, great resort,....yada, yada, yada!! Any questions?

 

[Disney Debbie]

Woo hoo! I'm so psyched!!!

Too bad about the Happy Hours though! Oh well - we'll just have to have a happy half hour!!

 

[nicolep91]

Thanks for the great report, lorivegas!

Just a couple questions for you:
Did you have club level booked before you arrived, or did you upgrade after you got there? Have you stayed at or did you visit any of the other Universal resorts, and if so, how did you think they compared to RPR? Can you give me some more info on Tchoup Chop - i.e., what you had, approximately how much your bill was, did you see many kids in there?

Thanks again and glad you had a nice vacation!

 

[>>^..^<<]

Hi..

fun report - I think I want to travel with you - a laugh a minute who needs happy hour with you around??

>>^..^<<

 

[lorivegas]

Yes, we did already book club level, it is well worth it IF you are a family... the pops and waters alone will save you some serious bucks... especially if it is in the high 90's , like when we were there!! And of course, the convenience of having coffee, juices and "breakfast" munchies right down the hall from you early in the a.m. is always a plus for families with hungry little ones! There were just 2 of us and to be honest, next time I will book standard and try for an upgrade! ( the hotel is so wonderful, ANY room would suffice. ) Yes, I have stayed at HRH and Portofino, I know I have a post somewhere speaking of both resorts, but I'll give you a quick run through... Hard Rock is just so electric and fun... IF YOU LIKE NOISE and the SAME SONGS OVER AND OVER... pool is nice, noisy, but nice (after all the name of resort IS HARD ROCK... I know.... ) The service has gone DOWNHILL BIG TIME! I guess they figure that their name "sells" the place, so service isn't so important...WRONG! I used to ALWAYS stay at HRH, until my FAVE Royal Pacific was born!! Portofino, or as we call it BORE-ta-fino was well.... BORING!! It is too far away from parks, (you can't walk), and it is SO secluded! Now don't get me wrong... it is a beautiful resort and the rooms are very nice... the rooms have shuttered window in wall to a very large bathroom, very pretty .(and you can actually dive from little window onto the bed... FUN!! ) Yes, I am immature... hey, I like to have fun..sorry! The resort and pool area is pretty and not to mention upscale and classy. I DO know how to behave in these nice places believe it or not, I just choose not too!! HAHA! Just kidding! Anyway, if you want to "get away from it all", Bortafino is for you!! (also not any kids at all hardly!) To answer you TChoup Chop question... with the sampler Saki (sp?) beverage and a mixed drink, my brothers steamed fish on a banana leaf entree and my shredded pork over shrimp/chicken omlette type thing on a bed of stir fry rice, an oyster appetizer and a coconut shrimp appetizer.. our bill was only $89.00 ... not too bad really. I didn't see any children inside, but then again... it was in early afternoon, and I think they were all in pool or at parks. Very nice, elegant atmosphere... everyone should at LEAST experience it one time!!! Any more questions ????

 

[JOC]

There were just 2 of us and to be honest, next time I will book standard and try for an upgrade! ( the hotel is so wonderful, ANY room would suffice. )

Hi Lori,
Glad you had a great time! About trying for an upgrade next time: How easy or hard do you think it would it be to get an upgrade to club level at RPR? I'm Loews Platinum, but I'm sure that alone won't get me an upgrade to club level. I'm still trying to decide whether to stay at HRH or RPR in December. Can you elaborate on what kinds of munchies they had at RPR; is there something different every night (we'll be staying for five nights). Thanks so much!

 

[nicolep91]

Great, Lori! That is just what I wanted to hear. I have ressies for RPR already, but have been debating about switching to HRH. The more I hear, the more I think I'll keep our reservations where they are! We have a standard waterview room, but I'm hoping I'll be able to upgrade to club level when we get there. It sounds great!

I made a reservation for Tchoup Chop also, but I was debating on whether or not to bring the kids. They are very well behaved, but I thought it might be nice for us to have a night out without them. We'll see if they're driving us crazy by then!

Thanks again!

 

[pathubia]

Too funny, Bor i fino, I feel the same way. It is so pretty, but dull. I love both the HRH and the RPR. I hate the walk to the RPR, and the HRH is soooo convenient. I guess my next stay is up for grabs, I dont care if its at the RPR or HRH. Either or.

Patty

 

[lorivegas]

Lets see,... munchies for am were from 730 to 1030 am. They consisted of usual, pastries, bagels, fresh fruit, cereal, cinn. buns, ( the almond covered struesel looking thing was DELICIOUS!), yogurt and of course, juice, hot tea, coffee and water. Afternoon/Dinner munchies was from 530 pm to 7? Can't recall , remember, we were usually at parks,pools or feeling "groovy" by mid-afternoon-- HAHA!!... but food was usually nacho chips w/salsa, some sort of pasta salad, fruit and cheese plate, crackers and celery, carrots, radishes, beverages were coke products, water and complimentary Coronas, lites, and wine!! YES! Complimentary! (nice after a day in the parks!) Another night it was all the above except the main item (instead of pasta salad) , was some mexican fried burrito thing... (not good) and another night it was some long flauta looking thing, but filled like an eggroll,(pretty tasty) along with the above mentioned "side" items. Dessert time was from 830 to 930 and it was yummie cookies, milk, brownies and cakes and of course, coffee and hot tea. That about sums it up! Like I said before, good deal if you are a party of 3 or more or with kids... and you cant beat the quick "fixes" in between meal times. STAY WITH RPR! You will LOVE the atmosphere! Make sure you take time to enjoy the resort, MANY sitting areas! (michael Jackson walking around in the bar and he stayed in BALI suite... MY floor !! (only for one nite, though) He reserved 2 floors (10 rooms total) for him and his group of kids he brought there. NO COMMENTS FROM THE PEANUT GALLERY!!

 

[Minniespal]

Fab report - Thanks for sharing!!!!

 

[YenSid1222]

you know, with all the bad rap that Michael Jackson gets...

I must say that he was the nicest of celebrities that I have dealt with. He came into the shops with his kids numerous times. Took the time to say hello to my employees working there. Asked one of my guys if he had read any of the books we had, as he was looking for something to read. He even passed by the door after we were closed to say good night to my employee that we had dealt with.

I was very impressed. It seems most celebrites blow off us little folk, Mr. Jackson was not like that at all.

..and that is all from the Peanut Gallery.