Kidani v. Hard Rock Hotel

[mrebuck]

I am a DVC member and love everything about Disney. For our summer trip, however, we decided to take a break from Disney and try out Universal. We'll be at the Universal parks for all of our 6 day stay except for the one day we will visit Hollywood Studios (with our Give a Day, Get a Day free tickets). I have a 1 bedroom savannah view booked at Animal Kingdom, but am considering cancelling that reservation and booking a kids suite at the Hard Rock hotel instead.

My husband thinks I'm crazy to want to stay on-site at Universal. He reminded me how much I love having a full kitchen, and just how much I hated the Nick Hotel when we stayed there for a night last year. I think the FOTL access and being within walking distance of the parks is more than enough to compensate for losing a full kitchen, and that the Hard Rock kids suite looks just as nice as a DVC villa.

Will I be disappointed with the Hard Rock?

 

[quentina]

I am a DVC member and love everything about Disney. For our summer trip, however, we decided to take a break from Disney and try out Universal. We'll be at the Universal parks for all of our 6 day stay except for the one day we will visit Hollywood Studios (with our Give a Day, Get a Day free tickets). I have a 1 bedroom savannah view booked at Animal Kingdom, but am considering cancelling that reservation and booking a kids suite at the Hard Rock hotel instead.

My husband thinks I'm crazy to want to stay on-site at Universal. He reminded me how much I love having a full kitchen, and just how much I hated the Nick Hotel when we stayed there for a night last year. I think the FOTL access and being within walking distance of the parks is more than enough to compensate for losing a full kitchen, and that the Hard Rock kids suite looks just as nice as a DVC villa.

Will I be disappointed with the Hard Rock?

NO....NO....NO. I also have DVC and feel blessed that we were able to afford it however; nothing beats the HRH. It is my FAVORITE hotel out of every place I have stayed. Now, I will say, I am a rocker. THere is nothing better that being in the elevator listening to STP. It is beautiful, stunning.....love it!

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

The Hard Rock is an uber cool hotel. We love going there and it has always been one of our favorites. From the front of line access to the music that plays underwater in the pool, it is a great place.

That being said, we have never spent six days there. Three is our limit. If I were you, I'd split the time between the two places and have really interesting vacation. The two halves of your trip would certainly be different.

With front of line access and long summer hours, you really don't need six days at Universal (and we love the place).

HBC

 

[Granny]

The Hard Rock is an uber cool hotel. We love going there and it has always been one of our favorites. From the front of line access to the music that plays underwater in the pool, it is a great place.

That being said, we have never spent six days there. Three is our limit. If I were you, I'd split the time between the two places and have really interesting vacation. The two halves of your trip would certainly be different.

With front of line access and long summer hours, you really don't need six days at Universal (and we love the place).

HBC

I agree with HBC all around. Hard Rock is one of the most popularly booked hotels in Orlando. I don't think you'll be disappointed, and the kids suite sounds like a nice compromise vs a regular room. FOTL access is critical during the summer and you will enjoy the many food options at the Universal resorts and parks.

I do also agree that if you FOTL, you will not need as much time in the parks there. Depending on your children's ages I'd say 3 days will pretty much max out what Universal has to offer unless you spend a couple of pool lounging days.

You'll have a great time, I'm sure.



HBC....great to "see" you again!

 

[cvjw]

Our last trip to Universal, we spent 4 nights at the HRH. We love the HRH, but 5 days was way too long at Universal with the FOTL pass. We got so bored with only the Universal parks, that we took a break and bought one day tickets to EPCOT for a day. My kids are roller coaster fanatics, and love the big rides at Universal, but you can only ride them so many times before getting bored. Our max at Universal is 3 days.

 

[jel0511]

We spent 4 nights at HRH last summer. We're also DVC and stayed in a king suite with club access. It was just as good as any DVC villa for us!!! We only use our kitchen for breakfasts and snacks, so having club access gave us that with our room!!! The king suite was big enough for us DVC snobs and we all enjoyed the HRH pool. 4 nights was enough, maybe even 1 day too much for us. We'd been to Universal before, but this was our first stay on site. We'd definitely go back!!!!!!

 

[mrebuck]

Thanks for all of your comments. I don't think I can convince my husband to split the stay between DVC and Hard Rock. We're going to be at Vero Beach from 8/12-8/16 and then move over somewhere for 8/16-8/22. With one hotel move already in the works, I'm sure a second is out.

I'm really leaning towards trying the Hard Rock. We were at Disney twice last year (January and November) and stayed at Animal Kingdom for one of these trips, so my kids are Disney'd out. I think the Hard Rock would be a nice change of pace. If we check-in Monday afternoon and go to DHS on Wednesday (with our free tickets) that would leave Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday as open days. And we have the park hopper tickets that also includes Wet and Wild, so we'll spend some time there. Plus, it would be nice to spend a day at the pool, or maybe pool hop to another hotel. Sounds like a relaxing vacation to me!

 

[Granny]

I'm really leaning towards trying the Hard Rock. We were at Disney twice last year (January and November) and stayed at Animal Kingdom for one of these trips, so my kids are Disney'd out. I think the Hard Rock would be a nice change of pace. If we check-in Monday afternoon and go to DHS on Wednesday (with our free tickets) that would leave Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday as open days. And we have the park hopper tickets that also includes Wet and Wild, so we'll spend some time there. Plus, it would be nice to spend a day at the pool, or maybe pool hop to another hotel. Sounds like a relaxing vacation to me!

Based on your comments, I'd definitely stay at HRH then. Especially the comment about "Disney'd out". I was going to say that an HRH stay would be a nice change of pace and keep DVC fresh for your family. I"d go with the plan you describe and have a nice relaxed vacation with the family. Enjoy!

 

[schewy]

I have stayed at both places. The most time I have spent at Universal Orlando is 3 days. By staying at one of their hotels (Hard Rock) you get the special entrance to the rides and shows. I have been at the end of June and July when it is crowded and have never had a problem riding all the rides or seeing the shows. We spent one day at each park and then used the last day to do our favorites again, plus hang out at the pool.
I would recommend splitting the two if you decide to go to Universal Orlando.

 

[cogero]

We are going for the 4th of July to Universal and having our second stay at HRH we loved it back in 2007 but I am definately going to miss my DVC.

We have another trip booked at BLT in August and it will be fun too.

We have 5 days at Universal but also plan to do a lot of lounging at the pool too.

 

[Mtnman44]

Adjusting to a "regular" hotel room is a bit of a pain, but we had a FANTASTIC time staying on site at Universal. It is very pleasant and relaxing to be so close the parks. For me, it is even better, dare I say it, that staying on site at Disney in terms of parks and park access. No shuttle bus drama. The FOTL passes take away the rest of the stress of themeparking. It is amazing. I'll never stay anywhere else for Universal.

 

[La2kw]

I think the service from the Universal resorts is so much better than the Disney resorts, and especially the DVC resorts which are rather limited in what they do for you. I don't think you will be disappointed at all.

 

[mrebuck]

Thanks for all of your words of wisdom. I took the plunge today, cancelled the1 bedroom at Kidani and booked a kids suite at Hard Rock. The kids suite is 800 square feet, about the same as a one bedroom. So I don't think we'll feel too cramped. There were no kids suites on the club level, but I was told to keep checking back, which I'll do. I've asked for a fridge and microwave in the room, so we'll at least have that. My kids are really excited about trying something new. And I'll get my DVC fix again in October - an adults only trip for the Wine & Dine Marathon. I was able to switch to the Beach Club for that trip - my first time there. So much to look forwad to!

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

HBC....great to "see" you again!

Same here Granny. Thanks. Lot of new "faces."

OP: I'm with Granny. If you are on Disney overload enjoy the HRH and the area around there. If you have any professional shoppers in your family just keep them away from the Mall At Millenia which is nearby.

HBC

 

[rutgers1]

We split a vacation between Universal and Disney during the summer. During the Universal trip, we stayed at the Hard Rock.

Here are my thoughts:
1) The Hard Rock is really cool. Very nice. I am a sucker for Disney theming, so it still left something to be desired for me.
2) The access to the park is easy.
3) The pool is very nice. I am not sure if I was there on "Beautiful Women in Stringy Bikinis Week," but if that is the regular folks around the pool, your husband will be very happy.
4) If I recall, they have deals where you can get reduced price access to Sea World and Busch Gardens. If you get sick of the Universal Parks (which can happen in a short time), then you can just expand out into one of those parks.

As someone who is definitely Disneyed out, I think you are making a good decision. If everyone isn't 100% psyched to go to Disney, then put the next Disney trip on hold and see something else.