Need Help - lots of questions!

[Cinderella822]

I now feel I know WDW inside and out and have decided to give Universal a try next summer. I know nothing about it and need some help.

1) I'd like to stay at one of the hotels onsite, but can't decide which one. What is everyone's favorite and why. It will be me, DH, and DD(14).

2) If you stay onsite, do you need a car? I never get one in WDW and just rely on their transportation. We may want to visit Sea World or Discovery Cove while there. Do they have transportation to those parks from the hotels?

3) What is the difference (if any) between the Express Pass that you get just for staying at the hotels and the Express Pass Plus?

4) If we're not big on the "thrill rides" such as some of the coasters, but have never been to either park before, how long would it take to tour both US and IOA? Trying to figure out which pass would be good for us.

I'll probably have many more questions as I go along, but these are my first thoughts. I really appreciate any help or suggestions as I'm in a totally different world now - outside of WDW! Thanks.

 

[Motherfletcher]

1. They're all good. Your teenager would probably like HRH best.
2. Yes its doable but we never have. They do have buses to SW/DC.
3. The express pass is good once. The hotel room key is good over and over for the length of your stay.
4. If you have FOTL (hotel express) you can do the parks in 2 days but I'd recommendation a minimum of 3 to be able to revisit favorite attractions. I'd also recommend than one from your party buy the Preferred Annual Pass so you can benefit from the discounts, especailly the room.

 

[Cinderella822]

Thanks - that was helpful. What is the Preferred Annual Pass?

 

[Motherfletcher]

You can purchase a Preferred Annual Pass for $179.95 plus tax and you can enjoy 365 days of unlimited theme park admission, no blackout dates, free parking, discounts on food and merchandise and much more!
2-Park Preferred Annual Pass Includes:

Park-to-Park access during regular operating hours
Free self-parking each time you visit.
Discounts on separately ticketed events such as Rock the Universe and Halloween Horror Nights
Savings on multi-day and single-day tickets
Discounts at restaurants and merchandise stores
Save up to 30% at On-Site Resorts, based on availability

 

[MScott1851]

You got most of your questions answered, but I'll throw my two cents in.

We like the Hard Rock Hotel. Besides the decor, we like the proximity to the parks. It's the closest to US if you walk, and not too much further to IOA.

We always rent a car...just so we can have the option of eating at Burger King one day if we so desire. It is very easy to get to Seaworld/Discovery Cove, too. I just like having a rental car.

 

[gschmerl]

One of the great things about staying at the Hard Rock or the Royal Pacific is the short easy walk to all the parks. They offer the water taxi and bus, but we always found it shorter to just walk. No need to rent a car unless you want to go off site for something. They have a free bus to Sea World and Wet N Wild.

 

[Motherfletcher]

These are pretty much the differences and beyond this it's personal opinion. There are other threads that describe the three as well as room locations/views.

Portofino Bay Hotel (PBH)- Where Italy Comes Alive
Come celebrate La Dolce Vita, The Sweet Life
Condé Nast Traveler magazine's Gold List of "World's Best Places to Stay"; 2003 & 2004.
Average Room Size 485 - 525 sq. ft.
Pools- 3 pools
1 waterslide
1 child pool
3 whirlpools
1 cold plunge
16 cabanas
Dining- 3 Restaurants
2 Lounges
Poolside drinks and dining
Deli and Cafe/Gelateria
24 hour room service
Spa/Fitness Center
Shopping- Art Gallery
Mens and Womens Apparel
Resort Wear and Gifts
Universal Studios Store
Portofino Bay Logo Wear and Sundries

Hard Rock Hotel (HRH)- Hey Now, You're a Rock Star
A rock star's California mansion complete with a million dollar memorabilia collection.
Room size 375 sq. ft.
1 pool
1 waterslide
1 child pool
2 whirlpools
10 cabanas
2 Restaurants
1 Lounge
Poolside drinks and dining
Coffee/ice cream shop
24 hour room service
The Hard Rock Store

Royal Pacific Resort (RPR)- An Exotic Paradise-Orchid gardens, friendly natives, and island drinks take you away to another place and time.
Room size 335 sq. ft.
1 pool
1 interactive play area
1 child pool
2 whirlpools
3 cabanas
2 Restaurants
2 Lounges
Poolside drinks and dining
24 hour room service
Royal Pacific Gifts and Sundries
Universal Studios Store

 

[bubba's mom]

Let it be known, that RPR is usually cheapest of the 3 hotels.

 

[robvia]

RPR has been the fan favorite on these boards lately for a couple reasons. The HRH has been overbooking some rooms, and that leads to some people being moved to another hotel on check in. Plus the HRH rates have been going up. The overbooking and reservation problems are not happening at the RPR, plus it costs less.
However, the HRH is closer to the parks, the walk being about 5 minutes, whereas the walk from the RPR is about 7 minutes.

I tell everyone to rent the car, that way you can visit the Publix grocery store and stock a cooler. The onsite hotels at USF/IOA don't really have food courts like the All Star Resorts at Disney. So you'll end up spending a lot of money unless you eat in your room a few times.

 

[Cinderella822]

I tell everyone to rent the car, that way you can visit the Publix grocery store and stock a cooler. The onsite hotels at USF/IOA don't really have food courts like the All Star Resorts at Disney. So you'll end up spending a lot of money unless you eat in your room a few times.

I was wondering about that. The one thing I like about the Disney resorts is they all have a place where you can get coffee and a quick breakfast in the morning - bagels, pastries, etc. I'll then take it back to my room while I get ready. I like doing that when I'm trying to get the parks early (not a big breakfast eater). Do any of the Universal hotels have such a place in them rather than having a sit-down breakfast?

 

[antmaril]

Royal Pacific has a casual place in the Orchid Lounge for breakfast. They offer coffee, juice, bagels, muffins, cereal, etc. You can either sit down at a table or take the food to your room. I've done this many times, since my husband and son are not big breakfast eaters. I have to have my coffee and a little something to eat in the a.m.

I believe Portofino Bay also has a place to get quick breakfast items. However, not in the lobby, but in the plaza where the restaurants and shops are located.

 

[Cinderella822]

Thanks so much. That's exactly what I needed to know.