News Round Up 2016

[rteetz]

Looks like Pooh at Shanghai is basically the same as WDW

 

[beer dave]

I think that's why Volcano Bay will be part of that. It's something that's rumored to be almost a theme park and water park hybrid. A second city walk area has also been discussed and of course more resorts.

See that's where I could consider a third day-- but that's all. two days at the parks and one day at the water park with evenings at the two downtowns.....

 

[rteetz]

News

Toy Story Hotel Shanghai seemed to have a soft open today to guests. More of a moderate type hotel in Shanghai.

https://twitter.com/disneylanddrive/status/729811245046489089

 

[Budshark]

Looks like Pooh at Shanghai is basically the same as WDW

Ohhh. THAT Pooh. Based on recent threads I was a little concerned about an in depth review.

 

[ladyelizabeth]

Does anyone actually plan a week long Universal trip? What do they do after the first two days?

The Orlando FlexTicket gets you unlimited admission to both Universal Parks, Sea World, Aquatica, and Wet 'n' Wild. And the Universal resorts offer transportation to all those parks. So, some folks spend a week at Universal, but also enjoy other parks that the Universal Resorts have bus service to. It's really just personal preference. And there are some that feel the deluxe resorts at Universal are a better bang for their buck and will stay there and maybe make a day trip or two to Disney World.

I personally love to spend at least 4 days at Universal. But I like to re-ride attractions and spread out my vacation so it is more relaxing.

 

[Tigger's ally]

That's my anniversary also. We won't be anywhere near WDW like we were on our honeymoon 20 (almost) years ago.

Wish mine was only twenty. Be 31 years the day before my 52nd birthday. Three kids later including those twins on each side in the avatar and it still seems like our honeymoon was yesterday at the Contemporary. Second honeymoon 15 years was a total suprise to her as we were vacationing for two weeks in Maine (not really) ended up a week in Maine and a week in the world.

 

[ColoradoDreamin]

The Orlando FlexTicket gets you unlimited admission to both Universal Parks, Sea World, Aquatica, and Wet 'n' Wild. And the Universal resorts offer transportation to all those parks. So, some folks spend a week at Universal, but also enjoy other parks that the Universal Resorts have bus service to. It's really just personal preference. And there are some that feel the deluxe resorts at Universal are a better bang for their buck and will stay there and maybe make a day trip or two to Disney World.

I personally love to spend at least 4 days at Universal. But I like to re-ride attractions and spread out my vacation so it is more relaxing.

Universal has resort fees and parking fees that Disney does not have yet (and despite rumors there is no plan for it yet). I have found it is more espensive for same quality hotels at universal than Disney. universal just hides a lot of their cost

 

[rteetz]

Universal has resort fees and parking fees that Disney does not have yet (and despite rumors there is no plan for it yet). I have found it is more espensive for same quality hotels at universal than Disney. universal just hides a lot of their cost

I haven't looked at direct resort cost comparison but most hotels have resort and parking fees look at the swan and dolphin for example. Universal hotels are also run by Loews not by universal themselves.

 

[rteetz]

Pretty good video of Shanghai Disneyland

 

[rteetz]

News

Audio testing being done at MK in the hub

http://www.orlandoparksnews.com/2016/05/magic-kingdom-overnight-audio-testing.html

 

[ladyelizabeth]

Universal has resort fees and parking fees that Disney does not have yet (and despite rumors there is no plan for it yet). I have found it is more espensive for same quality hotels at universal than Disney. universal just hides a lot of their cost

I don't think the Universal hotels have a resort fee. But correct me if I'm wrong! I just don't remember ever being charged one since we've been going regularly for the past couple years. Yes they do charge for self parking and a little more for valet. I grew up where you always pay to park, so that's not a surprise to me. But I understand that the price can have sticker shock.

I've found that even with paying for parking, the hotel was cheaper and the accommodations are nicer. I like the theming of Portofino Bay and Royal Pacific, and love the fact that it is a short boat ride to the parks or a relaxing walk. And you can get some great rates as a Florida resident or annual passholder. And the deluxe resorts come with express passes for each person in the room. Many times (if not all the time) the express passes would have cost us more than the hotel room, so we think it's worth it and has more value.

And Royal pacific and portofino bay participate in Loews YouFirst rewards, which is great that frequent customers of Loews hotels get rewards for their stay. Hard Rock has their own rewards program and does not participate in YouFirst. But still, a little customer loyalty rewards goes a long way in my book. Plus free upgrades after 2 stays!!!

Come to the dark side, my friends! We have butterbeer.

 

[beer dave]

Ohhh. THAT Pooh. Based on recent threads I was a little concerned about an in depth review.

It is all same poo.

 

[ColoradoDreamin]

I don't think the Universal hotels have a resort fee. But correct me if I'm wrong! I just don't remember ever being charged one since we've been going regularly for the past couple years. Yes they do charge for self parking and a little more for valet. I grew up where you always pay to park, so that's not a surprise to me. But I understand that the price can have sticker shock.

I've found that even with paying for parking, the hotel was cheaper and the accommodations are nicer. I like the theming of Portofino Bay and Royal Pacific, and love the fact that it is a short boat ride to the parks or a relaxing walk. And you can get some great rates as a Florida resident or annual passholder. And the deluxe resorts come with express passes for each person in the room. Many times (if not all the time) the express passes would have cost us more than the hotel room, so we think it's worth it and has more value.

And Royal pacific and portofino bay participate in Loews YouFirst rewards, which is great that frequent customers of Loews hotels get rewards for their stay. Hard Rock has their own rewards program and does not participate in YouFirst. But still, a little customer loyalty rewards goes a long way in my book. Plus free upgrades after 2 stays!!!

Come to the dark side, my friends! We have butterbeer.

yes there is a resort fee at their resorts. At cabana bay it is slightly over $30 for a night

 

[twebber55]

yes there is a resort fee at their resorts. At cabana bay it is slightly over $30 for a night

so you re saying the cost for cabana bay is
149.00
30.00 resort fee
12.00 parking fee
total 191.00 a night?

 

[ColoradoDreamin]

so you re saying the cost for cabana bay is
149.00
30.00 resort fee
12.00 parking fee
total 191.00 a night?

I only stayed at cabana bay one night, so I don't know if the resort fee is a per day thing. It would be strange if it wasn't but I almost think it was not per night but per stay. I could be wrong there. I didn't pay $190 but that's only because I get a discount per my Union. But essentially I paid $45 more than advertised price. I kind of knew that would be the case going in so it wasn't a surprise to me

 

[publix subs]

There is no resort fee at Cabana Bay. They charge room + ~13% tax + $12 for parking if you have a vehicle. I've stayed there over a dozen times and have never paid a resort fee.

 

[ColoradoDreamin]

There is no resort fee at Cabana Bay. They charge room + ~13% tax + $12 for parking if you have a vehicle. I've stayed there over a dozen times and have never paid a resort fee.

I am looking at the bill right now - it says resort fee. There was a resort fee. This is from April 2016

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Pretty good video of Shanghai Disneyland

Very cool - and the bits from Pirates look incredible! The Castle show looks good too

and of course they had to use the song from Paint the Night and it is now totally stuck in my head

 

[publix subs]

I am looking at the bill right now - it says resort fee. There was a resort fee. This is from April 2016

Hmmmm that's really weird and I stand corrected. I just never remember paying one ever. I've booked all my stays directly through Universal's website too.

 

[rteetz]

Very cool - and the bits from Pirates look incredible! The Castle show looks good too

and of course they had to use the song from Paint the Night and it is now totally stuck in my head

It looks like there is a nice mix of projection and actual sets in pirates.