Not impressed with RPR so far....

[torinsmom]

We stayed our first night at the Radison Inn on International Drive--we got it for $46 on Priceline. Big room, 2 queen beds, flat screen tv, huge bathroom, free wireless, free fridge and microwave, and Sleep Number beds. Called RPR last night and was told we could get into IOA an hour early and that would include WWOHP. Got up early and went to check in. Again we were told we could get into WWOHP early. Got there and were told that noone could get in until 12pm and that would only be for guests with special vouchers. They said to come back tomorrow. Nothing else was open except Seuss Landing and I did NOT get up early to do that, LOL.

Anyway, we came back at 1:30 to get into our room. Smaller room than the Radison, smaller bathroom and nothing free. Took over 45 minutes on the phone with technical support to get 1 of our 2 computers to work with the wireless(which I am paying for) I had to use my cell phone, because there is terrible static in the room phone. The desk clerk said it was probably because a storm was coming. This is not a problem with the computer, because it was bought new yesterday and worked fine with Radison's network. The tech guy said we were basically out of luck.

We have enjoyed the FOTL, but I don't know if it was worth the $250 more that it cost for the night. I wouldn't stay here for a week long stay, that's for sure. We're checking into a 3 bedroom condo for a week tomorrow to the tune of $450!

Just my opinion and we DID enjoy Spiderman and the US rides.

Marsha

 

[dorisdvu]

I stayed for my first time at RPH 6-9-6-14 and I was not impressed at all. The first night (after a hot day at the park), I returned to the hotel to take a relaxing shower only to find there was no hot water. I called the front desk and was informed that they had a power outage and that was the reason for this. Also, the ice machine on my floor was out of order and I had to go another floor to get ice. The next night the ice machine did not have any ice and went to another floor and it was empty as well. I ran into another guest who was having the same problem. A bell hop said he would bring up ice to both of us in a few minutes. I haven't seen that bag of ice yet. I did call down to the front desk and complained about the ice situation and also mentioned the no hot water deal from the night before. The person I spoke to said that there was a fire in the hotel the day before and that was the reason there wasn't any hot water and she would check on the ice. I told her this was my first stay at the hotel and I was not impressed. She informed me that she had stayed at the hotel herself and she thought it was fine. Anyway she tranferred me to someone else. This lady offered $50 off my room and a breakfest buffet comp for my inconvenience. I later ordered room service and requested ice. They sent a pitcher of ice water and 2 glasses of ice water. On the 3rd day, I was able to get ice from the ice machine and also had a ice bag (I didn't have one the 2nd day). The 4th day, housekeeping didn't empty the melted ice from the bag in the bucket, nor did they leave a fresh a bag. I emptied the water and guess what, no ice in the ice machine. I called down and they brought up a bag to me. The last night, no ice bag, but I was able to get ice from the ice machine. The hotel was very noisy. I had a pool view room. It was as if i was at the pool instead of my room. I could hear everything. The guests on my floor were noisy as well. I could even hear people walking down the hall in flip flops. I won't be staying at the RPH anymore. I'll go back to the PBH.

 

[damo]

Marsha, make sure that they don't charge you for the internet when you check out.

 

[Purseval]

How are those $89 Kroger passes working out? I would have made a massive stink with Guest Relations over the refusal of entry into WWOHP since they are pushing it on their website as one of the main reasons for staying onsite. Complain and see what they will do to make it up to you.

 

[damo]

How are those $89 Kroger passes working out? I would have made a massive stink with Guest Relations over the refusal of entry into WWOHP since they are pushing it on their website as one of the main reasons for staying onsite. Complain and see what they will do to make it up to you.

Purseval, do you have the link to where they are pushing it on their website? That would really help her case. I can't find it, or I'd link it.

 

[mjohnson96]

Purseval, do you have the link to where they are pushing it on their website? That would really help her case. I can't find it, or I'd link it.

Actually the website says Starting on June 19th onsite guest get early entry into WWOHP. They are not pushing it on their web or emails, they are stating that it does not start until after the Grand Opening.

 

[torinsmom]

Marsha, make sure that they don't charge you for the internet when you check out.

When we came back from the parks, it was working on both laptops. Should I ask about getting comped for that since it took so much time on the phone to get it fixed?

How are those $89 Kroger passes working out? I would have made a massive stink with Guest Relations over the refusal of entry into WWOHP since they are pushing it on their website as one of the main reasons for staying onsite. Complain and see what they will do to make it up to you.

They worked really well from the get go--thanks again! It was not only me that was under the impression onsite guests were supposed to be able to get in early today; there were dozens of people questioning the CMs just when I was over there.

With everyone talking about getting there at 5:30 to wait for the 8:00 opening for onsite guests, I don't think we are even going to try. Everyone I talked to today said the WWOHP will NOT be open before the GO ceremony, which means we would stand in line to get in and go stand in line to wait for the ceremony. We did everything once or twice today in US and we'll probably go back to both parks next Wednesday. Hopefully, we will get a chance to ride the HP stuff then.

Marsha

 

[torinsmom]

Actually the website says Starting on June 19th onsite guest get early entry into WWOHP. They are not pushing it on their web or emails, they are stating that it does not start until after the Grand Opening.

Well, the front desk is sure telling people that at RPH.

 

[mjohnson96]

Here is the fine print from the website

http://www.universalorlando.com/Tic...ess.aspx?ComponentId=6248&SourcePageId=7805#5

†Requires paid theme park admission. Early Park Admission begins one hour prior to Universal’s Islands of Adventure® regular opening hour for On-site Hotel guests. Current offer valid 7 days a week for travel 6/19/10 – 12/31/10, valid only at Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey™, Flight of the Hippogriff™ and Dragon Challenge™. If technical problems arise or the opening of an attraction is delayed another Islands of Adventure attraction will open for Early Park Admission. Universal Express℠ ride access is not valid during Early Park Admission. * Express ride access not available at Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey™. On-site hotel privileges good for hotel stay as indicated on the room key card. Only good for the number of guests staying in the room. Paid theme park admission required. Express ride access available during normal theme park operating hours only. Some attractions excluded. Not valid for separately ticketed special events. Additional restrictions may apply and benefits are subject to change without notice. Access may be restricted during certain times at certain attractions.^ Based on current pricing for the Unlimited Express pass, sold exclusively at the Universal Orlando® theme park front gates.

 

[damo]

Well, the front desk is sure telling people that at RPH.

If I were you, I'd ask to talk to a manager tomorrow and tell him/her your experiences exactly. Explain how the front desk told you it would be open and you made the special trip, etc. It sure put a damper on your entire stay from the sounds of it. For the amount of money you spent for a room (we spent $125 last week and our experience was faultless) you deserved much better than what you got. Let them know how extremely disappointed you are and that you sure don't want to ever go back.

 

[torinsmom]

If I were you, I'd ask to talk to a manager tomorrow and tell him/her your experiences exactly. Explain how the front desk told you it would be open and you made the special trip, etc. It sure put a damper on your entire stay from the sounds of it.

No, I hope I didn't sound like ruined our entire day. We just got up earlier than normal. DS had a bad headache, but he took some medicine and just dealt with it. We had a great time at US, rode almost everything more than once and ate at Bubba Gumps once the thunderstorms were over. The water taxi was nice as well.

IOA was just a disaster. To add insult to injury, even once the park opened at 9, several of the places we wanted to go were not open until later. Example--Jurassic Park Discovery Center opened at 10 and Poseidon's Fury opened at 10:30. With summer crowds, I don't get opening attractions an hour or more after the park opens to the general public. We rode Spiderman and then left for US. We had planned to get IOA done today since tomorrow will be a madhouse.