Our First, Last and only visit to Universal...yuck!

[LuluLovesDisney]

RP's our favorite of the three, never had a bad stay there. GF doesn't appeal to us, we've had lunch and dinners there, way too formal for us. never stayed at the Poly, but we love the Contemporary.

we don't spend a lot of time at the resorts because we're an hour away, but I like to see how people compare the UO's and WDW's. thanks for your opinion.

Tchoup Chop is amazing, by the way.

Thanks. I will definitely be giving Tchoup Chop a try and I'll be able to check out RP for myself (if I can still walk after my meal, lol) The menu looks awesome and I've heard fabulous reviews.

 

[sha_lyn]

I totally agree. I can't believe some of the things I've heard. I go to Disney to get away from those judgmental/laugh-at-the-shortcomings-of-others/mock-the-kind/innocent/idealistic. I'd much prefer to be part of the magic.

You've never posted on the Cb orthe old DB have you? There are many die hard WDW fans here on the DIS who won't go near USO that make judgmental/laugh-at-the-shortcomings-of-others/mock-the-kind/innocent/idealistic post. Do you stay away from WDW to stay away from them.

In 2002, those passes cost money. They weren't free.

Yes the express passes were free. They were even better than fast pass, because you could pick from several (3 I believe) time frames and you could hold 2 at a time.
It is very clear you didn't/don't know the difference between unlmited express (or FOTL, which is for onsite guest) or the express passes, which were free.

The amount of unsupervised children running from the exit to the entrance and being allowed on six or seven times, before anyone from the standby line was allowed on, spoke volumes about the values of the park.

What you described doesn't happen. They let on a certain number of those in the express line, before they fill the rest of a ride with guest from the regular line.

I read a few bad reviews, including one from a personal friend and it caused me to rethink that option. Since I love the Poly, I thought I might enjoy Royal Pacific, too, but I got scared away.

You can read many bad reviews about every WDW resort, including the Poly right here on the DIS. Does that keep you away from them?
RPR is a wonderful resort. The decor,service, restaurant etc are all top notch.

 

[babieemelly]

OK, I stand corrected. I just know that there were free passes available. I just don't see the need to pay for the passes. If you get to the parks first thing in the a.m. as we always do, you can get on everything you want with no problem. Three or four early morning rides on the Hulk is a must for me!

You were right, the passes were free in 2002. And I just have to say that you have the greatest signature of all time Go Yankees!

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

You've never posted on the Cb orthe old DB have you? There are many die hard WDW fans here on the DIS who won't go near USO that make judgmental/laugh-at-the-shortcomings-of-others/mock-the-kind/innocent/idealistic post. Do you stay away from WDW to stay away from them.




Yes the express passes were free. They were even better than fast pass, because you could pick from several (3 I believe) time frames and you could hold 2 at a time.
It is very clear you didn't/don't know the difference between unlmited express (or FOTL, which is for onsite guest) or the express passes, which were free.




What you described doesn't happen. They let on a certain number of those in the express line, before they fill the rest of a ride with guest from the regular line.


You can read many bad reviews about every WDW resort, including the Poly right here on the DIS. Does that keep you away from them?
RPR is a wonderful resort. The decor,service, restaurant etc are all top notch.

I've occasionally posted on the CB, but I prefer other less controversial boards.

No, I didn't know of any difference between FOTL and express, nor did any employee explain it to me when I asked about what I saw happening. I wish I had. Proof that planning is good.

I did say I'd check RP out for myself, as I'd like to try Tchoup Chop.

On that note, everyone can have their own opinions, and I'm glad you didn't experience any negative situations but I can state for you that specifically on Bluto's Bilge Rat Barges that summer, I did witness a group of kids (4 to 6 preteen age boys) getting off, and going right back on. There was a line from the loading area all the way back and just where the line turned back up the ramp there was another wooden door and they just kept coming through that door and back on. I don't know if this was procedure or if it *shouldn't* have been happening, but it was. I would like to say this as respectfully as possible- you cannot tell me something "doesn't happen". It DID happen. I cannot describe anyone's experiences but my own and neither can you.

 

[vellamint]

When we went in 2003 there were paid express passes and I am almost positive they also had the free ones too. Sorry I dont know the correct "names" for each of these (its late lol)

I did buy them for my family that year because they were only $10 apiece (this was the end of August so I am guessing it was that inexpensive because this is considered "off" season).. But I really think the free ones were still there also.

 

[flatline]

there were definately both free and 'for sale' EP's in 2002. one of my friend's wife scrapbooks their trips to Universal and collected the EP's.

 

[Slacking]

Yeah, as I stated (my posts are easily glossed over I guess), there was a time when both the Free Express and the Extra Charge Express Pass Plus coexisted peacefully.

 

[flatline]

Yeah, as I stated (my posts are easily glossed over I guess), there was a time when both the Free Express and the Extra Charge Express Pass Plus coexisted peacefully.

R.I.P. little buddies, maybe there's a few of you in the Nick time capsule.

 

[Slacking]

Nick Whatsit?

Will the poor thing even survive to its "To Open" date?

I bet its missing its slime fountain and former studios.

 

[AnaheimGirl]

Portofino Bay is as expensive as the Polynesian and the Grand Flo. It also seems cold and a little too formal- the same reason I chose Poly over Grand Flo.

That's interesting. When we priced out the resorts for this fall, Portofino was about 2/3 the price of the Poly and half of the GF. We chose to stay at the Hard Rock, but are paying about half what we did last year for the Poly, for 1 week hotel, plus park tickets.

 

[Fan2CSkr]

Nick Whatsit?

Will the poor thing even survive to its "To Open" date?

I bet its missing its slime fountain and former studios.

Whats the date again? I just miss that there isnt something in that area!

 

[flatline]

Nick Whatsit?

Will the poor thing even survive to its "To Open" date?

I bet its missing its slime fountain and former studios.

we sure miss them. I wish they'd open an auction for all of the memorabilia back there. our daughter did make it on air for a couple of segments of Slime Time Live. her crowning achievement as far as she's concerned.

apparently, slime tastes like vanilla pudding.

 

[nerdboyrockstar]

On that note, everyone can have their own opinions, and I'm glad you didn't experience any negative situations but I can state for you that specifically on Bluto's Bilge Rat Barges that summer, I did witness a group of kids (4 to 6 preteen age boys) getting off, and going right back on. There was a line from the loading area all the way back and just where the line turned back up the ramp there was another wooden door and they just kept coming through that door and back on. I don't know if this was procedure or if it *shouldn't* have been happening, but it was. I would like to say this as respectfully as possible- you cannot tell me something "doesn't happen". It DID happen. I cannot describe anyone's experiences but my own and neither can you.

Wow.. and I've seen line skippers on Everest. The point is, when you complain to a Universal CM, they're going to do something about it. The same way as it happened at Disney.

Disney is not the Stepford Theme Park.

 

[AlexandNessa]

The Hershey Hijack!

Mike & I will be at Herhsey Park all this weekend. Anyone else?

 

[Slacking]

The Hershey Hijack!

Mike & I will be at Herhsey Park all this weekend. Anyone else?

Enjoy! I won't be there until sometime this summer.

Hershey is definitely my favorite park out of all the parks I've visited (which I guess is 56 according to coastercounter.com)

I'm looking foward to their updated chocolate tour ride, not to mention their new Peanut Butter Cup shooting dark ride. Those things get me more excited than coasters, lol. Then of course, I still have yet to ride Storm Runner which looks insane.

Have a blast this weekend!

 

[RadioFanatic]

My dh and I, who are disney fanatics, absolutely loved RP and liked it more than any of the WDW resorts we stayed at, which you can see from my signature, is a lot (6).

I also don't understand those who say they don't like the resorts b/c they don't have the "extras" WDW resorts do. That's just not true - (1) there is a Universal tv channel, just like WDW; (2) if you sign up for Loew's club (which is free to do) you can get either free wine/cheese, milk/cookies, fruit/bottled water for the asking; (3) free transportation in the form of easy walking or riding a boat to get to the parks; and most importantly (4) front of the line privileges - that is worth its weight in gold. In my mind, those are better than EMH and the VERY slow transportation system WDW has.

Do I feel disloyal to WDW? No way, heck I'm going back in October b/c I love it so much. But I also love Universal and appreciate both for their differences. You may want to check out my trip report from my January -06 trip where I specifically did a list by list comparison b/w WDW and Universal. It may give you some ideas you didn't think of before.

 

[damo]

I've occasionally posted on the CB, but I prefer other less controversial boards.

No, I didn't know of any difference between FOTL and express, nor did any employee explain it to me when I asked about what I saw happening. I wish I had. Proof that planning is good.

I did say I'd check RP out for myself, as I'd like to try Tchoup Chop.

On that note, everyone can have their own opinions, and I'm glad you didn't experience any negative situations but I can state for you that specifically on Bluto's Bilge Rat Barges that summer, I did witness a group of kids (4 to 6 preteen age boys) getting off, and going right back on. There was a line from the loading area all the way back and just where the line turned back up the ramp there was another wooden door and they just kept coming through that door and back on. I don't know if this was procedure or if it *shouldn't* have been happening, but it was. I would like to say this as respectfully as possible- you cannot tell me something "doesn't happen". It DID happen. I cannot describe anyone's experiences but my own and neither can you.

That is the express lane door. If those kids were staying on site they were allowed to do that. That is one of the perks with staying onsite -- unlimited express (if they had purchased an express pass they would only have been entitled to one ride, the same as if they had gotten the free express pass from the machine). However, if you kept seeing them, the express line must have been basically non-existant because that is where the express line starts. In order for them to ride that many times during the time you were in line, they must have been pretty much the only ones in the expess line.

 

[damo]

Enjoy! I won't be there until sometime this summer.

Hershey is definitely my favorite park out of all the parks I've visited (which I guess is 56 according to coastercounter.com)

I'm looking foward to their updated chocolate tour ride, not to mention their new Peanut Butter Cup shooting dark ride. Those things get me more excited than coasters, lol. Then of course, I still have yet to ride Storm Runner which looks insane.

Have a blast this weekend!

I liked the chocolate factory 3D show better than any of the rides. We didn't ride Storm Runner since it came into action the following year.

 

[Slacking]

The 3D show is fun. I actually paid for my friends to see it, thats how desperate I was to see the movie!

They may not have the most thrilling collection of rides, but to me its all about fun, and I absolutely have a blast with Wildcat, SooperDooperLooper, and Great bear. Not to mention they have the best Wild Mouse I have ridden!

I also missed Storm Runner by a year, its the only credit there I don't have. (but its sad that I'm looking more foward to the new dark ride,)

 

[patsal]

That is the express lane door. If those kids were staying on site they were allowed to do that. That is one of the perks with staying onsite -- unlimited express (if they had purchased an express pass they would only have been entitled to one ride, the same as if they had gotten the free express pass from the machine). However, if you kept seeing them, the express line must have been basically non-existant because that is where the express line starts. In order for them to ride that many times during the time you were in line, they must have been pretty much the only ones in the expess line.

This is what we were able to do several years ago. We did it on the Bilge Rat ride as well as Cat in the Hat, Jurassic Park, and ET, I'm sure there were a few others, but my kids were really young then so these are all that I remember doing over and over and over--I also remember the people who kept pointing and complaining. At first I felt a bit bad, then I remembered it was a perk I paid for by staying on site and they all had that opportunity as well.