PB/HRH question

[dsmom]

I have a strange question- we are planning a trip back to Universal and can not decide between these two resorts. I have an eight year old autisic son who is obsessed with stairs!! Do either of these two resorts have large stairs in the lobby? ( We have stayed at the GF at WDW in the past and it was a nightmare getting him away from the lobby!)


Also, which resort would you reccommend for him in general? We stayed at RPR during Christmas time and it was incredible but we want to try all three resorts before we go back to it. Thanks for any help!

 

[damo]

I have a strange question- we are planning a trip back to Universal and can not decide between these two resorts. I have an eight year old autisic son who is obsessed with stairs!! Do either of these two resorts have large stairs in the lobby? ( We have stayed at the GF at WDW in the past and it was a nightmare getting him away from the lobby!)


Also, which resort would you reccommend for him in general? We stayed at RPR during Christmas time and it was incredible but we want to try all three resorts before we go back to it. Thanks for any help!

HRH does have large stairs, going down, in the lobby. When you are checking in, they are at the back and are large and winding going down to the pool and lower level. You don't see them as much as you would a staircase going up to a higher level.

You may prefer the HRH just because of its proximity to the parks if you want to actually spend less time waiting for transportation and just walk to the parks and citywalk. I know waiting can be an issue with autistic children.

Although it sounds like HRH should be overstimulating, it really isn't. The whole atmosphere is very serene and the music is at a reasonable level and is nice rock music.

I'm not sure about stairs in the PBH. Someone else will be able to help out. But because the lobby is on an upper floor, the stairway probably goes down from the lobby as well and wouldn't be as big of a distraction.

 

[dsmom]

Thanks for the quick reply! Yes transportion is a BIG issue with our son, waiting is his biggest issue. We were at RPR last month and took a ricksaw ride back one day instead of waiting for the boat. (My son LOVED it though!)
We were leaning toward HRH so that is probably where we will stay next. After check in would we see the stairs very much? We will be staying club level. Are there any views or special rooms we should request? The club room we had at RPR was incredible!! We looked right over the pool and into IOA- it had to be the best room we have ever had! The staff there were great- especially Joanne and Beau! We did NOT want to leave.
Is the walk to the parks close from HRH? We walked one day from RPR to IOA and it was not a bad walk at all. My son liked the boats from the resort but for some reason got nervous every time it went under a bridge
He loves music- on the spectrum of autism he is one of the kids that craves constant activity-the more to hear and look at the better for him!
Sorry for all the questions and thanks for all the help!

 

[damo]

After check-in at the HRH you would want to keep him distracted with the music things on the walls and perhaps the Hard Rock Store. You do have to go past the staircase to get to the elevators but it isn't as obvious as a staircase going up to a higher level would be. You will have to use the elevators.

There will be a problem when you come into the hotel from the pool level however because the stairs are right there beside the ice cream store and elevator. Maybe you can bribe him some how? I'm trying to think of alternate entrances for you. I'm sure there are some.

It sounds like your son would like a park view. I would request a pool view club room and send a fax or make a phone call telling them about your son. They will be very helpful.

The walk from HRH is 5 minutes. Much shorter than from the RPH.

If he loves music. He will love Hard Rock. There are instruments all over the place and costumes, etc.

I am trying to find some lobby pictures to help you out but they aren't really clear enough. The stairs to the immediate right are only about 3 deep. They go to a sunken lounge area. Here is a picture of the lobby as you walk toward the elevators. The staircase is in the far right corner. You can't see it, so maybe that is a good thing.

This is the area right off of the check in desk. These are the little stairs you see in the first picture and that is the check in desk on the right.

Here is a picture of the entrance to the staircase. I think this shows how well it is hidden.

 

[dsmom]

Thanks for all your help! What georgous pictures!! It looks perfect and I will be making my reservation today!! I did not know the HRH had park views- that's great! I don't think the stairs will be a problem there. At the GF at WDW they had a HUGE stairway that went up three flights and I had to park myself at the bottom and my husband at the top to try and round up our son every time he saw it - not a very relaxing vacation The ones at the HRH sound much more manageable! Did you mention an ice cream shop at the hotel? This place sounds perfect. Thanks again!

 

[damo]

The park views are distant. If you explain your circumstances, hopefully they will pick one that at least your son can see something in!!!

The staircase is near the ice cream parlor on the lower level. Now that may cause a problem because it is beautiful staircase.

 

[dsmom]

If there is ice cream near by it won't be a problem because my son LOVES ice cream! One final question- are there any balconies at the HRH?

 

[damo]

No balconies.

 

[FireandIce]

You can aviod the staircase at HRH by walking thru the lobby, past the Hard Rock store, and take a quick right. There you will find another set of elevators.

 

[dsmom]

Thanks again for the info. I am always afraid of a balcony with my son. Does the PB resort have balconies? We are going there in March for a weekend with my mom and she has to have a balcony(don't ask! She is very particular!! ) We will be in separate rooms for that stay. Thanks again!

 

[Fan2CSkr]

Thanks for all your help! What georgous pictures!! It looks perfect and I will be making my reservation today!! I did not know the HRH had park views- that's great! I don't think the stairs will be a problem there. At the GF at WDW they had a HUGE stairway that went up three flights and I had to park myself at the bottom and my husband at the top to try and round up our son every time he saw it - not a very relaxing vacation The ones at the HRH sound much more manageable! Did you mention an ice cream shop at the hotel? This place sounds perfect. Thanks again!

Emack and Bolios is a great place for a treat!!
http://www.emackandbolios.com/index.htm

 

[damo]

Thanks again for the info. I am always afraid of a balcony with my son. Does the PB resort have balconies? We are going there in March for a weekend with my mom and she has to have a balcony(don't ask! She is very particular!! ) We will be in separate rooms for that stay. Thanks again!

The only balconies at PBH are on the main floor.

 

[damo]

You can aviod the staircase at HRH by walking thru the lobby, past the Hard Rock store, and take a quick right. There you will find another set of elevators.

Any suggestions on avoiding in on the way up from the pool?

 

[dsmom]

OMG!! Now I KNOW we will be staying there!! Thank you!

 

[Fan2CSkr]

The only balconies at PBH are on the main floor.

PBH has balconies on all their floors. Ya mean patios?

BTW, they arent all that easy to come by and cant be reserved but can be requested.

 

[Fan2CSkr]

Any suggestions on avoiding in on the way up from the pool?

Walk through the gates into the doorway and head straight dont look right, (staircase) head into the hallway and the elevators are right there.
http://www.iceportal.com/brochures/...n=0&langid=1&langlist=1&instanceid=15&image=2

 

[damo]

PBH has balconies on all their floors. Ya mean patios?

BTW, they arent all that easy to come by and cant be reserved but can be requested.

Sorry about that!!!

 

[damo]

Walk through the gates into the doorway and head straight dont look right, (staircase) head into the hallway and the elevators are right there.
http://www.iceportal.com/brochures/...n=0&langid=1&langlist=1&instanceid=15&image=2

But is there any way to avoid that entrance at all? I think an 8 year old would still see the staircase coming in and the OP doesn't want him to be able to see it.

 

[Fan2CSkr]

But is there any way to avoid that entrance at all? I think an 8 year old would still see it coming in and the OP doesn't want him to be able to see it.

I see what your saying and yes I agree that grand staircase on the right would be distracting. Other than entering from another location I would think not.

*Take a look at ice portal they have nice virtual tours of the renovated rooms at HRH!

 

[FireandIce]

Any suggestions on avoiding in on the way up from the pool?

No. Not unless you go out the gate, past the water taxi to the bus stop and use the elevator to the lobby.