Planning our 1st Universal stay. What do folks do at night?

[Kimberle]

Hi, we've done Disney many times and are used to the nighttime parades, fireworks, etc. I don't believe US has those. It will be myself, dh, and our 7yo dd.

We're planning on staying at the Royal Pacific in late August. Also, how are the shuttles to Sea World and Wet & Wild? How does Wet & Wild compare to Typhoone Lagoon (our only experience with a water park).

We haven't decided on a room type. We're debating between the Club level and Water view. Besides the food, what does Club offer that the others don't? I've signed up for the Loews First Club, so I'll get a free paper & health club usage regardless.

Thanks,

 

[Foladar]

Late August, the hours seem to be 7-8ish depending on park and what day. After the parks, you can always go to CityWalk and enjoy a nice dinner and head back to the hotel afterwards to relax before bed (so you can be up early for the parks!) .. There's also the pools (I'd guess they're open later than parks, of course but no idea) ... US does have fireworks, not sure when though .. last summer I believe there was some but I've not gone during these times, so not sure at all there either. Personally, we just go with the cheapest onsite room, as your just sleeping there and we usually eat lunch and dinner at Citywalk (or you can always go to McDonalds which isn't far if you have a car)

 

[E&B's Mom]

We have never used the shuttles, but we weren't really crazy about Sea World, so I don't think we'll be going back - we'd just prefer to do USO exclusively. My kids are water park crazy, and they rate Wet & Wild as just OK. The rides/slides are good, but there is absolutely no theming at all. Just a big lot with pools and the slides. No shade at all, so bring plenty of sunscreen. Also, one thing we hated - at every other water park we've been to (and we've been to many) the lazy rivers have tubes you cab just hop on. at Wet & Wild you have to rent one to be able to ride in the river. I say either skip it, or try to go to Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach.

 

[cbdmhgp]

i think you should definitely go club level. although it does cost a lot more, its worth it in the long run. one year we ate breakfast out at mcdonalds and places like that and then the next year we did club level and LOVED it!!!

 

[goofie4goofy]

One of the big diffrerences between WDW and USO is relaxation. There is no need to rush at USO when staying on site. The FOTL access lets you realy enjoy the parks at your own pace. The hotels at USO, IMHO are much nicer that WDW. They have more of a vacation resort feel to them. It is not all about GO GO GO at USO and you never feel like you are missing anything.

At night the pools are open, and there are also great restaurant choices. I would recommend staying CL as well, not just for the breakfast or the wine/beer/appetizers but there are DVD's available for you to take to your room to enjoy at no charge.

When we are thru with dinner, we go somewhere for icecream or coffee, take a walk around and head back to the room. That brings us somewhere around 8:30 or so. There are alos game rooms at the hotels too.

One of the reasons why we love USO so much is because it is just so relaxing. It is like 2 vacations in one. The resorts are just so beautiful, that some days we just don't want to leave the comfort of the hotel. Some days we go to the parks from 9 to 1 and spend the rest of the day at the pool then off for a nice dinner.

 

[PlutoLuvr]

Hi, Kimberle

As another poster mentioned, the relaxation element of staying on site at USO is a wonderful change from the constant Go Go Go at WDW. Not that you're bored at USO, but I find I can often "wing it" when I stay at USO versus WDW. If you're tired, lounge around the hotel/pools. If you feel like shopping, listening to music or having a great dinner, walk over to City (although you can have great dinners at the resorts, too).

Funny, our days are always very full and fun when we stay at USO, but I just find there's not a lot of stressful planning. If we're craving burgers on, say, Tuesday night for dinner and some rockin' tunes, we head over to HRC. If we feel like something light for dinner, having some cocktails and people watching, we eat redfish at O'Bryans, get some hurricanes to go and sit in the Buffet chairs outside of Margaritaville and relax. All of this you can decide after a day in the parks when you're freshening up in your room. One night, Scooby Doo joined us for a little while eating dinner at HRH.

Wet & Wild...ick. Typhoon Lagoon gets my vote. No shade at W&W, no theme, like another poster mentioned, and I thought it was dirty and had an "off" smell.

Haven't done shuttles to the parks you mentioned. I always prefer to have my car and come and go as I please.

Not much help, either, about your question about room type. DH and I usually opt for the least expensive, since we spend so little time in our rooms.

Hope you guys have a fabulous trip!

 

[magicmouse2]

When we stay at US the parks close at 6pm. We will swim or go to WDW as we have aps. There is little to do other than eat swim or drink at night at US IMHO. Need more options for families.

 

[Fan2CSkr]

We usually have a late dinner after the parks close. After dinner we walk around CityWalk. The shops are open and the clubs. Margaritaville usually has someting going on entertainment wise. After walking around we head back to the hotel, change and go swimming. Some nights we check out the other hotels we arent staying at that trip. We find plenty to do in the evenings.

Last time we took the shuttle to Seaworld we found the schedule to be limited. Getting there I remember was fine but coming back it left too early. I think the schedule has changed since last we used it. We are going again next trip and if the times arent great we'll just take a cab.

We did Wet N Wild years ago and havent been back since. It wasnt horrible just didnt seem worth it to leave the parks for. I would like to try one of the Disney water parks next time.

Late August is a great time to be there, not crowded at all. If you decide to stay at RPR I would book a standard room and ask for an upgrade. The water room is the same room and often the views are better in the standard room. Club is not worth it for us, we are rarely in the room and the $ difference pays for some great meals. If its an offered upgrade for a little more $, I would take it.

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

I have never felt the desire to stay club level. When we go I like to stay 5 or 6 nights and we have never been bored--even when the parks close early. I think all 3 hotels have a dive in movie on the weekends. There is also a theater on City Walk with 16 screens. DS usually likes to get a burger by the pool while DH and I go for dinner at the hotel.

 

[Foladar]

When we stay at US the parks close at 6pm. We will swim or go to WDW as we have aps. There is little to do other than eat swim or drink at night at US IMHO. Need more options for families.

There's always a movie theatre if all else fails

 

[lindalinda]

We love walking around citywalk at night after dinner. The kids love it too. There are shops and street performers and music. Then we might take an evening swim, get an ice cream, wander around the hotel grounds (they are beautiful)...oh and oddly enough...spend some time talking and enjoying the kids. (This might be the best part of the whole vacation)

 

[Kimberle]

Thank you all for your help!

 

[LeahA]

We are staying for four nights and this is what we plan to do:

March 28th/Margaritaville for dinner/Margarita's for dessert
Hang out at Citywalk, even with our 3 kids, there is so much to see and do at Citywalk. The kids have fun listening to the music, going in the shooting fountains, getting a tattoo or going on the silly little rides

March 29th/in room babysitting courtesy of Kids Nite Out/Dinner ressies at Emeril's for dh and I

March 30th/Islands Dining Room and Royal Pacific, they have a charachter meal with Scooby Doo and Shaggy, they have a cool room that kids can hang out it, it had big comfy couches and t.v.'s and stuff

March 31st/I think we'll see Ice Age 2 in Citywalk at the movies, and then one more Margarita before we leave

I heard some of the hotels have a movie by the pool, I think that's HRH, maybe on Saturday night?

Have fun, you won't get bored!

 

[lindalinda]

I heard some of the hotels have a movie by the pool, I think that's HRH, maybe on Saturday night?

All the resorts have the "dive in movie" usually either friday or saturday night, you'll have to check on which day. This is lots if fun too.

 

[ines248]

I get my Theme Park Parking refund back!!

Yes, me too. Citywalk movie teather the best place to hang around, expecially when I pay parking at universal, and I need to get my parking refund back!
(If they are still refunding the paking fee)

I usually get a dessert so ice cream is the best.
I pay for the movie but inside they give me back my parking for that day in FOOD!!!!

Also, walking around citywalk is good enterteinment and good for Your health, too.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

We're staying at HRH for four nights in July. We booked with a AAA rate and the difference between deluxe room (which we usually get) and club was only $27 per night. One of the biggest assets of club level to me, was the half price cabanas. We just love renting the cabanas so more than made up the difference in price.

 

[Dislifer]

We're staying at HRH for four nights in July. We booked with a AAA rate and the difference between deluxe room (which we usually get) and club was only $27 per night. One of the biggest assets of club level to me, was the half price cabanas. We just love renting the cabanas so more than made up the difference in price.

I'm still trying to get a handle on the cabanas. Can you tell me why you like renting the cabanas so much??? AND...if I do decide to rent the cabanas...when do you reserve them? What if it rains that day??? Etc. Etc. ???
Thanks so much for the info!

 

[lovindisney]

Someone mentioned earlier in this thread "in room" babysitting. I am familiar with the kids club/babysitting program, but I haven't heard anything about babysitting services that come to your room. Does anyone have more info. about this or where should I look?
Thanks in advance!

 

[LeahA]

lovindisney,

We used Kids Nite Out 2 years ago when we are at the Royal Pacific. The woman was in her 60's and very nice. She brought books and games for the kids. The kids ate dinner and watched some cartoons and she got the little ones to bed.

They are a very reputable company that both Universal and Disney use. They are very professional, and 100% background checked out. The day of your arrival to the hotel you call them and give them your room number, they arrive on time to your door with their polo shirt with logo and i.d.

I looked on the KidsNiteOut website, you can book online or call them. We are using them again this trip next week. You can request a man or women, I requested a women, felt more comfortable to me. For my 3 kids it is $19.00 per hour with a 4 hour minimum. You leave them all your contact information, my dh and I are going for dinner and then we'll probably just hang out at Citywalk for awhile.