Radisson Hotel, Universal v HRH??? - Can't afford HRH next year

[Selina]

Wondered if any of you guys and gals can help me. Stayed year before last at the Hard Rock Hotel and it was brilliant. Alas, just can't afford it this time - the Radisson is at Universal too - can anyone tell me what they think of this one? It sounds great in the brochure - I have 2 kids aged 9 and 7. Doesn't say anything about a cool bar in the rooms, wondered what the rooms were like, restaurants on site - good??? Pool ?? Anything you can tell me would be much appreciated.

 

[SpideyHulk24]

Have you checked into any discounts like the entertainment rate or fanclub? You can get the RPR for as low as $110.

The Radisson is nice, but nothing like on site. Have fun no matter what.

 

[Molokai Gram]

We stayed at the Radisson in 12/99 and really enjoyed it. The back wall was all glass and looked out over the back pool area and a canal. (Do the front rooms look over Universal??) The room was bigger than the ones we have had at HRH, it had two beds, table and chairs, and a sofa in it and enough room for our GS to play on the floor while watching the ducks in the canal. The staff was very very nice. I had a medical emergency and they went out of their way to help, offering late check out even. Only weird thing at that time was that they had a Disney store inside??? Maybe that is changed. They had a free shuttle to the Park and we took a cab back with tired kids and it was only $3.00. If you can't stay on site, it is the closest hotel.

 

[Selina]

Hiya everyone,
Sounds good - but I am sure you can't get the entertainment card in England, though I have heard about it. Will double check.

Thanks for the info on the Radisson - can you remember if there was a mini-bar or small refridgerator to keep milk, orange juice, water, etc?

 

[Molokai Gram]

They did not have a mini refrigerator then, but may now. I remember that they had a hair dryer, coffee maker, and ironing board and iron in the room. I remeber we used the ice bucket and ice to keep things cool. Kind of messy, but it worked for the little bit we had. Mostly we just went down to the shop and got milk and juice and cereal for the GS

 

[ColUK]

Stayed at this hotel 6 times now... last time in April. Think the location is excellent. The rooms dont have a fridge as was previously said. Rooms at the front do look out towards universal but it is in the distance! There is a deli on site which does pizzas and sandwiches etc think this is open to about midnight. The restaurant is more just for breakfast than anything else, Scuba Joes is the main bar which does snack meals on a night if you want. Next door to the hotel is a selection of restaurants though, Japanese, chinese, Ponderosa and the Ale House (my favorite). Big mac and Burger king are also near if you want too.
The last 2 times ive booked with Paramount travel (www.gopitravel.com) and got a rate of about $69 +tax (about £50 per night per room) sometimes you can get good deals on expedia though.
The I ride also stops outside now which really is useful and you can get multi day tickets from the ticket desk in the hotel.

Hope this helps

 

[Selina]

Thanks very much - Radisson sounds quite good and good restaurants close by is a bonus when the kids are tired. I think I'll investigate booking everything direct as you suggest - it does seem that all the brochures (not just Virgin) are priced much more than you both say you can book for.
Have been reading some of the other threads and it sounds like the HRH is not as plush as it was when I stayed there and are not as attentative to guest problems - some say blocked toilets, phone not working, closet not opening properly and sometimes not fixed till they checked out. Others say they had a super room super time - guess at the end of the day it's luck! Having said that hotels not on-site don't compare to the atmosphere, the pool, etc for example of the HR - it's memorable, isn't it?!!

 

[Molokai Gram]

Just checked on Expedia, don't know when you plan to go, but they had a $55.30 rate except for $94 for Friday and Saturday. If you aren't there on the weekend, it seems pretty cheap.

 

[ScottMccarthy]

I've booked for this October and got it at $51 per night through besthotel.com. I'm very encouraged by everyone's opinions.

I cannot emphasise enough that DIY is the way to go!

 

[wildabouttheworld]

You can purchase Entertainment books online. I dont know why they would not mail to England. I just booked a room at the HRH for half price. Pool view @ 135.00 a night. All you have to do is tell them you have an Entertainment card and they will book at the discounted rate. Then you have to show the card when you check in. That should allow plenty of time for you to receive your book with the card. It may be worth a try. Entertainment room rates at the HRH are great.

 

[XAVIER]

Personally I would save up every penny and stay at the HRH or the RPH, its worth it!

Funnily enough I was at the HRH two years ago as well and it was fab! (Maybe we were there at the same time?).
If you decide to go again let me know and we could share a room to cut costs....

 

[Selina]

Thanks for all the tips.............Mmmmmm maybe that's just what I should do Xavier............what an innovative idea!! It would mean being on a loooonger countdown................but to be back at the Hard Rock Hotel............has to be worth it!!! When were you thinking of going Xavier????

 

[SpideyHulk24]

Talk about a great board, find discounts, info, rooms...oh and room mates!!!!

 

[Molokai Gram]

I found my room mate for HRH here for the MG meet last year (Was it only last year? It seems so long ago. I need to go back ) Renee and I shared a room at concierge level no less!

 

[ScottMccarthy]

You can get the Entertainment Book shipped to the UK, I have the last two years. I always wait until they get discounted and then send off, well worth every penny.

You can also sign up online and print off the vouchers you need for $2.99 a month - then you can cancel when you get back.

 

[Selina]

Wow! Thanks for that Scott...where exactly do you send off for them and do you do this personally or through a company name?

 

[ScottMccarthy]

You do it personally. Sometimes have to play with the address a little to get accepted but used the last three years OK. You can preview the savings on the other things such as Restaurants etc as well to see what else you can save.

There's also some free coupons if you look at the preview the savings pages.

For ZIP code use 32819 for International Drive Universal area and 32830 for Lake Buena Vista


Entertainment Book

 

[Selina]

Thanks for the ZIP code...I tried it out this afternoon briefly and have been looking at what is exactly discounted in the preview book. It says the Radisson, but can't seem to bring up the Hard Rock Hotel - or do you think that it isn't in the book? Also looked to see if it had discounts on the "Escape" pass, "disney pass" etc - but couldn't find it. So do you know if the attractions cover the passes like the ones we buy in England - say a discounted 5 day disney pass or a 5 day Universal? Last one........is the 2004 book valid for the whole year? oh and are the books - one per person or are the discounts say for a family of 4?

 

[Robinrs]

Originally posted by Selina
Thanks for the ZIP code...I tried it out this afternoon briefly and have been looking at what is exactly discounted in the preview book. It says the Radisson, but can't seem to bring up the Hard Rock Hotel - or do you think that it isn't in the book? Also looked to see if it had discounts on the "Escape" pass, "disney pass" etc - but couldn't find it. So do you know if the attractions cover the passes like the ones we buy in England - say a discounted 5 day disney pass or a 5 day Universal? Last one........is the 2004 book valid for the whole year? oh and are the books - one per person or are the discounts say for a family of 4?

The Hard Rock is listed under the Universal Hard Rock Hotel.

The book is valid until the next book is issued, Nov 1, 2004.

As for tickets, they do offer a small discount and some scrip but not big discounts. My page was ripped out from the 2003 book so I can't tell you what they offered last year!

Hope that helps!

 

[Selina]

Thanks....yes, that does help. No wonder I couldn't find HRH.....Universal first! It's just gonme midnight here in England, so I'll have another look tomorrow now.