Room Key cards, amenities and other ?'s about the Universal Orlando Resorts ...

[Fºoºz]

Just a few questions ...

1. Am aware that in addition to providing room charge privileges and FOTL access to USF/IOA rides ... are the cards themselves unique to the specific property that you are staying at? For example, does the room key card from the RPR have the Royal Pacific logo on the front, the HR a Hard Rock logo etc.?
   
2. Is it really more difficult to obtain self-parking spots at the RPR vs. the other Universal resorts?
   
3. Any difficulties in people not receiving their Loews First Blue member benefits at the resort?
   
4. Is it easier to obtain room upgrades if available at the HRH or the PBH as they are not geared towards conventions as much as the RPR?
   
5. Does the RPR have cabanas available for rent like the HRH ... how much are they and what amenities do you receive with the cabana?
   
6. Are amenities such as bathrobes, turn-down service available upon request? Or are they only available for Club level rooms?
   
7. If travelling as a group, has anyone had any experience with several couples staying at one resort and others staying at another ... is it difficult to travel between let's say the HRH and the RPR?
   
8. AMA guide states that airport transportation is available from the PBH, HRH (and I assume the RPR). What kind of airport transportation is it ... Mears shuttle? ... hotel transport? ...
   
9. If the RPR has a luau available, what other special programs does the HRH or the PBH offer?

Sorry for all the but any information/opinions on any of the above would be greatly appreciated.

 

[PartyofSix]

Foz: You are stressing way to much. I can't help you with a lot of your questions but I'll give a few a shot.

1. Yes, they'll say where your staying on the cards there like plastic cc's. They will give you one for each guest in the room with there name on it as well.

3. I have never had a prob getting my amenties. We have always booked with ent. rate.

If I remember your traveling with another adult couple right? Please trust me on this one you want the PBH. I would not mislead you. It is all THAT and TWO bags of chips. You want to be sure that your romantic meal is at Mama Della's there at PBH it's dress smart casual, NO beach wear. It's absoutley the best I've had. They had strolling musicians that come around and play for you and Mama her self will see that your pleased before you leave here "house".LOL If you want really upscale "fine" dining then head for Del Fino Rivera on the third floor. I am sorry I can't help you on transportation advise I have always had a car. As for spliting up the group that could be a real pain. Yes, you all won't be far from each other, but boy could that turn in to a pain trying to meet up depending on the boats or shuttles. It would be a charm to be at the same place and just meet at the elevators at least if your waiting in line you'll have great company and want be worried about being on time and finding your party.

 

[Fºoºz]

I know ... DW shakes her head over all the planning I do for any of our trips ... but I find that 1/2 the fun of going on a holiday is in the planning ...

but all the details ...

 

[dcookies]

<B>1. For example, does the room key card from the RPR have the Royal Pacific logo on the front, the HR a Hard Rock logo etc.?</b>

Yes - when we stayed at HRH, we had white cards with a car on them, that said Hard Rock Hotel. I noticed other people with a pinkish/orange ccard with trees - I'm assuming these were RPH. Didn't see any others that could have been PBH (most of the people using Express had the purchased tickets, not room cards).

<B>3. Any difficulties in people not receiving their Loews First Blue member benefits at the resort?</b>

We had no trouble, even though we used the ent. rate. Hadm ilk & cookies, plus a paper, delivered to our room the first night we were there.

<B>5. Does the RPR have cabanas available for rent like the HRH ... how much are they and what amenities do you receive with the cabana?</b>

I've read in other posts that they are available, but are smaller than the ones at PHB and HRH.

<B>9. If the RPR has a luau available, what other special programs does the HRH or the PBH offer?</b>

When we were there last week, they had a "Dive in" movie on Friday night. Since it was raining, they held it inside (I was a little disappointed that it was Billy Madison, rather than a newer movie - my kids had already seen it, and decided to play pool by Beaches instead). This is more geared towards kids. On Thursday night, the Velvet Lounge had a cocktail evening - for $15 per adult. We received one complimentary pass (possibly because we had spent some time there the previous evening and charged it to our room). We didn't end up going on Thursday, but it really looked like the place was hopping - they held it in the lobby as well as in the bar.

 

[Fºoºz]

Thanks dcookies ... the cocktail evening sounds like a fun time ... did you eat at any of the restaurants in the hotel?

 

[dcookies]

The cocktail party looked like a lot of fun - I think $15 was a great bargain! Unfortunately, we had kids, and didn't want to leave them to their own devices while we imbibed!

We didn't go to any of the restaurants in the hotel - for breakfast, we had cereal in the room and picked up pastries at the parks. And lunches/dinner were in the park, Citywalk, and twice on I-drive (we had a car). Prices were steep in the hotel restaurants - average entree at the Palm was $27. At Citywalk, we ate at Hard Rock Cafe (best meal we had), Margaritaville (food was ok, Margaritas were excellent!), and Motown (very good). I thought prices at all three were very reasonable.

 

[laf0165]

Which Hotels have the cocktail parties for $15? RPR, PBH, or HRH? What is included for the price?

Thanks!

 

[dcookies]

I was at HRH.

I'm not sure if this is a regular event - it just happened while we were there. There was a radio station broadcasting, and it looked like they may have co-sponsored this. It was very busy, and one thing that impressed me was that mose people were dressed for a cocktail party - dresses for women, suits or shirts/ties for the men.

 

[Fºoºz]

Originally posted by dcookies
...
We didn't go to any of the restaurants in the hotel - for breakfast, we had cereal in the room and picked up pastries at the parks. And lunches/dinner were in the park, Citywalk, and twice on I-drive (we had a car). Prices were steep in the hotel restaurants
...

That is likely what we are going to do with lunch ... not much of a big breakfast person ... favorite off-site restaurants so far are the Macaroni Grill and Bahama Breeze