Royal Pacific/AKL or Portofino Bay/Poly?

[AspiringCindy]

I am going to WDW next year and would like to get input on how to split my stay. We would like to do a Universal resort for the first 3 nights followed by 4 night Disney cruise, then return to Disney for 7 nights. How would you split the stay? Oh yeah, It will be myself,DH and 3 DD's:ages 11, 10 and 3.

 

[mkymouse4ever]

Would highly reccommend POB! Definately! Last year we had a deluxe villa pool room unbelievable. going back again this year! Also voted for akl just cause we want to try it. POLY has the "displaced" concerige this year and you might want to wait for another year after the renovation if possible, but if this is your only year than go for it! MKY

 

[CindyKansas]

I picked POB/Poly conc. only because we are doing that this year. POB July 2 for 2 nights and Poly conc. July 4th for 5 nights. We have stayed at the Poly conc. before and loved it. We have never stayed on site at Universal and I'm really looking forward to it.

 

[Redmic]

Just my 2 cents worth, but I loved the Portofino Bay Hotel and Animal Kingdom Lodge is pretty great, too. We are not fans of the Poly (nice, but just don't get that magical feeling there, plus hate not having a hot tub!). Haven't tired the Royal Pacific. So if were up to me I'd do PBH amd AKL!

 

[MJames41]

Have you thought about splitting the Disney World part? Maybe 3 days at AKL and 4 at Poly or vice versa? I would think part of your stay you would definatly want the Poly because of the ages of your kids and because of it being on the monorail and proximity to the Magic Kingdom. And AKL would be great for them to (if they love animals). Just a thought.

 

[christianweecare]

Wow! Can I come along, too?

 

[randbmom]

We're splitting a stay PBR/AKL, but originally was going to be PBR/Poly, so I can understand your dilemma. They're all great places. AKL won out because DS 8 and will be 4 beffed and pleaded for Akl (they've stayed in both). We didn't want to split the WDW stay, since we start out 3 nights Renaisance SeaWorld, 3 nights PBR and 6 nights AKL. That's enough moving for me!!!
We go the last two weeks of August, how about you?

 

[dreamflight99]

PBH....(as we've stayed there each year since they opened). We have stayed in a deluxe room, Kids Suite and the Portofino Villa Suite~all BAY VIEW. This is our preference, and we're booked there again this June/July for 5 eves (suite). It's the Premier Property of the U.S. Resorts.

AKL Concierge...just because as others mentioned, the Poly is a bit "out of sorts". AKL Concierge is FABULOUS!

 

[AspiringCindy]

Randbmom, we are not actually traveling until next summer, but I am in preliminary stages of our planning(remember half the fun is the planning). It is interesting to see how the poll is going. I was originally leaning towards RPH/AKL or PBH/Poly, but it seems PBH/AKL is getting the most votes. I am actually going to use this info to make my decision being that I have not stayed at any of these resorts and feel that who better can give advice, but dismembers who have stayed there. KEEP THE VOTES COMING!

 

[AspiringCindy]

*Bumping*

 

[kimmar067]

...since RPH is the newest, I'd kinda like to stay there. And since, you don't really want to do a "South Island Seas" theme again, I would DEFINITELY stay at AKL. I absolutely LOVED the theming, and since we've eaten at Boma twice, knowing you like I think I do, you'd love it, too! The views from the balconies are unparalleled (except, maybe if you are actually IN Africa!) and the service is phenomenal....good luck!

Just one thing: Can I come, too???!?!?!

 

[kimmar067]

...to keep it up top!

 

[AspiringCindy]

Bumping 1 last time!

 

[Momto8]

I voted for PBH/AKL because we stayed at the RPR last year when it first opened, and I thought the rooms were on the small side. Maybe concierge rooms are bigger, but I also thought the lobby had a "cold" feeling to it. Don't get me wrong....the resort was beautiful and I liked it and was impressed with the service we received, but I would try Portofino after all the the positive posts I've read about this resort.

Never stayed at either the Poly or AKL, but I voted for AKL since we will be staying there this June. Plus it is a newer resort than the Poly.

The only reason you might choose Poly over AKL is that it is closer to MK since your kids might want to spend more time there. But since you are going to be there for 7 nights, it might not really matter, so I think I would go with AKL.

Good luck with whatever you decide!

 

[goofy!]

I vote Portofino / Poly Concierge. Love all the Universal resorts and the Hawaii building will be all new and refurbished!

Goofy!

 

[FINFAN]

we stayed t RPR last July, 2 weeks after it opened. My kids still rave about how it is their favorite resort by far! We visited PBH and HRH and used the pool priveledges and they said they were neat and all, but wanted to get back to RPR. My vote is for RPR/AKL Conc.----- I would also do WDW part first, as it is really hard to wait even in a fast pass line after having FOTL at USO. WHAT A FABULOUS TRIP...ENJOY EVERY MINUTE OF IT! Of course, seeing as how the cruise is in there I understand why USO first....7 nights at WDW will allow you plenty of time to enjoy the parks. I have to say "WOW!" again...this is a dream trip!
The lifeguards went out of their way at RPR to play relay games, scaveger hunts etc. with the kids. I truly enjoyed some hot tub time while those activites were going on. There is a luau fire dance event each night at the resort, even if you are not partaking in the luau dinner itself. You can see the IOA fireworks each night from the beach/volleyball area at RPR and we loved being able to walk to citywalk for dining options. The swimming pool is one of the largest around and there is a water/play area (looks like a ship) with watercannons etc. for the kids to play at. DH has stayed at many a hotel/resort...and his vote is also for RPR...since it is classified as a value resort for Loew's we were pleasantly surprised at how luxurious it felt. We did miss the Disney magic of Mousekeeping surprises etc., but as far as feeling taken care of...definitely.

 

[*Fantasia*]

We just got back last night! It is an awesome resort!! If you like the carribean/Hawaiian feel...then this is the place to be. It is themed to south pacific. The whole atmoshpere just takes you to the pacific islands. The music at the lobby...the steel drum this guy plays at the pool. The staffs uniform has hawaiian prints and they were this big shell or nuts (it is dark brn and kind of shiny). They have Wantilan luau. Great hula dancers.

Everyone there is sooo friendly and helpful. We are a Loews member. We got our free milk and cookies and free newspapers and milk...if you're don't have a card yet...just apply for one.

 

[AspiringCindy]

FinFan and Fantasia:
How kid friendly was the resort(RPR)?
What were the restaurants like in that hotel?
Being you had the opportunity to pool hop, what were the other pools like? and were all Loews pools zero entry?
Also, thank you all for responding to this thread!

 

[*Fantasia*]

Please check the other board...Universal Resorts...there are tons of info regarding this RPR.

Kid friendly...the atmosphere is just kid friendly...most of the family there have young kids...so we fit right in. Most of the staff I have encountered are just so nice and friendly to my kids. They talk to them.

The kids got their real shell necklaces and their pail and shovel. There is 0 entry at the pool and so as HRH. There is a beach there so the kids can play in the sand. At HRH...the sand is right there at the pool area. what dividing the sand and the water is the walkway.

The restuarant at the Island is nice...but the food to me (my opinion) was okay. Maybe I am looking for that plain american food...I don't know...maybe I am just too picky. They also have kids menu there too.

RPR has character meals there too at Islands. We saw Scooby and Shaggy. I told the waiter that I am celebrating my bday....so Scooby and Shaggy w/ the very very nice decorated personal cake w/ a lit candle came to our table and sang me a happy bday...I thought this was soooo nice....sooo kewl!! We got their autograph and the pix taken with them.

Everyone there is just sooo nice and sooo friendly... The room size is just fine for us. It is just me and the kids.

If I were you....I would probably do RPR and then AKL. Two totally different atmosphere. You don't wanna do RPR and then Poly cause then you will be comparing them to each other...like which one feels more like you're in an island or which one feels more lik Hawaiian. Don't... Having two different themeing will make your vacation more interesting and you feel like you have stepped out of the Island to Africa savannah. Kewl huh?!

Anymore questions?? Please do visit the other board. Someone there besides me just got back from RPR. You are going to love this resort.

BTW...even though this resort does not have the slides...This resort had the interactive waterplay. If you want to rent the floaties mat...it is $10 for the whole day. I would keep the receipt to when you return back to the pool you can re-rent it without paying another $10.

Also...at Universal...they do have refillable mugs (Spongebob and Rugrats mugs) good for both parks only on the day of the purchase. Refill cost $.89 cents. It is sooo worth it for us!! We purchased both mugs on different day. Great souviniers!! I love the Spongebob ones...they are soooo cute!!!