ROYAL PACIFIC RESORT Information

[KimKamMom]

Wow, we just returned for RP.
NEVER AGAIN.
They just kept making mistakes.
From wrong room to lost souvenirs. Too many to mention. I am shocked. I was keeping an open mind, but will never stay at a Universal resort again.
Disney fan, now and always.

 

[Eclpz314]

Sorry to hear you had such a bad experience at RPR. Did you speak with the management? I found them to be very helpful after they knew about a problem. We're headed back there again this July for our 3rd yearly stay.

 

[kit]

hi
i am new to forum. we are going to rph in february. what is the entertainment rate>> thanks

 

[tycon07]

hi
i am new to forum. we are going to rph in february. what is the entertainment rate>> thanks

I called UO about an ENt. Rate and they said they were having problems with negotiations. It sounds like it is true, but you might want to call 1800BEASTAR and ask for it. If they say they have it let me know. Thanks, Tyler

 

[tycon07]

When I called UO they said that they were having problems with the negotiations with Entertainment INc. I think it is probably true, but I really can't see everyone paying $300 a night (RPR) like they quoted me for July 11-14th.

 

[suzkq]

My family of 4 will be staying at RPR for first time - our stay will be 3 nights (Feb 24 thru Feb 26) and I had a few questions for the experienced and initiated out there, namely:

1. Is there a hot tub at the pool area (nothing says vacation to me like a cold drink & a hot tub!)

2. RPR brochure says pool is heated - how warm is it really? Enough so that I shouldn't worry about swimming end of Feb?

3. How long is walk to City Walk?

4. How 'bout the walk to the parks - approx. travel times via boat, walking (are there other ways to get there?)

5. We'll have a rental car...I read somewhere you need to PAY to park - is this true? How much per day?

That's it for now...thanks in advance!

 

[gschmerl]

1. Yes there is a hot tub.
2. Yes, the pool is heated. Don't know about swimming in Feb. After all, you do have to get out of the pool into the cool air.
3 & 4. With no children, I made it to City Walk in about 8 minutes from Tower One. Just a few minutes more to IOA. US is a bit longer. We rarely took the water taxi. It seemed quicker to walk. We did take the water taxi back several times. They also have a bus to the parks.
5. Yes, they charge to park your car. The price went up recently, so I'm not sure what it is. It used to be about $6 a day.

 

[gigi1313]

*whew* i made it thru most of this thread... being a disney vet and a universal newbie i am doing as much "homework" as i possibly can... we've pretty much decided we're staying at RPR as i like the location, theming and unless i mis-read the website, it is the least expensive of the three?

now... does anyone have any idea of what rates to expect the week before labor day and/or labor day weekend? is it advisable to buy each component of the vacation individually (i.e. hotel, tickets, dining) or go w/a package? any clues what packages were offered that time last year?

i am our company's FAN club director, so i am guessing that might help... this is all so new to me, just when i figure out disney, dh decides he wants to give universal a whirl! LOL!

also, i would love to read more about club level... what it includes and how much more expensive it is...

i saw the "dive in movie" mentioned, but have not completely grasped exactly what it is... anyone?

let's see... anything else anyone wants to share, i am "all ears" (LOL)
thanks in advance!

 

[gigi1313]

oh, also, is there a car rental location on-site at universal? we typically do not rent a car at disney 'cept for the first day when we visit relatives about an hour away... if so, which company?

 

[gschmerl]

Call Loews or 1-800-BeAStar and ask what discount rates they have available for your dates. Tell them you are eligible for FAN club discounts. If you have AAA, ask about that also. We did better last year getting the "Stay and Play" package, but most of the time you do better pricing things out separately. We did have the FAN club discount applied to our package.

 

[*Fantasia*]

i saw the "dive in movie" mentioned, but have not completely grasped exactly what it is... anyone?

They show a movie at the pool. I believe it's every Friday about 8pm. They also have this at HRH and PBH.

is there a car rental location on-site at universal?

Yes, RPR has a rental place right across the guest service (where you can purchase your tickets/reserve for dining). If I remember correctly, the rental company is Avis. We rented one before to go to WDW.

 

[JessicaR]

now... does anyone have any idea of what rates to expect the week before labor day and/or labor day weekend? is it advisable to buy each component of the vacation individually (i.e. hotel, tickets, dining) or go w/a package? any clues what packages were offered that time last year?

Hi gigi, were also from LI
We have gone to Universal quite a few times at the end of August, just before and even including Labor Day. Its a GREAT time to go! Almost all areas are back to school and we arent. Its quiet and hot. Universal has offered great deals as the time gets closer and I am hoping they do so again this year. We plan to be there so I am waiting and watching. Southwest has always run a sale for those dates as well out of Islip. IF they would just release dates past June I would be happy! Good Luck and happy planning...Universal is awesome!

 

[gigi1313]

all those reasons that you mentioned (low crowds, low rates, etc) are the very reasons we choose that time (you can see from my sig that we're late aug/early sept visitors)... it is great! i am also desperately waiting for more dates from swa!

so, any suggestions of when to start seriously comparing rates and booking? last year for disney i waited for the 5+2 dreammaker... right now universals play 4 (stay 4 nights, free theme park tix) looks good... does it get better than that?

also, where on long island are you jessica? i'm out east of riverhead!

 

[JessicaR]

Last year we booked August in May/June they did drop AP rates for end of august. The stay and play is okay right now but I think if anything follows suit you could do better. The hotels will be available as it is slow so hoping something good happens. Continue to look at www.loewshotels.com for summer rates (wont be for a while) and www.universalorlando.com also If you have AAA or Fan Club or an AP you can keep checking those.

See we always go to Universal those dates and looking at your signature you do disney! I think we may do Disney as well as Universal this August. So you can let me know when/if codes or something good comes out for Disney! I will do the same with Universal

I am East as well just not as East as you! Are you in the Hamptons? I'm in Saint James.


*SORRY* went off topic for RPR!

 

[gigi1313]

sounds like a deal! since we'll be doing both (universal and disney) my eyes will be on disney anyway, so i will be happy to alert you and will be thankful for any suggestions on how to enjoy universal w/out taking out a second mortgage! LOL!

as far as hotels go... i'm pretty decided on RPR, although i've heard that the HRH's location is "better?" does RPR offer any kids' clubs or activities? besides the dive-in movie are there any "special events" at the resort? how are the restaurants? is there a food court? it's sooo hard to switch gears when i know so much about wdw, this is like alien territory! LOL!

thanks again, i'm sure i will have more questions as i get closer to actually booking it... and yes, i am our company's fan club administrator plus we have aaa... hoping that will help keep it affordable

oh, and i'm on the north fork... in wine country

 

[JessicaR]

gigi, I just checked RPR for end of August and got $159.20 for a standard room using AAA. Thats about as good as its gonna get. The dates I checked were 8/25-8/29 The APH rate was higher. Cant hurt to book that and if anything else comes out lower you could change it. Did you join Loews First? www.loewshotels.com If not do so! Some nice perks using a qualifying rate (AAA is one). Fan Club is not.

Yes. RPR does have a kids club called The Mariner's Club. They have a 3 hour minimum usually. I wont quote prices since its been a while since my kids have used it. They have quite a selection for the kids and they always enjoyed a few hours there. They also have a game room.

Depending on the time of year they do have different events at the hotels its best to check just prior. Sometimes in the lobby they have little crafts for the kids. They also have a game room. The pool alone will keep them thrilled for hours.

The restaurants are terrific at RPR! We love each and every one. Jakes has the BEST burgers and drinks. We love Tchoup Chop and always eat there each trip. The breakfast is available at the Islands dining room and a continental one at the Orchid Lounge. Great options! They do not have a food court but between the parks and other hotels and City Walk, restaurants and delis bakeries pizza, actually everything and anything you desire is close by!

 

[gigi1313]

i did join the lowes club as i am going to a conference in nashville this summer and staying at a lowes hotel, so i figured it was worth the five minutes it took to sign up... we have AAA... $160/night is a little more than i was hoping to spend... although it could be cheaper to stay at disney (two value resort rooms at $55 each) and commute over, i sooo want another experience... it will be worth it for two nights... right?

how big is the hotel? is there a certain section or area or wing or view or something i should request when reserving?

thanks again for walking me thru this whole thing!

 

[Briarprincess]

Haven't read any of the other posts, but just a warning for all on parking-- As of the end of last summer, there was no one regulating the general parking area of the hotel. We paid, were told "where" to park and then there were no spots. There were TONS of cars without the tag thing and saw a lot of people coming back from parks and leaving. We were forced to park under a tree, and at the end of the trip, our car was infested with thousands of ants. They had fallen from the tree and gotten into the car. We had moved the car to a better area to load luggage to leave (and go to Disney ) before we noticed. It wasn't until half the luggage was loaded we actually saw how many. The parking attendents told us there was nothing they could do to help us. Ended up going to find a Windixie and buying spray/traps.

So just watch out that you don't park under any trees... just to be on the safe side

 

[v1rok]

What are breakfast options and prices at RPR? I think I saw a post where somebody said RPR puts out cereals and milk in the lobby in the morning. Is that true?

 

[gigi1313]

ooh, i would love to know the answer to that question too!

i also posted the following questions, but thought i'd repost since i did not get an answer (if that's okay)...
how big is the hotel? is there a certain section or area or wing or view or something i should request when reserving?