Royal Pacific Vs Hard Rock

[jb2]

We are going the beginning of Aug and have the Royal Pacific booked. Is it worth the extra money for the Hard Rock? Can I go over to the HR and try their pool? What about convience to the parks which hotel is better?

 

[TigerLilly's Mom]

Yes, you can use the pool at all three hotels if you stay onsite. We have been to both hotels and really prefer the Hard Rock. That is just our personal opinion though, there is nothing wrong with the Royal Pacific. The rooms are a bit smaller at the Royal Pacific and the room decor a bit dark. But the common areas of the hotel are absolutely gorgeous.


The Hard Rock was our first experience with Universal, so it really feels like "home" to us. I still get excited like a little kid when we pull up to the Hard Rock, I love the music and the whole atmosphere. The kids love the Hard Rock and don't want to try anything else. They certainly would if we wanted them to, but after DH and I stayed at the RPR by ourselves a couple of times, we both agreed the Hard Rock is better for them. The pool is always busy with things going on and is just a really cool place to be.

As for conveinence to the parks, Hard Rock is closer, especially when you can use the back exit (I'm not sure if you still can). It is really just a five minute walk. The Royal Pacific is still very conveinent - it is about a ten minute walk, the walkway is very pretty. There are times though when I usually say "enough already! are we there yet?" LOL But, really it is not far.

It really is just a personal preference, I think you will enjoy both places. Is it "worth it?" as you say to switch to the HRH? Well, the extra $30 per night certainly is to us, but may not be to you. Take it Easy!

 

[mslclark]

I personally like the decor at RP better than HR. The main advantage to the HR is that it is closer to the theme parks. But the RP isn't that much further, maybe 5-7 minutes further. The RP has a great pool too, just not a slide. If I needed to save money, I wouldn't hesitate to stay at the RP again.

 

[Candice30]

i loved both of these hotels so the decision to choose one over the other would be based on who i was taking with me on the trip and whether my budget was tight. budget wise, RPR is a little cheaper but just as nice. as for who i am taking, if i take little ones that can do without a slide, i would take them to RPR because they will love the waterboat. for my last trip, i took my 14 year old nephew and i chose HRH because it was a lot more activity for him and he loved the slide. BOTH are great options! Good Luck!

 

[jb2]

I will be driving to Fla so I will have my own car, is it needed. What kind of transportation is there between the hotels and the parks. How do I get from the RP to Universal or IOA and from the HR to Universal to IOA.

 

[No11's Mom]

I will be driving to Fla so I will have my own car, is it needed. What kind of transportation is there between the hotels and the parks. How do I get from the RP to Universal or IOA and from the HR to Universal to IOA.

Both of the resorts are within easy walking distance to both parks and to City Walk. HR is closer to Universal and RP is closer to IOA. You can also take a water taxi if you want. We usually walk. The paths are lovely.

 

[gschmerl]

Hard Rock Hotel is about a five minute walk to Universal Studios, and about another three minutes to Islands of Adventure. Royal Pacific is about an eight minute walk to IOA and about a ten or twelve minute walk to US. No need for a car to get to parks or City Walk. They also have bus and water taxi service from the hotels to City Walk.

 

[Elk34]

I was very disappointed in the pool at RP when we were there 2 weeks ago. The pool itself was ok but the boat which is supposed to be the interactive water play area was in terrible shape. Only about 1/3 of the water guns worked and half of the water jets, sprays etc were broken as well as the water features inside the boat. It also looked like it had lifeboats that were designed to fill up with water and then dump out when full. They weren't working either. But, they were severely water stained so you could tell they worked at one time. My kids excitedly went to it and then quickly realized that there was not much of use there.

Also, this is a large pool and there was only 1 lifeguard on duty even though there are 3 or 4 lifeguard stands around the pool.

All in all I felt like the repair of the RP was greatly lacking. I would not go back next time but I would definitely try HRH. The FOTL thing is incredible.

 

[robvia]

You'll be happy at either hotel. If you can book the HRH for a minimal upgrade price, then do it now, because their rates are going up, it's been talked about in another thread. The HRH is becomming a very popular hotel with its close location to the parks. If you can't, you'll still have a great time at the RPR.

As to driving your own car, you won't need it to get around the resort, but it comes in handy to visit a grocery store and restaurants on I-Drive. If you'd like to see where you can drive, visit my pages here.
http://www.nogodforme.com/orlando2004.htm
http://www.nogodforme.com/orlando2005.htm
Definately visit Publix and stock a cooler before you check in.

 

[TigerLilly's Mom]

I don't know when you are going in August, but on the Loews website you can get a standard at HRH for $224 for my dates which are August 11 - 14. This includes a Friday and Sat. night. I haven't seen the HRH at this rate for a while, at least not as a regular rate without AP or AAA. I believe it is a stay 3 nights get 15% off.