RPR or PBH Best Pool and Why???

[Grace&Carolinesmom]

We are planning a split trip WDW/Universal next spring. We have never been to Universal or its hotels. We are interested in both RPR and PBH for different theming reasons but I am torn. The pool experience is a big factor for us. SO.....which hotel has the better pool and why?

Our family's ideal pool would be large, uncrowded, plenty of tables/chairs with umbrellas, great adult poolside beverages, and LOTS of sandy beach area for the kids to play. Slides are great but not necessary.

Thanks in advance for your input

 

[ky07]

We are planning a split trip WDW/Universal next spring. We have never been to Universal or its hotels. We are interested in both RPR and PBH for different theming reasons but I am torn. The pool experience is a big factor for us. SO.....which hotel has the better pool and why?

Our family's ideal pool would be large, uncrowded, plenty of tables/chairs with umbrellas, great adult poolside beverages, and LOTS of sandy beach area for the kids to play. Slides are great but not necessary.

Thanks in advance for your input

I wouldn't be torn over which one because of the pool cause pool hopping is encouraged and you can try out all the pools and wish I could give you a little more input on this but this July will be the first time we stay onsite at RPR but I plan on letting the family try all the pools.

 

[rpbert1]

I stayed at both, and everyone has their favourite, and like ky07 said pool hopping is encouraged so you can try all the pools.
Our favourite is RPR big pool and plenty of space around it, plus you have the beach area at the walkway and another area with plenty of seats around it, also a water play area but no slide. the Bula Grille is an excellent place for food while at the pool .
The PBH does have a slide the pool is nowhere near as big as RPR but is nice also has a small sandy area before entering the pool. They also have a Villa Pool which is georgeous but seemed to be very quiet and more for couples but anyone can use it, and a small pool at the other end of the resort.
Have a look here for pics of all the resorts and pools.
http://allearsnet.com/uni/acc/g_rph.htm

 

[Candice30]

i vote PBH. i do really love RPR but the pool there is smaller and doesn't have a slide though young kids love the water boat and guns. at PBH, there is a large zero entry pool with a slide and their sand area to me is better and more a part of the pool then an area by itself. i also like the villa pool at the PBH - more of an adult theming at that pool but that is why i love it when i need a break from the main pool.

 

[Kimberle]

RPR has the largest pool in Orlando. It far outshines any WDW pool. (Though I've not seen Stormalong bag, so don't include that one.) It has a volleyball net on one end for water volleyball, a large boat themed area with water cannons, a couple of basketball hoops. Some balls are supplied. You are free to bring your own water toys too. There is a large sandy beach for play, a zero entry area. We never had a problem finding a chair in August. There is a great poolside resturant where you can eat in your suits. Or, if you prefer, a server will bring you a drink or food to your chair.

I didn't visit PBH so I can't comment on it.

Pool hopping is allowed. You can always spend a pool day or afternoon at another resorts pool. We spent one afternoon at the HR because my dd wanted to use the slide.

 

[Kimberle]

i do really love RPR but the pool there is smaller

smaller??? RPR has the largest pool in all of Orlando....

 

[Grace&Carolinesmom]

Wow! Thanks for all the replies

at PBH, there is a large zero entry pool with a slide and their sand area to me is better and more a part of the pool then an area by itself.

This is very appealing to me. Our kids love to play in the pool and the sand area...back and forth...so having it close to the pool instead of off to the side sounds great.

volleyball net on one end for water volleyball, a large boat themed area with water cannons, a couple of basketball hoops. Some balls are supplied.

My kids would enjoy the basketball hoops but the volleyball and water cannons...not so much.

I wouldn't be torn over which one because of the pool cause pool hopping is encouraged and you can try out all the pools and

I am happy to hear this but pool hopping isn't really appealing to us. We are quite lazy and don't want to drag our stuff from one hotel pool to another and be so far away from out hotel room. It would complicate those quick trips back to the room for misc. stuff


Do both pools ...or either...have a sandy bottom? Just curious. I've read "lagoon style" and "sandy edged" but I am not sure what that means.

 

[Candice30]

smaller??? RPR has the largest pool in all of Orlando....

maybe not when you actually come down to measuring it but definitely always felt smaller to me and the areas appear to be much more compact. PBH just feels larger and much more spread out. my nephew and i were playing tag and found it difficult at PBH as there were many places to hide with the tunnel and waterfall under the slide area. not so at RPR.

 

[rpbert1]

having stayed at both last summer , RPR pool is far superior and area around it is much bigger compared to PBH except they have a slide.
They have a sand area beside the zero entry part of RPR and plenty of seats, and its not as if you are away from the pool its about 6 feet.
I found the sand area at the pool area of PBH to be very dirty and would not allow DD to play in it.
Why not have a look on Virtual Earth and go to birds eye view gives you good views of the resorts

 

[Grace&Carolinesmom]

having stayed at both last summer , RPR pool is far superior and area around it is much bigger compared to PBH except they have a slide.
They have a sand area beside the zero entry part of RPR and plenty of seats, and its not as if you are away from the pool its about 6 feet.
I found the sand area at the pool area of PBH to be very dirty and would not allow DD to play in it.
Why not have a look on Virtual Earth and go to birds eye view gives you good views of the resorts

Good idea I think I will