Several questions

[lauritagoddess]

I'm considering booking a stay RPR for 3 days before our Disney trip in August. I've never been to Universal before and have a few questions.

The main reason I'm considering RPR is to get FOTL. But is this really necessary when you have a young child and you won't be going on the big headliner rides like Mummy or Hulk?

If I do book RPR, is there a complimentary shuttle from MCO to the hotel? We'd be going directly to our resort at Disney after our Universal stay. How much generally is a cab ride between the two?

What is it like walking from the resort to Universal? Is this something you'd want to do in the hight of the August heat? Is taking the transportation better?

I've been pricing the trip through Universal's site and through AAA. Is AAA the cheapest rate that I'm likely to find?

For the Universal restaurants do you need to do ADRs like you need to do at Disney?

Thanks so much!!

 

[rpbert1]

i found queues on most rides not just the big coaster , MIB, shrek, cat in the hat, Jaws, Jimmy Nuetron but a few, so having the FOTL allows you less time queuing and have a more relaxing time especially with a 5 year old.
We walked a few times when there,especially if we just missed the boat, 7 to 10 mins and you are at the park.
Was on the phone last night to RPR and at the minute AAA is the cheapest for our trip in July/Aug, but will keep checking till we go.
Booking ADR , not sure if you need to , but costs nothing so why not do it, but can only book 30 days out as far as i know, also have read that you can make reservations on the day at a kiosk at Citywalk i think.

 

[lauritagoddess]

Thanks for answering my questions. I guess I'm going to book RPR now. I had been wavering between that and one of the partner hotels but it sounds like it will definitely be worth it to have the FOTL access.

 

[highlander447]

Hi also make sure u join the Loews First reward scheme online its free to join

 

[lauritagoddess]

I already joined before I decided whether to book RPR or not, figured it couldn't hurt.

 

[macraven]

I'm considering booking a stay RPR for 3 days before our Disney trip in August. I've never been to Universal before and have a few questions.

The main reason I'm considering RPR is to get FOTL. But is this really necessary when you have a young child and you won't be going on the big headliner rides like Mummy or Hulk?

you won't regret staying on site. the theme at rph is great you can use the child swap for rides the 5 yr old can not go on.

If I do book RPR, is there a complimentary shuttle from MCO to the hotel? We'd be going directly to our resort at Disney after our Universal stay. How much generally is a cab ride between the two?

i use car service, sunray, and it costs me $112 for a 3 leg trip. i go from mco to disney, from disney to hrh, from hrh to mco if you go with a package with universal resorts, they have the shuttle for a minumum price about $15 pp don't use a package, plan it out separately for tickets, room, transportation. you will come out ahead. taxis can run you $25 to 40 one way. if you use a taxi, travel when it is not rush hour. the charge for taxis are based on mileage and time

What is it like walking from the resort to Universal? Is this something you'd want to do in the hight of the August heat? Is taking the transportation better?

i stayed at rph last year and took the boat shuttle. i am a wuss and didn't want the walk of 15 minutes at 2 in the morning. i stayed all day and did hhn at night. many walk and many take the boat shuttle. they run about every 20 minutes. each hotel has their own boat.

I've been pricing the trip through Universal's site and through AAA. Is AAA the cheapest rate that I'm likely to find?

call aaa or universal resort direct to get the current info for the AAA rates. they will run cheaper than doing the UO package

For the Universal restaurants do you need to do ADRs like you need to do at Disney?

no ressies really needed. you can call a week prior for mythos for one though or make a ressie the day you are in the park. for city walk emils and tchop tchop, call the resturant direct for ressies.

Thanks so much!!

you will love fotl..........you can repeat rides without having to back track. at disney, sometimes your fast pass doesn't let you on the ride up front but have to wait for awhile.

enjoy your trip !!

 

[macraven]

I already joined before I decided whether to book RPR or not, figured it couldn't hurt.

when you make your ressie at rph, tell the tm that you are a member of the loews first. it will be noted in your ressie. you will get the perks that come with it then.

when you check in, you can get a free upgrade from garden view to pool view if it is available.

 

[lauritagoddess]

use car service, sunray, and it costs me $112 for a 3 leg trip. i go from mco to disney, from disney to hrh, from hrh to mco if you go with a package with universal resorts, they have the shuttle for a minumum price about $15 pp don't use a package, plan it out separately for tickets, room, transportation. you will come out ahead. taxis can run you $25 to 40 one way. if you use a taxi, travel when it is not rush hour. the charge for taxis are based on mileage and time

With the shuttle between MCO and the resort, do you have to book that in advance?

 

[jayster]

FOTL is great on all rides...a previous poster hit the nail on the head when they said that it expidites the queue time by getting you into the rides faster.(word of caution: on Jimmy neutron: sit your five yr old in between you and dh and watch their front teeth. The ride jerks back and forth, and there is a safety bar / device that will most likely be face level with your child...just a lookout point thats all!)

Southwest vacations offers all kinds of shuttle services, and package deals when you book through them. I saved over 900-1300 dollars compared to booking individualy on my own the last three years. They give you rapid reward credits for every segment of the trip including rent a cars, and hotel stays. Also, they save you money on outside trip tickets (seaworld, USO, IOA etc....) Also, call RPR to see what shuttles are available...there were three different ways to get to and from MCO last time I was there

Having stayed at RPR the last three years the walk is short and beautiful (flowers and shade adorne the walkways) but I would advise the free water taxi to and from the parks/hotel. They run every 10 min and it is an enjoyable ride. you pick it up in back of the pool across from Tchop Tchop resturant. They have their own dock.

if you didnt book already, look up www.entertainment.com and see what rates their book offers. There are numerous coupons available through this way. Go to ebay and order the orlando book, so you can get local coupons as well.

When you stay at RPR, you automatically get adr's at almost all of the resturants available. You can also use your room key to charge meals in the parks to your room and have the things you purchased delivered to your room so you dont have to lug it around the park.

hope I answered most of your questions....you'll have a great time no matter what!! USO is Great as well as WDW...just dont start comparing the two...its apples and oranges...they are both great in their own ways!

 

[robvia]

Put the Disney part of the trip first. Once you stay onsite with FOTL you'll be spoiled not having to wait in line.

 

[rpbert1]

Put the Disney part of the trip first. Once you stay onsite with FOTL you'll be spoiled not having to wait in line.

I would second that.
Last year , our first time to Florida, stayed at RPR then Disney, advice on here to change trip around and do RPR last, i did not listen to the advice and boy was i sorry i did not listen.