Should I pay extra for onsite hotel?

[travelbug24]

I am planning to be at IOA May 8 though May 15. Judging by what's going on...the war...SARS...will the park be busy enough to warrant an onsite hotel to get FOTL access?

 

[kellymonaghan]

IMHO, FOTL access is worth it no matter how crowded or uncrowded the parks are.

Plus, if you've ever stayed at one of the luxury Disney properties, you'll be amazed at what you get at the Universal hotels for much less.

 

[travelbug24]

It doesn't take much to twist my arm in that direction. Last time, we stayed at the HRH and absolutely loved it. This time, we will try the RPR.

 

[Robinrs]

Hi, travelbug:

The FOTL is one great part of staying onsite, the convenience of getting to the parks is the other.

I went to USF in December and stayed offsite. The hassle of getting to and from the parks sometimes outweighs the money. Last week I stayed at RPH. The parks were not that crowded but the fct that I could walk to and from the parks or take the leisurely ride on the water taxi was pure pleasure. I don't know about you but that walk to the parking lot is my worse part of the USF experience!

BTW, I don't see the war or SARS putting a damper on attendance of the parks at all. I think it affects overseas travellers much more than locals, and all of the travel agents I deal with have seen few or no cancellations. Go figure! I expected lots of great deals like in 2001 but no sign of it so far.

 

[travelbug24]

I will be traveling with my two grandsons. What is the pool area like?

 

[BarryHom]

Which resort -- RPR, PBH, or HRH?

 

[travelbug24]

Sorry the RPH. Is there a really cool slide at the RPH like the HRH?

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

Unfortunately, no slide BUT the pool has a super cool play area with water cannons and such. You can always go visit HRH and PBH if you want for the slides.

 

[travelbug24]

The kids will love the cannons! They will be doing the Pirates Cruise at MK so I'm sure they will be playing Pirates for a long time.

 

[Lewisc]

Pool hooping is OFFICIALLY ALLOWED between the 3 universal hotels.

 

[4greatboys]

We go in the off season and stay onsite at Universal. The hotels are wonderful. FOTL cant be beat--even when you dont need on all the rides its still nice on the more popular ones. They have dive in movies at the hotels which is a lot of fun. Our room was every bit as nice as our room at the YC and it was not even half as much. We love staying on site at both Universal and Disney.