We LOVE Royal Pacific too! For the first few visits we stayed at the Portofino Bay, but then we had a real horrible experience there and skipped UO for 2 years!Ever since we stayed at RP for the first time we go back there, such a relaxed atmosphere!
And we love the Island Dining Room for breakfast!
Don't you love the feeling of finalizing plans? (Or at least deciding the base!) I feel so relaxed afterwards!
I understand why you are skipping US this year, I'm considering skipping it myself in November if the crowds don't die down. I'll be upset, but hey, it will be another day in Disney so I'm sure I'll get over it! 
PLEASE, don't let our bad experience influence you! And sure I can share it with you ....... just needs a little explanation!
When I booked that reservation I booked it in October for the following August and HAD TO pay in full right away. When I made the reservation I explained that we needed a room with two beds as I am travelling with my brother and as much as I love him, I am not sharing a bed with him.
A few days before we travelled to the US I called them again, putting in the two bed request and was told that I was BOOKED in a room with two beds.
So we arrive the first day of our stay there and check in early - HUGE line, and it takes us nearly an hour. Most of the people ahead of us were told their rooms were ready - so we were hopeful. Well, ours was NOT ready, so I ask what kind of room we get - yip 2 beds. Come back at around 4pm. So we head to the parks, come back at 4 and the line has doubled - we need to get into that line and stand there for 90 minutes, are handed a key and off we go and guess what - only one bed!!! So back we went - asked an employee what to do - we have to get in line again.
Now, there is a woman ahead of me who complains BIG time about something I can't remember and she is offered a waterview room as a free upgrade and some food vouchers to shut her up I think. She takes it and storms off. Now, I tell the guy that I had booked a room with two beds and was given another one and he changes rooms for me and off we go again. Now this time there were two beds in a TINY room with a TINY window with a huge cast iron fence in front of it. It was literally dark in the room and you had to turn the lights on even in bright daylight. To look out of the window you had to stand on tiptoe on a chair!
Actually by that time I was furious! I went back and when I was told to go back in line I was done! I just went and asked for a manager, who arrived shortly after and told me there was nothing he could do - I HAD a waterview room with two beds! Well, to cut the long story short, since I just would not let go he offered to move us the next day, but we had to stay in the "darkroom" for the night. By then we had missed a whole afternoon at the parks and an ADR!!
The next day they moved us to a room on the top floor with a huge balcony, but the downside was that the room got flooded every day when the rainstorm hit. There was water coming in from under the balcony door!
Well, I want to believe this was a one time incident, but I was really furious, as they had taken my money in October and then could not provide the correct kind of room 10 months later and they were rather snobby about it. Maybe it was because they thought we were foreigners or maybe that they already had their money - I don't know. All I know is that I vowed to never return and so far we haven't!
Party on the 28th?!?!?!
I'm happy you guys reached a decision! I know, it's tough to give up certain aspects of a trip when you've had your heart set on it, but overall, I think you guys made the right choice! WWoHP will still be there when you finish school, and I think a Universal only trip will be a great graduation present! In the meantime, being able to do two MNSSHPs AND getting to stay at two deluxe resorts...that just can't be beat! You are going to have a great time! I'm so excited for all of us October people!
If I remember correctly, you will be there from 10/23 - 10/30, is that right? Here are our plans for those days so I'm headed over to my PTR now to update our plans so let me know if your plans overlap and maybe we can meet up!
Yay I'm happy you decided to go to 2 MNSSHP's, I know you really wanted to, so I'm glad it worked out!
Can't wait to see your costumes, even if we have to wait a few months!
I'm so glad you were able to come to a decision that you are both happy with AND that saves you money! That's always a huge plus!
Have fun seeing Wicked! I know you're excited about it! I can't wait to hear all about it!
i think you made a terrific decision .. however, im totally biased as i LOVE
I have done it twice a year EVERY year for 4 years now!
Did you see the new trailer for Harry Potter?!?! It's a trailer for both parts of the 7th movie! I saw it on Yahoo trailers....
Assuming it doesn't sell out, we'll be there! 
My SIL told me how awesome it was! She has raved for years about it. I think you made the right choice 
The plan is to go on the 26th...we haven't bought our tickets yet though
We are going to Kona for lunch and then T-Rex for dinner so we'll pretty much just be snacking during the party, if that. We should definitely meet up!
And yes, go check out the trailer! It's a combo trailer for parts 1 and 2 but it made me so excited!
Congrats on finalizing your plans! Two MNSSHP's sounds like so much fun. Unfortunately I will most likely not be making it out for an October trip this year so I'll have to be there in spirit! Even if we were to get free dining and stay at Pop, it's too much for my DB right now as he's not getting many hours at work. I can't believe I'm going to have over a year to wait and plan an October 2011 trip! Maybe with the extra time to plan and save we can stay longer than a week and go to two MNSSHP's AND WWoHP!
So glad to hear you had a great time at Wicked! I found out it's playing in Toronto October 20 - November 28 so I get to go this year too! I also found out Peter Pan is playing at the Stratford Festival (famous theatre in Stratford, Ontario known for productions of Shakespeare), so something else to look forward to.
Oh wow! First of all, sorry all that bad stuff happened to you last year! How amazing you get to go to MNSSHP this year!!!
Maybe we'll run into one another at the parties I love the pic of Eeyore proposing to you, btw It's so cute!
All caught up! Your trip looks like it's going to be a lot of fun
