Thinking of changing reservations, help!

[domfilou]

Hi, I just found these forums and can I just say, they are really pumping me up for our first trip which is coming up quickly, Nov 29. I made reservations for 3 nights at HRH before I started reading the "been to all three" thread, and now I am waffling. We are a family of 5, our kids are DS age 9, DD 7, and DS 4. I joined Loews but havent had a stay yet so not really expecting any room upgrades.
What's making me pause is I am not sure the theme at HRH is for us but the location and pool and renovated rooms seem great. Room is 183 bucks a night before tax. I plan on having the four yr old sleep on an air mattress.
Rooms at RPR are 159 and the location and theme seem awesome for us. A little nervous about room sizes though.
That being said, PBH looks beautiful at 208 a night and the restaurants would probably be better for us.
When we've stayed at Disney, we have pool hopped and spent time at the other hotels so I don't mind doing this here either. The problem seems to be I can only pick one hotel for our first trip. Since I know each has its own following, I'm sure any decision will be fine, so...
Those in the know, which one would you pick for us? I guess chance of upgrades or best value would be the deciding factor at this point. TIA!

 

[Fan2CSkr]

Family of 5 would benefit with the extra room at HRH or PBH. HRH is so much closer to walk to the parks than PBH. BUT, overall in the grand scheme of things staying at any of the 3 is convenient. The boat is quick and easy to and from. THere is a slide at both pools, HRH and PBH but bot at RPH. RPH's pool and beach area is great though. You mentioned the theme appealed to your family at RPR so I might be more apt to suggest that overall.

As far as possible upgrades count RPR our since their rooms are same size and it wouldnt matter if upgraded. HRH has a deluxe that is large but there are few and you cant count on that happening but it couldif its slow. Portofino has nice size rooms to begin with and an upgrade is possible again based on availability and that larger room would be a deluxe.

Food choices are great at all 3 but at PBH you have a few more. Keep in mind also that you are attatched to CityWalk and there is a slew of places to eat breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as both parks.

I think you will have a great time no matter which of the three you pick. Try one, go back and do another until you are a "been to all three" member too! My family alternates between the three, we love them all. We do this a few times a year.

Let us know what you decide!

 

[damo]

I'd suggest you stay at the HRH in a deluxe room. It is so close to everything and like Fan2CSkr said, you can use the extra room. They will love the hipness. It just is a really cool place.

 

[Lizziejane]

Or...you could join the "been to all three" club and spend one night at each of the resorts!!

 

[momrek06]

With the ages of your children...I think they will HRH for sure.

RPR..I have never stayed at but we have stayed PBH and that is heavenly, lovely, but not as kid friendly (IMHO) as HRH.

The kids of alllll ages loved being at the HRH. Our room was lovely. It was 4 of us (2 adults, 2 sons)!

I thought the pool was awesome. My one son spent basically one whole day and eve in the pool....I kept trying to get him to the PARKS but he loved their pool.

We basically walked out the door and were at US..it was fabulous.

If you still are not sure at all....try all three as another posted suggested...quite frankly I would think a pain to move each time but you will know for future visits.

 

[domfilou]

Thanks everyone! Maybe I'll just leave the reservations, I'm sure we'll be back, moving hotels seems like more work. The thing that confuses me, it seems that the hotels are all really close together compared to the disney hotels. Not having been there, I don't have any perspective. Is this similar to say for example Beach/Yacht and Swan and MGM? I can't wait to go, but I did hear it snowed in Orlando today! Here in Wisconsin, it was in the 50s today. Hope it warms up there or the whole pool decision will be moot! After Universal we'll be going to Disney, first time staying off site, but Windsor Hills seemed too good of a deal to pass up. We'll be getting a 3 BR condo there so being cramped for a few days won't bother us. Also, another question, if I may, Body Wars at Epcot makes me green. Any ride at either IOA or USO that you would recommend I avoid based on this? Thanks

 

[damo]

Thanks everyone! Maybe I'll just leave the reservations, I'm sure we'll be back, moving hotels seems like more work. The thing that confuses me, it seems that the hotels are all really close together compared to the disney hotels. Not having been there, I don't have any perspective. Is this similar to say for example Beach/Yacht and Swan and MGM? I can't wait to go, but I did hear it snowed in Orlando today! Here in Wisconsin, it was in the 50s today. Hope it warms up there or the whole pool decision will be moot! After Universal we'll be going to Disney, first time staying off site, but Windsor Hills seemed too good of a deal to pass up. We'll be getting a 3 BR condo there so being cramped for a few days won't bother us. Also, another question, if I may, Body Wars at Epcot makes me green. Any ride at either IOA or USO that you would recommend I avoid based on this? Thanks

The proximity comparison you make is a good one. Everything at Universal is within walking distance, including Citywalk. If Body Wars makes you ill, I recommend you avoid Back to the Future (if it is still open).

 

[domfilou]

Just got back after an awesome stay. This was our first trip to Universal. I am so glad we stayed at the HRH. Thanks to everyone for their advice. Everyone loved it!! It was gorgeous weather, the parks were empty and the resort was much more upscale and elegant than I expected. Friendly staff, beautiful room with very comfortable beds. (Rm 6082) We had a great meal at Mama Dellas and used the pool at Portofino. After our 3 nights we moved to a condo at Windsor Hills and did 2 days at WDW. I seriously missed the HRH. Now I am back in Wisconsin with temps in the teens and a lot of snow. Can't wait to go back!!!

 

[momrek06]

Just got back after an awesome stay. This was our first trip to Universal. I am so glad we stayed at the HRH. Thanks to everyone for their advice. Everyone loved it!! It was gorgeous weather, the parks were empty and the resort was much more upscale and elegant than I expected. Friendly staff, beautiful room with very comfortable beds. (Rm 6082) We had a great meal at Mama Dellas and used the pool at Portofino. After our 3 nights we moved to a condo at Windsor Hills and did 2 days at WDW. I seriously missed the HRH. Now I am back in Wisconsin with temps in the teens and a lot of snow. Can't wait to go back!!!

AHHH...WELCOME HOME!!! Will you be doing a trippie? Did you take any pics of HRH for us to see? Wasn't it awesome to just walk out the door of HRH and walk down the path to US and IOA!!!!

And such a great atmosphere for the kids as well!! Did you love PFB Hotel as well...BEAUTIFUL for sure!!!

 

[damo]

So glad to hear you had a great trip. HRH is a really fun place to stay.

 

[macraven]

since your kids are little i would keep the ressie at hrh.

if you miss the boat, it is the shortest walk back to the hotel.
and, you can do morning hours at the studios, come back and relax in your room easily.

i have stayed at all three hotels.
you will find that a standard room at rph is smaller. the resturants there though are great.

pbh has the largest rooms, which is something you might consider.

me being a die hard hrh fan, i always lean that way in advising newbees...

where ever you decide, you will have a fantastic time.