thinking of doing a split stay wdw/universal studios

[comingtodisney]

we have decided it might work out better for us if we did a split stay, we went for the first time august 2008 and only did wdw and seaworld. after speaking to the family they have decided they want to stay at por and only do the qsdp. where i would like to have some table service dining, i know a lot of you got good deals on universal studios hotels for this year. the accomadation and ticket difference for doing 7 nights rather 14 on uk disney would be about £800 do you think i could get to stay on site at universal for that. and which hotel is the best for ds 16 and dd 14, also they want to do universal, seaworld for the first week and GO HOME for the second week. sorry about all the questions but what each member of the family wants is different.

 

[wicket2005]

Don't know about the cost but I would recommend the Hard Rock as the coolest place to stay for the teens and grown ups. RPR is lovely too but has a more laid back tropical feel to the place.

When we go we stay onsite at Universal, buy tickets that cover us for Disney, US and SW then just park hop between all of them for the whole of the holiday.

 

[juliebro]

Having previously stayed at RPR and PBH, we tried HRH on the last trip. Although the room was great and the service very good, we felt it was a bit like an upmarket holiday camp. We much prefer the PBH.

Must be getting old!

 

[wicket2005]

, we felt it was a bit like an upmarket holiday camp.

That is the first time I have ever heard the Hard Rock described as such. We love it and wouldn't describe it like that at all but that is what makes the world interesting everyone likes different things.

Anyway thought I would add some more points about the 3 hotels.

RPR - Further away from Universal (where you would tend to go on a night if open), takes about 15 minutes walk. Closest to Islands. Decorated in a tropical theme. Self serve breakfast in Orchid Lounge. Beds very comfortable. We found this a quieter hotel than the Hard Rock. Pool service quicker than at the HRH. Staff helpful and friendly.

HRH - Closest to Universal, only about a 5 minute walk. Has a coffee shop and snack bar where you can buy breakfast foods, plus an ice cream shop. In July the place had a party atmosphere and felt very cool to be a part of. Staff friendly and helpful. Has rock music playing in public areas and by the pool. Pool service slower than the RPR. Beds very comfortable. Quieter in December. Themed like a rock star's mansion, lots of rock items on show.

PBH - Not stayed in this hotel. Decorated in an Italian theme. Furthest away from the parks. About a 20 minute walk from Universal via the river walk, quicker if you take a short cut through the HRH and across the main road. Felt a lot quieter than the RPR. Has a lovely deli, where you can order fresh pizza and sandwiches though this wasn't open in December when we went, in July it was.

All 3 have restaurants but we have not tried them as we tend to eat where we feel hungry which is usually in a park. The very best thing about staying onsite especially in peak season is the FOTL passes. During July these passes have been invaluable and allowed us to enter the parks at any time instead of the usual first thing in the morning, this makes it possible to have days when you don't have to get up early to get into the park or can go over to Disney early then go into Universal late afternoon and still get on the rides. However, I would say when we stayed in December I didn't really think it was necessary to have FOTL as line times were minimum anyway.

 

[comingtodisney]

thanks for the replies, hrh looks the best option for our 2 teens

 

[wicket2005]

My lads were 16 and 18 when we first stayed at the RPR and 17 and 19 when we first stayed at HRH. Their favourite is also the HRH though they like RPR too.

 

[stephensmum]

Is it necessary to have FOTL passes for Tuesday 25/8? We were going to go for the 1 night.

 

[maleficent_man]

Is it necessary to have FOTL passes for Tuesday 25/8? We were going to go for the 1 night.

I've done one night before and doing it again on Honeymoon this summer - just wanted to point out that with that you get FOTL access for the day you arrive AND the day you leave. Makes it all worthwhile.

 

[wicket2005]

I have never been at the end of August to know how busy the parks are at that time to judge whether FOTL is a necessity or just a welcome perk. In July it is a good necessity to have but in December it was a welcome perk but not a necessity.

 

[stephensmum]

Thank you. We liked it last year & didn't notice the queues, so we will do it again. Hope to stay for longer next year so will be in practise for that.