Tips and Hints

[FanOfStitch]

My DS and I will be going to US/IOA in Sept and staying onsite at the Royal Pacific hotel. We haven't been there since 2001 and my DS was small at the time so we didn't really get to go on any of the "good" rides so I am looking for any tips, tricks, things not to miss, etc. And also, how is the Royal Pacific? Never stayed onsite before. I also heard that they allow pool hopping between the three hotels. True? TIA!

 

[Darcy03231]

Make sure you see the Hollywood Horror Make-up Show. Its one of the best shows I've ever seen in an amusement park.

 

[patster734]

We've stayed at RPR several times and will be staying there again for our upcoming May trip. Nice hotel. You'll really enjoy the FOTL perk! Its also a short distance between the hotel and Citywalk, so you can either walk or take the complimentary water taxi between the two.

As for pool-hopping, what you heard is true. Pool hopping is allowed between the three hotels. Bring your room key with you to show that you are a Universal hotel guest.

As for the parks, most of the rides are not to be missed, but be sure to ride Spiderman at IOA. I consider it the best ride I've ever seen. If possible, try to dine at Mythos, also at IOA. Its considered one of the best park restaurants in the US and has won several awards over the past few years.

 

[DocOck]

I stay at the RPR the most. I like the Portinfino and its technically a little nicer and more elegant, but I love the tropical themeing of the RPR, and its a better bargain. Rooms aren't quite as nice, but still nice. The tropical landscaping though and the whole South Pacific theme is very cool and relaxing ( I love palm trees.)

You won't need a lot of tips, because staying at the RPR, you use the room keys for your fast passes unlimited throughout your stay, so you will never have to wait more than 15 minutes tops to get on rides.

You should try and do everything IMO, but the best rides for me are in order of love the most:

1) The Mummy
2) Spiderman
3) Jurassic Park River Adventure
4) MIB
5) Hulk
6) Dueling Dragons
7) Twister
8) Terminator
9) ET (Great for kids and adults IMO)
10) Everything else!

Also, FYI, Jakes AMerican Bar and restaurant in the RPR is a great place to eat as well as Emerils Tchoup Chop, but I actually prefer Jakes, which is cheaper. Even the pool Bula Bar menu is great there.

 

[Metro West]

Just remember...Dueling Dragons is TWO coasters...not one. Fire and Ice have different tracks and both sides should be ridden.

 

[wdwgypsy]

Just remember...Dueling Dragons is TWO coasters...not one. Fire and Ice have different tracks and both sides should be ridden.

And in the front, its worth the wait!

 

[buzz2400]

And don't forget that you have front of the line passes because you are staying onsite.

 

[donaldduck352]

Just remember...Dueling Dragons is TWO coasters...not one. Fire and Ice have different tracks and both sides should be ridden.

What's your fav Metro?

 

[Metro West]

What's your fav Metro?

Fire...I could ride all day.

 

[donaldduck352]

Fire...I could ride all day.

Mine too

 

[Metro West]

Mine too

Pyrrock rules!

 

[the Dark Marauder]

And don't forget that you have front of the line passes because you are staying onsite.

Clarification: By staying onsite, your room key allows you unlimited express line access during the length of your stay.

 

[FanOfStitch]

Thanks for all the replies! I am sooo looking forward to riding Dueling Dragons. I've read about the front seat and although I'm usually a backseat person, I will definetly wait for the front on these! I also can't wait to ride Jaws. Corny, I know, but it's my favorite movie!

Also, thanks for the suggestions of restaurants. I hadn't even thought about that. Does anyone know if I can find menus for them anywhere? DS and myself are kind of picky eaters.

 

[TIGGERGUY]

Food: Can't say enough good things about Mythos. They also have multiple Cinnabon locations (yum!)

Rides: Men in Black is one of the few rides I could do again and again.

Menus: Here is the link to the Universal menus at Deb Wills' site
http://www.allearsnet.com/uni/menu/menus.htm

 

[macraven]

Fire...I could ride all day.

hey metro, you told me ice.......

 

[NashvilleTrio]

The Horror MakeUp Show is a must do for us each trip. It is so funny.

 

[SmileyFace]

My DS and I will be going to US/IOA in Sept and staying onsite at the Royal Pacific hotel. We haven't been there since 2001 and my DS was small at the time so we didn't really get to go on any of the "good" rides so I am looking for any tips, tricks, things not to miss, etc. And also, how is the Royal Pacific? Never stayed onsite before. I also heard that they allow pool hopping between the three hotels. True? TIA!

Rpr is really great! Dont forget about your FOTL passes.
And now that your DS is older you can go on the fun rides, yay.
Things not to miss:
Spiderman.
Dueling Dragons. (both tracks)
The Hulk.
Revenge of the Mummy.
The simpsons!

 

[dpuck1998]

One thing from when I stayed at RPR. We are early park people and the boats weren't picking up in time to get to the park at opening. Its easier/quicker to walk to IOA than to take the water taxi.

 

[minniejack]

You should also try to ride Dueling Dragons at night--feels like you are flying and the park looks fantastic with the lights.

 

[minniejack]

Also, try the restaurants at Portofino. Our cabbie from the airport had told us that they were too expensive, so we didn't try them until the end of our trip. Big Mistake. Food was relatively inexpensive, huge portions and tasted fantastic. My hubbie had a seafood dish (shrimp, crab, lobster) in a red sauce at Trattoria (sp?) --out of this world.