trip report-HRH 4/2-4/7

[Lobstergal]

Just back from 5 nights at the HRH, and we loved it!! After a little problem with the pounding bass from the pool, we got a room change and everything was great.

DAY 1-checked in, room wasn't ready, left luggage with the service and went to Nascar Cafe for late lunch, place was practically empty, food was good. After we ate went back to get our room. Pool view, supposed to be non-smoking but wasn't, first floor, nice location....but THAT MUSIC!! The thumping bass drove us nuts until 11 pm when they shut it off. We had gone to bed early as we had started our day in Maine at 4:30am.

DAY 2- called the front desk to request a room change, went to Sunset Grill for the breakfast buffet, food was cold and expensive $24.00 for 2. Off to IOA for the day. Water taxi's are so convenient, or just a short walk. Had lunch in the park, went back to the hotel for a swim, back to the park to go on our favorite rides again, and then had dinner at NBA city--I thought this place was a little overpriced, $81.00 for 4, kids ate off kids menu, hub had pizza, I'm doing Atkins so it was the $24.00 steak for me. ( I know, its my fault it was expensive!!) Food was good but no that good.

DAY 3- US day, front of the line access makes it easy to do the parks in a much shorter time. This is a great benefit of staying on-site! This was the night that we got to be in the Mardi Gras parade. Got to ride on the Jester float --what a blast. Hub didn't really want to do it but said it was the highlight of his trip. Kids thought so too!! We got to keep plenty of beads and coins and had so much fun throwing the beads to the crowd. Dropped into bed with our beads still on!!

DAY 4- Cabana day at the Hard Rock pool! Rented a cabana for $75.00 for a full day. Had 6 soda's and 2 bottles of water and a fruit bowl included. figured this was a good way to get the hub to spend the day at the pool as the cabana had a t.v and a phone--it was also good for the kids as they could get out of the sun a bit. The water slide at the pool is a good one, keeps the kids entertained, as well as the water basketball. Ate lunch in the cabana, dinner at Margaritaville, by far my favorite meal!! Hub and 14y/o tried out the workout room today as well, nice place!! Kids wanted to go swimming until 11 pm--so hub and I watched the weather channel in the cabana, and called my sisters and parents to see how they were surviving the snow that was falling in Maine that night!!
I know, that WAS a little mean!! haha

DAY 5- wet n wild day, spent all day here, were burnt to a crisp but had a great day. Wouldn't recommend going on the w/end, it was packed but still fun. Ate dinner at Cattleman's in I drive--great steaks, reasonable price.

DAY 6- back to IOA today to use up our 3rd day free feature, went on most all of the rides again, 14 y/o and hub did DD-4 times! lines were much shorter today, and on most rides didn't even need FOTL. Had to have lunch at Margaritaville, love the food and the atmosphere!! Checked out today.

can't wait to return

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Thanks for the report and I'm glad that you had a good time. We're staying at the RPR in a poolview room and I'm a bit concerned now about the noise from the pool. I don't know if they play the music that HRH does, though, so maybe it won't be a problem. Did you hear people noises from the pool or only the bass?

How were you able to ride on a float? I think that would be fun, but I don't have a clue how to go about getting chosen. How many people ride on each float? Any idea if they have an age limit? We will be there soon with our 4 children (age 3-15) and my sister and BIL.

Thanks, T&B

 

[Lobstergal]

Checked out the RPH while there--it was nice--your kids will love the pool area. Didn't notice any music playing while I was there, so you should be fine.

Call the Universal vacations number--try 407-363-8000 the gen. info number or try the website, ask about doing a float. People that stay at the resorts are supposed to be able to get on first if its available. Some floats held 6 people, some 10 I think. Our parade had 14 floats. It was so much fun! There is a height restriction--44 inches, so I'm not sure about your 3 year old, maybe lots of cushioning in the shoes!! haha

We had booked our package through Universal Vacations and thats how we found out about the float ride-on option. I'm not sure if you have to book through them to get the float ride on option or not, but give it a try, it was a blast!!

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Thanks for the float tips! My little guy is only 40 inches so he wouldn 't be able to do it, but if we were able to go I'd be willing to sit out with him. My older kids would love it and I can try in the future with him.

What time did the pools close? I've read different things and was hoping that it's open an hour or so after the park closes so we can swim a little before going to bed. That's assuming we don't collapse into bed...

Thanks! T&B

 

[Lobstergal]

while we were there the pool was open til 10pm during the week and closed at 11 pm on the weekend (fri, sat and sun). It opened at 8am.

Great pool! I'm sure you'll have the energy for a nice swim before bed. Have fun!!

 

[nhrenee]

Great trip report! My girlfriend and I was there from 4/3-4-6 and couldn't believe it snowed in New England while we were gone!

My dh is doing Atkins. Would you mind telling any other places you ate and what you had? We hope to go in Oct, he was not on the diet during our other trips. Did you find anything to eat in the parks?

Thanks a million!!

 

[Minniespal]

Thanks for the great review!!!!

 

[cpl100]

Is this parade held daily? In which park? I would love to try to do that.

 

[ellie&mattys mom]

Does the Hard Rock have an Arcade...and snacks are by the pool...
thanks!!!

 

[mattkatie7]

Tigger&Belle, I stayed at the RPR pool view and music was not a problem.