universal newbie

[MinnieTeacher]

Hi! My family and I (children ages 4 and 10) travel to Disney every year. This year we are considering a trip in June to Universal because we want to do something new. We were considering doing 7 nights at the Royal Pacific resort with the unlimited universal 3 park tickets. We also were going to purchase 2 day tickets to Sea World. Do you think that 5 days in universal parks and 2 at Sea World would be too much? I want to spend some time at the pool and children's water play area at the hotel and maybe do some putt putt and the pirate dinner show. Do you think this is a good plan for someone who is used to Disney. Do you think we will like it in comparison to WDW? I've looked at the attractions and I'm afraid there won't be enough for my 4 year old to do. Any thoughts or suggestions are appreciated.

 

[Bourquefam]

We went last year with our 2 youngest children (6 & 8 at the time). There was definitely a lot less for my 6 year old to do, but she still had a blast. Everything in Seuss Land (not sure of the exact name) was fun, ET, the water play land in Universal, the Simpsons, Flight of the Hippograff, shows, etc. kept her entertained. I think she actually enjoyed the slower pace. We stayed club level and grabbed breakfast on the run, then played in the parks until 1ish. Grabbed lunch from City Walk on the way back to hotel and then rested for a short while, changed into swimsuits and hit the pool. By 4 we headed back up to shower/ dress, stopped by the club lounge for a snack/ evening meal and then made our way back to the parks. The parks close much earlier than Disney so we were never late getting back and stopped by the club lounge for a little something sweet. There are a ton of poolside activities in the afternoon for the kids (hula hoop contest, water balloon toss, crafts, pool races).

We had so much fun that we are going back this year and our 17 year old has decided he wants to come too!

Good luck!

 

[macraven]

Hi! My family and I (children ages 4 and 10) travel to Disney every year. This year we are considering a trip in June to Universal because we want to do something new. We were considering doing 7 nights at the Royal Pacific resort with the unlimited universal 3 park tickets. We also were going to purchase 2 day tickets to Sea World. Do you think that 5 days in universal parks and 2 at Sea World would be too much? I want to spend some time at the pool and children's water play area at the hotel and maybe do some putt putt and the pirate dinner show. Do you think this is a good plan for someone who is used to Disney. Do you think we will like it in comparison to WDW? I've looked at the attractions and I'm afraid there won't be enough for my 4 year old to do. Any thoughts or suggestions are appreciated.

it would be kewl if i had ariel instead of a cat............


i think spending 5 days in the park will be great!

you don't have to rush and the kiddlettes can take their time at both of the parks.
there are quite a few things that will keep them occupied for hours!

on the studios side, be sure to take in Animal Actors show.
very entertaining for the family.
go see the Barney show.
spend time in woody woodpecker land. Fieval's playground.
catch ET. try MIB.
watch the street characters, and street entertainment.


mini golf at the front of the park should be open this spring.

at IOA check out Jurassic discovery center and Camp Jurassic (the play land around it.)
do the kiddie rides
Pteranodon Flyers/ must be 36"
all the rides and shops in Seussland
the marvel characters parade
check out the shops at parry hotter
hippograpf ride
storm force/ similar to the disney tea cup ride
water rides: popeye and bluto /similar to disney's water ride at ak
Sinbad show
Me Ship Olive

spend time around the pool.
there are children activities during the day.

you can take the free rt shuttle bus from the onsite hotel to SW.
sign up for it the night before at the lobby concierge for your seats.
if you buy a mug at universal
and take it with you to SW, it will be honored at SW for the cheap refill cost for soda/tea.


hope you have a ball on your vacation!

 

[MinnieTeacher]

Thanks so much for your input! Sounds like it will be a more relaxing trip vs Disney's fast pace. I'm glad club level was mentioned because we have been considering it. How did you like it? Did you use the club lounge for your evening meal? What items were offered throughout the day? Thanks in advance for your help! I'm sure I'll have plenty more questions.

 

[macraven]

Thanks so much for your input! Sounds like it will be a more relaxing trip vs Disney's fast pace. I'm glad club level was mentioned because we have been considering it. How did you like it? Did you use the club lounge for your evening meal? What items were offered throughout the day? Thanks in advance for your help! I'm sure I'll have plenty more questions.

i really enjoyed club lounge but it isn't financially to my advantage to book it.
i do solo trips now and don't take advantage of all the offerings.
i did club last october though and did do an evening meal.
well worth it!!
i find it great for getting bottles of water, soda to take to the park with me and for the breakfast and evening spread.

they also offer beer and some wine.
spirits are at a discounted price.
but, i didn't drink when i was there.

I'm also a Platinum level in Loews YouFirst progam and the amenities i get with that really cover my needs.
i get $100 in food and beverage credits at rph and pbh.
i get the newspaper delivered, i get turn down service and the upgrade to the suite and pay the basic standard room cost.
also get the gym free and a few other items.


if you have a family, it might be financially good for you at club level.
you can take food/bev back to your room if you don't want to eat in the lounge. they tm's will give you a tray.

club is about $100 more a night, depending on the room you book compared to non club rooms.

the club lounge at rph is large. lots of seating areas and a couple of tv's on.
there are only 40 rooms on club level, 7th floor.
the other 2 hotels have more rooms on their club level.

the breakfast offerings are very good and a decent variety.
all day some sort of snacks will be out.
fruit, chips, pretzels.
the evening offerings rotate per day. you will find hot items on it.

this is for the hours of 5-7.
i think rph has a great set up on food at this time.

sweet hour is later in the evening and also enjoyable.

there are 2 computers in the lounge for your use.

the concierge staff will help you plan things, help with your printing of boarding seats for your return flight, set up ressies for dinner at city walk, hotels.
find the times for movies at the cinema in city walk.

anything you ask of them, they will try their best to do.
very helpful group of employees there.

i do the ee for some of days during my vacation.
there are other times i like to sleep in and just get coffee and watch the morning news in the room.
like i said, i'm relaxing on this trip.........

some days i like to do the park early, do lunch at city walk or at the hotel, then return to the park until it closes.
some nights i might take in a movie or go to Rising Star for karoake entertainment in city walk.

sitting at the pool is great way to spend some afternoons.

i go at a slow pace and totally relax when i stay at RPH.
(i go to rph after a week of commando style touring at the motherland.)

i'm in orlando for over 2 weeks on my trips. by staying a long time, i can browse the shops and spend my american express checks.....
i love doing the darkside at the end of my motherland stay.

i get so spoiled at the hotel and parks.

if you want to buy something while you are in the park, do it then.
you are not going to find it cheaper at another store.

when you make a purchase, tell the clerk to have the bags sent to your room.
they will arrive the next morning if you shopped in the evening.

if you don't want to wait that long to get your stuff, tell the clerk to send your packages to the front of the park.
you will recieve a claim check.

when you are leaving the park, go to the big merch store before you exit the park and pick up your bags.

it does take the packages about 60 minutes to get there though.
if you shop in the morning, it might take less time for your purchases to reach the front store.


if someone is a day guest, they can have their purchases sent to the front and held until they leave.

(i don't think they have this service the 60 minutes prior to park closing.)

if you decide not to stay at club level, you can find reasonable places for food.
pastamore in city walk has a side window for breakfast faire.

the orchid court lounge in the lobby at rph opens at 6 for ala carte breakfast items.
i have used this when i want to be in the park for EE.
i think a bagel w/ cream cheese, coffee and fruit cost me about $7.
free refills on coffee if you save your cup.

you will enjoy your stay at rph, club or no club.

 

[macraven]

there is a concierge desk in the club lounge.

for guest that do not stay club, there is a desk in the lobby for concierge who will help all guests at the hotel.
that concierge is located at the end of the building.

if you are checking in to the hotel, look to your right.
that back section with all the windows is the concierge counter.

 

[Bourquefam]

This club lounge offers more than any other club lounge we've been to. There's usually fresh veggies & dip, cubed cheese, a salad of some sort, and a HOT entree type dish. Last year there was a hot chicken pasta dish one night and fajitas on another night. We never intended for it to be our "meal", but we're not heavy eaters and actually filled up on the evening food. They have smuckers pbj packaged sandwiches for the kids.

I have a lot of pics from our trip last year. I'll try to go thru them and upload once I'm home from work today. Time to go! Are you a teacher? I'm a career coach at a high school and work with preparing/ aiding seniors w/ post secondary education and training. Love what I do, but my countdown to summer break has begun!!!!

 

[MinnieTeacher]

Bourquefam and Macraven thank you both so much for this great info! Club level sounds great and we may just end up doing it! The rates are much more reasonable compared to Disney club level prices. I'd love to see some of the club level photos or any trip photos! I'm getting excited! And yes Bourquefam I am a teacher! I've been teaching 1st grade for 17 years in the public school system! Counting down to spring and summer breaks!!

 

[Bourquefam]

Ok, going to try to post a link to a previous thread that has a BUNCH of Royal Pacific Club Lounge food pics. For pics of the actual lounge itself, go to oyster.com and look up Royal Pacific, then go to photo gallery, then amenities. The club lounge pics start about halfway down.

Here's the link to the thread:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2214294

 

[macraven]

laurabearz did a thread on her pics of club offerings sometime after the one you listed.

i'll see if i can pull it up.