Universal's Royal Pacific - any recommendations?

[pepperidge]

We (my husband, our 4 y/o daughter, our 6 y/o son & myself) will be going to Universal's Royal Pacific hotel in December! I have read some negative things regarding this hotel, and I am starting to get a little nervous , so I'm hoping that you guys can help me with some room requests...

What building and or room is 1) not a 20 mile hike from the parking lot, 2) quiet enough to not awake us from night time sleeping, 3) in good over-all care? 4) Conviently located to parking and/or boat

In fact, if you have ANY suggestions about our up-coming Universal trip, I sure would appreciate it. I know that we will be having the "front of the line" priviledge with our room key and I've heard that is wonderful!! Not sure what to do about lunch and dinner - there is some sort of food plan that is available @ Universal parks (not hotels) - here's the info:

"You can enjoy as much food as you would like at both Universal Studios Florida AND Islands of Adventure with a 1-Day/2-Park Meal Deal Pass at participating Meal Deal locations only.

Adult= $22.99 + tax

Child (Ages 9 and under) = $10.99 + tax "

* This ticket must be exchanged for a Meal Deal wristband at any participating restaurant. The wristband must be worn in order to take part in Meal Deal Program. Only valid at Louie's Italian Restaurant, Mel's Drive-In and the International Food & Film Festival in Universal Studios Florida and Circus McGurkus Café Stoo-pendous, Captain America Diner, and Comic Strip Café in Islands of Adventure. Children ages 9 and under order from the Kid's Menu. Valid for one entrée platter and one dessert per trip through the food service line. Sharing of food is NOT permitted. Dining available until 30 minutes prior to park closing. Beverages and merchandise not included. Not valid for admission to either Universal Studios Florida or Islands of Adventure theme parks. Tickets are non-refundable.

** Meal includes (each time through the line): 1 entrée platter and 1 dessert.



Has anyone used this? I don't know if it's worth the $ even though it sounds pretty good. Maybe the food lines would be too long or the reg price (if we wouldn't get the Meal Deal) would come out cheaper to just buy them separately. Maybe the food is really yucky at the participating restaurants? I don't know... Decisions, decisions....

 

[supersaver]

Hi, I wanted to tell you that you and your family are going to have a *WONDERFUL* time at RPR!! We went for the first time (to Universal/IOA) in mid June and had an amazing time! Like you, after booking the trip, I started reading on Tripadvisor.com about some pretty negative (scary,gross!) reviews of this hotel and really began second guessing what I had done. DH told me to relax, I began spending ALOT of time (mostly lurking) on the Disboards (Universal side) and after reading alot, began to relax. The hotel/resort is just - incredible! We had terrific service from the time we arrived until the time we left! Our room wasn't opulent, by any means - it could have used a little sprucing up - but we had a fantastic view and besides, we didn't go on vacation to spend all week in our room. The pool and grounds, everything about RPR, just blew us away! You are going to **LOVE** the FOTL privilige that your room key affords you! (You'll feel like a VIP as you walk by everyone else in the "regular" line, LOL.)

I wanted to send you a PM about the meal deal, but for some reason, couldn't - so could you e-mail me? sphillips9@carolina.rr.com

Enjoy spending the next few months anticipating your upcoming vacation... When your vacation does come, it's going to be one you will remember for a very long time!

Suzanne

 

[LuvOrlando]

I just posted a report from Feb and hope it helps.

As far as the rooms are concernedI've never seen one that wasn't immaculate, also : 1. I think that all the rooms are a good distance from the parking lot because you need to go through the lobby & main doors to get to the lot (unless I missed something). Keep in mind that (according to one of my Universal sites) they now charge guests for all parking at the facility so it might be worth it to pay for Valet. 2. I always call reservations and ask for a 'quiet room', like anywhere else I request a high floor and stay away from elevators. You might need to sacrafice convenience to get some sleep. 3. Since DH, DS & DD are light sleepers we always travel with a $10 blue plastic flat table fan from Wal-mart which gives us white noise at night.

I didn't opt for the meal deal because 1. the prices change day to day which makes it hard to tell if its worth it and 2. I prefer to eat at the places along City-walk for variety.


Universal is fantastic, you are all going to have a great time

 

[katybugsmom]

Pepperidge,
We are going to UO and staying at RPR too! We will be there December 27-30! When will ya'll be there? We had thought about the Meal Deal tickets too, but still not sure. We got the special rate though where kids 3-9 stay, play, and eat free so DD(7) is taken care of. We also have a DS(1) and he will eat what we eat. There have been a lot of threads about the meal deals-pros and cons. I plan to keep reading until December and learn as much as I can!!!! It's been 6 years since our last trip to UO and a lot has changed!!! Look forward to hearing from you!!!!!

 

[pepperidge]

KatyBugsMom,

We'll be in Orlando from dec 19 - dec 26, but will be at Universal only on the 19 and 20th... We'll just miss ya!! It sounds as though you and I are equally looking forward to this vactation; Even though we still have about 5 1/2 months to go, I'm trying to get dinner reservations (for disney), room reservations, and treats for the kids ready. It's amazing how fast those dinner reservations get booked - it's a good thing that I did get those Disney priority seating arrangements done when I did. I called a few days later to add another group on (my mom & her husband) and I couldn't get the time I requested b/c they were already booked!

We're going to do the Universal Meal Deal for the kids (thanks Suzanne), but since we've never tried it before, I don't know how it's going to work out.

 

[jcapizzi]

RPR is absolutely the BEST - service, pool, grounds, service, service, service. We love it here and stay everytime we go which is about three times a year. At Christmas time it especially pretty with all the decorations. Go and have a wonderful time - you absolutely won't regret it. We never did the meal deal so I can't comment on that.

 

[lindalinda]

RPR is wonderful, you will love it. I have a trip report on here from our stay in june (boys r icky). In reference to the meal deal, I have heard its good for adults (worth the money) but that the child offerings are very limited and very small. I have seen several postings on here with this complaint. It might be better to get the meal deal for the adults and just order for the kids off the menu, and maybe split meals. Just a suggestion.

Hopefully by the time you go, Green Eggs and Ham will be open again (it was closed when we went ) Its a fun counter service in suess landing.

 

[crossfamily]

This is our first time staying at RPR and I am looking forward to it. We will be there Aug 19-21. I did get the meal plan for me and my kids. I will let you guys know how it was. I have been trying to pay for as much in advance as I can so my trip won't cost as much. I looked over the menu's of the rest. and the food listed is what my kids eat anyway so it should be good for us. We are pretty simple people so I am not expecting too much. I did only buy one drink ticket per day because I plan on bringing the kids their own cups and sharing. Yes I know this is discouraged but as much as I will probably spend while we are there I do not care.

 

[ljbelle]

We stayed at RPR in May and absolutely loved it. It was so much more than I expected. Our room was on the 1st floor, right by the door to the pool, and it was great. Nice, clean, quiet rooms for us. Very very nice.

 

[PavelB]

We just spent our third consecutive July 4th at the RPH. All I can say is "Amazing!" It has just gotten better each year. There were 6 adults and 10 children, mostly teens, in our party and everyone loved it. The hotel and pool were spotless and Club level was perfect. I really think that they have put something in the water because each and every RPH and Universal employee was fantastic, cheerful, enthusiastic, helpful... (I remember years ago when the employees actually sneered at you.)

We went to the Grand Floridian after RPH and all I can say is that we all agreed that RPH surpassed the GF, in service, cleanliness, etc. - and for half the price. - also, you just can't go to WDW after having FOTL.

Have a great vacation.

(PS - We looked over the meal plan and decided not to use it. It just seemed like a little too much fast food.)

 

[Dislifer]

We just spent our third consecutive July 4th at the RPH. All I can say is "Amazing!" It has just gotten better each year. There were 6 adults and 10 children, mostly teens, in our party and everyone loved it. The hotel and pool were spotless and Club level was perfect. I really think that they have put something in the water because each and every RPH and Universal employee was fantastic, cheerful, enthusiastic, helpful... (I remember years ago when the employees actually sneered at you.)

We went to the Grand Floridian after RPH and all I can say is that we all agreed that RPH surpassed the GF, in service, cleanliness, etc. - and for half the price. - also, you just can't go to WDW after having FOTL.

Have a great vacation.

(PS - We looked over the meal plan and decided not to use it. It just seemed like a little too much fast food.)

Wow! That's great to hear!!! Please tell me more! We are staying club level also. Do you have a room recommendation?
Glad you had a good time! How was the weather? How did you keep cool?

 

[PavelB]

It was a great week. This was the first time we had gone club at the RPH and we all agreed that for us it was worth it. I cannot recommend any one room because none of the rooms in our party had a good view but I have to say that it did not matter. None of us cared. We were all close to the lounge and that was what counted. It was the perfect place for us to hang out. The room was large enough and the staff was lovely. The food was also better than I expected. (I LOVED those cookies in the middle of the day.)
Have a great trip.

 

[Dislifer]

Thanks! Was the club lounge very busy?

 

[PavelB]

Some times the lounge was more crowded than others but we never felt that it was too crowded. Really, we could not get over how fantastic the club level was. - we all agreed, better than Sugar Loaf.
(The rooms are a little small but they were all very clean and housekeeping was timely - anyway, we were always meeting up in the lounge.)

PS We got to see the shuttle take off!

 

[pigby]

This is our first time staying at RPR and I am looking forward to it. We will be there Aug 19-21.

We will be there too - we're staying from the 18th to the 27th August before we head off to Saratoga Springs WDW - can't beleive you're vacationing for 28 days, where are you staying after RPR? BTW, you'll love RPR - it will be our second stay there.

 

[Hollywoodhaha]

I just went and stayed at RPR In May.

IT WAS AWESOME!

Stay in the...i think the one with the lakeside view.

Its next to the pool and next to the boat.

 

[pepperidge]

Thanks guys!! I sure am getting excited about going!!! I have quite a bit of waiting to do though - still about 4 1/2 months!! Time to diet and lose those extra lbs - I say this as I'm munching.

 

[aztecgoods]

I have a feeling that any "bad" reviews of this hotel are very un-founded and probably stem from one of those persons that is pleased by nothing and only enjoys complaining about every single thing in life. As for me I LOVE the Royal Pacific, I am going back in a few weeks, it is beautiful, Asian/Tropical theme, closest to Islands and City walk (Walking distance, but take the boat anyway). The only thing I would suggest, which is what I do, is request a top floor room with a view of Islands of Ad. The lighthouse will be right in your window and it is so cool. (The light doesn't bother me, and they turn it off around 11 or so anyway.) But having a view of IOA to me is just the best, and one of the main reasons I love the RP over the otherhotels, if the Portifino was the cheapest hotel on property I would probably have to stay there, for it is very nice as well, but for the cash, you can't beat the RP at all. If all things were equal (price wise) I would still stay at the RP.

 

[Dislifer]

I'm Back!!! Just returned from the RPR today....highly recommended! In all my reading I never read about the very fun area in/near the pool. My son had a ball in the "sinking ship"/splashing/watergun area..!!!
Very nice hotel, nice rooms, good service...NO COMPLAINTS HERE!!!
Will write more later! Oh, by the way, we were in Room #3704....pool view and IOA view.

 

[Lindy Loo]

Please tell me more about the sinking ship!!!

We go in oct with our DD 4 yrs.