US newbie questions

[ellenmiele]

Planning first trip to US/IOA and all because we want to see WWoHP. Been to WDW many many times but I am clueless about Universal. I have read horror stories about crowds and since we are looking to travel Easter weekend I will stay at one of the onsite resorts so we can enter early because it seems to me that it's the only way to be sure we'll get into HP - am I right about that?
We are not a big thrill ride family, we enjoy shows, pools, and good restaurants. It is me DH and 4 teenagers. Thinking Hard Rock - good choice? Are there activites right at the resorts because our arrival day will probably be a non-park day so we'd like to walk around all the resorts. We usually do something like that at WDW and we can always find things going on at the resorts to keep us entertained. Can we walk from resort to resort?
We will have a car but from the looks of it on the US map, there is a walkway from the 3 onsite hotels into the parks? Could someone compare that to WDW for me - is it like walking from Boardwalk or Beach Club to EPCOT or HS? Is it a nice scenic walk? Anything along the way - shops/food?
How many stories are the resort buildings - higher like swan and dolphin or BLT or lower like all the other WDW resorts (poly, BC, etc). I do not do well at hieghts so if we have a balcony I can't be too high. And I'm not sure -- do all the onsite resorts have balconies?
Last question - we will have to get 2 rooms as my understanding is that the onsite resorts have no rooms for 6, correct? Not even a suite? Might be out of my $$ range anyway but I'd look into it if it exists. And if we get 2 rooms I'd prefer connecting - easy request or no?

Thank you to anyone who can help - And I'll certainly take any other additional advice that anyone wants to give!

 

[IdesOmarch]

First off, keep in mind Universal is a lot like Disney in that it is a "theme" park, not a roller coaster park, many have this mis-conception. The areas are themed incredibly at Islands of Adventure, for example, there is a huge area based on Jurassic Park, and you really feel like you have visited the Island in the movie, of course HP is like visiting Hogwarts from what I've seen. Suess Landing is like you stepped inside a Dr. Suess book. Marvel Island is like you stepped inside a Marvel Comic book. And the rides are like you are living through the movie and experiencing what they did in the movies (i.e. Jurassic Park boat ride you get attacked by Dinosaurs, Men In Black you have to shoot at the aliens, Jaws you're on a boat and get attacked by the shark etc.)

Now about your logistics questions. Hard Rock is the only hotel I have not stayed at onsite, to me it looks a little sterile and is the least appealing IMO, I have walked through the resort. But many people do like it and people with teens tend to prefer it some.

I prefer Royal Pacific or Portifino which are beautiful resorts, Royal Pacific is south pacific themed (Fuji Tahiti etc.) and may be compared somewhat to the Poly at Disney.

Now Portifino is incredible and looks like the French or Italian Riviera, it also has several nice large pools, one with a castle with a waterfall coming off of it. It has an Italian villa type theme, with most of the restaurants themed Italian.

Walking is much easier at Universal than Disney, both the old main Universal Park and Islands of Adventure (where HP is) are very close and within walking distance to each other. Actually you can walk from any of the resorts to the parks and to City Walk. Now it would be a very long walk from Royal Pacific to Portifino (if you wanted to pool hop) but you can always take the boats, which is the best way to travel from the resorts into the parks anyway. You can take river boats to and from all of the resorts to the parks and City Walk and they are very cool, that is the best way to travel around the area IMO. The boats are almost like another ride in and of themselves.

Portifino is the only resort to have balconies, and you will need to request them. I got lucky twice and got them without asking but we were there when the crowds were very light. Portifino typically has the nicest rooms and are very luxurious, but all 3 of the resorts would be considered deluxe resorts at Disney, all very very plush and nice.

Also, you may know this already but staying at one of the onsite hotels allows you to get to the front of the lines on all the rides (except in the HP area).

Oh and yes the walks are all landscaped and beautiful, in addition to the boats you can walk along the paths to and from the resorts. Most of the resorts are around 6-8 stories.

 

[ladylinda65]

I have only stayed at the Hard Rock and while it was nice I wouldn't consider it anything like the Disney hotels. The pool is small not much to it. The rooms have some interesting pictures and memorabilia but other than that it was sort of eh....I have heard the Portofino is gorgeous and the the Royal Pacific is cool too so I would say choose one of those two and walk over to look at the Hard Rock. And yes if you request connecting rooms they make every effort to make that happen. When I was at the Hard Rock with friends we requested and got connecting rooms.

As far as the parks are concerned, you can walk to everything at Universal unlike Disney. Everything is near each other and no more than a 10 minute walk around. I would say it is like Downtown Disney with theme parks around it. Lots of great dining and the rides in the park are lots of fun.

Depending on when you stay, there are some great events at USF such as the upcoming Mardi Gras in February and March, Halloween Horror Nights in Sept/Oct and the Macy's Holiday Parade in December. All these events take place in USF.

If you are a Harry Potter fan then IOA is a must!!! Area was designed and construction overseen by J.K. Rowling herself. She was there all the time and the authenticity is second to none. All the actors commented on how nice it was to have the scenery come to life for them.

Finally, Citywalk has some great clubs and great dining. Like the old Pleasure Island used to be. For fine dining Emerils was amazing!! i also liked Nascar Cafe and Latin Quarter alot. I enjoyed the feel of Bob Marleys and Pat O'Briens is like being in NEw Orleans. I was not wow'd by Margaritaville but the bands that play there are great!!

Anyway you cut it you will have a great time! Enjoy and if I can be of any help just PM me!