What's new since my 2002 & 2003 visits?

[CPanther95]

We just scheduled a last minute trip to Universal 5/6 - 5/13 staying at the Portofino. Our last trips were 4/02 and 2/03 ("cheated" by double-dipping on my APs ).

Sorry for all the questions, but here goes.

1) What can we expect different on the Universal properties? I know KK is gone replaced by the Mummy coaster, and Hanna-Barbera was replaced - any other major changes? What about more subtle changes? I still have my detailed itinerary from '03, so that is my basic template since it worked out great since we had the benefit of a trip the previous year. However, I'm curious what I may be missing.

2) My daughters are now 18 & 17, plus we're bringing a college friend of theirs. What under-21 clubs are available, if any, on CityWalk? They'll be looking for activities from dinner until ~midnight since the parks close at 7pm.

3) Son is 14, and looking forward to some arcade time, but I understand that there is no longer an arcade at CityWalk. Any other options? I remember one near Dr. Doom, but it seemed pretty lame.

4) Any must-try restaurants added since 2003? I know about Tchoup-Chop, but we'll probably pass on that one. We'll definitely plan a late lunch at Mythos, but would like to check out any new ones.

5) Tried to tack on an additional day at the beginning of our trip, but the suite wasn't available - so we are staying in a suite at the Royal Pacific the first night. Never checked out the RPH property on our previous visits so we'ree kinda looking forward to seeing what it's all about. Any problem getting them to transfer our bags and car over to the PBH after that first night?

Last question (if I haven't lost you by now):
6) We're planning on shipping the bulk of our luggage by UPS because we just can't fit luggage for 3 teenage girls plus my wife, son and myself in our MDX. Anyone tried coordinating this before? Does the PBH have UPS service available that I can ship these boxes back home at the end of our visit?

Thanks in advance for any info you can provide.

 

[yaytezIOA]

1. Wild West Stunt Show is now Fear Factor Live. BTTF is gone. Shrek 4D, Jimmy Nuetron are there.....thats about it. Over at IOA Suess Sky Trolley is open, Triceratops Encounter is closed. Thats about it.
2. Not sure about the clubs, I think most of them are 21 and over.
3.Dr. Doom is about the only one, but its fairly decent....lots of DDR like games. There is also an arcade just off of the Mummy, directly to the left.
4.Mythos is a must try. Choup-Chop is a good one to not miss. And then you have all the counter service places.
Cant help with the other two.

 

[AlexandNessa]

They should have no problems transferring your luggage for you from RPR to PBH. Just curious: what kind of suite at RPR holds 6 people? TIA

 

[CPanther95]

We're getting the 2 BR Villa Suite at both hotels.

 

[Planogirl]

The NASCAR Cafe had arcade games the last time we went and there were also some at NBA City. There was also an arcade next to the Revenge of the Mummy.

I don't know about the rest of your questions but I wanted to add that it seems incredibly cool to me that you're staying at both of those hotels. We've only stayed at RPR and we loved it.

 

[CPanther95]

The first day we arrived (late afternoon/early evening), we were planning on checking out the RPH property anyway since we won't be up for too much. However, if our suite opens up at the PBH, we'll likely snag it just so we don't have the inconvenience of switching hotels.

Either way, I'm looking forward to seeing everything in and around the RPH.

 

[macraven]

when you relocate from one hotel to another, the staff will handle it all.

i did a transfer from pbh to hrh and zero issues.
luggage all taken care of

 

[LakeAriel]

Inspired by another thread I am considering shipping our large suitcase to PBR by Fed X or UPS. Any suggestions? How long before etc? TIA!

 

[macraven]

i suggest to have it arrive the day before you arrive.
put your ressie number on the label and call the hotel ahead of time so they hold it for you.

if it arrives the day before, the hotel can log it in they have it and it will be ready for you to pick up when you check in .


some companies do not deliver on weekends. ask before you send it when the estimated arrival time will be for the luggage.

 

[skifast22]

2) My daughters are now 18 & 17, plus we're bringing a college friend of theirs. What under-21 clubs are available, if any, on CityWalk? They'll be looking for activities from dinner until ~midnight since the parks close at 7pm.

I believe "The Groove" has an under 21 night on Sundays. If memeory serves me right, it lasts until about 10-11:00, then they empty the club and open it for over 21.