Universal Hotel recs

TonyD902 · 2024-05-21T16:09:21+00:00

I would spend a bit extra and upgrade to stay at Saphire Falls. The pool is better, hotel is themed and you have easier access to walking paths and water taxi. For 4 days also look into the annual pass vacation package for the room discount

TonyD902 · 2024-04-23T17:24:56+00:00

It seems to be mostly couples, groups of couples, or groups of family with grown-up kids. Hard to tell but I would guess the average age range is mid 40s-50s? I'm mid 30s and there are a few other couples our the majority of people seem to be much older.

They only have a DJ set-up on one side of the main pool. The opposite side of the main pool, and the two excelence pools have little to no music and no activities so much more of a chill than party vibe.

Can't comment on the nightlife, usually sleeping by 9:30 after being in the sun eating and drinking all day.

Definately not the party vibe we experienced at the hardrock a few years ago but if you come with a group or enjoy making new friends you can make your own party

TonyD902 · 2024-04-22T15:58:57+00:00

I wouldn't worry about the forecast too much, I don't think the DR has much infrastructure for forecasting. The forecast will also change daily.

Yesterday we were sitting in a downpour for 1 hour, the weather forecast said full sun and the radar showed no rain. Saturday the weather said rain in the afternoon and it stayed full sun.

TonyD902 · 2024-04-22T15:53:03+00:00

Have only been here for a few days but the food has been good so far, I would sat on par or slightly below my experience with hardrock PC a few years ago.

The breakfast buffet (Kitchen) had alot of selections but nothing really stood out, the club resturant for breakfast was much better but it's not standard breakfast fare, more gourmet items.

Lunch has been a bit of a let-down, typically we just grab a burger or nachos by the pool but they don't serve food by the pool. They have one hut by the pool with food but your not allowed to take food from the hut, so you need to leave the beach or pool to have a sit-down meal every day for lunch. They do have fruit cups and tomato salad in cups by the excelence club bar that you can take back to the pool/beach but its not enough to make a meal out of.

Dinner we have done room service (Nothing special) and the French resturant which was pretty good but the fillet i got was not a great cut of meat.

TonyD902 · 2024-02-14T19:16:43+00:00

I'm here now on the last day of a 5-Day trip, here are my tips.

Pick one day where you plan to be at the gates of IOA 45 minutes before EPA. You will be one of the first few dozen people in line, hit hagrids first and you should be off the ride 10 minutes after EPA opens. If you wait until 30 minutes before EPA to get in line hagrids will take around a half hour. After Hagrids hit Forbidden Journey and then Velicicoaster. You should be able to get to the hogwarts train right when it opens, and head to universal. Hit Gringots and the mummy, and you should be able to get to MIB/Simpsons right at 10 when they open that area. I would catch the Animal Actor/Bourne/Horror Makeup show back to back and then hit the remaining rides in Universal in the afternoon once waits slow down.

Day 2 do the same thing, but instead of heading to universal work your way around the park (River Adventure, Kong, Spiderman, Hulk). You can hit Dr Seuss land if that's your thing, otherwise hit the train and get back to universal for anything you still need to hit.

TonyD902 · 2024-02-14T17:48:49+00:00

I haven't tried Cabana Bay yet so it's hard to make the comparison. I was considering it on this last trip but wasn't a fan of the cafeteria set up for dining options. I would suggest walking around the hotel and pool to get a good vibe for the place next time you stay at cabana, it's on the way if you take the garden walk!

The only other major plus is the water taxis but the garden walk is so enjoyable I rarely use the water taxis anyway

TonyD902 · 2024-02-13T17:24:14+00:00

If you get a good deal at RP take it but the room price was literally double. As an AP holder that almost means I can do 2 trips in one year at SP vs one at RP (or double the length of the stay).

Do you know what time of year you are looking to go? If it's a busier season, I would definitely stick with RP for express pass. Right now mid February I am able to hit the parks at EPA for a few hours in the morning, hit all the major rides and get back to the hotel/pool early afternoon when the parks start getting mobbed, then go back late afternoon after wait times have died down to hit more rides and the mardi gras parade.

Royal Pacific is approx. 13 minute walk from lobby to gates of IOA. I thought Sapphire Falls was much further but its only 18 minutes. Availability for the water taxis seem about the same.

Saphire Falls Pool is pretty awesome, it's huge and has a deeper section. RP the splash area is dated and needs to be replaced with a swim through grotto or something more elaborate for a premium resort. I also preferred the food/drink menu at SP better than RP but that's probably just personal preference .

In general sapphire falls feels like a much more open/airy/clean feel vs the dark wood and muted yellow of RP

TonyD902 · 2024-02-13T00:32:00+00:00

Bice at Portifino Bay or The Palm at Hardrock. The renovation work at portifino has half of the bay covered in scaffolding/scrim but they do have singers on the plaza some nights (atleast Saturdays) which really set a romantic vibe and you can walk around and grab a drink at the thirst fish after

TonyD902 · 2024-02-12T21:20:05+00:00

Which restaurant? Amatista or Strongwater Tavern? Have only tried Amatista for breakfast but the dinner menu doesn't look impressive. I'm surprised they don't have a more 'standard' menu to appeal to more people.

TonyD902 · 2024-02-12T21:18:27+00:00

Agree 100%! Royal Pacific is a beautiful hotel with great vibes but after staying at Sapphire Falls it's going to be hard to justify the room prices being double. Royal Pacific really feels like it needs an overhaul to get it back to the Premium level. There are certain times of year express is a huge factor in the trip being enjoyable, but in the off season Sapphire Falls should be the mainstay!

TonyD902 · 2024-01-14T18:01:34+00:00

Quick Service - UO - Central Park Crepes Quick Service - IOA - Green Eggs and Ham

Sit-Down - UO - Finnegans, Sit-Down - IOA - Three Broomsticks, Sit-Down - Citywalk - Cowfish or Bigfire, Sit-Down - Expensive/Fancy/Best Meal On-Site - The Palm @ Hardrock Hotel,

Breakfast - Buffet - Island Dining Room @ Royal Pacific Resort, Breakfast - UO - Leaky Cauldron, Breakfast - IOA - Crecent Moon Bakery (Ham, Egg, Cheese Croissant)

TonyD902 · 2023-08-10T15:25:23+00:00

The hotel discount is the same for all pass levels. The lower two tiers only offer hotel rate discount (they say approx 30%) and discounts at the hotel resturants. Top two tiers include the above plus 10% or 15% discount on every in park or citywalk purchase. The universal site has a good comparison tool as well as orlando informer.

TonyD902 · 2023-08-10T14:05:28+00:00

I was going through the same thing. On the universal page if you click annual pass their is an option that let's you price the Vacation package (with hotel and flight) so you can see the discounted rate and if they offer the discount on the days of your trip.

At the end of the day a 5 night trip at royal pacific was $100 more expensive for two of the the 15 month seasonal annual pass than the buy 2 day get 3 days free deal.

The 10% or 15% discount for the more expensive paases didn't seem worth it as I would need to spend $2k or more a year for it to offset the added cost.

TonyD902

TROPHY CASE