Just back from 7 nights at Hard Rock - Some thoughts

[squidward]

Awesome time as always. Just a few bullet points:

1.We love the Hard Rock, but it would be amazing if they could invest in a machine to keep the pool water cool in the summer. It was like a bathtub.

2.Waited 2 hours for Kong, it broke down twice while we were in line. While the queue was impressive, it wasn't enjoyable. I can't speak for the ride in any other row, but DO NOT let them put you in the front row. You can barely see anything, and all you're doing is moving your heard from side to side trying to see what's going on.

3.I think Universal has surpassed Disney in terms of shopping.

4.We didn't do Disney at all, just Disney Springs, and we all hated it. It was like shopping at a high end mall in the desert. Won't bother going back except maybe to the Marketplace.

5.Did Busch Gardens for the first time. Loved it. Some parts could be a bit cleaner, but all the rides were fun and you see a ton of animals.

6.Sea World was fun. Loved Mako, still hate Manta.

7.Did Discovery Cove for the 1st time. That was very nice and relaxing. The treat you wonderfully. I did feel the dolphin swim was a bit too short.

8.Fun Spot Orlando should be condemned.

9.Springfield and Seuss Landing bring out the kid in me more than any land anywhere at Disney.

10.We'll be back next year.

 

[fosse76]

Awesome time as always. Just a few bullet points:

1.We love the Hard Rock, but it would be amazing if they could invest in a machine to keep the pool water cool in the summer. It was like a bathtub.

I agree. I was at Cabana Bay, and the lazy river, while refreshing on that first plunge, was so warm I practically stayed under the waterfalls, themselves only marginally cooler.

2.Waited 2 hours for Kong, it broke down twice while we were in line. While the queue was impressive, it wasn't enjoyable. I can't speak for the ride in any other row, but DO NOT let them put you in the front row. You can barely see anything, and all you're doing is moving your heard from side to side trying to see what's going on.

Disagree. I had no problems in the front row. You see exactly what you need to see. It was almost better, since none of the reality of the attraction (screen edges, ride vehicle movement, etc.) disrupt the suspension of disbelief.

3.I think Universal has surpassed Disney in terms of shopping.

When I still visited Disney World, I very rarely bought anything. I buy a few things almost every trip to Universal.

6.Sea World was fun. Loved Mako, still hate Manta.

I haven't been to Sea World in about 3 years. I didn't find anything particularly impressive about it. I am not a fan of flying coasters; I don't find them even remotely comfortable.

9.Springfield and Seuss Landing bring out the kid in me more than any land anywhere at Disney.

I love those areas, though Springfield is more of an idea than a realized place.

 

[Disneyhead'71]

I agree. I was at Cabana Bay, and the lazy river, while refreshing on that first plunge, was so warm I practically stayed under the waterfalls, themselves only marginally cooler.



Disagree. I had no problems in the front row. You see exactly what you need to see. It was almost better, since none of the reality of the attraction (screen edges, ride vehicle movement, etc.) disrupt the suspension of disbelief.


When I still visited Disney World, I very rarely bought anything. I buy a few things almost every trip to Universal.


I haven't been to Sea World in about 3 years. I didn't find anything particularly impressive about it. I am not a fan of flying coasters; I don't find them even remotely comfortable.

I love those areas, though Springfield is more of an idea than a realized place.

I love the ideas of Moe's and Duff Gardens.

 

[fosse76]

I love the ideas of Moe's and Duff Gardens.

I love Moe's, but I don't care for Duff Gardens. That was obviously a "we need something here" addition.

 

[Disneyhead'71]

I love Moe's, but I don't care for Duff Gardens. That was obviously a "we need something here" addition.

Duff Gardens has become my groups Meet Up spot. Great place to chat over a frosty Duffs and trade insider info. Haha.

 

[rob0519]

Awesome time as always. Just a few bullet points:

1.We love the Hard Rock, but it would be amazing if they could invest in a machine to keep the pool water cool in the summer. It was like a bathtub.

2.Waited 2 hours for Kong, it broke down twice while we were in line. While the queue was impressive, it wasn't enjoyable. I can't speak for the ride in any other row, but DO NOT let them put you in the front row. You can barely see anything, and all you're doing is moving your heard from side to side trying to see what's going on.

3.I think Universal has surpassed Disney in terms of shopping.

4.We didn't do Disney at all, just Disney Springs, and we all hated it. It was like shopping at a high end mall in the desert. Won't bother going back except maybe to the Marketplace.

5.Did Busch Gardens for the first time. Loved it. Some parts could be a bit cleaner, but all the rides were fun and you see a ton of animals.

6.Sea World was fun. Loved Mako, still hate Manta.

7.Did Discovery Cove for the 1st time. That was very nice and relaxing. The treat you wonderfully. I did feel the dolphin swim was a bit too short.

8.Fun Spot Orlando should be condemned.

9.Springfield and Seuss Landing bring out the kid in me more than any land anywhere at Disney.

10.We'll be back next year.

How you do like the Hard Rock. I'm trying to convince the family to stay at a Universal Resort for all or part of our next trip. What are the rooms like? Are they closer to Deluxe or Moderate resorts at Disney? How easy is access to the parks from the resorts? Thanks for any information.

 

[Disneyhead'71]

How you do like the Hard Rock. I'm trying to convince the family to stay at a Universal Resort for all or part of our next trip. What are the rooms like? Are they closer to Deluxe or Moderate resorts at Disney? How easy is access to the parks from the resorts? Thanks for any information.

Portofino is nicer than all the Disney Deluxes. Hard Rock and Royal Pacific are comparable to the Deluxes except the rooms are larger except the Poly and Contemporary.

All are within walking distance to the parks. Literally, they are all closer to the parks than the farthest building at Port Orleans is to the lobby.

 

[21stamps]

Awesome time as always. Just a few bullet points:

1.We love the Hard Rock, but it would be amazing if they could invest in a machine to keep the pool water cool in the summer. It was like a bathtub.

2.Waited 2 hours for Kong, it broke down twice while we were in line. While the queue was impressive, it wasn't enjoyable. I can't speak for the ride in any other row, but DO NOT let them put you in the front row. You can barely see anything, and all you're doing is moving your heard from side to side trying to see what's going on.

3.I think Universal has surpassed Disney in terms of shopping.

4.We didn't do Disney at all, just Disney Springs, and we all hated it. It was like shopping at a high end mall in the desert. Won't bother going back except maybe to the Marketplace.

5.Did Busch Gardens for the first time. Loved it. Some parts could be a bit cleaner, but all the rides were fun and you see a ton of animals.

6.Sea World was fun. Loved Mako, still hate Manta.

7.Did Discovery Cove for the 1st time. That was very nice and relaxing. The treat you wonderfully. I did feel the dolphin swim was a bit too short.

8.Fun Spot Orlando should be condemned.

9.Springfield and Seuss Landing bring out the kid in me more than any land anywhere at Disney.

10.We'll be back next year.

1. It's Florida, sorry, sometimes you can still be sweating while in the ocean.
2. See #1

8. We LOVE Fun Spot Orlando!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Absolutely LOVE! Especially the Slingshot, Volmatron, and the cars. All the rides really, they remind me of childhood on the Boardwalk

9. I'm happy to hear this! I will be taking my son to Uni/IoA (one day) for the first time this year. Super excited for Grinchmas!

Glad you had a great trip!

 

[CaptainAmerica]

3.I think Universal has surpassed Disney in terms of shopping.

4.We didn't do Disney at all, just Disney Springs, and we all hated it. It was like shopping at a high end mall in the desert. Won't bother going back except maybe to the Marketplace.

How do you reconcile these two points? Universal has surpassed Disney in terms of shopping but you don't like Disney Springs because it's high-end shopping?

 

[flynnibus]

Awesome time as always. Just a few bullet points:

1.We love the Hard Rock, but it would be amazing if they could invest in a machine to keep the pool water cool in the summer. It was like a bathtub.

2.Waited 2 hours for Kong, it broke down twice while we were in line. While the queue was impressive, it wasn't enjoyable. I can't speak for the ride in any other row, but DO NOT let them put you in the front row. You can barely see anything, and all you're doing is moving your heard from side to side trying to see what's going on.

3.I think Universal has surpassed Disney in terms of shopping.

4.We didn't do Disney at all, just Disney Springs, and we all hated it. It was like shopping at a high end mall in the desert. Won't bother going back except maybe to the Marketplace.

5.Did Busch Gardens for the first time. Loved it. Some parts could be a bit cleaner, but all the rides were fun and you see a ton of animals.

6.Sea World was fun. Loved Mako, still hate Manta.

7.Did Discovery Cove for the 1st time. That was very nice and relaxing. The treat you wonderfully. I did feel the dolphin swim was a bit too short.

8.Fun Spot Orlando should be condemned.

9.Springfield and Seuss Landing bring out the kid in me more than any land anywhere at Disney.

10.We'll be back next year.

Glad you enjoyed discovery cove. I think everyone should do it so they can reset themselves in thinking the current Disney customer service model is as good as it gets.

 

[rob0519]

Glad you enjoyed discovery cove. I think everyone should do it so they can reset themselves in thinking the current Disney customer service model is as good as it gets.

We did Discovery Cove a number of years ago and keep wanting to go back, but the daily price for a family of five is pretty daunting. The food and the service were outstanding though.

 

[KLeigh]

How do you walk from the hard rock hotel to the park entrance? Are there signs posted?

 

[Disneyhead'71]

1. It's Florida, sorry, sometimes you can still be sweating while in the ocean.
2. See #1

8. We LOVE Fun Spot Orlando!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Absolutely LOVE! Especially the Slingshot, Volmatron, and the cars. All the rides really, they remind me of childhood on the Boardwalk

9. I'm happy to hear this! I will be taking my son to Uni/IoA (one day) for the first time this year. Super excited for Grinchmas!

Glad you had a great trip!

Didn't shoot the messenger, but Grinchmas may not be showing until Dec. 3rd. That is when they roll out their Christmas events.

 

[Disneyhead'71]

How do you walk from the hard rock hotel to the park entrance? Are there signs posted?

HRH is adjacent to USF. Quick walk. 3mins. Walk to IOA is about 5 mins.

 

[21stamps]

Didn't shoot the messenger, but Grinchmas may not be showing until Dec. 3rd. That is when they roll out their Christmas events.

I know unfortunately I realized that on Tuesday. So I've decided to switch my Disney days and replace one during that week. Which now still leaves me in the same stupid dilemma of of I should keep the Swan, or just purchase a 2 day universal pass, and do one Black Friday and the other 12/4 or 12/6. I don't know how that would work with the express pass though. If I stay at Royal Pacific (the only one that looks like it would be interesting to kiddo) I know that express pass is included, but when I return 8-10 days later can I just buy another for that day? Or have to pay for both when purchase the 2 day ticket?

 

[danpam1024]

I agree totally with the pool- it felt...icky.
The stores in CW seemed to have so much more this time around- we spent buckets there.
DS is totally a waste of time- ALL of the stores are EVERYWHERE where I live. And who wants to try on clothes dripping sweat- no thanks. I'm with you, I'm sticking with the original Marketplace (I sure do miss the OLD Lake Buena Vista Village).
Made it to the parking lot of Fun Spot- it was a big NOPE for us too.
Mako made me laugh, and Manta makes me barf, I'll take Mako any day.
BG is our go to spot when we're bored. It's a lovely park and they have animals, coasters, and beer- does it get any better?
We just got back as well- 99 days til our HHN trip and I'm booking NYE tomorrow

 

[Disneyhead'71]

I know unfortunately I realized that on Tuesday. So I've decided to switch my Disney days and replace one during that week. Which now still leaves me in the same stupid dilemma of of I should keep the Swan, or just purchase a 2 day universal pass, and do one Black Friday and the other 12/4 or 12/6. I don't know how that would work with the express pass though. If I stay at Royal Pacific (the only one that looks like it would be interesting to kiddo) I know that express pass is included, but when I return 8-10 days later can I just buy another for that day? Or have to pay for both when purchase the 2 day ticket?

You can buy express pass for just that day. I would pick a day soon. The farther out the cheaper they are. And do try Tchoup Chop at Royal Pacific. Fancy yet cool enough for the kiddos.

 

[21stamps]

You can buy express pass for just that day. I would pick a day soon. The farther out the cheaper they are. And do try Tchoup Chop at Royal Pacific. Fancy yet cool enough for the kiddos.

Thanks, I'm still so undecided!!!

 

[danpam1024]

I second Tchoup Chop! it was delicious and had great atmosphere.

 

[Disneyhead'71]

I know unfortunately I realized that on Tuesday. So I've decided to switch my Disney days and replace one during that week. Which now still leaves me in the same stupid dilemma of of I should keep the Swan, or just purchase a 2 day universal pass, and do one Black Friday and the other 12/4 or 12/6. I don't know how that would work with the express pass though. If I stay at Royal Pacific (the only one that looks like it would be interesting to kiddo) I know that express pass is included, but when I return 8-10 days later can I just buy another for that day? Or have to pay for both when purchase the 2 day ticket?

You can buy the express pass anytime, but the sooner the better, they do sell out. So pick a day. If you go on Dec. 4th, you can get a Grinch Character Breakfast to start the day and end the evening with a Mannheim Steamroller Christmas Concert. With Grinchmas and Macy's Parade in between.

If you want to do that, I'd get EP and Character Breakfast ressies asap.