Advice/suggestions appreciated on a possible visit to Universal

[wdwfan4ver]

FOOD:
At the Hard Rock, we've eaten at "The Kitchen" and liked it very much. They have the upscale Palm restaurant if a classic steak house is your thing. They also have a pool bar/small bites place along with a marketplace (Emack & Bolio's) that used to have coffee and such in the morning...I guess they still do?

At Royal Pacific, things have changed since we last stayed. Unfortunately, the signature resort restaurant of Emeril Lagasse's Tchoup Chop (it was wonderful in our opinion) has closed. But they have added a lounge and sushi bar that was done with the recent common area renovations. We are sushi fans so I'm looking forward to this addition. They also added a very nice grab and go type marketplace that looks very well done. There is still the old Islands Dining Room (never eaten here) and Jakes American (never eaten here) along with the typical pool bar (Bula Bar & Grille). They used to do a Luau, I suppose they still do??

I'm able to confirm Royal Pacific still has a Luau. I stayed at Royal Pacific from August 25th to August 30th on club level during my first time to Universal. I heard the Luau from my room and I saw it happening through the window.

 

[Rob562]

or walk across the street from Cabana Bay and get the boat from Sapphire Falls to City walk

Though to do so you either have to dash across an intersection with 4 lanes of traffic and no crosswalk or pedestrian signals (very much not recommended), or loop up and around via the pedestrian bridge that's the beginning of the walking path to the parks.

-Rob