Hotels, city walk, parks, and are they really walking distance from each other?

[Yano]

My family: me, my DH, and my 4 kids oldest 21 and youngest 10 are staying at the royal pacific hotel for three nights in late August after staying in wdw for three nights as well. We like to take things easy and not run around from one place to another for food or rides and in general. I was wondering:
1. how close are the parks and city walk to the hotels? is it true that you can just walk from the Hotel to the parks and city walk?
2.does city walk have many restaurants to chose from?
3. Do the hotels have quick service restaurants and seated ones like at Disney?
4. I would love your openion on where to eat in the parks or city walk or the hotel.
5. Last question , the day of arrival will be a no park day, I wanted to go to a nice place to eat at around 7 or 8 any suggestions?

Sorry if this is not the right place to post this and thank you for your help

 

[erikjp]

Hello Yano! Hope ya'll have a great time. Here's some answers:

1. If you just mean Royal Pacific Hotel, then the parks and city walk are all within walking distance, however Universal does have a water taxi system between the resorts and city walk (and from there you can easily walk to the parks). To city walk the fastest way from Royal Pacific is just walking, its 6-7 minutes and there are signs along the way. You also don't cross any major roads, its just a windy little path through the nice landscaping. For both City Walk and Islands of Adventure this is the faster way to go, however I do recommend taking the water taxi at least once and the day you go to Universal Studios, since its a tad bit farther, I would recommend taking the water taxi that day (although I am sure the difference between walking and the water taxi is still minor). For the other hotels you can pretty much gauge the distance just by looking at google maps. Loews Portofino is the only hotel that might not be considered walking distance (but it has a water taxi too).

2. Yes, you can find the list by just google searching city walk restaurants.

3. I'm not super familiar with quick service restaurants like Disney, but there is a wide array of types of restaurants at Universal. Royal Pacific since its a nicer hotel, tends more towards the formal sit down restaurants, but they also have like kids areas and such so I am sure you can grab something quick to go. City Walk (and the parks) have a large array of quick eating options since a lot of people are running around them.

4. City Walk: The Cowfish, Antojito's, and Toothsome Chocolate Emporium. Islands of Adventure: Mythos and the Three Broomsticks. Universal Studios: Leaky Cauldron, Finnegans, and Lombards (and I do love Springfield Fast Food Boulevard in case you need a burger or something more simple).

5. Any of those places I listed at City Walk are good^

 

[OG Runner]

Hi Yano, I really can't answer to the other questions, because my first trip to Universal will be in May of this year.
As for 5., our first day down will also be a non-park day. (We will arrive about midday) Since we are coming down
on a Saturday, we got tickets for the Luau. (Yes, they have one a Universal) Just an idea to look into.

 

[Yano]

Hello Yano! Hope ya'll have a great time. Here's some answers:

1. If you just mean Royal Pacific Hotel, then the parks and city walk are all within walking distance, however Universal does have a water taxi system between the resorts and city walk (and from there you can easily walk to the parks). To city walk the fastest way from Royal Pacific is just walking, its 6-7 minutes and there are signs along the way. You also don't cross any major roads, its just a windy little path through the nice landscaping. For both City Walk and Islands of Adventure this is the faster way to go, however I do recommend taking the water taxi at least once and the day you go to Universal Studios, since its a tad bit farther, I would recommend taking the water taxi that day (although I am sure the difference between walking and the water taxi is still minor). For the other hotels you can pretty much gauge the distance just by looking at google maps. Loews Portofino is the only hotel that might not be considered walking distance (but it has a water taxi too).

2. Yes, you can find the list by just google searching city walk restaurants.

3. I'm not super familiar with quick service restaurants like Disney, but there is a wide array of types of restaurants at Universal. Royal Pacific since its a nicer hotel, tends more towards the formal sit down restaurants, but they also have like kids areas and such so I am sure you can grab something quick to go. City Walk (and the parks) have a large array of quick eating options since a lot of people are running around them.

4. City Walk: The Cowfish, Antojito's, and Toothsome Chocolate Emporium. Islands of Adventure: Mythos and the Three Broomsticks. Universal Studios: Leaky Cauldron, Finnegans, and Lombards (and I do love Springfield Fast Food Boulevard in case you need a burger or something more simple).

5. Any of those places I listed at City Walk are good^

Thank you, this is really helpful.

 

[Yano]

Hi Yano, I really can't answer to the other questions, because my first trip to Universal will be in May of this year.
As for 5., our first day down will also be a non-park day. (We will arrive about midday) Since we are coming down
on a Saturday, we got tickets for the Luau. (Yes, they have one a Universal) Just an idea to look into.

Wow, that sounds like a good idea.

 

[Weather_Lady]

As far as the size of the property, there are dozens of YouTube videos people have taken of various walks around Universal (through the parks, through CityWalk, from various hotels to CityWalk), in real time. I've watched a bunch, just to familiarize myself with the lay of the land.

Just search for "Universal Orlando walk to [wherever you want]" and you should find some. From what I've seen, if you view CityWalk as the "hub" from which everything else branches off, the walk from CityWalk to any hotel or park (at least, to any hotel or park that is actually connected via a walkway) is no more than 5-10 minutes. The whole property really does seem to be very navigable and easy to get around.

Examples: Royal Pacific Resort to Citywalk (~8 min.) Portofino Bay to CityWalk (~11 min.) Hard Rock Hotel to CityWalk (~5 min.)

 

[Yano]

Thank you weather_lady .
i Will do just that. And I love the examples you shared

 

[Yano]

Universal isn't like Disney everything is close. The high end hotels are easily in walking distance but I usually take a boat.

The food in the Park for the most part is terrible BTW.

I guess since everything is close and food is not good at parks it’s best to leave the parks and eat at the Hotel or city walk right before our afternoon Rest time.

 

[JoeCamel]

I guess since everything is close and food is not good at parks it’s best to leave the parks and eat at the Hotel or city walk right before our afternoon Rest time.

I usually stop at the Hard Rock Cafe if I want to step out of the park for a meal as they are on the park side of the water way.
If you are staying at RPR the Orchid court has grab and go bagels, tea, coffee. Toothsome is good too but it may have a wait and has huge portions.
The other side of the waterway has many sit down options with a few quick serve (Panda Express, Burger King, Menchies etc at the top of the stairs.
RPR has the Orchid court for fast breakfast in the morning and Sushi in the evening with Jakes American Bar downstairs (where the luau is) plus a menu to order from.
So many places to list you won't have a problem finding food. In park there are several places with chicken and ribs and if you want to eat like Harry Potter the two fast serve sit down potter places are better than average theme park food at good prices.

Sepend several days on Orlando Informer, they have the best coverage of Universal Orlando you will find of any site.

Walking back and forth is along heavily landscaped concrete paths. RPR to citywalk is 6-7 minute at a moderate pace and Hard Rock Hotel is about 5 minutes. Cabana Bay, Sapphire Falls, Adventura and Portofino are further so I take the water taxi (free) or the bus (free) to get to those. Hotel hopping is very popular and they do have signature restaurants at each to fit the theme of the hotel with some very high end food if you are after that. As I posted Orlando Informer is the best place for reviews, descriptions, photos, how to's free vacation planning etc. They have thousands of pages dedicated to UOR and are always willing to do one on one planning for you. (free)

 

[Yano]

I usually stop at the Hard Rock Cafe if I want to step out of the park for a meal as they are on the park side of the water way.
If you are staying at RPR the Orchid court has grab and go bagels, tea, coffee. Toothsome is good too but it may have a wait and has huge portions.
The other side of the waterway has many sit down options with a few quick serve (Panda Express, Burger King, Menchies etc at the top of the stairs.
RPR has the Orchid court for fast breakfast in the morning and Sushi in the evening with Jakes American Bar downstairs (where the luau is) plus a menu to order from.
So many places to list you won't have a problem finding food. In park there are several places with chicken and ribs and if you want to eat like Harry Potter the two fast serve sit down potter places are better than average theme park food at good prices.

Sepend several days on Orlando Informer, they have the best coverage of Universal Orlando you will find of any site.

Walking back and forth is along heavily landscaped concrete paths. RPR to citywalk is 6-7 minute at a moderate pace and Hard Rock Hotel is about 5 minutes. Cabana Bay, Sapphire Falls, Adventura and Portofino are further so I take the water taxi (free) or the bus (free) to get to those. Hotel hopping is very popular and they do have signature restaurants at each to fit the theme of the hotel with some very high end food if you are after that. As I posted Orlando Informer is the best place for reviews, descriptions, photos, how to's free vacation planning etc. They have thousands of pages dedicated to UOR and are always willing to do one on one planning for you. (free)

Wow very good information, I will definitely check out Orlando informer
Thank you

 

[Disneyhead'71]

I just wanted to mention Universal's Signature Restaurants.

In CityWalk there is Emeril's Orlando. It is an American restaurant with a New Orleans accent.
http://emerilsrestaurants.com/emerils-orlando

At The Hard Rock Hotel there is Palm. Which is a high end steak house. Think Ruth's Chris only better.
https://thepalm.com/restaurants/orlando/

And at The Portofino Bay Resort is BiCE. A very nice Italian restaurant. It is Universal's most romantic restaurant.
http://www.bice-orlando.com

All the above are on the pricey side. My favorite place to go with the family is Mama Della's at The Portofino Bay Resort. It is a nice classic Italian restaurant where they have a roaming music group (1 guitar, 1 singer).
https://www.universalorlando.com/web/en/us/things-to-do/dining/mama-dellas/index.html

Toothsome's is also fun for the whole family, but unfortunately they don't take reservations.

 

[Yano]

I just wanted to mention Universal's Signature Restaurants.

In CityWalk there is Emeril's Orlando. It is an American restaurant with a New Orleans accent.
http://emerilsrestaurants.com/emerils-orlando

At The Hard Rock Hotel there is Palm. Which is a high end steak house. Think Ruth's Chris only better.
https://thepalm.com/restaurants/orlando/

And at The Portofino Bay Resort is BiCE. A very nice Italian restaurant. It is Universal's most romantic restaurant.
http://www.bice-orlando.com

All the above are on the pricey side. My favorite place to go with the family is Mama Della's at The Portofino Bay Resort. It is a nice classic Italian restaurant where they have a roaming music group (1 guitar, 1 singer).
https://www.universalorlando.com/web/en/us/things-to-do/dining/mama-dellas/index.html

Toothsome's is also fun for the whole family, but unfortunately they don't take reservations.

Thank you for the great ideas

 

[sophie_the_pooh]

We're also staying at Royal Pacific Resort in August for the first time! I've been researching restaurants for a while, so far it seems like Citywalk has the best options. We'll be staying for a week (special request from my son and my husband after several Disney only trips!), I think we'll try Vivo Italian Kitchen, Antojitos, The Cowfish, Toothsome and Hard Rock Cafe. I have been told to avoid the restaurants in the parks, with the exception of Mythos and the Harry Potter restaurants (Leaky Cauldron and Three Broomsticks). We might still try Fast food boulevard in USF and Thunder Falls Terrace in IOA for the theming!

I am also curious about the Luau at Royal Pacific, it seems like a nice experience, but a little pricey (only on Saturdays). We wanted to try the character dinner at Islands Dining Room in the hotel, but I called and it's been cancelled, the only option would be character breakfast with the Minions at Sapphire Falls resort, which is at walking distance from the Royal Pacific.

Good luck!

 

[Yano]

I am also curious about the Luau at Royal Pacific, it seems like a nice experience, but a little pricey (only on Saturdays). We wanted to try the character dinner at Islands Dining Room in the hotel, but I called and it's been cancelled, the only option would be character breakfast with the Minions at Sapphire Falls resort, which is at walking distance from the Royal Pacific.

Good luck!

I was also curious about the luau, I found this from the DIS unplugged, I hope it’s helpful.

I’m really interested in the minions character dining. Thank you for your suggestions

 

[andysol]

I’ve heard less than thrilling reviews of the luau- both there and the poly. Personally, I’m not much of a fan of luaus even in Hawaii- so I would never do it (not pay the premium).

Small plug for emerils- the chef from Tchoup Chop which was formally at Royal Pacific is now at Emerils in city walk. He’s incredible. Ask for what his special is that night and order off-menu if possible.

I agree with the others about QS- it’s pretty subpar in the parks. Advice I give- is to actually do their table service and order sandwiches. Example- you can grab a $10-12 hamburger at confisco and be waited on. The pricing is very very reasonable vs disney for TS. Not as good as disney- but QS prices for TS.

Regarding proximity- if you’ve been to DL- think that. Everything is closer than Epcot resorts are to Epcot/DHS. It’s smaller and manageable.

Go to Volcano Bay and take advantage of the extra morning hour- it’s the only place “touring” is important. Take your time touring the rest of Universal and the dry parks. It’s a true vacation that you can relax at since you have EPs. Wake up whenever you want- go whenever you want- no need for rope drop- you see a ride you want to ride, walk up to it and ride it. Also- enjoy the street performers- it’ll remind you of DHS of the past. And because you can front of line any ride you want, you won’t feel the need to “skip” it. Lastly- horror makeup show is worth a watch.

Enjoy it- and remember, it’s not Disney. Try not to compare it to Disney- as it’s its own identity.