Loews Royal Pacific Hotel...

[BigTxEars]

Let's not get crazy. I love ripsaw as well, but better than Splash? Ehhh that's a bold statement.

On no...... it's better, and if you say otherwise we are going to both have to hop on plaines today, fly to Orlando and have a ride off to determine a winner...

 

[draybook]

Getting to the park is easy, so unless you really want to have a car, you don't need one whilst there. However, you will need to pay for transit to and from MCO.

But, it's annoying if you are driving down.

The hotel was nice. I'd rank it up there with a Deluxe at Disney, but yeah, no fridge, no microwave.

Well, I told the wife about these issues and the only one that really bothered her was the parking charge. But I explained that Loews(I think) is an outside vendor so Universal can't give free parking there. She's cool with it but the no fridge or microwave unless you pay is pretty absurd, given the cost. However, the built-in Express Pass is what really sold us, so we're going to overlook those issues. Besides, even at Disney we don't use the microwave/fridge that much.

 

[Scuttle]

On no...... it's better, and if you say otherwise we are going to both have to hop on plaines today, fly to Orlando and have a ride off to determine a winner...

Im here and waiting! Lol

 

[BigTxEars]

Im here and waiting! Lol

Ouch, OK I was bluffing

LOL I love both but for some reason Ripsaw just makes me smile more I will not argue though cause either is a great ride for me.

Now excuse me as I go sit on the bench and pretend to be riding a water ride, or heck any ride

 

[danpam1024]

There was a concert at the HRH? The Hard Rock Cafe and HR Live concert venue is between IOA and the Studios.

Velvet Sessions- last Thursday of every month- very good time

 

[danpam1024]

Well, I told the wife about these issues and the only one that really bothered her was the parking charge. But I explained that Loews(I think) is an outside vendor so Universal can't give free parking there. She's cool with it but the no fridge or microwave unless you pay is pretty absurd, given the cost. However, the built-in Express Pass is what really sold us, so we're going to overlook those issues. Besides, even at Disney we don't use the microwave/fridge that much.

it MAY be worth the cost depending on how much water you drink- I always bring a couple of cases and like em nice and cold UOR Resorts are far better than any Disney Deluxe IMO. Even renting a fridge or paying for parking - you're still paying less and getting more- remember, an unlimited EP, per person per park per day can cost $90. Learned that the hard way last summer.

 

[MichWolv]

Same with us. On the early Potter entry we found the best use was to hit the Wand Shop show first thing. Then FJ. Not sure if you have been to the Wand Shop show or not but it's pretty cool. Of course our son was selected which was cool but cost me $35 for the wand he was given

We did the 3 Broomsticks breakfast, I think it was $75 for 5 of us. I think it was overpriced myself. The theme is cool but the food not so great

I hear Mythos (I think that is the name) at IOA is a awesome restaurant, I want to eat there one day.

man now I want to ride Ripsaw Falls

My family was less than impressed with Mythos, but we loved dinner at 3 Broomsticks. Breakfast in 3B did look overpriced to us, and we skipped it.

Agree that the best use of early entry is Ollivander's. In fact, on both of our trips to Uni in the past six months (Thanksgiving week and this past weekend), FJ has been walk-on by early evening.

 

[BigTxEars]

My family was less than impressed with Mythos, but we loved dinner at 3 Broomsticks. Breakfast in 3B did look overpriced to us, and we skipped it.

Agree that the best use of early entry is Ollivander's. In fact, on both of our trips to Uni in the past six months (Thanksgiving week and this past weekend), FJ has been walk-on by early evening.

Yeah the theme of 3Bs was awesome, but the fast food like breakfast was not great. Too bad about Mythos, I have heard nothing but good things. I will still try it and some point I am sure.

Yeah FJ was not a bad wait, when it was working. It broke down each day we rode it. Delays from 25 to 40 mins. But at least we were in the cool queue area of the castle

 

[MichWolv]

Well, I told the wife about these issues and the only one that really bothered her was the parking charge. But I explained that Loews(I think) is an outside vendor so Universal can't give free parking there. She's cool with it but the no fridge or microwave unless you pay is pretty absurd, given the cost. However, the built-in Express Pass is what really sold us, so we're going to overlook those issues. Besides, even at Disney we don't use the microwave/fridge that much.

Universal could have negotiated free parking into the lease/operating agreements it arranged with the Loews, but chose not to. Parking at the Uni resorts is actually closer to the park gates than parking in the garage is, so at least you are getting closer parking for your $18 at the resort than the $17 you'd pay to park in the garage. Of course, if you're an AP holder that parks free in the garage, it's really annoying to have to pay $18 to park at the resort. The unlimited express pass is quite a benefit, though.

 

[BigTxEars]

Good points. And yeah that unlimited EP is like something this guy made...

Never ending goodness

 

[Disneyhead'71]

MichWolv, I have to ask what about Mythos was disappointing? I have never had anything but great food and service there. And the room is fantastic. I am a little disappointed at how they have trimmed the menu, but they still have the beef medallions and Risotto of the Day so I'm good. Maybe more wine would have helped? I'll admit that some of Universal's CS is bad enough to give Cosmic Ray's a run for it's money, but I've never had a problem at Mythos. Also a big fan of Finnagan's. Scotch Eggs and a Pint is a dandy snack.

I personally think the Universal is doing a lot of the things Disney used to do that made it special. Whether it clicks with you or not is a personal thing.

 

[BigTxEars]

MichWolv, I have to ask what about Mythos was disappointing? I have never had anything but great food and service there. And the room is fantastic. I am a little disappointed at how they have trimmed the menu, but they still have the beef medallions and Risotto of the Day so I'm good. Maybe more wine would have helped? I'll admit that some of Universal's CS is bad enough to give Cosmic Ray's a run for it's money, but I've never had a problem at Mythos. Also a big fan of Finnagan's. Scotch Eggs and a Pint is a dandy snack.

I personally think the Universal is doing a lot of the things Disney used to do that made it special. Whether it clicks with you or not is a personal thing.

We agree on something? Aghhhh the end times the end times.........

Finnagan's was a good meal indeed, now Ragland Road is better IMO but we really enjoyed Finnagan's.

 

[Disneyhead'71]

hey did u go to the weezer show, it was really a blast

had a great time, spent a few hours in both finnigans and hard rock cafe warming up for the show

I ended up having to work both Sat. and Sun. at 4am. I ended up popping in for about. an hour to say hi to some friends who were up from Miami. Then I had to leave.

 

[MichWolv]

MichWolv, I have to ask what about Mythos was disappointing? I have never had anything but great food and service there. And the room is fantastic. I am a little disappointed at how they have trimmed the menu, but they still have the beef medallions and Risotto of the Day so I'm good. Maybe more wine would have helped? I'll admit that some of Universal's CS is bad enough to give Cosmic Ray's a run for it's money, but I've never had a problem at Mythos. Also a big fan of Finnagan's. Scotch Eggs and a Pint is a dandy snack.

I personally think the Universal is doing a lot of the things Disney used to do that made it special. Whether it clicks with you or not is a personal thing.

I had very high expectations of Mythos, and found it decidedly average -- not really a "problem", but just not anything to rave about. I agree that the room looks great. But neither the service nor the food was anything special. It certainly beats just about any of the Uni counter service (which, to be kind, sorta sucks), but you pay more and spend more time as well, so it oughtta be better. I was hoping that Mythos would give me a table service meal to rival some of the better ones in WDW parks, but it fell short of that.

Uni is doing a lot of things that Disney did a long time ago, but most of those things Disney is still doing. As I've said in other threads, I believe the quality of Uni's attractions (the ones that exist) matches the quality of Disney's attractions. Disney is still ahead on food (although Uni is way ahead of Six Flags, for example), special attractions like parades and nighttime shows, and having attractions for everybody -- I found out last weekend that a person prone to motion sickness (which my father is right now due to medication) is severely limited at Uni.