crazy_for_the_dis
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Feb 15, 2004
Just back today, stayed 4 nights at RP, then 3 at Disney. The Universal portion of our trip was 1000 times more relaxing, likely since we didn’t leave a lot of time for Disney. Some highlights and lowlights:
RPR was amazing as usual. Felt like home. Room slightly on the small size for 3 adults, but we managed. No bell service. But they did have people there to give you a cart and watch your stuff when you parked. I heard another guest say to the guy well that really hurts you since it means no tips. People, please still tip. It is not their fault this is the hotels policy. So I tipped him extra ($20) to make up for the other rude guest, and he was really appreciative so I gather no one is tipping. Not sure why they don’t have full bell services since Disney does. Rented a cabana 2 days since the price is great and both times it was so worth it. Fruit platter was perfect, 10 sodas, credit for the bar, etc. we would do the park in the morning, chill in the cabana all afternoon, then go to dinner. Great relaxing time.
Toothsome - went here for dinner for the first time, worst experience ever. Will never go back. Food, service....all bad. This place is likely good for milkshakes only. Don’t get fooled by the cool looking exterior. We were sorry we wasted a night here with so many other better choices.
Big Fire - amazing dinner, maybe the best of the trip for the group. Service, food, drinks, vibe, all outstanding. This will be a must do every trip.
Orchid Lounge - came here 3 night for sushi either before dinner or after dinner. I don’t do sushi, but the rest of my party does, and couldn’t stop raving about how good it was (thus going back 3 times)! A definite highlight for the trip. Plus the service was amazing too.
Voodoo donuts - didn’t live up to the hype. Plus melted into a gooey mess in the box quickly.
We had lunch at Jakes, and really weren’t that impressed, wouldn’t go back. I are dinner at Islands the first night since I arrived a day before the rest of my party, and the drinks and general Tsos was amazing. I wish they were open for lunch since we had other dinners planned but I was craving that general tso’s the rest of the week. Maybe my personal favorite meal of the week.
Went to the Palm to celebrate a 30th birthday (which was stated on the reservation, but they did nothing anyway) and it was terrible. Too much wrong to even list here, but would not return. The short visit to HRH made us glad we were staying at RPR. We’ve stayed at both before, but RPR is just more us.
Parks were packed, but Express makes the whole day manageable. Mask compliance was surprisingly good even despite the heat, and Universal does a great job with staff reminding people about masks everywhere, and making everyone put on sanitizer before each ride. They do a better job in this arena than Disney by far. All staff were so friendly and cheerful except for one girl at a butter beer cart, who was the most miserable person we came across all week. But everyone else was amazing! The haunted houses were so much fun too and we were so glad to get a smidgen of Halloween fun in!
It was our first time on Hagrids and that ride is amazing. I didn’t look up any info on it before, so everything was a surprise! My face was a constant smile in my mask. I think we may have almost enjoyed this as much as or more so than RoTR.
That’s all I can think of for now. Back to doing laundry.
RPR was amazing as usual. Felt like home. Room slightly on the small size for 3 adults, but we managed. No bell service. But they did have people there to give you a cart and watch your stuff when you parked. I heard another guest say to the guy well that really hurts you since it means no tips. People, please still tip. It is not their fault this is the hotels policy. So I tipped him extra ($20) to make up for the other rude guest, and he was really appreciative so I gather no one is tipping. Not sure why they don’t have full bell services since Disney does. Rented a cabana 2 days since the price is great and both times it was so worth it. Fruit platter was perfect, 10 sodas, credit for the bar, etc. we would do the park in the morning, chill in the cabana all afternoon, then go to dinner. Great relaxing time.
Toothsome - went here for dinner for the first time, worst experience ever. Will never go back. Food, service....all bad. This place is likely good for milkshakes only. Don’t get fooled by the cool looking exterior. We were sorry we wasted a night here with so many other better choices.
Big Fire - amazing dinner, maybe the best of the trip for the group. Service, food, drinks, vibe, all outstanding. This will be a must do every trip.
Orchid Lounge - came here 3 night for sushi either before dinner or after dinner. I don’t do sushi, but the rest of my party does, and couldn’t stop raving about how good it was (thus going back 3 times)! A definite highlight for the trip. Plus the service was amazing too.
Voodoo donuts - didn’t live up to the hype. Plus melted into a gooey mess in the box quickly.
We had lunch at Jakes, and really weren’t that impressed, wouldn’t go back. I are dinner at Islands the first night since I arrived a day before the rest of my party, and the drinks and general Tsos was amazing. I wish they were open for lunch since we had other dinners planned but I was craving that general tso’s the rest of the week. Maybe my personal favorite meal of the week.
Went to the Palm to celebrate a 30th birthday (which was stated on the reservation, but they did nothing anyway) and it was terrible. Too much wrong to even list here, but would not return. The short visit to HRH made us glad we were staying at RPR. We’ve stayed at both before, but RPR is just more us.
Parks were packed, but Express makes the whole day manageable. Mask compliance was surprisingly good even despite the heat, and Universal does a great job with staff reminding people about masks everywhere, and making everyone put on sanitizer before each ride. They do a better job in this arena than Disney by far. All staff were so friendly and cheerful except for one girl at a butter beer cart, who was the most miserable person we came across all week. But everyone else was amazing! The haunted houses were so much fun too and we were so glad to get a smidgen of Halloween fun in!
It was our first time on Hagrids and that ride is amazing. I didn’t look up any info on it before, so everything was a surprise! My face was a constant smile in my mask. I think we may have almost enjoyed this as much as or more so than RoTR.
That’s all I can think of for now. Back to doing laundry.