02-21-2013, 10:10 AM
|
#1 |
|
DIS Veteran
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: NJ
Posts: 5,358
|
Will a week on the Darkside win me over?*maybe next year
Greetings DISers
 Since November....I've made many changes to our upcoming summer vacation (for those who know me from other threads...this is NOT shocking news) After many bookings at WDW, and several family discussions, votes, arguments...price quotes...I have been outnumbered by.. We want to go to Universal Mommy!!!!!!!!  So there you have it...... Our family of 7 will be staying at Hard Rock Hotel from August 18th-25th  We have two connecting Club level 2 Queen rooms, and I will admit I am pretty excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!!How about some intros? My name is Jeanette, and I am a perpetual resort changer. I am constantly planning and tweaking our vacations  It's what keeps me going...to work that is. By Day...I am Mommy, and nights and weekends I work. I have 2 jobs, one is working as an ER nurse the other a Critical Care transport nurse. Here is a pic of me, and my wonderful DH of over 20 years, we stayed in a Honeymoon room at Wilderness Lodge last August  Okay time for the kids...(this pic is from last May) Left to right, DS12, DD8, DS4, DD6...the cutie pie in front is DD5 
__________________
Last edited by pas130; 03-07-2013 at 10:34 AM. Reason: updated title |
|
|
| Sponsored Links | |
|
|
|
|
02-21-2013, 10:10 AM
|
#2 |
|
DIS Veteran
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: NJ
Posts: 5,358
|
The Pas family's Universal trips~
This will not be our first onsite trip...BUT it will be our first trip without a WDW split included In August 2011 we did a PBH/GF split~I saved GF for last as it was my DD8 and my "dream resort" We stayed in the Sugarloaf building and it was AMAZING. But I will say Portofino Bay was a tough act to follow (minus some billing issues) *Here lies my warning..do not pay Loews in full prior to arrival, I did this because I figured it would be easier...it let to a lot of confusion, double debits, etc.... We stayed 5 days at PBH, and my family did not want to leave...but we did enjoy GF Last May we did Pop Century/Royal Pacific  We didn't do any parks at Pop, me kids wanted to swim...and ahem go to Universal  At RPR we had two connecting GV rooms in Tower 3, it was perfect. Great location, near the elevator, pool was great. When it rained they opened the Kid's club and showed movies...since we had APs it was inexpensive IMO  Last November I took my girls to Orlando for a Christmas trip. We stayed at Poly...but they wanted to go to Universal(seeing a pattern) So I rented a car and booked RPR CL and Poly CL. Since I only needed one room I let the girls have their "snack room" Comparing the 2 concierge lounges...aside from an amazing Cinderella castle view  The staff and offerings are FAR superior at RPR Now, after two fabulous onsite stays...why Hard Rock??? Well, I mentioned I change a lot??? Last year I changed mid stay to HRH CL. I wanted RPR CL but it was booked solid, so we moved...the pool was by far my kids' favorite. We did pool hop, but it's much easier to stay put The Butterfly Garden, the music...it was very cool. And my DD8 has sensory issues, but she LOVED it! I was concerned about what to do for a whole week. However, my DH doesn't want to change rooms, etc...and we are trying to budget a little..so one set of tickets and the Stay more save more 30% off made this an easy sell. Plus I still get the "snack room"
__________________
Last edited by pas130; 02-21-2013 at 01:23 PM. |
|
|
|
|
02-21-2013, 10:11 AM
|
#3 |
|
DIS Veteran
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: NJ
Posts: 5,358
|
We are definitely not Park Commando types
We love to hang at the resort and swim! And since it's so darn hot in Summer, we do rides in the morning, come back to the resort and after dinner...back for more rides! Staying onsite makes it SO easy to close the park down, and I felt this contrast when we stayed at Poly and attempted to get back from MK after MVMCP  And those Express passes this is the best perk EVERSince these are our touring plans...I think we can make a week out of it. Plus we are driving there from NJ, and we may squeeze in Legoland or Seaworld. But DH says that is not a budget-wise plan  I may buy APs this year, if I do that..it WILL be a strictly US/IoA trip. My sneaky plan is to return in May 2014 and head over to WDW for Flower and Garden...I can sell that trip if I mention they can go to Universal  So a big  to all the DISers stopping by my PTR!!!!!
__________________
Last edited by pas130; 02-21-2013 at 01:23 PM. |
|
|
|
|
02-21-2013, 10:41 AM
|
#4 |
|
DIS Veteran
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Harleysville, PA
Posts: 3,253
|
 Jeannette!Hey I'm first!!  All sounds good my friend  All Universal?? (your ticker?) BUT will the dark forces prevent you from sneaking over to pay Mickey a visit?? Will you have a clandestine meet with Mickey?? Its hard to resist.... hmmm guess we will all have to stay tuned.... Love the pix!!
__________________
Last edited by Janet B; 02-21-2013 at 10:48 AM. |
|
|
|
|
02-21-2013, 11:52 AM
|
#5 | |
|
DIS Veteran
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: NJ
Posts: 5,358
|
Quote:
 It will be very hard to stay away...being SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO close  Time to go borrow a prize ribbon for my BFF making 1st place  
__________________
|
|
|
|
|
|
02-21-2013, 12:44 PM
|
#6 |
|
DIS Veteran
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: SACRAMENTO CA
Posts: 2,626
|
And Mama Linda is second!! Tiara and coffee in hand!
__________________
 |
|
|
|
02-21-2013, 12:49 PM
|
#7 | |
|
DIS Veteran
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: NJ
Posts: 5,358
|
Quote:
 Let's go get you a ribbon Mama!!  (Again ribbon credit to Kookster...don't know how she does it  )
__________________
|
|
|
|
|
|
02-21-2013, 01:21 PM
|
#8 |
|
DIS Veteran
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: SACRAMENTO CA
Posts: 2,626
|
Oh I love my princess ribbon! It matches my tiara!!!
__________________
|
|
|
|
|
02-21-2013, 01:27 PM
|
#9 | |
|
DIS Veteran
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: NJ
Posts: 5,358
|
Quote:
__________________
|
|
|
|
|
|
02-21-2013, 02:26 PM
|
#10 |
|
DIS Veteran
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Florida
Posts: 1,306
|
I am here too
I have to agree with you, the express passes are the best perk at the Universal resorts! I don't think we would go to US/IoA again without staying on property. We too love PBH Melissa
__________________
My Recent Deluxe Splurge
 Sept 2012 - YC, Oct 2012 - WL, Dec 2012 - CR CL, Feb 2013 - CR TPV Next up - BLT 1BR Feb 2014  My First Trip Report: Special Needs, Special Diets...No Problem (hopefully)! |
|
|
|
|
02-21-2013, 08:24 PM
|
#11 | |
|
DIS Veteran
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: NJ
Posts: 5,358
|
Quote:
 Third place  Yay Melissa  Thank you for stopping in!!! 
__________________
|
|
|
|
|
|
02-22-2013, 12:37 AM
|
#12 |
|
DIS Veteran
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Chicagoland, IL
Posts: 1,637
|
Oooo... Ooooo!
You are going to coerce me, I just know it... 
__________________
|
|
|
|
|
02-22-2013, 08:22 AM
|
#13 | |
|
DIS Veteran
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: NJ
Posts: 5,358
|
Quote:
Coerce...noooooooooooooooo. Just keeping my trip on track....DH is sick of my WDW talk  Not a ribbon...but here's the crew at Early Entry (this was in 2011~before I figured out to change date on camera  )
__________________
|
|
|
|
|
|
02-22-2013, 08:27 AM
|
#14 |
|
DIS Veteran
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 4,605
|
__________________
  |
|
|
|
|
02-22-2013, 08:41 AM
|
#15 | |
|
DIS Veteran
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: NJ
Posts: 5,358
|
Quote:
 to my PTR! My biggest challenge will be leaving the reservation intact Especially since when I booked Hard Rock I was so worried about getting connecting rooms. Very impressed with the gentleman who took the time to call the Manager at the resort directly to see what he could do. So they already blocked off 2 connecting 7th floor rooms. Excellent customer service....fingers crossed we get our request.
__________________
|
|
|
|
|
 |
| Thread Tools | |
| Display Modes | Rate This Thread |
|
|
JungleCruiser*Sarah,forever in my heart*
TY Kook
TY Kook!
Thanks to The Kook. 
Linear Mode
