Staying On Site Help

[redjack]

Hi we are staying atthe Hard Rock Hotel for the first week of our holiday and Disneys Animal Kingdom Lodge for our second week in November, we have visited Florida 9 times but have never stayed on site before so would appreciate any tips or advice that may help with our stay

Many Thanks

jackie:wavey:

[Treacle44]

Get the refillable mugs (think they were $11.99) for your stay, will more than pay for themselves, make ADR at Boma for breakfast and dinner, they are both fantastic. Make use of the extra magic hours.

Enjoy! :-)

[rusty30]

Just to offer a different view....we found the mugs a waste of money, but only as we had a car and do tend to frequent the supermarkets quite a bit and kept our fridge stocked with soda (2xmugs cost $23 but a bottle of soda costs $2 and lasts for ages!). The mugs would be OK if you dont intend to shop I guess!

We also found the parks MUCH busier during EMHs so my advice would be to avoid them and go by the park busy / not busy days. The evening ones werent AS bad, but still very busy.

Agree Boma is a must do for brekkie and dinner though!

Have a good trip.

[loopydiamond]

Just to offer a different view....we found the mugs a waste of money, but only as we had a car and do tend to frequent the supermarkets quite a bit and kept our fridge stocked with soda (2xmugs cost $23 but a bottle of soda costs $2 and lasts for ages!). The mugs would be OK if you dont intend to shop I guess!

We also found the parks MUCH busier during EMHs so my advice would be to avoid them and go by the park busy / not busy days. The evening ones werent AS bad, but still very busy.

Agree Boma is a must do for brekkie and dinner though!

Have a good trip.

must admit i agree with you rusty about the mugs, if you spend most of the time out of the hotel as i did then i dont think they are cost effective, they may be a nice keepsake for kids tho..... I also thought the parks were very busy during EMH's..... but definately agree about Boma... I only had brekkie there once but next time i will definately have a few evening meals there too the food is delicious.

Jules:wavey:

[loadsapixiedust]

Another vote for Boma! Make ADRs though as it can get very busy. The pizza from Mara was also lovely. Look out for the activities posted in the lobby at AKL, there is lots going on around the resort.

[redjack]

Many thanks for your replies much appreciated

Jackie:thumbs-up

[mart]

If you have a car use it to go to all the disney parks,BB,TL and DTD except for MK as it is quicker than using disney buses. The exception is MK where the bus goes almost to the entrance and is quicker than parking at TTC and then getting the monorail/ferry.

[yca23uk]

We used the refillable mugs ALL the time:d: they must have paid for themselves by the second day:d: but we did not have a car so were probably at the resort more often to eat and drink but even so I still think they are a good idea:wavey:

[evieg1983]

we love the refillable mugs!! also, i know the busses take slightly longer but the beauty of not having to drive, navigate, park and then get to the entrance of the parks was more than worth the extra minutes for us!!

[evieg1983]

ooh, and the way they send all your shopping back to your resort for you instead of you having to carry it round with you is
fab!!

[chris17uk]

Make us of the evening EMH Its a great atmosphere in the parks as the evening wears on :)

[JudyC]

I'm sure you'll know this already, but you'll get front of the line access to all the rides in Universal/IOA by showing your room keys:grin:
There is a new evening show in City Walk starting in July as well. Sounds great with lazers, fireworks and special effects:)

[JudyC]

I remember reading a while ago about a short cut to International Drive from Universal if you are walking to restaurants at night. I'm sure it was through a car park, TGI's I think :confused2

[highlander447]

Hi when u are staying at the HRH u can use the pools at the other universal hotels, also be aware when u buy from the pool bars at universal a 15% tip is added auto to your bill, even if u collect it yourself so make use of the waiting staff, the ice ream at HRH is delicious, also of u get a chance visit the PBH for a nosey very niceley decorated and try the marshmallow milkshakes delicious:thumbs-up

[Sue]

If you can, enable your room key at AKL to charge goods too, made a huge difference to us to be able to go and buy things in Epcot, when we were staying for Illuminations, and have them sent back to out hotel and save us the bother of carrying them around all day.
The Disney buses can be great to use, we have had the good fortune to get a few brilliant drivers each trip who really enhance your day.

[Amyrlin]

Here are a few suggestions

If you are staying onsite at Universal as well as your room key getting you FOTL in the parks it also works in a lot of the restaurants where there are queues. The water taxis are great, and they also run really late.

You can buy a movie and meal deal for city walk, one price for a meal and a movie but it is a limited menu (I think it is ($19.95). http://www.wdwplanner.com/citywalkmealdeal.htm

If you get the entertainment book with the vouchers in there is a voucher for one of these free ($17.99 including postage from www.entertainment.com .

If you are booking this independently and are members of the AA call them and ask if there is an AAA discount for the dates you are going and they may bring your hotel bill down. The same with the AKL.

[kcanderson]

Try joining loews first , you may get a free room upgrade

[Nikki'Andrew]

We still use the mugs at home. Hot choc on the way to school during those long winter mornings!!!!

I think we got our moneys worth, because we would stop by the filling station on our way out, way in, and to bed!!

NIKKI