Sorry for getting OT but I'm trying to decide on whether or not CL is "worth it" at the Universal resorts? When we are at WDW we love the CL because we really love the extra space to stretch out and don't feel the need to be in the parks from open to close. However, Universal is new to us, we haven't been in at least 15 years so I think we'll definitely be in the parks more. I'm not sure if we'll really be able to take advantage of the lounge. How are the food choices vs WDW? Can you only get beer and wine from 5-7? Is one resort better for CL ?
We've always felt the CL at Universal was well worth the $, maybe more than WDW's CL, but it depends what you want out of CL. At WDW, a plus of CL is that the concierge will help you make ADR's. The US staff will also do that, but dining reservations aren't as hard to obtain at Universal. The US staff, like WDW, sometimes contacts us in advance, but not always.
Otherwise, the US have more of what we want from a CL lounge.
1. The hotels are MUCH closer to the parks, so it is much easier to go to the lounge for food. HRH is a very short walk to both parks, RP is about 5-9minutes, and Porto is a slightly longer walk.
2. You are correct that adult beverages are only offered during appetizer hour, but this is a non-issue for us. I can also add the selection of adult beverages at each is slightly different from WDW's. The HRH hotel offers something they call a raspberry mimosa. It is raspberry juice with sparkling wine and a fresh raspberry. I think Porto focuses on a bigger wine selection, but I think RP is mostly just beer and wine. I'm not sure, but I think HRH might a wider selection of adult beverages, but I've never asked.
3. The lounges at Universal all offer a nice amount of space to relax. Just like WDW, they do get busy during peak hours. For a seat during appetizers, it is good to arrive early. However, it is also easy to take food to your room. What you don't usually get at Universal is a balcony, but the rooms have a place to sit to eat at all 3 hotels. (like a table/desk + chairs)
4. Here's my take on the food:
A. )The only one area where Universal's CL's are quite on par with WDW is that Universal doesn't have the Nespresso machines. I find the coffee decent. On the plus side, the US CL's have a fine selection of Tazo teas.
B. ) One area where the US CL's are better is that they all have bottled water. At HRH it is HRH branded water! At the others it is a more basic brand. Also the soda cans aren't chilled. They offer ice though.
C. ) Appetizers at RP and Porto are slightly more substantial than most WDW CL's, but that's very personal. WDW offerings have varied greatly form visit to visit, while Universal food tends to be more consistent. RP rotates through six different menus. So one night is Italian, the next is Asian, etc. Expect a nice salad, and something like meatballs, bread, cheese.
Porto also seems to rotate through a menu, but I don't know the pattern as well. The RP salad takes the form of something like a salad bar, plus I recall a Mexican rice dish that was delicious. (rice, with veggies and meat- I think). I know there was more, but I don't recall the rest of that they offered.
HRH has the least substantial appetizers of the 3, but location is so close to parks. There is daily cheese, crackers, veggie tray. Then two hot appetizers: buffalo wings + mini empanadas. (also recall fried shrimp) They also maybe have some other kind of cold offering, the 3bean salad is tasty.
Mid-day offerings at all 3 are mostly pre-packaged snacks like oreos, granola bars, and assorted bagged chips/Doritos/Cheetos-type snacks, plus cold drinks. Like WDW they usually have something like lemonade or apple juice plus hot drinks, water, ice.
Desserts are oh, let's see....Porto has the most out, RP tends towards cookies, HRH offerings are all over the map. We've seen strawberry shortcake (real homemade whipped cream, make your own style!), make your own sundaes (with all kinds of candy toppings). On our most recent visit one night the dessert was two trays of dessert at a time. As soon as one tray was empty, it was replenished with something completely different. We saw assorted cookies, mini cupcakes, cake pops, mini fruit tarts and more.
All the Universal CL's are also super about food allergies!
Every morning, they post the menu for the whole day, so you make choices. RP even lets you know menu for the whole week.
The one other thing we notice is that the lounges have slightly different hours than WDW's. I'm not 100%, but I think most open at 7am (when EE starts). In winter, dessert runs later than the parks are open, but in summer dessert tends to end right around park closing. You have to choose between dessert or the PM show... but Universal only has one nightly show.
Oh, one more thing....the RP pool doesn't have a slide. All 3 have hot tubs. The HRH pool has live music in the afternoon. You are allowed to pool hop, and all 3 have poolside food + adult beverages.