Need some help with Planning Universal

[Yzma and Kronk]

Hi all!

We MAY be going to WDW in the summer (I know.....hot, hot, hot) and want to look at the possibility of visiting Universal for the first time.

We have decided to stay on property.
- which one hotel site do you prefer and why?

I see they have a special on right now if you book on the website. 1 child's ticket is free (ages 3-9) so we qualify for only one (DD is 10) Is this still a good deal?

I see something about the meal deal too. Is this a good deal or does it tie you down to only a few busy restaurants?

Sorry for the stupid questions, but I was trying to figure it out and just wanted to "cut to the chase" so to speak.

Any info/opinions on Universal would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! :)

[cabmom]

Hi there, we are doing Universal in March for 5 days. I bought the buy one get one free ticket. However, on the Universal board here, some people say that the tickets don't say Adult or child. You may be able to use it for either! I also buy an annual pass for me as I go down more often then the rest of my family.
I can't help you with hotels or food. I promise you, you'll love the parks. WE DO! And you have to try The Mummy ride!

Marilynn

[MarkeyMouse]

We have stayed at Hard Rock & Royal Pacific and prefer Royal Pacific. The exterior grounds are beautiful. Try to visit Mythos Restaurant in Islands of Adventure. The interior has a great theme. My children loved the (non-alcohol,of course) Pina Colada.

[damo]

We're going to Universal during March break for the 10th time. We will be staying at the Royal Pacific. We do love the Hard Rock though, but Royal Pacific was cheaper this time. All of the hotels are gorgeous but Royal Pacific is the newest. If you think you will be spending more time at Universal Studios than Islands of Adventure, Hard Rock is closer and only takes about 5 minutes to walk. Royal Pacific is about an 8 minute walk from IOA and Citywalk.

I wouldn't bother with the meal deal since it restricts you to certain restaurants. There are a lot of really good restaurants at the parks and three hotels and Citywalk. I wouldn't limit myself with a meal plan.

We usually eat at Mythos at least twice and always have breakfast croissants at Croissant Moon in IOA or the Boulangerie at Universal. They are absolutely delicious and include fruit for a very reasonable price.

Do not skip the shows while you are there since they are outstanding. Also try to do Men in Black several times since there are a lot of hidden targets that mean you can improve your score with a little work. This ride becomes so addictive. We have ridden it for four hours in a row when the crowds are really low.

Spend lots of time in the wonderful play areas. They are spectacular for kids of all ages especially in warm weather when you need to get wet!!!

You can pool hop at Universal. The pools are all really good but the pool at Royal Pacific doesn't have a slide. It has a great play area though.

If you have any more specific questions, let me know.

[Scratch42]

We'll be there for the first time March 16 - 19th!

I've booked HRH and have splurged by staying Club Level.

This is our first time doing US/IOA so I'll be sure to let you know what's what!

Don't you just hate being a newbie! :lmao: :lmao: :lmao:

janet

[Mortlives]

We've only been once, and stayed at RPR, but I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it. It's beautiful, and there's a wonderful "beach" area near the pool where you can relax and spend a lovely day just ordering drinks and snacks.

Summer is a great time to go to Universal, because you can take advantage of the water rides. Splash Mountain and Kali River Rapids have nothing on the Toon Lagoon rides at IOA, you will get soaked, but they are fun.

The IOA forums here are very useful, and you can get lots of good advice.

[hockey mom]

We go to Universal every trip.

I bought the "Buy one get one child free" tickets and all my tickets are adult ones.

We have stayed at all 3 resorts and Hard Rock is our favorite. Portifino bay was very nice. Royal Pacific was very nice but the rooms are small.

Don't do the meal plan- use your Caa card(if you have one) for discounts on food.

[damo]

We go to Universal every trip.

I bought the "Buy one get one child free" tickets and all my tickets are adult ones.



Now that Universal has come out with the Kids Stay and Play and Eat for free deal, they are issuing new tickets and henceforth the tickets will be identified as adult or child.

You got a great deal!

[ChisJo]

I have stayed on property once at the HRH. I have to say at how impressed I was with how close it! I was able to walk to US within 5 minutes. There is a ferry that you can take as well if you don't want to walk. The grounds are nice at the hotel, but the inside of the hotel is a tour unto itself!

I also have to agree with Damo on the meal deal. Unless you are planning on eating alot and are ok with being restricted, it really isn't that great of a deal. Plus, I wouldn't have found some of my favorite restaurants on property had I been restricted to that deal.

You will love Universal. The bonus of staying on property is Front of the Line. I convinced my best-girlfriend to stay on property when we go there next January. I am very excited to stay on site again. I feel spoiled when I get to stay on site!

Jo

[Yzma and Kronk]

Has anyone ever stayed at Portofino Bay Hotel? Any comments?

DH is very very picky on his hotel's. Let's just say that he'd never stay at a Disney Mod or AllStars. I was reading that RPR was more like the Disney Mod's. Is this true? He's OK with Moderate as long as it is new or recently renovated.

Maybe I'll do like you Janet, and look at Club Level at HRH.

The Kids eat, play and stay free deal - so if we did this then am I to assume DS9 would be the only one eating free? If we only get one free deal is it valid at counter service (maybe DD10 can share with him) Has anyone ever done the meal deal - what is the food like.

Sorry for all the questions - but as Janet said - gosh I hate being a "newbie" - but I'll repay with info when we return!

[twinz]

We LOVE US/IOA. We have never stayed on site (but we hardly ever do at Disney as well), so we can't help you there. BUT a few rides that you CAN NOT miss!!!!
Spiderman (IOA)
Men In Black (US)
a couple of the water rides (Brutos Barges, and Ripshaw Falls--IOA)
I think One Fish Two Fish in IOA is cute as well.
OHHH And the HULK for a GREAT Rollercoaster.
Have fun!

[ChisJo]

Hey yzma, I would suggest going to the Universal forum on this board. They gave me tons of information when I was planning my first trip to universal. I am sure we can help you out here, but if you have any questions, Phantom on that board is a plethera of helpful information.

[Yzma and Kronk]

Thanks ChrisJo - I got through part of it tonight.

I also read some on allearsnet.

Also like to hear from some of my fellow Canadians on their thoughts too.

Has anyone stayed at PBH? Wondering what it's like and comparible to.

Thanks!

[hockey mom]

We stayed at PBH and it was gorgeous. The beds cannot even compare to Disney- very comfy.

[damo]

Thanks ChrisJo - I got through part of it tonight.

I also read some on allearsnet.

Also like to hear from some of my fellow Canadians on their thoughts too.

Has anyone stayed at PBH? Wondering what it's like and comparible to.

Thanks!

We've never stayed there since it is the furthest from the parks. It is about a 15 minute walk, although the boats are always running. It is supposed to be beautiful though and the rooms are currently being renovated with hardwood floors and new furniture. I have heard that it is nice and quiet and elegant if that is what you are looking for.

[CdnMom2]

We've been to Universal 2x. CAA discounts are nice (food, drinks, souvenirs, ride photos). Their souvenir refillable cups are a nice deal. Refillable at both parks for lifetime for small price & CAA discount too.

I have to say that we really found the Counter Service food awful -- at least the ones that are on the Meal Plan (& we tried them all). We lower our expectations considerably when we eat Counter Service in any theme park. Last time I had food that approached this...um...quality & taste level was decades ago at The Ex. It was consistantly bad at every meal at each different CS we tried. Though we love Universal the food was truly a disappointment. Plan on a restaurant meal at Mythos (always highly recommended on the Universal Board) or in CityWalk or your resort.

Love, love, LOVE Royal Pacific Resort. We pool-hopped to visit Hard Rock Hotel & I did not like it at all. But that is an entirely personal thing. I was just surprised that I found myself really not liking it & missing being back at RPR!

Have fun!

[MouseGirl]

We stayed one night at the Royal Pacific Resort last March and loved it. The hotel grounds and rooms are really nice, with great south Pacific theming, and it is just a short walk to US. We took the boat back at night, when everyone was tired out. The pool area is great - my daughter and I were in swimming at 10:00 at night, and it was warm and relaxing after a long day on our feet. Would highly recommend it. Plus, it was our daughter's birthday while we were there and when we got back to our room that night there was a card and gift from the hotel staff for her (Woody Woodpecker drink mug, candy and some other US merchandise). It was a really nice touch, and she was just thrilled. I don't think you'd be disappointed staying at any of the onsite hotels though, no matter which you choose.

[damo]

RPR is not comparable to moderates at Disney. It is just as nice as Beach and Yacht Club but the rooms are a bit smaller.

All of the rooms have now been renovated at the Portofino.

[Mortlives]

I have to say that we really found the Counter Service food awful -- at least the ones that are on the Meal Plan (& we tried them all).

Just curious, we didn't do the meal plan so I don't know which restaurants are eligible, did you try the Monster Cafe? For counter service, we thought it was pretty good. I remember not thinking much of Circus McGirkus though.

[digskat]

So is there non exipry on the unused days?
ie buy one ticket gets childs free, 2 day +3days extra, if we only went one or 2 of the days are the remainders good for another trip? Sorry if this sounds confusing THanks Kathy

[MouseGirl]

No, unfortunately with the buy one adult get one child free ticket offer the tickets expire five days after the first use, so you couldn't use them on a future trip. Check out details on the www.universalorlando.com ticket details section - it has all the info on each type of ticket and any associated restrictions.

[Cass]

I stayed at both the Hard Rock (6 nights) and the Royal Pacific (4 Nights) and liked them both very much. Slight edge to the Hard Rock for the dive in movies which were very cool. :goodvibes

I suggest you stay where you get the best rate. you won't regret staying on property to get the FOTL access. :thumbsup2

[Cass]

I remember not thinking much of Circus McGirkus though.

Just the name is bad enough :rotfl2:

[CdnMom2]

Sorry, for such a late response -- barely on these boards these days -- tax season & we can't afford to get excited about another trip after the biggie we just did!

There were 3 CS restaurants on the Meal Plan at each of the Universal Parks.
Participating restaurants at Universal Studios:
International Food & Film Fest (THE WORST I've ever eaten at)
Mel's Drive-In (best of the 5 we tried)
Louie's (forgot, didn't try it)

at IofA:
Circus McGurkus (& a close 2nd for THE WORST)
Comic Strip Cafe
Captain America's Diner

I think the Meal Plan would be a very good deal for those always growing, always eating teen boys. $-wise it did work out well, but really -- save your tummies, and your trip excitement enjoyment-level. Noone needs to be reminded that this slop exists at some "restaurants". :(

[CdnMom2]

I didn't know it did. Friday night mid-Dec05. I phoned Concierge (not Club level -- normal Guest Services) to find out about the times for the Hard Rock Dive-In movie. Had heard about these. Well, it turned out to be happening sooner than I could reasonably get family to it without really hustling AND paying for a cab so we decided to swim in our own well-loved RPR pool. Everyone tired & it was COLD. What a GREAT surprise when we got down there.
"How the Grinch Stole Christmas" movie had just started playing as a Dive-In movie! (Kind of wish the Concierge had mentioned there was a movie playing at our own Resort when we went through the discussion of walk/boat/bus/cab to Hard Rock! -- Imagine how upset I would have been if I had bustled us all off!)

Kids had a fantastic time. One of our really magical memories of our before-Xmas trip.

I don't know how regular these are at RPR.

[Mortlives]

Participating restaurants at Universal Studios:
International Food & Film Fest (THE WORST I've ever eaten at)
Mel's Drive-In (best of the 5 we tried)
Louie's (forgot, didn't try it)

at IofA:
Circus McGurkus (& a close 2nd for THE WORST)
Comic Strip Cafe
Captain America's Diner


Of those restaurants, we tried Circus McGurkus, and maybe IF&FF. I didn't care for either of them. The chowder place in Amity wasn't bad, and we liked the Monster Cafe. I guess the meal plan restaurants are chosen because it's the only way they can get people to eat there. :teeth:

The other one we really didn't care for was the walk-up counter associated with Margaritaville, which was kind of surprising because the food in Margaritaville was pretty good.

You know, thinking back over counter vs table service we experienced, I begin to understand why my credit card bill was such a shock when I got back. :lmao: