I have Meal Deal info

[kdudley3]

We did the Meal Deal our first day @ USF. Seeing that we woke at 6:oo am and traveled from the gulf, we were hungry.

We stopped at Mel's Diner first. This was at 10:30 am and the line was already long. I ordered our meals and waited in line. Then I realized that I was supposed to get dessert with each meal and the guy taking my order didn't ask me what I wanted. I went back (cut in front of the line, sorry I wasn't taken care of like I was supposed to). I said "Aren't I supposed to get dessert with these meals", and he said "You didn't ask". Well, let me tell you, I was not pleased (hungry, anxious, in a hurry for the parks), and I said "Well, that's your job, isn't it ?".

Anyway, I had a grilled chicken sandwich, the rest had burgers (they were good).I found out that we could buy the refillable mug there also (you don't HAVE to buy it online like they say). So I bought one. So we had a free refillable mug and a Sponge Bob from last trip for 5 people.

Let me say...the free refillable mug is worth it's weight in gold.

Let me first explain that when they say that it is "All you can eat", that means that you have to go back in line for about 10-20 min. to get your food. With the refillable mug (the free refillable), which can be bought at any of the restaurants offering the Meal Deal (about $8.50 including tax), you can just bypass the lines and go to the end and ask for a refill.

Next meal was at the International Food and Film, We all got different things, Sweet & Sour chicken (mediocre), pizza, chicken tenders. It was ok. BUT, the guy at the cashier's station told me that his manager told him to refill the refillable mugs (the one's that cost you to refill) for free because they were running out of the Meal Deal refillable mugs to sell. ?HUH? Anyways, free pop !!!! :thumbsup2

We had the Meal Deal at IOA also and found that Captain America diner wrapped their burgers. Seeing that I had a bag from souveniers and a pony tail holder, I wrapped up the fries (which came in a cup) with napkins and put the burger in the bag. I took it back to our room, so yes, you can take things back to your rooms.

Louie's even wraps them up in saran wrap. So If you can live off of burgers, pizza, oriental chicken, chicken tenders, and the like, go for it. Myself...I would have rather let the family eat this "stuff" and I'd go for smaller, less heavy meals.

[djm99]

Thanks for posting. Does Universal sell Pepsi products or Coke!!! Please say Pepsi.... Do you know/remember what Diets or Light drinks that were offered in the parks?

[kdudley3]

Thanks for posting. Does Universal sell Pepsi products or Coke!!! Please say Pepsi.... Do you know/remember what Diets or Light drinks that were offered in the parks?

Sorry, but all of the drinks were Coke products (I feel your pain).

But with how expensive the drinks were and having the free refillable cup, I learned to live with Diet Coke.

There's always club soda at the bars in the parks.

[Fan2CSkr]

Thanks for posting. Does Universal sell Pepsi products or Coke!!! Please say Pepsi.... Do you know/remember what Diets or Light drinks that were offered in the parks?


We were able to find Pepsi at Hard Rock Cafe! :thumbsup2

[Robinrs]

Thanks! I'm bringing my 13yo son and my 60yo uncle, BOTH bottomless pits so this is a deal for us!

[devotedchristian]

Thanks kdudley, so you can take your food to go? I was thinking this could be my dinner one night back at the resort.

Can you refill on water?

[devotedchristian]

Also, did you get some sort of wristband that indicated you were participating in the Meal Deal Plan?

[devotedchristian]

Never mind, I found it from US website:

"The wristband must be worn in order to take part in Meal Deal Program" :p

[kdudley3]

Sure, you can Pepsi at different places in Citywalk. I was just talking about the restaurants in the parks that are included in the Meal Deal.

Yes, you get a wristband. Each day has a different color. This is to prevent cheating. But trust me, there are ways to cheat if you want to take the time doing it.

When I was younger, I would "bend the rules" . :blush: But I have the extra money now not to bother.

[devotedchristian]

Can you refill on water?

And just to confirm, I can get a "Meal" to go right?

[kdudley3]

Can you refill on water?

And just to confirm, I can get a "Meal" to go right?

I'm sure that you can get water. All of the soda stations I've ever seen have a water dispenser. You can also use the water fountain. The across from Popeye's, at the restrooms, is SUPER cold.

As far as taking food back to your room, yes, ask them to wrap it up for you. They just take another plate and put it on top and cover it with saran wrap. Or you could do what I did and use a pony tail holder( or bring rubber bands) and wrap your food in napkins (as long as it's not messy foods). I have gone to diferent shops and asked just for bags for different reasons, ie:to take food back, store wet clothes from water rides or just to hold some of my stuff.

I really don't think that the kids working there really care what you do (not meaning the rides) but at stores or restaurants they really seem to just want to get their job over and go home.

[rubberband1293]

You can use the refillables for water - that's all I had the whole 5 days. Meal deal was not what I expected (I have learned that you get what you pay for - several times over.). So my wife and I did not opt for the Meal Deal, but did get it for the kids. What a great bargain too - three-inch hotdogs and 9 french fries. Sure the kids could eat all they wanted, but I or my wife had to stand in line every time. On the third day of our stay, we threw the Meal Deal tickets for the kids away and paid full-price. It was just easier to buy the kids what they wanted than to deal with limited menus and gnome-sized portions. Personally, I don't see the value in the Meal Deal program at all.

[Charleyann]

Does universal still offer the two park meal plan. We are going for two days. One day Universal and one day Islands of adventure . Universal told me a couple of months ago . I could purchase a two park meal plan. I think it was 22.99 for an adult and 10.99 for a child. Is this still available?

Charleyann

Thank you!

[phamton]

Does universal still offer the two park meal plan. We are going for two days. One day Universal and one day Islands of adventure . Universal told me a couple of months ago . I could purchase a two park meal plan. I think it was 22.99 for an adult and 10.99 for a child. Is this still available?

Charleyann

Thank you!

The two park meal deal is for two parks in one day. If you are only doing one park a day, it wouldn't work for you.

[Inlove4WDW]

Can I buy the refillable mug without the meal deal?

[phamton]

You can buy it but you can't get free refills with it unless you buy the meal deal. The refills will be $1.35.

[ines248]

The two park meal deal is for two parks in one day. If you are only doing one park a day, it wouldn't work for you.

..... and if U come late to the park (like I did), guest services will tell you that these 2 park tickets can be downgrade to a 1 park ticket, BUT YOU WILL NOT get any money back. If U ask for a full 100% refund back, so you can then buy one park meal tickets with the refund $$, guest services will tell you that because these were bought online they can not give you a refund. Read more on my memorial trip report.

"I was not able to use my last meal deal tickets. I had 2 park meals deal tickets and I arrived at islands of adventure at 3:45......(Ines248)

------------------
Phamton I guess that from now on and whenever I buy meal tickets online I SHOULD buy all of them ONE park tickets because it is easier to UPGRADE than DOWNGRADE tickets?

[phamton]

My suggestion would be to not use the meal deal unless you are going to be there all day. The tickets aren't dated so you can save them for when you have a full day.

Downgrades and upgrades can be done easily if you still have the meal deal ticket but not if you have already turned in the ticket for a wristband. With a wristband, it is impossible to tell how often you have eaten or which parks you have eaten at. If you have the meal deal ticket, you can upgrade or downgrade it easily. There are no refunds on online orders but you can upgrade or downgrade any ticket including the meal deal ticket. Once you have gone to the meal deal restaurant and have received the wristband, nothing can be done.

There is only a $4 difference between the one park and the two park meal deal, hardly worth taking the time to downgrade. But if you want to do downgrade, just make sure you haven't redeemed the ticket for a wristband.

edited to add: If your meal deal are tickets included in a hotel package, they can't be upgraded or downgraded.

[taismommy]

Hi,

How much does the meal deal cost and were do I purchase it? :confused3

TIA,

Tamika, Tai, and James

[phamton]

http://www.universalorlando.com/tic_meal_deal.html

You can also purchase it at any of the participating restaurants.

[ines248]

There is only a $4 difference between the one park and the two park meal deal, hardly worth taking the time to downgrade. But if you want to do downgrade, just make sure you haven't redeemed the ticket for a wristband.

...especially when you are not getting your $4 money back or the time wasted waiting in line to ask!

Well I was late and got stuck with 5, 2 park meal tickets bought onlines and NOT 5 wristbands.
Went to guest services and she said that "she can get them downgrade but I will get zero money back."

lets do the math....... $4.00 x 5 = $20.00
And this is not counting the time spent waiting in line at guest services.
Of course after U told me about the other guest services inside the park with less people waiting inline, I used this inside guest service for the first time.

[pepperidge]

Thanks for all the info... We'll be there on Dec 19 and 20th and will be using the kids meal deal bracelts on those days. Never done it before, but it seems like it will be an "adventure"!

[phamton]

..Well I was late and got stuck with 5, 2 park meal tickets bought onlines and NOT 5 wristbands.
Went to guest services and she said that "she can get them downgrade but I will get zero money back."



They downgrade them all the time and give the money back. I am sorry that whoever you got did not do that for you.

[Metallicat]

Thought I would post this in case anyone wanted to see it. :)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v716/lga2461/158799709_9d574455a3.jpg

[ines248]

They downgrade them all the time and give the money back. I am sorry that whoever you got did not do that for you.

Uhhhgg!!!!!! Don`t say this Phamton! I wish I could go back and talk to that lady or grab her by the neck! The grabbing is not for real , I am just kidding! I should have waited for the white guy on the right inside guest services, who was busy helping other people! He problably knew more than the African-American lady on the left! Or I should have asked again, to double check the information, but at the other guest services!!!!!
I sold my meal tickets to my brother, lost some money, felt better because I lost money to my brother and not to Universal Studios guest services. Now I know that I was not suppossed to lost $$$ back to universal guest services?
Hey this is how humans learn, right?

Well, the cause (waking up late, my fault) and the effect ( U should not buy these online, ever) for this incident made me not to buy anymore deal meal for now or for the future ONLINE. Universal should thank the lady at guest services! She really told me the most important thing when she said, "I can not do anything about these because U bought these online."
I got the message, even if it is the wrong message!
No more buying online meal tickets, 4 me or my family!
Thank You Universal Studios Guest Lady!

[phamton]

Tickets bought online are non-refundable except through the online store. (There are exceptions though.) But you were not asking for a refund of the entire ticket, just a downgrade to a one park meal deal. Downgrades are possible even with online tickets. I am sorry about your experience. If you ever feel like you are not getting the correct information, ask to speak to a supervisor. Honestly, online tickets are the best deal and downgrades and upgrades are available with them. You just can't come in with a ticket bought online for a total refund. That needs to be taken care of online.

[ines248]

Tickets bought online are non-refundable except through the online store. (There are exceptions though.) But you were not asking for a refund of the entire ticket, just a downgrade to a one park meal deal. Downgrades are possible even with online tickets. I am sorry about your experience. If you ever feel like you are not getting the correct information, ask to speak to a supervisor. Honestly, online tickets are the best deal and downgrades and upgrades are available with them. You just can't come in with a ticket bought online for a total refund. That needs to be taken care of online.

Yes, about not refunds, I know, I have always agree with that, but the part when they don`t offer help when a person has delays/problems, or when they need an upgrade, makes me think about, "Ohh, so this is ONE of the reasons why SOME people sell their tickets on ebay even though it is illegal?"

All I need it, and ask was for a SIMPLE downgrade or help, and they know I came late because they could easily see/scan my tickets and see at what time I came to the park. I was not asking for a refund.

You know I left thinking in my brain what to do, and saying very soft to me and so the lady can hear it, like I was very confused and thinking how to get rid of them, ebay? What about if I had 1 park meal tickets, and I came early and I want it to upgrade them to a 2 park meal tickets. Maybe then, it did not matter if these were bought online or not? Maybe, yes? ?????????????????

I should have bought 1 park meal all the time, everytime! And then upgrade them, if I came early to the park, Not necessary to downgrade them because I was late on that particualr day, but if she is right when she said, " I can not do anything with these because these were bought online!" So that is only a dream and it`s imposible?

I guess the lady gave me the online answer,to get rid of me. She can not do anything about them because these were bought online. Period.
Next person inline!

Anyway, this is my last post about this! I was so lucky that my bro went to universal because I know ebay is not the answer to SIMPLE solutions.Yes, it is the first thing people think about when they are stucked with tickets and they know about 0% universal refund, and they had already asked about upgrade or downgrade posibilities

Anyway, lesson learned, bring my next lesson!
Thanks Phamton for ALL the info she puts here at disneyboards.com.
Keep it coming!

Update: So Phamton, I just want to double check, and make sure I understand everything correct, cause I am really AFRAID to buy these online again,when she said" these were bought online there is nothing she can do," Is that 100% correct? Yes? No?
I mean, if I buy 1 park meal tickets ONLINE (2 park tickets are no longer in my wish list), for my next Universal visit, and then at the park I noticed that I am early, I can upgrade them, and pay the difference, to make them a 2 park, or I will get the same "Can`t do anything with these because they were bought online" answer?
Yes?
No?

The supervisor that you mentioned, he/she is also located at all guest services locations? And, all I need is to ask for the supervisor? Right?
Remember, I am talking about BOTH guest services, the one outside and the one inside the park.