Valuable things I learned!

[Patti PB]

Here are a few things that I'm sure have been posted time and again, but I never saw them and thought they might help somebody else!

1. Popcorn! Unlike WDW, the souvenir buckets entitle you to free refills! We had a backpack with a key hook, so we just hooked it on and carried the bucket around for three days! What a money saver!

2. Single riders line! I know this has been discussed, but it was SO valuable to us I have to mention it! After the first time you ride MIB, just do the single line! There was no wait, and you have no time to talk on this ride, anyway, so who cares who you are with!!!

3. Spidey talks!!! Actually they all do, but with Spidey, it was something to remember...if you know what I mean...(closet Spiderman lover!)

4. Don't get off the ride if there is no line! Tell the exit attendant you want to ride again, and they'll either let you stay on, or direct you to the back hallway to the front again. Do this!!! The que on some of these rides is like a mile!!!

5. ASK FOR YOUR DISCOUNT EVERYWHERE YOU GO!!! This should really be #1. We saved money on absolutely everything! It was so nice! The only thing you can't get discounted with AAA or AP's is purchases of chocolate, but even when we bought magnets at one of those kiosks it was discounted!

6. Eat on site! This is not like WDW!!! There is really decent food at decent non-theme-park prices to be found! We love the Monster Cafe at USF, and the Comic Strip Cafe at IOA was good and very fresh, also! Even CityWalk was not really overpriced!

That's all I can think of for now. I sure hope this helps somebody!

Patti

 

[_orlando_gurl_]

Thanks Patti PB. This really helped me!!!

 

[JessicaR]

These tips were great! Loved the popcorn one and will be sure to keep our bucket

 

[JessicaR]

Patti, I was wondering where you ate at City Walk?
Thanks

 

[Molokai Gram]

Mahalo Patti for the tips and the trip report!
Did you wave to us via the web cam?
How was the pop corn? We got some at DL earlier this year and wouldn't want any refills - free or not.

 

[cotye]

Thanks for those tips Patti. I'm sure they'll be very useful to future guests.

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<font size=4 color=blue>Kevin</font>

<font size=3 color=navy>Instant Gratification Takes Too Long</font>

<font size=2>"I Will Be Alright, If I Can Find That Rainbow's End." - Mariah Carey</font>

 

[eyesk8r]

along with the popcorn container carry a cup, particularly one like you get at the ghas station with a lid and straw. We all know water quenches your thirst the best and I took my cup up to many stands and they cheerfully filled it with ice water for me.

 

[Dopeymom]

Figured out the popcorn thing on our last visit and took advantage of it. In answer to someone's question about the taste -- I have learned to fill it around 10:00 or 11:00 am when the booths open. They pop enough popcorn to last the whole day, so it can be quite stale by the end of the day.

Another thing we learned was there is some sort of Annual Passholder perk going on with the restaurants. The waiter who waited on us at Mythos said you are supposed to ask for these but he gave them to us anyway (maybe because it was Thanksgiving Day). It is a little card that the restaurant stamps when you purchase an entree. So when you have bought five entrees you are entitled to an entree free (up to $25.00). The list of restaurants is quite extensive. We were able to fill in two cards and were entitled to two free meals at the end of our trip. The smart thing to do is eat an non-expensive restaurants and cash in your card at a higher end restaurant. The waiter told us that these were mailed to Annual Passholders along with a coupon book. I did not receive anything. Has anybody else received these? One more thing, this expires 02/2001.

We also took advantage of the single rider lines last visit, but this time we had the Portofino Bay front of the line access and it was awesome. My husband and children are so spoiled -- I don't know if they will ever stand in a line again.

If I remember more tips -- I'll write again.

 

[eyesk8r]

I have an AP and I didn't get one

 

[bskmom]

Me too! I didn't get one of those books
Patti W

 

[jtopicz1]

Does anyone who has an AP get any mailings at all?? I have never recieved anything from Universal and have had my pass for nearly a year. No newsletters, coupons, flyers, nothing..... Just wondering if any other AP holders were getting mailings??

Jim

 

[laksirvak6]

The 8 dollar souvineer cups are DEFINENTLY worth the 8 buckeroos. I think it was either free refils or 1.29 refils but it is a BIG cup. works at USF and IOA. I personally like the marvel superhero island one but each island has its own unique one. DR. suess is a cat in the hat like cup, lost continent is fire or ice dragon, JP is a dino head on a cup, and i didn't get a chance to see toon lagoons, Marvel super hereo has the hulk, spidey(very nice for you spidey lovers out there ) and wolverine on it.

 

[WebmasterBarry]

For a better deal, go to the gift shops and get a $5 souvenir mug. I think they hold a bit more than the ones previously mentioned. The refill price is the same. I don't recall offhand the price, but it's about $1 to $1.50.

-----------------------------

Barry aka usagi

Moderator, Universal and Sea World Boards

 

[Patti PB]

I'm so glad I could help some people out! I feel like all I've done on this board is "take"!!

We ate at Pastamore on CityWalk, and it was very good. We had lasagna and fettuccini alfredo, both of which were very fresh, served hot, and a good portion. The portion would have been small for my husband, though.

My friend got the flourless chocolate cake, and said it was only fair. Total bill - 2 entrees, 1 dessert, 1 coke - was about $30. Comparable price to say Olive Garden, but much better food!

I definitely did not feel any price gouging at Universal at all---I do feel taken advantage of at DL and WDW in terms of food.

Patti

 

[Dopeymom]

I emailed Universal and told them about my situation and we only find out about things after we get to the parks or when we return home. They called me back (my office number is automatically sent with my signature at the bottom of my emails)told me that annual passholders are sent a monthly newsletter. I told them NOT! We have never received a newsletter. I remember receiving one mailing from them. They told me that they would check on this and make sure my name was put on the mailing list. You all might want to contact them too!!!

 

[chipNange2]

I am little confused....

If you purchase the mug at Islands of Adventure or Universal Studios, you can go up to the stands for FREE refills?

And what are the popcorn refills about? You purchase 1 bucket and then you can get free refills? Is it just for the day or as long as you have the bucket?

Thanks...this will be our first time there!
Andrea

 

[Ruby]

I'd like this info also.

Is it worth it to buy ONE popcorn bucket for the 5 of us?

Is it worth it to buy ONE souvenir $5 mug for each of us for ONLY one day at IOA?

 

[WebmasterBarry]

The popcorn buckets are pretty big. You can probably share it with each other. As for the mugs, it depends on how much soda you drink in one day. A large soda costs about $3. So if you're going to drink a lot of soda, you might want to get the mug.

Barry Hom
The moderator formerly known as Barry aka usagi
Moderator, Universal and Sea World Boards


"If you were me, you'd be good looking."

 

[cressy]

I was grateful to read on these boards about the pocorn and soda refills at USF and IOA, however, when we went 2 weeks ago, soda and pocorn refills
weren't free, in fact, I didn't think they were that great a deal unless you were there for 3 days or something. I think the pocorn refills were like 2.99!The refillable sodas were expensive to begin with so we just bought a soda here or there instead of carrying that thing around, especially when you're riding stuff alot!

 

[Dopeymom]

When we were there in June, 2001 and November, 2000 they were still offering the popcorn refills. We bought a bucket on the June trip, brought it again on the Nov. trip and continually filled it throughout the trip. I hope it has not discontinued because I am planning to bring it in April again. The soft drink refills are not free, you have to pay a large cost (around $8.00???) for the first cup and then something like ($2.00???) for each refill. We have not done this yet.