A few Universal newbie questions

[Jonathan Sugiyama]

Hello all, my wife and I just moved to Orlando and are going to be picking up Universal AP's this week or next week and I have questions for those here on the boards.

1) The flex pay....can you pay the rest of your bill off at any time? Say we buy the preferred pass for whatever $360 now and the rest over 11 months. Can I pay off the rest next month, or say in January 2017?

2) She has been once a few years ago and I have never been ever. What do you recommend doing first? We will be visiting the parks frequently so we don't intend on rushing through the parks to do as much as we can in 1 day, we are going to be taking it slow over the course of the year.

3) Recommended eating locations? I have heard about leaky cauldron and thats it. I'm doing research now about the parks and food options but i love firsthand experiences and recommendations above anything else.

4) The valet parking is $15 for the preferred pass, is it worth it? I don't mind walking as I'm working on losing weight and becoming more active and I do know the parking structure isn't super close. So the walking doesn't bother me much, but say for a special event or just to splurge, is the parking location worth the $15?

Thanks for any and all help. I can't wait to make new friends and learn about the parks.

 

[slford00]

Some on here can probably answer your questions a little better, but I'll give it a shot.

1) Probably the only way to get the answer to this is to call guest services and ask. I can't think of why they wouldn't let you. The nice thing about continuing the flex pay option is that after that first year, you're essentially pro-rating the cost on a monthly basis for as long as you use it. For example, if you only end up using it for 6 months the following year and then cancel, you'd only play 1/2 the cost (as opposed to a full year).

2) This really depends on what things you're most excited about/interested in. You'll be able to see all the main attractions in 2-3 visits. Obviously, everything Harry Potter related is super popular--and extremely well-done. If you're a HP fan, can't go wrong with that. Since you'll most likely have early admission available to you with your APs, you'll probably want to use it and hit up the HP area in whichever park has early opening so you can do those rides without huge lines.

3) At USF, Leaky Cauldron is awesome (again, esp. if you're a HP fan). I really like the Springfield dining area next to Simpsons, lots of different fun options there. Lombard's is the fancier sit-down restaurant.

At IoA, Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade is similar to Leaky Cauldron and great in the same way. Thunder Falls Terrace overlooking the Jurassic Park ride is supposed to be pretty good. Mythos is the nicer full-service restaurant here and has received awards in the past for being one of the best theme park restaurants.

There are lots of other quick service places in both parks, as well as tons of good restaurants in CityWalk as you enter the parks. Plus, each hotel has a few restaurants, some of which look pretty great (haven't tried any yet).

4) I haven't used the valet parking before, but I've never thought regular parking was bad at all. Once you exit the garage, you head into the park area, with most of the path streamlined with moving walkways (like at airports).

 

[Jonathan Sugiyama]

Some on here can probably answer your questions a little better, but I'll give it a shot.

1) Probably the only way to get the answer to this is to call guest services and ask. I can't think of why they wouldn't let you. The nice thing about continuing the flex pay option is that after that first year, you're essentially pro-rating the cost on a monthly basis for as long as you use it. For example, if you only end up using it for 6 months the following year and then cancel, you'd only play 1/2 the cost (as opposed to a full year).

2) This really depends on what things you're most excited about/interested in. You'll be able to see all the main attractions in 2-3 visits. Obviously, everything Harry Potter related is super popular--and extremely well-done. If you're a HP fan, can't go wrong with that. Since you'll most likely have early admission available to you with your APs, you'll probably want to use it and hit up the HP area in whichever park has early opening so you can do those rides without huge lines.

3) At USF, Leaky Cauldron is awesome (again, esp. if you're a HP fan). I really like the Springfield dining area next to Simpsons, lots of different fun options there. Lombard's is the fancier sit-down restaurant.

At IoA, Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade is similar to Leaky Cauldron and great in the same way. Thunder Falls Terrace overlooking the Jurassic Park ride is supposed to be pretty good. Mythos is the nicer full-service restaurant here and has received awards in the past for being one of the best theme park restaurants.

There are lots of other quick service places in both parks, as well as tons of good restaurants in CityWalk as you enter the parks. Plus, each hotel has a few restaurants, some of which look pretty great (haven't tried any yet).

4) I haven't used the valet parking before, but I've never thought regular parking was bad at all. Once you exit the garage, you head into the park area, with most of the path streamlined with moving walkways (like at airports).

I should have prefaced #2. We both enjoy Universal films and IP, and we are indeed big HP fans. So I'm excited for HP rides, Spiderman and Mummy personally. I meant that we are willing to ride EVERYTHING, however our first few outings to the parks will be half days at best, say 3-5 hours in the parks.

 

[schumigirl]

Read the stickies on here also, they are filled with information on hotels and parks too.

There is an excellent food thread damo started.........loads of info and menus.........think most of us at some point have given opinions on most things food.

Parks are a personal preference. Since you're going to be a regular take your time........before you go check out the website www.universalorlando.com

Filled with info about everything from park layouts to Citywalk to the hotel info.

Have fun........

 

[macraven]

Valet parking is not great when the park is full and everyone leaves at the same time to the garage

Had friends that valet parked on a sat night for Hhn last year

With loads of peeps leaving the park at one time to get their car out of the garage , valet parking did not save them anytime

Their wait was about 45 minutes to get their car

Other than busy times when many leaving at the same time, valet is good

But, if you live local, don't see the advantage or rush to get your car quickly
If you come in the afternoon and don't want to have to search for an open space in the garage, valet parking is beneficial

Two sides for valet or self parking

Since you are new and local, explore the park in sections
Take your time and enjoy partial periods in the park

 

[macraven]

We have some older threads about flex pay
Suggest you do a search for some of them

I remember there are pro and cons doing flex pay

You can lock in a price for it which some prefer

If you have a power pass on flex pay and want to change to preferred pass ,
You would have to pay off first pass before you could change

I have not kept current with flex pay policies but the info is listed on the UO website

 

[macraven]

Save yourself $20 and have your wife drop you off at UO
Have her go park at the Walgreens area near pbh Hotel to wait for you

Call her once you pick up the AP and activate it

Call her to come get you

Once you are in the car. Go park in the garage
Since your AP is activate to preferred pass, no charge for parking

Power pass has a slight discount for garage parking
Preferred AP gives you free parking once it is activated

Some people believe they can park in the garage then go to guest services and buy the AP and get free or discount parking
Then they ask for a refund for that parking charge

Those requests are denied
No refund allowed

This is a basic that most on the boards are aware of
Since you are new, I assumed you might not be aware of this system for parking

UO is aware of it but they can not support it

 

[damo]

Yes, you can pay off the flex pay. That will cancel the contract and you will have a normal annual pass.

 

[Jonathan Sugiyama]

Save yourself $20 and have your wife drop you off at UO
Have her go park at the Walgreens area near pbh Hotel to wait for you

Call her once you pick up the AP and activate it

Call her to come get you

Once you are in the car. Go park in the garage
Since your AP is activate to preferred pass, no charge for parking

Power pass has a slight discount for garage parking
Preferred AP gives you free parking once it is activated

Some people believe they can park in the garage then go to guest services and buy the AP and get free or discount parking
Then they ask for a refund for that parking charge

Those requests are denied
No refund allowed

This is a basic that most on the boards are aware of
Since you are new, I assumed you might not be aware of this system for parking

UO is aware of it but they can not support it

Oh wow, I had no idea. Thank you very much. I suspected as much with the "after first visit" disclaimer on the website, but wasn't sure about how that panned out.

 

[klacey1]

Welcome to the Dark Side! You'll find being a Universal AP holder is very fun I had a yearlong break without trips in which I let my pass expire and it was the worst feeling!!

1. The all-knowing damo handled this correctly

2. I think the best "wow" moment for a first time visitor (especially a Harry Potter fan) is to go to the original park, Universal Studios and head to Diagon Alley. Visually, it's just incredibly stunning and the rides, shops and food options are all terrific.

3. On City Walk, for sitdown options, I like Cowfish (incredible burgers and a fun atmosphere) and Margaritaville (doesn't have amazing food, but it's decent and does the job). At UO, I do love the Leaky Cauldron as a solid quick service option. My favorite options at IoA are Thunder Falls Terrace for rotisserie chicken and Three Broomsticks for British fare. Love that AP discount on food, too.

4. Ehh, I've never used valet parking before and I've been on days of varying crowd levels. The walk can be long depending on where you're directed to, but I don't ever think it's unbearable.

 

[agavegirl1]

Welcome Johnathan. I echo many of the sentiments posted above. It's hard for people who are new to US/IOA to understand how close City Walk is so close to the parks. Any of the restaurants there are easily accessible to the parks. It is an easy in and out walk. As for what to do day one? I agree you should check out Universal Studios first. It is the original park and has much to offer. Diagon Alley is amazing but many of the other areas are classic as well.

Go to the Universal Orlando website and check the "stickies" at the top of this forum for menus and food options. I am partial to Margaritaville and Emerils but I do love banana cream pie so there's that.

 

[Jonathan Sugiyama]

Thank you so much to everyone who has been helpful with all this information. We are super excited to visit the parks this weekend and get our feet wet for a few hours.

 

[Patch'sD]

I am sort of partial to the Valet Parking. I got the Premier Pass for me and the wife so the Valet Parking is free and the 4PM single ride Express Pass is great. We will do a HHN also. When the kids come for a visit, we will take the Hotel Discount to get a room for a night and get two days of Unlimited Express Passes for all 5 of us.

 

[Jonathan Sugiyama]

We just bought the preferred pass and will be visiting this weekend. So I'll post some pics but thanks to everyone who has offered advice. I hope to meet some of you guys in the parks over the next year

 

[macraven]

Looking forward to meeting you


Pencil me in the calendar for October!

 

[macraven]

Oh.....
Did you get free parking that first day by what i suggested ?

 

[Jonathan Sugiyama]

Well due to a lot of factors and I work late. My wife and I are going tomorrow (Sat) for a healthy part of the day, but I had to get the passes today so I went during lunch break as I am only 15 mins away. So I decided for speed to use the valet since it was $5 less and I wanted to see how it worked and if it was worth it. I LOVE the fact the valet is right next to the CityWalk entrance, so convenient. However it took them 15 mins to get my car back to me when I was the only person there waiting. So needless to say I was disappointed and will be walking for free unless we want to be lazy and just walk into the parks. I unfortunately didn't have any time overlap with my wife to get the passes oe go after 6PM and park for free. But the $15 was a worthy test to see how the whole thing worked and was a healthy learning experience. I sincerely appreciate the help and cannot wait to meet you in the park next month it seems

 

[macraven]

would enjoy meeting you in october.
i'll give you my dates later..

yes, valet is a good thing but i mentioned before it can be a wait to retrieve the car during certain events.

sad that it took more time than necessary to bring your car around to you.
but, you have an idea now how the system works.