All-you-can-eat pass in Universal & Sea World

[soaringirl]

I saw that both parks have the "all-you-can-eat" promos... has anyone try them? Are they worth it? They seem great options, even though drink is not included in Universal.

 

[endy]

We did the one in SW last summer. I thought it was a great deal if you're spending the day. We ate at a couple places we hadn't been to before. I usually try to limit to one meal in SW but with this we ate twice and had deserts a couple of times. If you have a season pass it's a bit less $. So it was definitely worth it.
Mind you we did still have to buy a few frozen lemonades.
The refillable cup is a great deal. I've been using mine for a couple of years now (same for Legoland).

 

[soaringirl]

Thanks Andy! What's the deal with the refillable cup? if you're using the diner pass is still worth it?

 

[endy]

Hi soaringirl
The refillable cup is for pop/slushies and works over and over again. Close to $10 to buy the cup filled.
You don't need the cup to do the dine all day, you can get bottled water and pop.
Last summer I think it was $1.69 for a pop refill, 2-3 something for frozen lemonade (which by the way is sweet but delicious, my son's fav), there's also a place with smoothie type drinks near Shamu. We have passes which makes a pop closer to $1 so I don't mind getting several/day, don't always drink it all as it warms up quick.
There's also coffe mugs available, not sure the price. I think the hot chocolate refills were under $3.
Anyway it sure beats DL at $3 a drink.

I hope they have this deal again this summer.

 

[soaringirl]

Sounds good & delicious!! I love smoothies, so it may be a plus!
thanks again!

 

[erinbharris]

Can you tell me more about the dine all day plan?

I see it's around $35 for adults and $15 for kids. Can I get it only for my kids? Does it include a drink? Can I pay for it at the gate or only beforehand?

Thanks!

 

[endy]

Last year you didn't pay until just inside the park. I think you could also pay at the restaurants.
You get wristbands to wear so not everyone needs to pay. You can't share.
It includes an entree, a side and a drink. Last year you could go thru as often as you want. So you could get your meal, then go back for a dessert and another drink if you had room.

 

[Huff]

I've done both the Sea World and the Universal all you can eat plans. They're both worth it if you are staying for a full long day.

At Sea World with out AP discount we spent $80 for 3 adults and 1 child. Each meal includes an entree, desert and drink. Many of our meals such as ribs totalled $15-$20 per adult. We ate 3 meals as well as went through the line just grabbing a drink or desert without getting a full meal. Our total cost would have been well over $125.

I did not bother with the refillable mug at Sea World and instead just grabbed a drink when we wanted using our dining plan wristband. The only downfall is the wristbands are not good at any of the cart stands for drinks. Have to go to one of the restaurants.

Universal's dining plan is similar and includes entree, side dish and desert but no drink. For that we got the refillable mugs but shared a couple rather than buying one for everyone.

 

[soaringirl]

I've done both the Sea World and the Universal all you can eat plans. They're both worth it if you are staying for a full long day.

At Sea World with out AP discount we spent $80 for 3 adults and 1 child. ...

Universal's dining plan is similar and includes entree, side dish and desert but no drink. For that we got the refillable mugs but shared a couple rather than buying one for everyone.

$80 you said? I calculated 115 usd, also 3 adults & 1 child, I think it was like 29 usd per adult? If it's 80 we'll definetely do it.

It's good to know about Universal having refillable mugs , we'll also share.

 

[Huff]

$80 you said? I calculated 115 usd, also 3 adults & 1 child, I think it was like 29 usd per adult? If it's 80 we'll definetely do it.

It's good to know about Universal having refillable mugs , we'll also share.

I meant to say with our AP discount in prior post. It totaled right about $80 for 3 adults and 1 child. Our last visit was at Christmas 2009. Looks like they've raised prices. With AP discount it would be $104. It's still easily worth it if you order the more expensive meals. Also go through the line whenever you want just for drinks or snacks. They do not make you get a full meal each time. Without the plan you'll easily spend $15-$20 per person per meal plus the costs for drinks throughout the day.

 

[triplefigs]

Sounds like a great deal!

 

[ConnieB]

$80 you said? I calculated 115 usd, also 3 adults & 1 child, I think it was like 29 usd per adult? If it's 80 we'll definetely do it.

It's good to know about Universal having refillable mugs , we'll also share.

It's $29.99 plus tax, total is $32.61 with tax for adults. If you have an AP then you get 10% off, so it's about $27 plus tax or around $30 after tax.

 

[travellovingirl]

I read on another board that the all day dining plan was not recommended, as you end up spending a lot of time waiting to get food, rather than enjoying the park. (San Antonio SW)

When I am at WDW, I do enjoy taking time out to enjoy TS. We will be in SD over Easter weekend 2011, so I am assuming lines will be long.... I don't want to have to spend all day waiting in line for food to get my "money's worth".

Any thoughts on how San Diego SW is from this perspective? Thanks!!