Any Money Saving Tips for Universal?

[ChelMomto5]

We're visiting US and IOA the beginning of February. We haven't been there since 2000 and our kids were much younger then. Just wonder if anyone has any tips on saving money or other good tips for visiting Universal. Can you bring in drinks or food of any kind like you can at Disney?

 

[Tampa 2]

Can you bring in drinks or food of any kind like you can at Disney?

Universal actually encourages you to bring a soft cooler to the parks on their site. a better idea is to buy one of the $6.00 refillable mugs. they're good for .69 soda refills and free ice water refills at both parks for the life of the mug.

 

[ky07]

If you have a AAA card then all of the places to eat will give you 10% off your order all except for emrils and restaurants in the hotels and also good for 10% in the shops.

 

[BTDTGB]

We normally drive to the parks everyday, pay the 11.00 for parking, and eat sandwiches at the car for lunch. We could bring lunches in with us, but I hate carrying a big bag all day. We also hit the grocery store for breakfast items and eat those in the room. This allows us to save some cash and eat a nice diner at one of the better restaurants everyday.

The refillable cups sound like a good idea, we normally get them at the hotels at Disney and at 12.00 they are a good deal. Where do you get them for 6.00? We bought our daughter a sponge bob cup during our 2005 visit, but it cost 10.99 and was only good at US for the day we bought it.

 

[twinmommyks]

Just curious about the refillable cup - where do you buy this and what is the cost? We did this at disney and it was a cost saver. We sure would like to do it again at US/IOA.

Thanks.

 

[jenseib]

I would like info on the cup too. I assume you purchase them in the park somewhere? Is it just at any concession stand?

 

[Miss Stitch]

I know the refill cup can be def. bought in CS resturants, that is where we bought ours. It was around $6, costs 69c to refill and is good for one day only. You can refill at most drink carts.

It is great value for money, there were five us and we shared it, saving us having to carry lots of cups lol. We refilled nearly every time we past a spot we could refil.

 

[the Dark Marauder]

I actually have a couple of extra, older souvenir cups. These kind can be refilled for under $2, or with free Ice Water.

A few $$$ saving tips:
Refillable cups go a long way.
AAA card or Annual Pass = discounts nearly everywhere. AP also gives free parking.
Meal & Movie Deal. Limited menus, but a good deal nonetheless.

 

[vellamint]

We normally drive to the parks everyday, pay the 11.00 for parking, and eat sandwiches at the car for lunch. We could bring lunches in with us, but I hate carrying a big bag all day. We also hit the grocery store for breakfast items and eat those in the room. This allows us to save some cash and eat a nice diner at one of the better restaurants everyday.

The refillable cups sound like a good idea, we normally get them at the hotels at Disney and at 12.00 they are a good deal. Where do you get them for 6.00? We bought our daughter a sponge bob cup during our 2005 visit, but it cost 10.99 and was only good at US for the day we bought it.

We had a sponge bob cup from our 2003 trip that we brought back for our 2006 trip. Bringing it back again with us this year too. (actually I think I have a Jimmy Neutron cup also!)

 

[BTDTGB]

AAA card or Annual Pass = discounts nearly everywhere.

That is good to know. I was reading some AAA info and it said 15% at parks and 10% at city walk, but doesn't list the restaurants. Do you know if Mythos and Lombard's take AAA?

 

[Catrinabeach]

The refillable cups are good for every visit not just that day. We have one from 2005 and we bought 2 new ones this year. We use them all when we go.

It's much better than the ones at Disney because it's good in the parks. I wish Disney had some in the parks that were refillable !

 

[vellamint]

The Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon Mugs are reuseable - pay $5 for another bar code that they stick to it.

 

[the Dark Marauder]

That is good to know. I was reading some AAA info and it said 15% at parks and 10% at city walk, but doesn't list the restaurants. Do you know if Mythos and Lombard's take AAA?

I believe they do.

 

[MamaKate]

That is good to know. I was reading some AAA info and it said 15% at parks and 10% at city walk, but doesn't list the restaurants. Do you know if Mythos and Lombard's take AAA?

Yes they do offer the discount at Mythos and Lombard's but it's only 10% not 15%.

 

[Miss Stitch]

The refillable cups are good for every visit not just that day. We have one from 2005 and we bought 2 new ones this year. We use them all when we go.

It's much better than the ones at Disney because it's good in the parks. I wish Disney had some in the parks that were refillable !

Im sure we bought one at AK in Sept, you could use animals that made up the head. We got a tiger. It was similar to the Blizzard beach one but you could only refill it at certain places. It wasnt free to refill and was more expensive that Universal but it was still a good deal. I am sure I am right as we dont buy these cups as a rule unless they are refillable as they are terrible to pack to fly back to the UK