Best strategy for eating in the parks (going NYE/NYD)

[Befferk]

We'll be in the parks New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. We have one night at RP and so will have EP (thankfully!). Now I'm trying to figure out the food situation. I'm not worried about for in the evenings, but looking for advice for mid-day eating in the parks. I've read recent stories that the lines get really long for food. What's our best strategy for not stressing about finding something to eat? I'm familiar with Disney's mobile ordering where you can pick a time slot ahead of time. Is that not the case with Universal's? I see only two places that take reservations in each park, and while I'd rather not take valuable park time for a long sit-down type meal, if it saves time in the long run, we will, but I like to know my other options.

 

[Lynne G]

Right now they are requiring mobile ordering through their app. You go to the door of the quick serve restaurant and show your order on your phone. They then direct you to a table, and then bring your food to you. The food carts take cash and credit cards.

During busy times, eat at off hours. Hope not long lines for bathrooms too.

Enjoy, I assume the early mornings of both days will be more quiet than after lunch. Get to the parks for early entry and have an early or late lunch. Think most of the quick food places open around 11am.

 

[Befferk]

Right now they are requiring mobile ordering through their app. You go to the door of the quick serve restaurant and show your order on your phone. They then direct you to a table, and then bring your food to you. The food carts take cash and credit cards.

OK, this part I get (and is like Disney's mobile ordering) but I guess my main concern is, how far ahead can you order? At Disney for instance, right away in the morning I could choose a later time I want to eat (say 1pm) and get my order in, securing my time. Does Universal have set time slots? If not, what prevents 500 people from ordering at the exact same time and then having to wait 2 hours for your food?

We'll definitely utilize EE and EP to their fullest, just trying to get a plan for the food

 

[EveDallas]

Right now they are requiring mobile ordering through their app. You go to the door of the quick serve restaurant and show your order on your phone. They then direct you to a table, and then bring your food to you. The food carts take cash and credit cards.

During busy times, eat at off hours. Hope not long lines for bathrooms too.

Enjoy, I assume the early mornings of both days will be more quiet than after lunch. Get to the parks for early entry and have an early or late lunch. Think most of the quick food places open around 11am.

This concerns me. We leave tomorrow and I was planning on using cash for most things. When we went in July I just told them this and was led to the register to order. Is that not an option anymore? What about people who are using the dining plan?

 

[Lynne G]

I think you can say you want to go in and pay cash as still available to do. When I was there 2 weeks ago, I did not try it. Used the app four times. Rest of the time ate at kiosks and sit down places using cash.

Don’t know using the dining plan, as have not had it in a few years. I guess you can scan it? If you ask Universal, I find them helpful in responding.

I know when I used the app, at the pay screen, I scanned my AP, and it took my AP discount at the total.

 

[Lynne G]

Don’t know when to order as always did it a few minutes before wanting to eat. If it’s a very busy time, I guess you order sooner than wanting to eat? I had varying times after I ordered, getting my food. One time, I had to catch a team member and ask where’s my food, as thought was waiting too long. Food came out shortly after that. They seem to try to get the food to you once you order in a reasonable time. I don’t remover if there was a pick a time. At least when you show your order number, they find you a table where you can wait and then eat there.