Character meals at The Islands restaurant?

[jewell]

I tried to do a search on this, but for some reason I never seem to have any luck with the search feature on this site.

Anyway, what characters attend? Are those nights more crowded? Do the characters interact a lot with the kids? Although our kids are older, 10 and 12, will they still enjoy it? My son is not excited (he will be 15 then), but if the two younger girls will enjoy it, we want to do it.

I wish that we could get a 'for Universal restaurants only' site. Disney has their site, and yes I know that disney has a lot more restaurants, but between the two parks, the resorts and CW there are quite a restaurants in Universal too.

 

[rpbert1]

Only time we have been is when Scooby and Shaggy are there, although we always go when they are there as DD13 loves them, not sure if she will want to go this year as she is getting older now.
We are there July everyear, and have been staying 3 weeks at RPR and the Islands is never crowded, probably the opposite, when we went last July there was only 3 other tables that had people eating at them. Scooby and Shaggy spent about 30 mins talking to us

 

[jewell]

Thanks Robert, you are always so helpful! So did you enjoy your food at the Island's dining room? I thought this place would be really busy, especially during character meals. The kids really like shaggy and scoobie, so they will probably enjoy it.

 

[rpbert1]

Thanks jewell, always surprised how quiet it is in Islands, we always eat here at least 3 times on our vacation, food IMHO is excellent as is the service, they also have a kids buffett here that they can opt for , plus an area where they can eat, while you stay at the tables , gives a little more time to yourselves, and there was lots for them to eat. for 3 of us at jakes cost us approx $65 while at Islands it was pushed up to approx $90 although we had cocktails to drink.
Must see if i have any pics.

 

[amystevekai&bump]

Thanks jewell, always surprised how quiet it is in Islands, we always eat here at least 3 times on our vacation, food IMHO is excellent as is the service, they also have a kids buffett here that they can opt for , plus an area where they can eat, while you stay at the tables , gives a little more time to yourselves, and there was lots for them to eat. for 3 of us at jakes cost us approx $65 while at Islands it was pushed up to approx $90 although we had cocktails to drink.
Must see if i have any pics.

yes please see if you have any pictures!!

We have an extra night at UO now, and were wondering whether to try a character dinner - Is Islands the best one???

 

[rpbert1]

Can only find 1 pic of us with S&S, they are not like Disney where you pay extra for the character meals, characters are just there and meal would be the same price wether they are there or not. Have not been to any others so cannot compare.
Can only find ones of S&S not the best, thought i had some of the restaurant

 

[amystevekai&bump]

thanks Robert for posting this!- I might have to check it out!

 

[rpbert1]

The little girl behind Shaggy in the pink dress, in to the left of where she is, is where the kids buffett is.

 

[jewell]

Great pics Robert, your little girl is so cute!

Amy and Robert, I envy your vacation times! I hope you both have a great vacation! In America, employers don't give much time for vacations. My hubby used to get three weeks vacation, but they changed it this year to only 2 weeks, we didn't like it, but in today's economy we are lucky to have a job, so you say nothing! I'm a part-time bank teller so I only get one week (unpaid!) vacation, but that's okay because I'm spending it at Universal!!! Can't wait, can't wait, can't wait!!! Can you tell I'm excited??!

 

[rpbert1]

Great pics Robert, your little girl is so cute!

Amy and Robert, I envy your vacation times! I hope you both have a great vacation! In America, employers don't give much time for vacations. My hubby used to get three weeks vacation, but they changed it this year to only 2 weeks, we didn't like it, but in today's economy we are lucky to have a job, so you say nothing! I'm a part-time bank teller so I only get one week (unpaid!) vacation, but that's okay because I'm spending it at Universal!!! Can't wait, can't wait, can't wait!!! Can you tell I'm excited??!

WOW, don't think that would do me. I am fortunate , i am a school Building supervisor, or caretaker as they call us over here,or Janitor in the states.Used to work as an Aircraft Engineer for over 20 years but got tired of the job and took volutary redundancy. I get a lot of hols so am quite lucky, will be of from 30th June to 20th Aug this year, plus all the others i get 1 week halloween 2 weeks christmas 2 weeks easter and a few others in between.
When are you guys planning for Universal.

 

[rpbert1]

Great pics Robert, your little girl is so cute!

Thanks , think she takes that after me

she turned 13 last month , and has started the teenage thing, actually i think she started that when she was 5

 

[amystevekai&bump]

Great pics Robert, your little girl is so cute!

Amy and Robert, I envy your vacation times! I hope you both have a great vacation! In America, employers don't give much time for vacations. My hubby used to get three weeks vacation, but they changed it this year to only 2 weeks, we didn't like it, but in today's economy we are lucky to have a job, so you say nothing! I'm a part-time bank teller so I only get one week (unpaid!) vacation, but that's okay because I'm spending it at Universal!!! Can't wait, can't wait, can't wait!!! Can you tell I'm excited??!

I know we are so fortunate over here - My DH works for the postal service and gets just over 5 weeks vacation a year. We don't normally get to travel over the Christmas period due to his work but have been given special leave as a 'one off' so we are making the most of it!!

One thing I have noticed over in the States is that you guys really do seem to enjoy and appreciate your vacation time - and it sounds as though you are making the most of it by going to Universal!! (Perhaps over in the UK we actually get too much and therefore don't appreciate it - as although we have a big trip planned next year, I guess we are really 'wasting' most of our time off this year by staying at home and saving for next years vacation!!)

 

[jewell]

Robert, I understand about teenagers, my son will turn 15 this year, and although he is a good kid and really doesn't give us any trouble, he still has that 'teenage thing' going on--they know it all and we know nothing! And he can be moody at times too! Oh well, I guess our parents survived us we can survive them---maybe! Our vacation to Universal is June 14 thru the 19th. Another question and I hope the mods don't get mad at me for getting off topic, but my hubby has always wanted to visit Ireland, your country is beautiful!!!

Amy, not all American's take vacations, hardly anyone I work with goes anywhere, I just don't understand it, vacations are so important to our family, it just seems to make us a closer family. We don't always take expensive vacations though, so I totally understand you taking a year to save, especially with the cost of plane tickets! I didn't realize that you weren't going to Universal until next year, that will be great because of Harry Potter, we hate missing that! We never go the same place every year, so I don't know when we will get back to Universal to see HP. We went to Disney on our Honeymoon (way back in 1990!) and then again in 1995, 2000 and 2004, we've haven't been to Universal since May 2000, but this year is the first time we are staying on site!

And Amy, off topic again and I don't really know where you live in the UK, but my son went with a group of kids to England and France a couple years ago and loved it (although it rained 13 days out of the 14 that they were in England! ), he LOVES History and enjoyed all the castles and museums!

 

[amystevekai&bump]

I didn't realize that you weren't going to Universal until next year, that will be great because of Harry Potter, we hate missing that!

And Amy, off topic again and I don't really know where you live in the UK, but my son went with a group of kids to England and France a couple years ago and loved it (although it rained 13 days out of the 14 that they were in England! ), he LOVES History and enjoyed all the castles and museums!

Hi again!!

We had considered trying to split the vacation and do half this year in the summer and half next year, but we wanted to see ALL the christmas stuff that Orlando has to offer and we DEFINITELY wanted to see HP!! And like you say, the airfares are !!! - so one longer trip every couple of years is how we tend to do it now - and we just LOVE the States so its hard for us to even think about going anywhere closer to home!!

As you say, family time on vacation is real 'quality' time and worth saving for in my eyes!!

Unfortunately it does RAIN an awful lot here, I am on the south coast in a county called Devon and we are meant to be the sunny part - but that just means we get a couple of days that aren't so wet as everywhere else!!

 

[rpbert1]

jewell, Parts of Ireland are stunning, but i think every country has something to offer, Now would probably be a good time to visit Ireland ,UK and Europe, with the exchange rates, but i find it expensive here, one reson why we go abroad especially to the US , as its a lot cheaper , although when DW hits the shops my bank account drops dramatically.
I am very lucky with my job and the holidays i have , plus if i work any extra hours i can save them up and use as holidays , but only when school is of.

 

[jewell]

A couple reasons I love this board, one is the obvious (info on Universal) and the other is meeting nice people from other countries. I have really enjoyed talking with both of you. Robert, we hope to someday to go Ireland, I forgot to tell you that my husband's ancestor's came from Ireland and Scotland, but it will be a few years before we can go.

Amy, can't wait to come back next year and hear all about your Christmas trip (I hope you do a trip report!), what a great time to go! I'd love to go at that time of the year and see the decorations too, how fun!

Great talking to you guys, it's been a lot of fun! Who knew my little question about character meals would bring out all these conversations!

 

[amystevekai&bump]

A couple reasons I love this board, one is the obvious (info on Universal) and the other is meeting nice people from other countries. I have really enjoyed talking with both of you. Robert, we hope to someday to go Ireland, I forgot to tell you that my husband's ancestor's came from Ireland and Scotland, but it will be a few years before we can go.

Amy, can't wait to come back next year and hear all about your Christmas trip (I hope you do a trip report!), what a great time to go! I'd love to go at that time of the year and see the decorations too, how fun!

Great talking to you guys, it's been a lot of fun! Who knew my little question about character meals would bring out all these conversations!

You're right, it really is nice to chat to different people on here, especially when we all share a love of either UO or WDW!!

I am definitely going to 'attempt' a trip report next year - I just love reading the reports other people have done and it's also a really nice memory for you as well isn't it!!

Nice talking to you too - its always surprising what directions our questions end up taking!!

 

[rpbert1]

Been good talking, , and like you say some nice people on here , who are willing to do that bit extra to help out. have been fortunate to meet a few Barb and her Husband Randy and Bubba as well as her mum, and Lawerence aka KY07, also Phantom who has been a great help to me in the past.
Look forward to meeting you Jewell if you ever come over here.
I did a trip report a couple of years back, but failed miserably , especially when i read Barbs, thinking of doing a picture one while i am there this year

 

[jewell]

Robert, if I ever make it to Ireland, I would like to meet you and your family!

Yes, there are a lot of helpful people on this board, I've really enjoyed being here, and I've gotten a ton of useful info too.

I'm going to try to do a trip report when I get back, I already know the title of my report 'short and sweet', I'll never remember everything I did each day, so I'll just type out the highs and lows I think.

Can you direct me to your trip report? And to Barb's (is it a recent one?).

Talk to ya on the boards. Thanks!

 

[macraven]

robert, your trip report was great.