Dining reservations ....

[NicholeB630]

So I am taking my kids 9 and 12 by myself to Universal June 6 - 10. My plans are this .... We are staying at Sapphire Falls but Ive been checking non stop for something to open at Hard Rock or Portofino
Sun - Disney springs
Mon - IOA or US - Depending on opening times and which has early entry
Tues - Volcano Bay (we got a cabana )
Wed - Blizzard Beach
Thurs - IOA or US

I am going to purchase express passes and I did 3 park days, 3 parks. Although with capacity I doubt we'll be going to more then 1 park a day but hopefully we can still do Hogwarts express.

My question how important is it I make dining reservations? Are there only certain ones that take them? Any in the parks? We are not too picky but taking a longer mask break during the day to eat would be nice. I wouldn't want to take the chance and leave mid day though to eat in city walk and not be able to get back in. Any suggestions? Best places in the parks? I know we can use the mobile order as well. TIA

 

[puffkin]

Definitely make reservations. You shouldn't have an issue getting back in if you leave, they have a separate line for reentry (and one for hotel guests) which is very short, shouldn't have to wait longer than a few minutes. Counter service lines are super long right now on busy days. Like over an hour. Reservations are the way to go. You most likely will be turned away without a reservation at City Walk for dinner. You can make them straight through the Universal app. They do mobile ordering at a few spots for counter service, but some make you come in and get a table first, which means a long wait. We did do Bread Box and Flame Eaters though through mobile order, and those worked out ok.

 

[shawthorne44]

Well, since you are going for a short time, I'd make reservations for inside the parks. There are two in each of the dry parks. At VB, you'll have a cabana.

Is there a reason you aren't including Royal Pacific when stalking for a reservation. I would also look for any one night stays you can get. Even if you didn't use it, it would still be cheaper than EP's.

If that were my plan I'd move Blizzard Beach to the last day to give yourselves a day to become less water logged.

 

[DoryGirl1963]

Definitely make reservations. You shouldn't have an issue getting back in if you leave, they have a separate line for reentry (and one for hotel guests) which is very short, shouldn't have to wait longer than a few minutes. Counter service lines are super long right now on busy days. Like over an hour. Reservations are the way to go. You most likely will be turned away without a reservation at City Walk for dinner. You can make them straight through the Universal app. They do mobile ordering at a few spots for counter service, but some make you come in and get a table first, which means a long wait. We did do Bread Box and Flame Eaters though through mobile order, and those worked out ok.

Not trying to "hijack" but I've been trying to figure out how to make dining reservations online via the Universal app on my phone - all I see are phone #s under each restaurant. I see that capability (i.e., online ressies) if I go to the actual Universal site via my browser, but that takes soooo long - I was hoping there was a "button" I'm missing on the app or something, LOL. Any help would be great. TIA!

 

[CAPSLOCK]

My question how important is it I make dining reservations? Are there only certain ones that take them?

Most or all of the table service restaurants take reservations - go online through the Universal website. For whatever reason, it does not offer online reservations on the App. Or you could call, but really why would you call when you can go online and avoid the human interaction
I doubt you'd need reservations for CityWalk at lunch time. You can make them but they aren't really necessary as they would be for dinner most places, especially right around park close. Toothsome lunch might be the exception, but you can book it a day or 2 out. Also, if you want to eat at Toothsome for dinner I'd go ahead and make those reservations now. I see most "good" dinner reservations at Toothsome are booked up for several weeks out, which is unusual for Universal so people must be catching on. Toothsome seems to be the main restaurant with this problem.

I wouldn't want to take the chance and leave mid day though to eat in city walk and not be able to get back in.

You are staying onsite and won't have a problem getting back in. You have priority re-entry, like puffkin said.

I've been trying to figure out how to make dining reservations online via the Universal app on my phone - all I see are phone #s under each restaurant. I see that capability (i.e., online ressies) if I go to the actual Universal site via my browser, but that takes soooo long - I was hoping there was a "button" I'm missing on the app or something, LOL.

Sadly the App does not seem to allow reservations.

 

[DoryGirl1963]

Thanks CAPSLOCK - at least now I know I wasn't missing something on the app!

 

[NicholeB630]

Ok update! Because of availability of patios at blizzard beach we’re doing that Monday! So Volcano bay Tuesday and dry parks Wed & Thurs.

 

[NicholeB630]

Well, since you are going for a short time, I'd make reservations for inside the parks. There are two in each of the dry parks. At VB, you'll have a cabana.

Is there a reason you aren't including Royal Pacific when stalking for a reservation. I would also look for any one night stays you can get. Even if you didn't use it, it would still be cheaper than EP's.

If that were my plan I'd move Blizzard Beach to the last day to give yourselves a day to become less water logged.

Yes Royal Pacific too, I am checking daily to see if anything else pops up Im also checking different dates and no luck. Not sure the chance anything will come up.

 

[NicholeB630]

There is nothing at those other three resorts and even tried just 2 nights. I am bummed because I know getting express passes are way easier that way and more cost effective. Im mad I didn't book sooner. Im not thrilled with having to spend time getting them at the park entrance either before going in.

 

[shawthorne44]

There is nothing at those other three resorts and even tried just 2 nights. I am bummed because I know getting express passes are way easier that way and more cost effective. Im mad I didn't book sooner. Im not thrilled with having to spend time getting them at the park entrance either before going in.

I can't imagine that the hotel's ticket desk wouldn't be able to help you with that.

 

[Gatrcruzer]

There is nothing at those other three resorts and even tried just 2 nights. I am bummed because I know getting express passes are way easier that way and more cost effective. Im mad I didn't book sooner. Im not thrilled with having to spend time getting them at the park entrance either before going in.

So if you are only going to the parks two days and they are in a row, then you only need ONE night of premier hotel to get the fast passes for 2 days. So see if you can get just the one night. You would check in early morning the first day (leave your bags if there is no room available, which is highly likely to be the case) and you will have fast pass for that day and the next day. The only thing I am concerned about is whether the tickets you will get will allow you to use the Hogwarts Express. That only works if you have the park to park option (not single park). Just make sure you have that or you won't be able to take it, and you REALLY want to be able to take that if you like HP. And go both directions to get the full experience.

 

[NicholeB630]

So if you are only going to the parks two days and they are in a row, then you only need ONE night of premier hotel to get the fast passes for 2 days. So see if you can get just the one night. You would check in early morning the first day (leave your bags if there is no room available, which is highly likely to be the case) and you will have fast pass for that day and the next day. The only thing I am concerned about is whether the tickets you will get will allow you to use the Hogwarts Express. That only works if you have the park to park option (not single park). Just make sure you have that or you won't be able to take it, and you REALLY want to be able to take that if you like HP. And go both directions to get the full experience.

Just checked and a minion suite at Portofino opened up!!!!! So I grabbed it. We are only do 3 nights now and the first 2 are at Disney resort. I added a night

 

[shawthorne44]

Just checked and a minion suite at Portofino opened up!!!!! So I grabbed it. We are only do 3 nights now and the first 2 are at Disney resort. I added a night

You lucky dog!

 

[NicholeB630]

You lucky dog!

I freaked out and booked as fast as I could! I think bc I shortened it one day that helped! So now two nights at art of animation and 3 nights portofino! I’m taking kids alone so the extra space in suites will be needed at night