Dumb Lunch/Break Question

[rowan555]

So since we're spending 4 days on site at Universal and will have more than enough time to see and do everything (repeatedly), I'm going with the plan of midday pool breaks to give my easily overstimulated 12 year old some chill-out time. Since I've never been to Universal before, I'm just clueless, so forgive this dumb question.

I'm thinking since we're heading back to the hotel anyway, it would be almost as easy to just drop our things in the hotel room, jump in the car, and head to a nearby restaurant for a quick lunch (and a change of scenery) before returning for swim time. Is this silly? Should we plan to eat at City Walk or at the Bula Bar at Royal Pacific? It looks like there are tons of options within a 5 minute drive, and theme park food is going to wear on me pretty quickly. Not to mention, for the price of a theme park burger and fries, she could pig out at Golden Corral or Sweet Tomatoes

I know this is an abysmally stupid question, but my initial instinct was to literally stay ON the property for four days straight, and now I'm realizing having a car means we don't have to do that, and a little driving might open up a lot more options for us. I'm just not sure of the level of hassle involved, so I'd rather get the opinions of seasoned Uni vets.

 

[conniehar90]

We found that when getting to the park at opening, we were hungry for lunch very early and weren't ready for a break until about 1-2. And it was virtually impossible to find any snack places that were open early. So, we usually ate lunch at the parks and then left for a swim and ate dinner somewhere else (could be offsite) before returning in the evening. Not sure when you are going but, this week we have had 2 hour + rain storms every single day between 4-6 pm. So, a good time to head out for dinner.

 

[BrinkofSunshine]

It might be just because I'm a local, but as much as I love Uni, staying strictly on property for that long would probably get to me after a bit. I think it's a good idea to take a break (and save you a bit of money in the process!).

If you want restaurant recs, just let me know what kind of food you like (There are much better options than Golden Corral around here!!!).

 

[rowan555]

It might be just because I'm a local, but as much as I love Uni, staying strictly on property for that long would probably get to me after a bit. I think it's a good idea to take a break (and save you a bit of money in the process!).

If you want restaurant recs, just let me know what kind of food you like (There are much better options than Golden Corral around here!!!).

Thanks! And I was also thinking a change of scenery would mentally do me some good. When we spend 5 nights at the Sea World hotel, there are tons or places we can walk to (and a Fridays right across the street, which I happen to have a free entree coupon for, woot!). I just didn't know if having to drive would feel like too much hassle, when so many places are on site.

We like Tex Mex, sushi, and a good burger (although I think we'll get our fill of burgers in the parks, heh). She's obsessed with chicken wings (but we go to Hooters here more than I'd like, so don't recommend that, lol!). I'm spending about twice our original trip budget as it is, so any time I can save a few bucks, I'll be happy. I plan to take her to Dave and Busters to play the games one night, but I'm not sure about eating there - we can eat on the way, etc. I'm happy doing a few sit-down meals and filling in the gaps with fast food.

 

[patster734]

Thanks! And I was also thinking a change of scenery would mentally do me some good. When we spend 5 nights at the Sea World hotel, there are tons or places we can walk to (and a Fridays right across the street, which I happen to have a free entree coupon for, woot!). I just didn't know if having to drive would feel like too much hassle, when so many places are on site.

We like Tex Mex, sushi, and a good burger (although I think we'll get our fill of burgers in the parks, heh). She's obsessed with chicken wings (but we go to Hooters here more than I'd like, so don't recommend that, lol!). I'm spending about twice our original trip budget as it is, so any time I can save a few bucks, I'll be happy. I plan to take her to Dave and Busters to play the games one night, but I'm not sure about eating there - we can eat on the way, etc. I'm happy doing a few sit-down meals and filling in the gaps with fast food.

I'd stay away from "burgers in the parks". If you want a good hamburger on Universal property, go with either Hard Rock Cafe or Margaritaville. For good chicken wings, go with either Jake's Wings at Jake's American Bar in RPR, or wings at Margaritaville (used to have wings called Jamaica Mistaka wings, but I don't know if they still have them).

As for off-property restaurants, here's a map of nearby restaurants from google maps: https://maps.google.com/maps?q=rest....035611,0.0842&oq=res&t=h&hq=restaurants&z=14

Zoom in or out and move the map around to locate more restaurants.

 

[gschmerl]

Go to lunch at Mythos in Islands of Adventure. The place itself is incredible and so is the food. The prices are also reasonable.

 

[tchrchgo]

Go to lunch at Mythos in Islands of Adventure. The place itself is incredible and so is the food. The prices are also reasonable.

I guess we're the only ones that did not like mythos. They burned my sons pizza to a crisp and way over salted my steak so that it was inedible,

 

[BrinkofSunshine]

We like Tex Mex, sushi, and a good burger (although I think we'll get our fill of burgers in the parks, heh). She's obsessed with chicken wings (but we go to Hooters here more than I'd like, so don't recommend that, lol!). I'm spending about twice our original trip budget as it is, so any time I can save a few bucks, I'll be happy. I plan to take her to Dave and Busters to play the games one night, but I'm not sure about eating there - we can eat on the way, etc. I'm happy doing a few sit-down meals and filling in the gaps with fast food.

Burger- There's a place called Burger 21 near the Millenia Mall that is awesome and probably about the same price, if not cheaper, than quick service park burgers. If you want a unique burger experience, there's a place called Junior Colombian Burger really close to Universal on Kirkman. Don't try and customize it though, go with whatever sauces they put on it because it's really great!

For Sushi, I recommend Bento Cafe on Sand Lake Rd. (5 minutes-ish from Universal). I love going there, and the prices aren't too bad considering it's sushi. You can get a chicken dish for $7.50.. and it's a generous helping of food!

Tex Mex- There's a hole in the wall place called Border Grill on Vineland Rd. across from where the Golden Corral. It's more authentic Mexican than and very good.

Chicken Wings- Gator's Dockside on Dr. Phillips Blvd is good! I've never been to Hooters so I don't know how it compares.

If you really want a unique experience, I highly recommend Yellow Dog Eats which is in Gotha. Awesome food, funky interior and the neighborhood around it is really beautiful. It's not too far away from Universal (maybe 15 minutes), but still basically a local's spot.

 

[Bluer101]

We must be strange. We spend many days at RPR and never leave Universal. We just spent 9 days and only ate at 2 counter service. But I would agree for burger wise would be Hard Rock and Margaritaville. We do Bula poolside at RPR, Jakes, Beachclub at HRH, Mythos, Bubba Gumps, Confriscos, Moe's, and many more. We do not eat the standard theme park food either. We used to travel offsite but lately we just hang out.

 

[Metro West]

I'd stay away from "burgers in the parks".

I had a Crusty burger Sunday and it was very tasty. I'd have it again.

 

[schumigirl]

Burger- There's a place called Burger 21 near the Millenia Mall that is awesome and probably about the same price, if not cheaper, than quick service park burgers. If you want a unique burger experience, there's a place called Junior Colombian Burger really close to Universal on Kirkman. Don't try and customize it though, go with whatever sauces they put on it because it's really great!


If you really want a unique experience, I highly recommend Yellow Dog Eats which is in Gotha. Awesome food, funky interior and the neighborhood around it is really beautiful. It's not too far away from Universal (maybe 15 minutes), but still basically a local's spot.

That`s a couple of places we have been planning on trying. Yellow Dog Eats for a few years and friends recently recommended Burger 21 for a lunch.....they loved it. Glad to see you think they`re good too

We also love Peach Valley Café.......only been for breakfast....loved it, great food and very friendly. Think we were the only tourists in that morning, all locals.

 

[RMulieri]

We must be strange. We spend many days at RPR and never leave Universal. We just spent 9 days and only ate at 2 counter service. But I would agree for burger wise would be Hard Rock and Margaritaville. We do Bula poolside at RPR, Jakes, Beachclub at HRH, Mythos, Bubba Gumps, Confriscos, Moe's, and many more. We do not eat the standard theme park food either. We used to travel offsite but lately we just hang out.

You arent strange. We don't leave Universal either..

 

[macraven]

when i'm on site, i eat on site.
don't venture off usually.

the times i would venture off is when i am with a friend that is local.
go offsite, visit, grab some food.
i'm onsite for 11 days so an afternoon away from UO is not an issue

 

[rowan555]

Thanks for all your feedback, guys. We've been on 25 cruises in the past 10 years and only 3 land trips, so we're used to just having everything available (and free, heh) to us right on the ship. The intricacies of a land vacation seem to elude me at this point. We'll play it by ear and do what feels right at the moment. I think the Bula Bar will get a lot of our business (shame that doesn't appear to be one of the AP discount restaurants) since it's right by the pool. My daughter loves Burger King, so I'm sure we'll be grabbing a few Whoppers at City Walk as well.

Speaking of City Walk - which restaurants allow children to be there after 9 PM? We're going to do Rocky Horror on Saturday night, and I read that after 10 PM we need a security guard to escort us from the front gate to the theater. I'm thinking it might make more sense to just hang out at one of the dining venues until 11:15 or so, then walk over to the movie complex. This whole thing baffles me - living in New Orleans, I'm used to seeing parents with kids (and babies in strollers) wandering Bourbon Street at midnight amidst the bars, strip clubs, and drunk tourists - having an entire open area restricted to adults only seems so odd!

 

[macraven]

some of the restaurants in city walk have a cover charge starting at 9 pm.

check the citywalk site online to see which ones do.

if you have the multi park passes, then you do not have to deal with the cover charge.

 

[saskdw]

I'm like the other posters that like to submerge myself in the onsite experience. If you're going to spend the extra money to stay onsite you should enjoy everything that it has to offer. We spent 9 nights onsite last December. There are so many places to eat, between the parks, City Walk, and the 3 resorts you shouldn't have to hop in your car unless you really want to.

As far as after 9pm with Kids the ones I know for sure you can goto are Nascar Grill, NBA City, Hard Rock Cafe, and Bubba Gumps. I'm sure there are a few others and there is good food to be had at RPR as well if you are staying there.

 

[jack presley]

Out of curiousity, what are the prices like (ballpark) in the parks for a basic hamburger/fries/drink combo?

 

[BrinkofSunshine]

Out of curiousity, what are the prices like (ballpark) in the parks for a basic hamburger/fries/drink combo?

About $10.

 

[Rip]

I'm like the other posters that like to submerge myself in the onsite experience. If you're going to spend the extra money to stay onsite you should enjoy everything that it has to offer. We spent 9 nights onsite last December. There are so many places to eat, between the parks, City Walk, and the 3 resorts you shouldn't have to hop in your car unless you really want to.

As far as after 9pm with Kids the ones I know for sure you can goto are Nascar Grill, NBA City, Hard Rock Cafe, and Bubba Gumps. I'm sure there are a few others and there is good food to be had at RPR as well if you are staying there.

This. OP, if you want a change of scenery I can understand that, but as far as the food goes it really isn't "park food" in City Walk. The only thing they really don't have is a Tex-Mex restaurant (unless you count Moe's, but that is more along the lines of fast food IMO). The restaurants there are pretty much like any other chain you'd find off property.

 

[rowan555]

About $10.

From the menus I looked at, it was more like $10 or so without the drink.