Eating in the Parks

[FayeW]

I checked out the menus for US/IOA and the prices seem significantly higher than at Disney. I haven't been to Florida before and I don't want to underestimate our food budget. I have heard a lot about the large portions at Disney, and that many people split meals to cut costs (and cut down on waste), are the meals at US/IOA large enough to share, or should we assume everyone will have their own? Are children's portions large enough for an adult lunch? Are there any vouchers or coupons similar to the Connection vouchers or the Animal Kingdom Lunch combo? Can you bring in any drinks or snacks or is that strictly prohibited? Thanks for your help!

 

[SpideyHulk24]

Hey there. Welcome to the forum. I found that the prices at Universal were the same or cheaper at Universal for food. You can definitely share meals or eat kids meals. We would usually share a meal for lunch and then have dinner.
At IOA there is Thunder Falls Terrace. You can order a meal for $10 which includes rice, beans, chicken/ribs vegetables and a drink. We split that one day and were so full. At the Studio, Cafe La Bamba has the same type of thing.
They say you are not allowed to bring in food, but you can. We always had chips and drinks in our bag. They search them, but wont say anything.

 

[gschmerl]

We have found that we spend LESS on food at Universal than we do at Disney. We always eat nice dinners and have spent quite a bit less at the nice restaurants at Universal than we have at WDW.

 

[wendypooh]

Same here, we actually spent less at universal!!! And we LOVED cafe Labamba...... but we ate at city walk a lot too....... You can definetly share, and the kids portions are almost as big as the adults!!

 

[Puffy2]

What do yall recommend for lunch inside the parks? How is the "pub" at US? also the seafood restaurant? The only one I have tired is Mels Diner and except for the chocolate shake (simple but good) the chicken sandwich was really dry and not good at all.

I'll have to say ditto about food at universal - it's cheaper on average than disney. At City Walk you can even get beer during happy hour for about $1.50. (Disney it's 4 -5 dollars or more for a glass). City Walk has a lot of choices and is within easy walking distance of both theme parks at Universal.

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

On our last trip to Universal, we chose to share meals to cut down on fat and calories. Usually, my husband, son and I would share a large portion of salad or a health conscious appetizer or soup and then my son would order from the kids menu and my husband and I would split an entree. We were all sated and did not feel deprived. I thought we spent a reasonable amount for food (remember to use AAA, AP etc for a nice discount).

 

[the Dark Marauder]

I've been to Finnegans and Lombard's only once, and I remember I liked them both. It was over 8 years ago, though...

 

[gschmerl]

We really like Lombard's Landing. Great to sit for a relaxing lunch in the middle of the day. Of course in IOA it has to be MYTHOS! Just love that place.

 

[FayeW]

Thanks for the replies, everyone! We are spending most of our time at US/IOA, as I took advantage of the 5 day bonus pass.
We are only doing two days at MK, because the bonus pass was such good value I couldn't justify the cost of spending more time at " that other park". I was getting concerned that eating in the park everyday for 5 days would put an awful dent in our budget. Knowing we can bring some drinks, and that we can share some meals is helpful.

 

[SpideyHulk24]

Faye,

I have a feeling you will come back with the "Universal bug" Have a great time!

 

[Stepharoonie!]

BURGER DIGS KICKS MAJOR BOO-TAY!

Seriously though, the burgers and fries are yummy...and those pickles from the burger bar are out of this world!

 

[SpideyHulk24]

I hear that alot Steph. I definitely want to try this place out.

 

[wendypooh]

I also have to say that we really, really, really liked NBA city..... the food was awesome!! Mytho's is NOT to be missed, and if you are staying onsite, or well even if you aren't try momma della's...... soooooo good. We didn't get around to burger digs, but I've heard from everyone that it is very good too.

Bon Apetite !

 

[the Dark Marauder]

I remember when Burger Digs sold gator nuggets!

They were good, too!

 

[Stepharoonie!]

Gator nuggets?? EW! Were they (hopefully) chicken nuggets in disguise?

Those burgers are mighty huge. We last ate there during HHN and it was amusing to hear all of the screams coming from Psycho Scarepy. While waiting in line to order, a bunch of the scareactors came out of the elevator through Burgers Digs shrieking and yelling....guess it was shift change time.

You could almost make a salad out of the Burger Bar....my boyfriend nearly wipes out the pickles for his burger (hehehehehe....you have to look carefully for the hamburger once he's done). A few people gave us some strange stares at the site of the Pickle Platter.

The buns they use are not your typical theme park quality buns...these are REALLY soft and buttery; very tasty. There was a woman in front of us last time who was RUDE! She almost literally threw the burger and fries back at the staff and demanded that they make her a fresh one right in front of her eyes. Uhh..well, they were ALL FRESH, just made. She continued to complain that since she paid $6 for a cheeseburger, fries and a Coke, then she'd better dang well get what she paid for. Yeesh!

But seriously, Burger Digs DOES IN FACT kick major BOO-TAY. Enjoy

 

[marley]

just curious, where did you find menus for Universal? I couldn't find them.

thanks

 

[highlander447]

U will find plenty of sites for the menus try
http://www.wdisneyw.co.uk
and if search some of the older threads u will find jessica has posted a lot of good links

 

[gschmerl]

Also try http://www.orlandotripplanner.com/ and http://www.yourmagicaljourneys.com/menu.htm

 

[JessicaR]

One more!

http://www.studiovacations.com/Universal Orlando/Universal Orlando Dining.htm

 

[SpideyHulk24]

Gator nuggets???? I'm adventurous, but I don't know about that...