Excited for our first trip

[jdrasin]

This September we'll be heading to Universal for the first time with our kids (10 and almost 6 at the time). Other than a couple hours there visiting my (now wife) while we were dating 18 years ago, I've never been. This board has already been a tremendous help in planning our 4 1/2 day visit. Decided on Portofino because the express pass seemed really nice and I really liked the theming. Haven't picked out tickets since I'm waiting to see what AP rates are, but i imagine we'll get a 4 or 5 day park-to-park. My wife and son are huge Harry Potter fans and we'll also looking forward to the new water park.
I'm sure I'll be peppering everyone with questions as we get closer. We went to Disney in Jan/Feb of 2016 and the DIS boards were super helpful. We had a great time, but kids wanted to try something else and I was really interested in Universal.

Joseph

 

[schumigirl]

This September we'll be heading to Universal for the first time with our kids (10 and almost 6 at the time). Other than a couple hours there visiting my (now wife) while we were dating 18 years ago, I've never been. This board has already been a tremendous help in planning our 4 1/2 day visit. Decided on Portofino because the express pass seemed really nice and I really liked the theming. Haven't picked out tickets since I'm waiting to see what AP rates are, but i imagine we'll get a 4 or 5 day park-to-park. My wife and son are huge Harry Potter fans and we'll also looking forward to the new water park.
I'm sure I'll be peppering everyone with questions as we get closer. We went to Disney in Jan/Feb of 2016 and the DIS boards were super helpful. We had a great time, but kids wanted to try something else and I was really interested in Universal.

Joseph

Welcome to the Universal boards Joseph..........

Portofino is beautiful and all things Potter are just amazing, the rest of the parks are pretty darn fun too........I know you'll have a fabulous time........and please ask away.......

There are so many helpful and knowledgable people on these boards that will be more than happy to help.......

 

[jdrasin]

Thank you, we're looking forward to all of it. I just introduced my son to MiB and I'm starting to watch Harry Potter (it's not my thing, but i figure I better know it better). I need to start reading the food recommendation threads.

 

[agavegirl1]

Hi Joseph,

There are many "stickies" that will help you on this board. Additionally, I have found that asking questions here that are specific to your needs yields quick results. Also worth the mention is that Portofino is an awesome resort that I think you will enjoy.

There are a lot of movies to watch to prepare for a Universal visit besides Harry Potter if you are so inclined...The Mummy, the new King Kong movie, ET, Spiderman, Transformers, Despicable Me and Jurassic Park immediately come to mind. There are others too.

Oh...and welcome.

 

[Kivara]

Joseph!

 

[quandrea]

I think you'll enjoy it. I was a first timer in January. Keep checking hotel rates! My rate dropped over five hundred dollars about a week prior to check in. Toothsome Chocolate Emporium was delicious for dinner and brunch. I also really enjoyed Red Oven Pizza. With EP you will get everything done easily.

 

[macraven]

Glad you are here !

Read some of the stickies to gain more info about your hotel

Read some of the trip reports as many include pictures and first impressions of the hotel and parks

And some reports share what plans they had to have a smooth vacation at the darkside


Being on your questions, we are ready!

 

[jdrasin]

Thank you for the warm welcome, we are excited for sure. I've been reading a lot about the hotel. Actually I made the call on us staying there vs. Hard Rock. Both looked nice, but I just really liked the theming of Portofino. There seem to be some really nice eating options around city walk (really looking forward to the chocolate emporium), but I've not seen much about inside the parks, except for the HP ones. I've gotten feedback from some coworkers that the food isn't very good, but if it's anything like Disney, then the food quality ranges quite a bit and it's a lot about knowing where to eat. I certainly am intrigued by the Simpsons area (been a fan of the show since it debuted).

Thank you for the movie recommendations, we're slowly working through them. Seems I also need to introduce my kids to some classic cartoons.

Joseph

 

[macraven]

I'm a cheerleader for the Simpsons !
Lol

Raised my kids on the tv show.....

I'm such a fan of the eatery at Moe's
In a two week span I probably eat there at least four times

Others are not as fond of Moes and the Simpsons ride like I am

Another site that is handy is
Www.citywalk.com

Click on the Orlando button when that site opens

Easy to see the hours and menus on that site
Someplace in it you can book a reservation on some of the eateries

 

[schumigirl]

https://www.disboards.com/threads/w...do-including-menus-updated-regularly.2681315/

This is a good thread if you haven't already seen it.

Park food can vary dramatically. And where some folks eat, others won't.

We like Thunder Falls Terrace, Mythos and Confisco Grill in IOA. Blondies is a decent place for a sandwich and a fab little place called Fire Eaters Grill near Mythos.

Places I wouldn't eat are Cafe 4 and Circus McGurkas.

In Studios we enjoy Louie's for Pizza, Boulangerie for croissants and cheesecake, Ben and Jerry's for ice cream and drinks from Potter. Simpsons food court has some really nice options too.

Lombards has been a hit and miss for us over the years........and we don't like Finnegans. But many do.

Won't eat in Mels Diner or Monsters Cafe. Although Monsters Cafe is worth visiting for some of the memorabilia and pictures from the old monster movies.

Citywalk has some lovely options.......we enjoy NBC and Cowfish.

Don't discount the hotels either.......Sals at PB is the best onsite pizza there is apart from Jakes at RP. The Palm at HRH is our favourite of them all, lovely place. And we love all the options at Royal Pacific.

You won't go hungry.........

 

[agavegirl1]

Trip reports are a great way to learn about US/IOA. If you're interested...here's mine. Something weird happened to the punctuation through the last year or so, but there are lots of pictures.

https://www.disboards.com/threads/the-wdw-commando-continues-on-to-universal.3363587/

 

[macraven]

I'm always learning new things and recent changes when reading trip reports

And it is a great way to see the parks thru other's eyes