Final trip prep

[wholesomejoe]

We leave next Thursday for a 3 days get away to the darkside, my first trip to Orlando since I was 14.

Right now the weather seems like its going to be great, and we are gonna have a blast.

I'm trying to put together a list of MUST do things, and figure out how much $$ I need to have with me for the various things we are going to do.

I know I'm going to Three Broomsticks at some point, getting butter beer, and getting a wand. We aren't usually big souvenir shoppers, but I know my 5 year old will at least want one more item while we are there.

How much can we expect to spend for 2 adults and a child for meals, and what places do we need to reserve ahead of time to eat at that are "can't miss" places?


Character Breakfast worth the price?

 

[vleeth]

There is a sticky that has pictures of the menus and the prices. You can see some of the park merchandise online, which is where I found the price for the stuffed owl my dd7 wants to get when we go.

Sounds like you'll have a great time!

 

[wholesomejoe]

Are reservations going to be required at three broomsticks or Mythos this week you think?

We'll be there friday, saturday and sunday.

 

[Metro West]

Are reservations going to be required at three broomsticks or Mythos this week you think?

You can make reservations for Mythos at opentable.com if you desire.

Three Broomsticks is counter service and does not take reservations except for breakfast and that has to be done through a package.

 

[wholesomejoe]

Ok, making the final prep for our trip..

I'm gonna be sad when its over

Here's our itinerary...

Thursday, we will leave GA about 12 picking up our son from school early. We have about a 4.5 hr drive south.

Once we check in to our hotel, we'll either A. eat at TGI Fridays right across the street, or head to the Outta Control Dinner Show (still debating this.. depends on how tired we are, its about 70 bucks for all 3 of us.)

Hotel/rest/pool time.....

Friday morning, we'll hit the park 30 minutes early. IOA on day one..

Why? Well, one of the water rides will be closed the rest of the time we are here so if we want to ride it.. gotta do it then. I believe its the popeye bilges that will be closed after that.

We'll either eat at Three Broomsticks for lunch, or one of the other places (Confisco Grill etc.) we will get butterbeer either way.

We'll try to stick with small snacks the rest of the day (are the souvenir cups good for all 3 days, and how big of a pain are they to carry around while your getting on rides?)

Friday night: Maybe some mini golf or go karts at one of the dozens of those places I'm sure we can find. Depends on how tired we are. I don't plan to ever leave universal til near closing any of the days..

Saturday: Same thing, this time we'll be at Universal.. we'll stick with any of the good fast food places on Saturday.

Saturday night: toss up on what we do.. maybe a rest night.

Sunday: We'll bounce back and forth between both parks, repeating things we liked from both. We have a 3:30 reservation at mythos as well. We'll just do whatever we want this day til the park closes. Dragon Challenge should be back open as well.. so we should be able to ride literally everything.

Souvenirs on the agenda: Wand from Olivanders.

Are there any other things that are included in our park admission other than the normal stuff that I need to be aware of?

Anyone know what the toll booth costs are for the florida turnpike?

We are from South GA, and we don't eat a lot of fancy food..

our usual restaurants are Outback, Longhorn, Cheddars, etc. Any places we need to avoid or visit based on that?

oh and last but not least.. I've been to the ride descriptions...

I'm a daredevil, but the older I get the harder it is for me to deal with nausea on rides. I refuse to not ride. So I need something to keep me from getting queasy. I've tried dramamine but it didn't work so well. I'm fine with MOST roller coasters, and anything that doesn't spin in circles. I just don't want to be miserable the rest of the day if I get on something and it makes me sick. Any other remedies that I can pick up tonight or tomorrow?

Thanks for everyone's advice and help here!

 

[Jonesloonybin]

I don't do well with Dramamine either, but Bonine works great for me. I don't get drowsy.

 

[macraven]

wholesomejoe, have a fantastic time at the darkside!!


you know, there is always Burger King at City Walk if you can't find what you want in the park.



take a lot of pennies and quarters with you.
hit the penny press machines for cheap souvies ...

 

[vleeth]

I believe the mugs are good for your entire trip. (Unless that has changed in the last few months.)

I've also heard the refillable popcorn bucket is a good deal.

As for taking the mugs on rides, there are a few rides that you will have to put your things into a locker. The locker is free for the time it takes you to ride.

 

[glocon]

Just my 2cents. Our fave counter service at IoA are 3B (for theming, and the food is not bad either) and Thunder Falls Terrace in JP area (the food is really quite good and not standard theme park fare).

At US we like Monsters Cafe if it is open- just cool theme.

If Mythos will fit in your budget, the food and theme is great!

Have fun- wish we were going!

Just wanted to add that UO now has a mini golf course. Never been there, but heard it was fun.

 

[fizbobunny]

Ginger works well for motion sickness. It's a natural supplement you can get at a drug store. I plan to start taking it a few days before my trip.

 

[wholesomejoe]

Will be on our last day at the parks tomorrow. We've had a blast.. the weather has been perfect.. we've ridden all the rides, and only have one more show to see. Tomorrow will be repeat our favorites day!

 

[schumigirl]

Glad you all having a super time