First Time at the Dark Side - MORE ???

[2Monkeys]

We are going to the Dark Side for the first time in June. We have done Disney many times, so know lots about it....we know NOTHING about Universal!! Any help you can give with these questions is greatly appreciated!!

We have a reservation for RPR for June 7 & 8 with the AAA rate. We have purchased tickets already.

1 - We will arrive around noon on Thursday June 7 and our plan is to check in and go straight to IOA. We plan to hit WWOHP last, a couple of hours before park closing. Will we have enough time to see/do everything in 7-8 hours at IOA?

2 - Planning on Wet n Wild on Friday June 8. I thought I read somewhere that the hotel has transportation to Wet n Wild, but I can't find it now. Is this true or a figment of my imagination?? If true, how does it work? i.e. specific pick up times or intermittent buses. OR are we better off driving our own car?

3 - Planning to go back to IOA if needed on Saturday morning, then go to US for a while. Is Saturday crazy crowded, and/or will our Express Pass make up for the crowds?

4 - We were thinking of eating at Margaritaville - should we do that for lunch on Saturday or dinner after park closing on Thursday? Is it easy enough to go over to Citywalk for lunch then go back to one of the parks, or better to go after park close.

5 - Do we also need to make reservations (or is it even possible) for Margaritaville and Pastamore? Or are there better restaurants we should try?

Sorry for the 3rd degree, but I feel like a fish out of water since I know basically nothing about the Dark Side. Thanks in advance for all of your help!!

 

[damo]

We are going to the Dark Side for the first time in June. We have done Disney many times, so know lots about it....we know NOTHING about Universal!! Any help you can give with these questions is greatly appreciated!!

We have a reservation for RPR for June 7 & 8 with the AAA rate. We have purchased tickets already.

1 - We will arrive around noon on Thursday June 7 and our plan is to check in and go straight to IOA. We plan to hit WWOHP last, a couple of hours before park closing. Will we have enough time to see/do everything in 7-8 hours at IOA?

2 - Planning on Wet n Wild on Friday June 8. I thought I read somewhere that the hotel has transportation to Wet n Wild, but I can't find it now. Is this true or a figment of my imagination?? If true, how does it work? i.e. specific pick up times or intermittent buses. OR are we better off driving our own car?

3 - Planning to go back to IOA if needed on Saturday morning, then go to US for a while. Is Saturday crazy crowded, and/or will our Express Pass make up for the crowds?

4 - We were thinking of eating at Margaritaville - should we do that for lunch on Saturday or dinner after park closing on Thursday? Is it easy enough to go over to Citywalk for lunch then go back to one of the parks, or better to go after park close.

5 - Do we also need to make reservations (or is it even possible) for Margaritaville and Pastamore? Or are there better restaurants we should try?

Sorry for the 3rd degree, but I feel like a fish out of water since I know basically nothing about the Dark Side. Thanks in advance for all of your help!!

1. You'll have oodles of time.

2. There is transportation. Make arrangements the day before with the concierge.

3. You'll be fine.

4. If it is hot out, it is nice to have a long cool lunch.

5. You shouldn't need reservations.


Early June is a light time. You'll have lots of time to see everything and eat anywhere.

 

[Badge]

I would suggest eating dinner after the park closes however. Sure you will have enough time to see everything with your express passes, but I would rather have that extra hour or two that you will spend away from the parks eating lunch riding rides!

I would be able to enjoy the meal a lot more once the parks were closed. If I was eating when the parks were open, I would be wanting to hurry it up so I could get back to the parks. There are some good meal options in the parks and even at the hotel. Jakes is really good at the hotel your staying at.

 

[HugTheMouse]

You're on track for a great trip by staying at RPR and getting the on-site privilege of Express Pass...it is invaluable but will ruin you for any other parks.

Be sure to carry your AAA card with you for discounts on food and gift shops.

Personally I wouldn't waste a day of being an on-site guest at Wet'n'Wild, I'd rather spend all three days at the parks or lounging by the pool.

 

[andyman8]

I suggest flipping your theme park days for numerous reasons. First, it is easier to see USF in half a day than IOA, plus USF is open an hour later that day. Second, USF will have the new Cinematic Spectacular Fireworks and Superstar Parade. Finally, IoA had early park admission for onsite hotel guests to ride all the rides in WWoHP. So, I would do IOA on your third.

Wet n' Wild is a blast, so you should have fun. The onsite hotels do provide FREE transportation, but I forget if it has to be arranged. Call up Universal and see if you need to make reservations. They have free (not arranged) water taxi transportation to their theme parks and CityWalk.

Dining should be a breeze. Personally, we love Margaritaville. I would do it your Wet n' Wild night. You can wake up late, head to WnW, then come back, shop at City Walk, have dinner at Margaritaville, and maybe see the new Blue Man Group show which I hear is really neat. Here's an outline of what I'm saying:

Thursday, June 7
NOON: Arrive & Check In at Royal Pacific Resort
1-9pm: Universal Studios Florida
2pm Lunch: Quick-Serivce Location at USF (Mel's is great)
Late Dinner (9pm):Islands Dining Room or Emeril's Tchoup Choup at RPR

Friday, June 8
Late Morning: Wake Up Late and breakfast at Islands Dining Room
NOON-5pm: Arrive at Wet n' Wild (you can purchase an Express Pass for about $30 outside the gate; that may be a good idea)
5:30-6:30pm Universal CityWalk
Dinner (6:30pm): Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville
8:30pm Blue Man Group Show

Saturday, June 9
8am: Early Admission to Universal's Islands of Adventure (WWoHP)
9:15am: Breakfast: Three Broomsticks (ask the concierge if you can get a reservation the night before; if not, have a quick breakfast at the Orchid Court before you leave for IoA)
10am-NOON: Universal's Islands of Adventure
NOON: Lunch: The Burger Digs (We love this place, but you can try anywhere)
1pm - ??? Universal's Islands of Adventure and depart for airport

The restaurants in italics are ones that reservations can be made for through Opentable.com. Just select Orlando area and type the restaurant name in. I would recommend it because it makes life a bit easier, but it is in now way like Disney's system where you don't get in if you don't have one.

Again, check with the concierge a night or two before your day at IOA and see if (even though you are not on the package) you can get in to Three Broomsticks that morning. If not, there is a quick continental breakfast in the Orchid Court that is fast and tastes great!

 

[damo]

andyman8 has some good advice. I would disagree with going to Mel's though---in my experience it is pretty bad. Boulangerie is a much better choice for lunch with fresh salads and sandwiches. Louie's also has really good pizza. I'd avoid Mel's and most people don't really like Richter's either.



I'd actually plan to head over to IOA to spend all twilight times at WWoHP. It is magical there once it gets dark.

We don't tend to plan our lunches or dinners in advance. Just eat when and where we feel. You shouldn't need advance reservations for when you are there.

PS...Margaritaville's Volcano nachos are really good and really huge and really cheap!!! I'd also try and eat at Mythos in IOA one day.

 

[2Monkeys]

Thanks so much for the great advice!! The kids are dying to go to Wet n Wild, so that is why we are spending time there. Otherwise, I would rather chill by the pool at the resort!!

The main reason we wanted to go to IOA on Thursday is because we know we can stay until closing and see WWOHP at night - which my DD is so excited to do! We cannot stay until closing on Saturday. We plan to go to early entry on Saturday as well if the kids didn't get their fill on Thursday, then hop over to US. We might have chosen Wet n Wild for Saturday, but that is 'Catholic Youth Day' at WW, so we thought it best to steer clear as it will probably be crazy crowded.

The room rate I got is Jun 7 $228.60; Jun 8 $273.60. Do you think it would be worth it to upgrade one ticket to an AP to get an AP room rate (and how would I find out what that rate is)?

I really appreciate the kindness and willingness to help over here!!!

 

[pixeegrl]

Just type in APH in the code space to find out what it is....BTW it doesn't look like the APH rate is out yet for your dates but check back soon!

 

[mjohnson96]

Instead of Wet and Wild have you checked out Aquatica or maybe even checking out Seaworld. Aquatica is pretty cool and we have always enjoyed going over there. Now to really break the bank Discovery Cove is neat too It can be pricey but we usually have an AP to SW and then can get the day tickets without the dolphin swim for $69. I am hoping this May when we are there the new Freshwater area opens up.

I guess I'm just not a WW fan but we love US

The only other suggestion would be to head over to the reservation kiosk in the morning and go ahead and schedule a reservation for whatever restaurant you want to go to. We have been there sometimes in the evening and those without a reservation had an hour or more wait, or even been turned away at Margaritaville.

 

[macraven]

all your questions have been answered so i will just add on one thing.


the hotels have a bus shuttle to take their guests to other off site places.

wet and wild is one of them.

sign up for your seats on the bus the night before at the lobby concierge desk.
or, soon after you arrive at the hotel the first day.
you need to sign up for your seats in order to guarantee your family a place on the bus.
this one bus will do pick ups for all 3 hotels.

go to the concierge desk in the lobby.
they will give you the info on where the bus stop is for W & W pick up, times of departures from the hotel and return times.

this is free for hotel guests.

 

[2Monkeys]

Thanks everyone for all of the helpful advice! We are so excited to be adding this adventure to our trip!!

 

[2Monkeys]

Instead of Wet and Wild have you checked out Aquatica or maybe even checking out Seaworld. Aquatica is pretty cool and we have always enjoyed going over there. Now to really break the bank Discovery Cove is neat too It can be pricey but we usually have an AP to SW and then can get the day tickets without the dolphin swim for $69. I am hoping this May when we are there the new Freshwater area opens up.

I guess I'm just not a WW fan but we love US

The only other suggestion would be to head over to the reservation kiosk in the morning and go ahead and schedule a reservation for whatever restaurant you want to go to. We have been there sometimes in the evening and those without a reservation had an hour or more wait, or even been turned away at Margaritaville.

We have looked at Aquatica and the kids are still set on WW I would LOVE to go to Discovery Cove, but this trip is already breaking the bank! Hope you get to go in May - it looks amazing!!

Thanks for the advice on Margaritaville as well...I will be sure to make reservations.

 

[2Monkeys]

I am looking into the AP rates, b/c I think I can save us about $75 if the rates stay the same as the ones for May.

I went on Loews website, and put the first day of our stay in to see if there was an AP rate for that day (put in one night 6/7-6/8)- and there is. However, when I add in the second night (6/7-6/9), the entire stay reverts back to the regular rate. I'm sure if I called I could get the AP rate for the first night (6/7), but what is the liklihood that I will be able to get it for the 2nd night (6/8)? Do they normally not include weekends in June in the AP rates?

Thanks!!

 

[pumpkinfish]

2monkeys, I'm just using your thread info because we are WDW vets heading to us/IOA next trip too. Everyone, you gave some great advice that I am able to utilize for our trip. thanks!

 

[damo]

I am looking into the AP rates, b/c I think I can save us about $75 if the rates stay the same as the ones for May.

I went on Loews website, and put the first day of our stay in to see if there was an AP rate for that day (put in one night 6/7-6/8)- and there is. However, when I add in the second night (6/7-6/9), the entire stay reverts back to the regular rate. I'm sure if I called I could get the AP rate for the first night (6/7), but what is the liklihood that I will be able to get it for the 2nd night (6/8)? Do they normally not include weekends in June in the AP rates?

Thanks!!

You should call and ask. Sometimes there are things available that aren't on the website.

At a certain point in June, peak season will begin and the likelihood of getting anything with an AP rate diminishes. I'm not sure exactly when that point is this year, but that may be the issue you are encountering.

 

[2Monkeys]

You should call and ask. Sometimes there are things available that aren't on the website.

At a certain point in June, peak season will begin and the likelihood of getting anything with an AP rate diminishes. I'm not sure exactly when that point is this year, but that may be the issue you are encountering.

I'll give them a call - thanks!!

2monkeys, I'm just using your thread info because we are WDW vets heading to us/IOA next trip too. Everyone, you gave some great advice that I am able to utilize for our trip. thanks!

No problem - the more the merrier! Everyone on this 'side' is very helpful and informative!!

 

[Planogirl]

Im going to be different and suggest that you do have lunch at Margaritaville. We LOVE leaving the hot parks and cooling off at Margaritaville. It's a short walk and always gets us refreshed enough to hit the crowded parks with renewed energy.

If you go and want something refreshing and light but satisfying consider the Caribbean Chicken Salad. It's a personal favorite.

 

[Tarffri]

We just checked out of the RP on Sunday. So sad to leave it - just a beautiful hotel. Do yourself and kids a favor and make time to spend time at the RP pool. It is a fabulous pool. There is poolside service (we ate lunch right by the pool and it was fun, the food was good (huge portions!), it was relaxing and convenient. We left the parks mid-day each day to go back to the hotel pool, got refreshed and rested and went back to the parks for more rides and festivities. Just use your early entry to IoA to do HPFJ or you'll have long waits. And believe me, you'll want to do that ride more than once! (We did it four times because an hour long thunderstorm thinned crowds from the park and we got on two more times with no wait. Most nights at 7 pm, they have movies by the pool. I can't say enough about the RPR, the pool, atmosphere, service, and the Express pass/early IoA park entry perks. The RP is a 5 minute walk to CityWalk, and if you eat at Margaritaville, it is literally the first restaurant you come upon when you come off the path. So convenient. I'm not sure which restaurants participate, but one of your on-site Loewe's hotels perks is that you get preferred front of the line seating and/or reservations for Citywalk restaurants. You can at least ask about this.

 

[Senator Tressel]

I have never done this, but I was wondering if it may be easier for you to just walk to Wet & Wild than worry about the shuttle? It's only half a mile. Has anyone done that walk?

 

[Planogirl]

I have never done this, but I was wondering if it may be easier for you to just walk to Wet & Wild than worry about the shuttle? It's only half a mile. Has anyone done that walk?

I wouldn't do it. You have to cross extremely busy streets and even an overpass over the freeway. It would be nice to avoid the inevitable traffic jam on International Drive but this would be a difficult walk.