First timers..suggestions & tell me about meal plan

[scotty s]

We (wife an I)are planning our first US trip this OCT. Just 2 nights/3days along with our Disney stay. We are planning on staying at RP with water view and doing meal plan which will run us $172. Is this a good deal or should we just pay as we go. The wife and I are not big eaters. How are the on-site restuarants? Do we need to make reservations like at the Disney Restuarants? Any suggestions for 1st timers would be appreciated!!

 

[macraven]

We (wife an I)are planning our first US trip this OCT. Just 2 nights/3days along with our Disney stay. We are planning on staying at RP with water view and doing meal plan which will run us $172. Is this a good deal or should we just pay as we go. The wife and I are not big eaters. How are the on-site restuarants? Do we need to make reservations like at the Disney Restuarants? Any suggestions for 1st timers would be appreciated!!

what meal plan?


did you book a package for the broomsticks breakfast?


are you talking about the meal deal?


i didn't look up the current price for the meal deal but i think it is about $24 per day for a 2 parker.
probably about $20 + tax a day per person for one park.


adding those figures up wouldn't come to the $172 you posted for food plan.


meal deal does not cover beverages.
it begins in the park at 11:00 and discontinues 30 minutes prior to park closing.
it only includes 6 counter service places between the 2 parks.


i'm probably off base with talking about the meal deal so tell me about the meal plan you purchased?



i believe you would come out ahead by paying for food as you need it.

 

[francie57]

We have never done the meal deal (unless you have something different) since it is basically just fast food and a limited number of places to get it. We just pay as we go (if you have a AAA membership it will get you a 10% discount at all restaurants in the parks and most at City Walk - not Emerils) and don't find it to be unreasonable. For quick meals we like Richter Burgers in the Studios and Thunder Falls Terrace in IOA. For sit down we love Finnegins in the Studios and Margaritaville at City Walk. You really don't need reservations. Since you are staying on-site you can use your room key at the restaurants to get priority seating during the week. There will also be a number in your room that you can call in the morning and make a reservation for that day if you want (there is also a booth at the entrance to City Walk to do the same). Margaritaville takes them in advance if you should want to go there. We usually make a reservation a week or so before we get there. You will find Universal much more relaxing than Disney. No need to rush rush rush since you have express pass with your room key. There are basically only a few rides you can't get that on - Harry Potter, Rip, Ride, Rocket and one other. The unlimited express pass will actually spoil you and make Disney's fast pass seem extremely outdated.

 

[Metro West]

If you aren't big eaters, I would pass on the meal deal.

 

[deva]

You will find Universal much more relaxing than Disney. No need to rush rush rush since you have express pass with your room key. There are basically only a few rides you can't get that on - Harry Potter, Rip, Ride, Rocket and one other. The unlimited express pass will actually spoil you and make Disney's fast pass seem extremely outdated.

Count me as one of the converted. I didn't know just HOW GOOD unlimited express was until this week; its better than if you had unlimited fastpasses at Disney; there is usually NO wait. Fastpass is nice, but even when you use it you still have to wait 10-15 minutes sometimes. I only had to wait more than a moment or 2 twice (Simpsons, MIB) over a 4-day stay. My daughter and I rode The Mummy 17 times in one day, and still had time to do plenty of other attractions. This would never happen at Disney. Wow, I might have to dye my hair red.