First trip to Universal. suggestions?

[Mrsjvb]

Okies, all, after deciding that we are Moused Out for the time being, and are newly residents of Florida due to his recent Retirement from the Navy and getting a 'real' job doing pretty much the same thing he did while in, we have booked a trip for 2-8 October.

Staying Club level at Portofino. I will be in my wheelchair in the parks definitely, but I am hoping I can hobble along with my cane at the hotel, although the Map has me slightly cringing at the expanse. I don't need a HA room so didn't request one.

currently trying to figure out whether its better to get 4 days worth of Park to Park tickets via the base, or the FL resident online only deal. we want 2 full days in each park cuz I tire out easily and he gets tired pushing me around all day. definitely will have one full day in the middle of the trip where we do diddly squat except maybe hit Citywalk to spend too much money. ( I am leaning towards spending the day at one of the pool side bars which will probably end up being just as expensive heheheh)

I already have the hours, and do not care that U is closing early a few times for the HHN. is there any benefit to choosing one park over the other for the morning rush? I figure on Friday when U closes at 5 we will hit them in the morning then take the HE over to IOA for maybe dinner or a later show.

we opted against a dining plan, mainly because past experience has shown us it's way too dang much food for the pair of us, who like to share the larger Quick service meals.

the current plan is to use the Club Lounge for breakfast in the morning to tide us over until lunch.

want at least one sit down in each park plus Citywalk. am open to lunch or dinner. are the prices worth it at the 'fine dining' venues and in each area, which do you recommend as being not to miss.

same with the casual and QS options. so far they all look like I could easily be happy at any of them.

I already know that we WILL be eating at Cowfish, and knowing my spousal unit, he'll wheedle his way into Margaritaville as well.

are any of the other hotel dining choices a must do? not necessarily keen on a character meal, but if I can hug a Minion, it might be worth it.

are reservations absolutely required ahead of time, and is the day of or the day before sufficient as long as we are somewhat flexible on times? one thing I loathed about Disney Dining is to having to lock things down 6 months out or risk never getting in to where you want or waiting a bazillion years.

How disability friendly is it really. I have already perused the brochure for 'special' guests and can sort of transfer, but will prefer to stay in the chair as much as possible. i can't/won't do big roller coasters but can handle 'Indiana Jones' types rides. he will do as many coasters as his shoulder will let him( typically that's 2-3 based on past Sea World experiences). things like Pirates are problematic since the step down is so deep and the actual seat is so low( bad hips/knees that lock up when confined too long)

looks like everything is mainstreamed so yay especially with Express pass built in to the stay. how bad are the waits for the few rides it doesn't cover? do I need to download the app and keep checking?

and yes we are HP fans so will be doing as much as I can possibly handle. I really hope the Hogwarts express will not make me transfer or if they do it is an easy access(very high or low steps do me in)

any and all advice will be greatly appreciated.

 

[macraven]

Parks are ADA accessible

I have done the park in a wc or cane before
No issues
Water taxis will accommodate wc

Check out damo food/menu sticky and read up at UO site for restaurants

Www.citywalk.com
Click Orlando

Check out all the city walk eateries and menus

It just takes a lot of reading and note taking to narrow down your restaurant choices

 

[danielocha30]

Your plan is perfect!, Universal Studios restaurants are not like Disney so you will be able to walk in and have a meal, don't miss Mytho's inside IoA is a great table service restaurant, HE have a elevator for people on scooters, wheelchair or with children's on strollers transfers will be smooth, no soda drinks sold inside the HP lands only butterbeer, Iced tea, lemonade, another signature drink that I don't remember the name, pumpkin juice and overpriced water bottles

 

[bchbetha]

Is a scooter a possibility? I've heard they can be easier to navigate the park with than wheelchairs. Just a thought.

 

[KCBelle]

I am leaning towards spending the day at one of the pool side bars which will probably end up being just as expensive heheheh)

We just stayed at Portofino and spent time by the pool everyday. You can buy the souvenir glass (it's actually plastic) for about $15 and then refill it for $10 each time. We were told you don't even have to bring the cup with you each day, just show the receipt and they will honor it. They have several drinks to choose from. The service by the beach pool was excellent.

 

[angryduck71]

FYI -- I got a 4-day military ticket on base and then upgraded to an annual pass for a minimal amount. You might look into that -- you might get a discount on the hotel with an annual pass (you do not need the annual pass when you first check in), so may be worth it.

 

[Mrsjvb]

Is a scooter a possibility? I've heard they can be easier to navigate the park with than wheelchairs. Just a thought.

not really, in addition to crappy knees and hips I have a crappy neck that prevents me from swiveling to see my way around( I don't even drive)

We just stayed at Portofino and spent time by the pool everyday. You can buy the souvenir glass (it's actually plastic) for about $15 and then refill it for $10 each time. We were told you don't even have to bring the cup with you each day, just show the receipt and they will honor it. They have several drinks to choose from. The service by the beach pool was excellent.

sweet. any alcoholic drinks or is it just sodas? I have my eye on a Pink Lady or six....

FYI -- I got a 4-day military ticket on base and then upgraded to an annual pass for a minimal amount. You might look into that -- you might get a discount on the hotel with an annual pass (you do not need the annual pass when you first check in), so may be worth it.

it was over a hundred bucks cheaper at ITT, so we will definitely keep upgrading to an AP in mind but our real preferred vacation is a cruise so dunno how many other times a year we'd get over there. it is an 8 hour drive.

glad to hear/see that getting a seat at a TS venue will be mostly painless. Butterbeer is definitely on my list. I actually have a mini cookbook that was released on Kindle for free that has a BB recipe on it.

 

[KCBelle]

sweet. any alcoholic drinks or is it just sodas? I have my eye on a Pink Lady or six....

Yes on alcohol drinks! We had Pina colada, lava flow (something lava in the name) and multiple mojitos.