Headed to Universal for the first time in 10 years

[Patch'sD]

Our last trip to Universal was in 2005. So I must catch up with a few things. It is me and my wife traveling alone for her Birthday. We are staying at the Portofino from April 27 - May 1. I have gotten Annual Passes, the basic kind with Blackout dates. The dates we are staying are not blacked out. So my question is really is FOTL still in effect and has it been modified at all. When we were there last, it was unregulated and we could do our favorite rides over and over again. Any other suggestions you may have is welcome. We love Jimmy Buffet's and the Hardrock Cafe. Will most likely have her Birthday Dinner at Mamma Della's if that still exists.

 

[damo]

Not much change except there are some rides that aren't included with the express. They are Forbidden Journey, Gringotts, Pteranodon Flyers.

Mama Della's, Margaritaville and Hardrock are all still there. Cowfish is getting rave reviews!

 

[disneylove69]

Just back. Service was way above Disney. All Cast Members were awesome. High 5ing people, joking, etc. Lots of new people in training. Was very enjoyable.

 

[macraven]

i'm so used to being at the darkside, i call all theme park employees Team Members.
but at the motherland, i try to remember they are Cast Members......

i'm sure none of them get upset if i reference them by the other park's name for employees.


disneylove, nice to read you enjoyed your time at the darkside.
i haven't seen the high 5ing yet but maybe i will on my next trip.
something for me to look forward to.

 

[disneylove69]

My friend and I are hard core Disney but the darkside won us over. It's what Disney was once and a lot less the cost.

 

[macraven]

disneylove, welcome to the darkside.......

i stay at both resorts (motherland and darkside) on each of my orlando visits.

hands down for me that the UO hotels surpass the wdw hotels.
the hotel perks for the parks are fantastic.
the annual passes for the darkside are so much better for me than the motherland.

i let my wdw ap expire 3 years ago and just buy the tickets from UT.
their ap costs were no longer a bargain for me.
i still have 15 days of non expiring hoppers that i haven't used yet.

i have some favorite places i enjoy eating at when i am at wdw but the new fp+ system is just not my thing.
i do a less than one week stay at the motherland each year but do 13 days at the darkside.

i'll still do both theme parks but i really enjoy myself and make it a relaxing vacation once i check into rpr.
my stays there are a true vacation.
i plan my days as they happen.
no preplanning, except to meet up with homies i have meet through these forums.

 

[pcstang]

Just back. Service was way above Disney. All Cast Members were awesome. High 5ing people, joking, etc. Lots of new people in training. Was very enjoyable.

We always get a lot of this from the TM's too. Especially with my kids!

 

[schumigirl]

We always get a lot of this from the TM's too. Especially with my kids!

We`ve always had fantastic experiences with TM`s at Universal, right back from when we first starting going.

Never had a bad experience yet. TM`s have always been very friendly, helpful and downright fun to be around.