Help me! I'm a first timer!!!

[rluey29]

Okay, my husband and I have done WDW many times with our children, but our anniversary is coming up in December and we have to go tour my chiropractic school anyways so we thought we'd make a trip of it since we've never done anything special for our anniversary. I am so clueless about Universal. I need all the help I can get! Here are some questions...

I do not want to stand in long lines, but how busy will it actually be in December, like around the 12-16 (Fri-Tue)?

I've looked into the onsite hotels just in case. I found the Royal Pacific for about $181 a night for that time, but I can get Hard rock for about $30 more. Is Hard Rock that much better to spend the extra money?

We are only planning on two days, one for US and one for IOA. Is that enough?

What is the cheapest way to get park tickets?

I know nothing of the restaurants. Where is the best place to have our anniversary dinner?

Should we get the meal plan or not?

We're flying to Orlando, but I'll also need to rent a car which I'm not familiar with. Where is the best place with good deals for that?

Is there a certain game plan for touring the parks that I should follow so that we see everything?

What day of the week would be the least busy for each park?

Any other advice you can give me would be fantastic!!! Thanks

 

[damo]

You are going at a fantastic time. Crowds are really low and the decorations are all up. Hard Rock and Royal Pacific are so different, it all ends up as personal preference. Take a look at the pictures and just pick which one you like better. Hard Rock rooms are a little bigger.

Just rent a car at the airport. You'll have to shop around different rentals for that.

You will manage to get everything done just fine if you stay two nights.

The cheapest tickets are the 7 day specials. You can usually get them for under $90. Check AAA or the Universal Orlando website. Costco sells them as do many travel agencies.

I wouldn't bother with the meal plan since most of the nicer restaurants are not included.

 

[donaldduck352]

And the good thing about the sit down service at US,its not that expensive!!!

 

[patster734]

Okay, my husband and I have done WDW many times with our children, but our anniversary is coming up in December and we have to go tour my chiropractic school anyways so we thought we'd make a trip of it since we've never done anything special for our anniversary. I am so clueless about Universal. I need all the help I can get! Here are some questions...

I do not want to stand in long lines, but how busy will it actually be in December, like around the 12-16 (Fri-Tue)?

I wouldn't expect crowds to be large at that time. I'd say you're a week ahead of when crowds would get heavy for Christmas.

I've looked into the onsite hotels just in case. I found the Royal Pacific for about $181 a night for that time, but I can get Hard rock for about $30 more. Is Hard Rock that much better to spend the extra money?

The Hard Rock' standard rooms are bigger than the Royal Pacific's. If it's just you and your husband for this trip, the Royal Pacific would be good and $181 is a good price. If your children will be with you, then it might be better to stay at Hard Rock.

We are only planning on two days, one for US and one for IOA. Is that enough?

With the onsite hotel's FOTL perk, one full day at each park should be enough. Be sure to save time to see the Macy's Parade at US and the Grinchmas at IOA.

What is the cheapest way to get park tickets?

The unlimited 2 park pass on Universal's website is pretty good. Its good for 7 consecutive days. The Universal's ticket website is http://www.universalorlando.com/tickets.html. Also if you're a member of AAA, some AAA offices have similar 7 consecutive day tickets for a little less.

I know nothing of the restaurants. Where is the best place to have our anniversary dinner?

Although it expensive, Tchou Chop located at the Royal Pacific is wonderful restaurant for an anniversary dinner. Its owned by Emeril Lagasse.

If you're looking for something less pricey, there are several restaurants located at Citywalk: http://www.universalorlando.com/citywalk/restaurants-club-comparison.html.

There are also nice restaurants located at the other 2 on-site hotels to consider: http://www.universalorlando.com/hotels/hard-rock-hotel-orlando/restaurants.html#palm and http://www.universalorlando.com/hotels/loews-portofino-bay-hotel/restaurants.html.

Should we get the meal plan or not?

I never have because I like eating at Mythos at IOA and Finnegan's at US, neither of which is on the meal plan.

We're flying to Orlando, but I'll also need to rent a car which I'm not familiar with. Where is the best place with good deals for that?

Check with the various US car rental companies, most have rental locations operated at the airport or nearby. I've used Alamo in the past. http://www.orlandoairports.net/ops/rac.htm

Is there a certain game plan for touring the parks that I should follow so that we see everything?

Make sure that you pick up a park map when entering and determine which shows look good to you. You won't have any problems with the rides with your FOTL perk. Its the shows that could give you time management problems.

What day of the week would be the least busy for each park?

Any day other than Friday or Saturday, but with the FOTL perk, those days aren't bad either.

Any other advice you can give me would be fantastic!!!

If you're an AAA member, bring your card. With your AAA card, you'll save money on food and souveniers at both the parks and Citywalk.

Your room key is your express line pass so make sure you have your room key when visiting the park. Each guest has to have their own room key for the express line. Your room key will usually get you priority seating at most restaurants at Citywalk too except Emeril's (different from Emeril'sTchoup Chop at the Royal Pacific) and Bubba Gumps.

Thanks

You're welcome!

 

[rluey29]

Wow, thanks for the great replies!!!

 

[Metro West]

It looks as though they've covered all the answers so I'll just add...it's a great time to come to Orlando. Early December is perfect for visiting.

 

[rluey29]

We're taking a late flight into Orlando after my last final and will probably get a cheap hotel near US for that night. Any suggestions?

Regarding RPR, if we go there early the next morning, can we leave our bags and get our room keys for the FOTL and utilize that whole day?

Is it true that I can just stay at RPR for one night and get two days with FOTL?

So if we checked out and put our bags in the car, could we use their transportation and leave our car parked there until we returned that night after the park closed??

 

[damo]

We're taking a late flight into Orlando after my last final and will probably get a cheap hotel near US for that night. Any suggestions?

Regarding RPR, if we go there early the next morning, can we leave our bags and get our room keys for the FOTL and utilize that whole day?

Is it true that I can just stay at RPR for one night and get two days with FOTL?

So if we checked out and put our bags in the car, could we use their transportation and leave our car parked there until we returned that night after the park closed??

Yes to all of your questions. There are a lot of cheap hotels close to Universal. Check expedia for a good deal.

 

[patster734]

We're taking a late flight into Orlando after my last final and will probably get a cheap hotel near US for that night. Any suggestions?

Regarding RPR, if we go there early the next morning, can we leave our bags and get our room keys for the FOTL and utilize that whole day?

Is it true that I can just stay at RPR for one night and get two days with FOTL?

So if we checked out and put our bags in the car, could we use their transportation and leave our car parked there until we returned that night after the park closed??

Instead of storing your luggage in your car after check out, you can store it with RPR's luggage assistance.

 

[macraven]

someone mentioned the palm restaurant.
it's located in the HRH.

here's the menu link. the place is not cheap....

http://www.thepalm.com/menu.cfm?menu_id=461

 

[AlienNation]

With you renting a car, don't be surprised at checkout if you have a fee for parking. All hotels actually have a fee for this, but usually it is hidden in the costs for the hotel. Universal's hotels do not hide the cost however, and therefore you may get a seperate charge for this.