Help with some trip planning questions

[cruisnfamily]

Have only been to US/IOA once many years ago so we're pretty clueless. Please help!

We're planning a 2 day trip Fri/Sat first weekend in Nov.
Staying offsite. Florida residents. 2 adults, 2 kids ages 19 and 15.
Fri: IOA primary destination Harry Potter
Sat: US no plans

So we have no plans for either day AT ALL other than the fact that we want to do all that is Harry Potter.

Questions:
1)We like to book a sit down lunch mid day as a kind of break. Can you make reservations at US/IOA? If so, which restaurant for each of our days.
2)What exactly IS butterbeer?
3)Any food or drink that should not be missed?
4)What about a counter service location in each park for dinner?
5)Any rides/attractions (either park) that should not be missed?
6)Any advice for either day? Thoughts? Comments?

 

[damo]

You can make reservations at opentable.com

Butterbeer is a cream soda like drink with a yummy whipped topping. It comes slushy as well as in liquid form.

You can check the food sticky above for all menus and dining information.

I find that most rides are don't miss rides. There are a few that I usually skip like Storm Force Acceletron but you should try to ride as many as possible. You should have no problem doing that with two days in early November.

 

[Metro West]

4)What about a counter service location in each park for dinner?

Make sure you check the park hours for that weekend if you are going to try to eat in the park for dinner. IOA closes at 8pm those days but the Studios closes at 6pm...that might be a little early for dinner but it depends on when you have lunch. At IOA, I would suggest Thunder Falls Terrace and at the Studios I would go with Louie's...those are my two favorite counter service places. If you wanted to eat later on the day you're going to the Studios, you can always choose one of the restaurants in CityWalk.

 

[cruisnfamily]

Make sure you check the park hours for that weekend if you are going to try to eat in the park for dinner. IOA closes at 8pm those days but the Studios closes at 6pm...that might be a little early for dinner but it depends on when you have lunch. At IOA, I would suggest Thunder Falls Terrace and at the Studios I would go with Louie's...those are my two favorite counter service places. If you wanted to eat later on the day you're going to the Studios, you can always choose one of the restaurants in CityWalk.

You're right, about the timing.
New plan:
Sit down lunch at IOA
Counter service dinner at IOA
Sit down lunch at US

So, let's hear some recommendations for sit down places for lunch!

 

[Metro West]

So, let's hear some recommendations for sit down places for lunch!

They're aren't many table service places in the parks. At IOA my recommendation would be Mythos and at the Studios, go with Finnegan's.