I need help with trip planning

[mike981]

My family and I went to DW last year and I had it planned out to a tee (thanks in large part to TourGuideMike.com). This year we are going to Universal and I am not doing as well. I am having a hard time getting it nailed down. We are going to be staying four nights at HRH. So we should have plenty of time to take it all in. I have tried looking through the trip reports, but I just am having a hard time with it all.

Do you have any advice on specific threads or such?

Thanks in advance!!

 

[phamton]

You won't need much of a plan for Universal since you have front of the line access. Also none of the restaurants need reservations except for Emerils. Your room key will get you in first at the restaurant.

What kind of rides does your family like? How tall are your kids? What type of eating places are you looking for? Counter service or fancy restaurants? I'll be glad to give you a general guide on what rides to hit when and places to eat.

 

[Motherfletcher]

When are you going? You might want to plan a water day where you pool hop and/or hit the IOA water rides. With 4 days you won't need to get it to a tee. Thats the nice thing about Universal and FOTL - you can afford to be spontaneous! If you want to plan it to the "T" you just need to ask the questions and provide a little info like I'm sure you had to with Mike.

 

[mike981]

First of all, thank you both so much.

We are going right after Thanksgiving, the first week in December. My kids are 9 (daughter) and 11 (son). And both should be tall enough for most everything.
My son and I like the crazy rides. My daughter and wife, like the easier rides. No upside down stuff and only some vertual stuff.
We are going to start out at HIFS, on 11/27 for three days. We will go to SW and then DC. Then we will move to HRH for the final four days.

As for food, we are not to picky. As long as there is a choice, it should not be a problem. I don't plan on going to any expensive places, since I have a dinner show planned (leaning twords the Dixie Land Christmas show) and Discovery Cove with the dolphin swim. We like a fun atmosphere. Like the 50's cafe at MGM.

My wife and kids liked the Indiana Jones show at MGM and I have heard that Universal does a great job with those.

Hmmm, I hope that helps folks.

Thanks again!

 

[phamton]

I'll list my sons favorite dining spots when they were preteens. All of these are cheap eating places:

At Universal:

Mels Drive-in: hamburgers and shakes--food isn't too great for adults but the kids love the 1950-60s rock and roll atmosphere

Louie's Italian Restaurant : Pizza, pasta, espresso bar, and Italian desserts.

Monster cafe: Monster salads, pizza, pasta and desserts but the kids enjoyed watching the old monster movies on the tvs there and seeing the movie props. Food is Ok for adult tastes.

Richters: Hamburgers and all the fixin's--- much better hamburgers than Mels. Hamburgers even the adults like.

Captain Quint's Seafood and Chowder House Restaurant : fish, seafood,and chowder--counter service, picnic tables to eat outside and great view of the lagoon and park.

Islands of Adventure:

Enchanted Oak Tavern: This was our family's all time favorite place to eat. BBQ ribs and roasted corn on the cob is not to be missed. My son's loved the hamburgers. Here's a menu with prices: http://www.ioacentral.com/islands/the_lost_continent/restaurants/enchanted_oak_tavern.htm

Burger Digs at Jurassic Park: the name says it all.

Confisco: menu and prices at : http://www.ioacentral.com/islands/port_of_entry/restaurants/confisco_grille_and_backwater_bar.htm

At Citywalk:

Nascar and Hard Rock Cafe (HR is not what I would call inexpensive though)

I'll post about ride recommendations later. Meanwhile for a great look at all the rides go to http://www.ioacentral.com

 

[Motherfletcher]

My kids liked Mel's too but most adults don't care much for the food. It is a 50's Drive-In though. I wish they still had chili dogs.CityWalk has a couple of sit down restaurants with atmosphere that my kids like. NBA City is a big favorite with both my son and daughter. The food is pretty good too. Hard Rock Cafe has great burgers. Margaritaville has Cheeseburgers from Paradise. With the card they give each family member for room keys you will receive priority seating at those restaurants as well.
You and your son might want to go to IOA at opening and get in the sprint for the Hulk. The front seat line moves fast at opening. Nothing wakes you up like the front seat of the Hulk. You might consider going to Pteranadon Flyers within the first half hour of opening. FOTL doesn't work there and lines can get nasty. Mom and daughter can do this too. Another coaster you might try to get to early for front seat rides is Dueling Dragons. Mom will want to sit this out. I would do the water rides like Ripsaw Falls and Popeye when it gets a little warmer in the afternoon. If it is nice and warm you should think about pool hopping to RPR and PBH.
A good friend of mine will be at SW for the first time when you are there. The best advice there is to do Kraken then JTA first thing at 9 am. Front seat on Kraken is awesome.
Let us know any of your questions.

 

[robvia]

With that much time, you will easily see everything and don't need an attack plan. The rides and attractions at USF/IOA don't take as long as Disney. Many attractions at Disney have a preshow which takes 10-20 minutes and then the ride itself can take 30 minutes. Most attractions at USF/IOA are just a line thru the queue, so you can get right on and go many times.

Dixie Stampede Christmas show is worth it.

 

[mike981]

Thank you all for your help!

 

[Motherfletcher]

Have fun Mike and let us know how it went.
I was watching the Minn. vs Iowa football game this weekend and I love the jokes that come from the long running feud they have. Minnesotans were fired from the M&M factory for throwing away the Ws? Iowans got drool on their SAT tests? They were playing the football game for a bronze pig?

 

[mike981]

I will make sure I drop you a line after I get back.

I am not a big MN fan. I grew up in Madison WI, so I follow the Packers and Badgers. The latter got spanked this weekend! The Packers made it interesting, but still got the win.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

You and your family will have a wonderful time! It's a lot easier to see and do everything at Universal without wearing yourself (I'm planning a mainly WDW trip and I'm getting tired just thinking about it!). Front if the line is wonderful!

We lived in Madison for 2 years when me husband was in grad school. Lived in married student house--roaches and all. Two of the best years, but I sure don't miss the winters!

T&B

 

[Motherfletcher]

Its a shame about the Badgers! I wanted to see them go undefeated. They will still likely be in the Rose Bowl.