Is the Meal Deal really a DEAL or NO DEAL?

[imwithgoofy]

Hello everyone,

We will be going to Universal Studios for our first trip this summer. I've been checking out the boards and reading lots of info. I saw that US offers a Meal Deal and it lists the restuaurants that are participating ... so my question to those of you who have been there before...it is a good deal for $18.99 or $22.99, assuming you're in the park all day and eat all of your meals and snacks there?

We wouldn't want it for the entire trip, probably just once and not even for everyone in our party...(not the kids ...)

I'm thinking maybe just to try it, if the restaurants are worth the price...

Bytheway...we will be doing WDW first and Universal second...
We love WDW and have been enough times to hit our favorites and the new stuff...
Can't wait to experience the FOTL

Thanks for any feedback.

 

[PiRSquared]

We did it this summer. My husband and DS12 loved it. They ate all day. Just a little hungry -- get some fries or a cookie. More hungry, get everything. I ate more than I should, but we only did it one day, so it wasn't too bad. We lost money on DD14, but felt it was only fair if we all bought it. At the time it was one price for both parks, which was nicer. We are going to do it again when we go back. Hope this helps!

 

[MsDisney]

I would have to say it's defiitely a matter of personal preference. For ME, personally, it wouldn't be worth it as I just don't need to eat that much or that often...but my son and I spent the day last Saturday and I bought it for him because he's always hungry and I felt it was worth it since we'd be there for 2 meals and if he wanted anything (snack) then he could get that too without shelling out more $$$. It's $18.99 for one park and $22.99 for two and for $7 you can get a souvenier cup that is refillable all day. Now, I'm not sure we came out ahead, but if you figure, most meals will run you $8-10 so if you know you'll be there for 2, it's probably worth getting. I think teenagers probably are the best candidates for this!

Karen / MsDis

 

[imwithgoofy]

Thanks for your input...

 

[robvia]

Howie... Deal, or No Deal? Funny.

I think most people want to try different foods. You have to remember how many people these kinds of "deals" are feeding. I'm sure the food is "good" but not fancy quality.

Personally, I'd stock the cooler, eat breakfast in the room, lunch at Mythos or apps at the HRC, then eat dinner offsite, order in pizza from flippers, or a snack from the hotel pool.

 

[MsDisney]

Howie... Deal, or No Deal? Funny.

I think most people want to try different foods. You have to remember how many people these kinds of "deals" are feeding. I'm sure the food is "good" but not fancy quality.

Personally, I'd stock the cooler, eat breakfast in the room, lunch at Mythos or apps at the HRC, then eat dinner offsite, order in pizza from flippers, or a snack from the hotel pool.

But you're a pro, Rob!!!

If people are going to be IN the parks for the day...all day...and only have a day or two to spend, then it could be worth it...yes, we like to eat at Mythos and spend an hour and a half there... But I guess, I'd have to say, if you have never been, and aren't going to spend a great deal of time dining at the finer places (Mythos ), then it can be worth it! $19 or $23 is not alot to spend for a couple of meals....and so if you're travelling with people who tend to be hungry and don't care what they eat...then this is the way to go! Personally, I couldn't eat that much, nor would I want to eat in the places allowed...but for the average day guest...I'm sure it would be fine! For kids, it's only like $8.99, so it's also something to consider! I'm sure they can eat $9 worth of chicken fingers over the course of a day!

It's really a matter of preference tho....if you want to eat...and don't care what...then it's the way to go if you're going to be there all day, I'd say.

I couldn't eat $23 worth of stuff all day! I could probably drink that much!

Karen / MsDis

 

[Runey]

I just saw this on the Universal site as well and thought it would be an interesting option... I've got a couple of questions... What places can this be used at? and what sort of food can you get? Final question is a bit on the naughty side... What are the chances of buying one meal deal and one sipper deal for two people... i.e. Would it possible for me to get a meal, go sit down and then my wife go up and get hers? Mostly we would use it for snacking on the go during the day rather than sitting down for a meal... Ah I'm probably going to go to hell for even asking the question...

 

[phamton]

Whoever has the meal deal will have a wristband on. The only way to take it off is to cut or rip it off. You won't be able to share and why would you want to? It's a cheap way to eat even when you each buy your own.

I'll bump up one of the many threads about the places to eat and the menu.

 

[halld6479]

does any of the places that offer this have stuff for vegan or veggies

 

[Robinrs]

I think it's a GREAT marketing deal for the participating restaurants... I just don't eat at any of them. I only frequent Mythos and Confisco's, like Rob I do breakfast in my hotel room and don't, really CAN'T, eat all day at a park. My son eats when I do, whether he likes it or not...

 

[Runey]

Thanks for bumping that menu thread Phamtom Doesn't look like it's my kind of thing after all that

Does anyone know if there is some kind of other sipper deal around, where you don't need to by the meal deal first?

 

[phamton]

Does anyone know if there is some kind of other sipper deal around, where you don't need to by the meal deal first?

No just the refillable mugs. And the refills for those are $1.25 plus tax.

 

[Runey]

Thanks again Phamtom

 

[Spinning]

how does the beverage thing work with this?
Do you get a refillable mug? or paper each time?

 

[phamton]

More like a plastic cup. Not as nice as the refillable mugs.

 

[Spinning]

If you buy a refillable mug can you use it in these places and not pay?
I feel like such a dunce with this trip to Universal!

 

[phamton]

The $7 sipper cup you buy with the meal deal has free refills all that day only at the restaurants listed in the meal deal ( 3 at Universal and 3 at IOA).

The refillable mugs that anyone can purchase even if they don't have the meal deal cost $5.99-$11.99. The first drink is free and every refill is $1.25 anywhere at Universal and IOA, not just the meal deal restaurants. They are also refillable at many places in Citywalk. These refillable mugs are good for mutiple days or vistis not just the one day of the meal deal that the meal deal Sipper cups are good for.

There no free refills even with the meal deal for the mugs only for the Sipper cups.

 

[Spinning]

so...is that $7 on top of the $8.95 for kids and $18.99 for adults?

 

[phamton]

so...is that $7 on top of the $8.95 for kids and $18.99 for adults?

Yes, it is extra. You don't have to buy a sipper cup with your meal deal though. It is just one option. If you already have a refillable mug from another trip, you can just use it and pay $1.25 for refills all day.

 

[uklad79]

What drinks do you get for the sipper cup? I dont drink fizzy soda drinks mainly juices/iced tea/water do they have anything like this or is it just coke/fanta/diet coke?

Thanks