I've convinced my best friend to go to Universal!!! Now I have to plan....

[momof3disneyholics]

I've convinced my best friend to go with me to Universal for her birthday. She always hears me talk about how great Universal is and now I'm so glad she is finally going to be able to go. We'll be going the 8th-10th of October. She has never even been to Orlando before so this will be a totally new experience for her. She told me she loves coasters, all kinds, but she hasn't been on one in like 10 years. This is going to be a "girls only" trip, so we won't be bringing our husbands and children this trip. I have been trying to rationalize the cost of going to her for years, but she or her husband could never understand spending the money to go there. So, now I'm thinking if I take her, she'll totally love it and convince her husband it is worth it to go as a family.
So, I need some great ideas to make our weekend a success. Who has the best birthday dinner? I know the parks close early during that time of year so any suggestions on what we can do after hours? I must admit, I always travel with my family, so "after hours" for us is ice cream and going back to the hotel. I am paying for this whole trip so some cost-cutting tips would be helpful too. I want to buy the two-day, two-park pass for her. How much will that cost with my AP discount?
Thanks alot!!!!

 

[Flyfly_Eclipse]

Be sure to see some of the shows, especially Extreme Ghostbusters, and if you like music and dance, check out Beetlejuice's Graveyard Revue. My girl pals, my mom, her sisters, and her mom...we all love those shows...that's where we spend our "Girl Time"

 

[2BigKIdz]

That is a really great thing to do for your friend! (I was taking my best friend to the beach this weekend for her birthday but unfortunately Bonnie and Charley have ruined that plan.)

Does she like Jimmy Buffett? If so, take her to Margaritaville for her birthday dinner. Don't know what kind of b-day celebrations they offer but it is always a fun atmosphere.

I don't know much about night life, we are not into clubs or anything. We did see a show at Hard Rock Live last month and that was a lot of fun. Check out their schedule and House of Blues, maybe there will be someone there you like. Maybe a comedy club, I know there is one at Pleasure Island but there are probably more around.

They are selling Arabian Nights tickets for $25 at the clear channel stations starting Friday. Have not been there but that might be neat.

Try HHN at night, that should be memorable.

Budget- can't really help you there, but your AP will get you discounts at City Walk restaurants.

 

[momof3disneyholics]

Funny you mentioned Margaritaville. I ate there last weekend and thought about taking her there. I didn't even think about dinner shows. I bet she would love that and I have never been to one either.
I love the Ghostbusters show idea. After going to Universal once a month every month for the past year I still haven't seen it. I also haven't seen Shrek. I am thinking that without my kids I will have more patience to wait in line and actually be able to see it when we go.
My family and I are going back in Sept, so I'll have to think of some good ideas then too.
Thanks alot!

 

[robvia]

The parks will be open late because of HHN. But you'd only do that for 1 night, so yes, on the other nights, you'd need something to do.

Arabian Nights and Dixie Stampede are great dinner shows, especially if your friend likes horses. I've been to Arabian nights a few times and Dixie twice.
Arabian Nights is about a princess who is captured, and saved at the end by her prince.
In Dixie Stampede, it's the North versus the South in a series of contests.
At Arabian nights, you get free beer/wine. Choice of meat, pasta dish, or chicken, desert.
At Dixie, it's free soda, a full chicken you eat with your fingers, and desert. I'd say the food at Dixie is slightly better, and since this is the new show, that explains why Arabian Nights is offering discounts.
Reserve your tickets in advance, and arrive early.

 

[highlander447]

Get to IOA early for front of row Hulk if u get there about 15 mins before opening u will get Front of row with litle or no wait well worth it for a great meal in the parks try Finnegans at USO great atmosphere u will also get HHN at the weekend I think so u may be get stay & scream tickets so u can enjoy your meal then hit the horror

 

[2BigKIdz]

Originally posted by momof3disneyholics
Funny you mentioned Margaritaville. I ate there last weekend and thought about taking her there. I didn't even think about dinner shows. I bet she would love that and I have never been to one either.
I love the Ghostbusters show idea. After going to Universal once a month every month for the past year I still haven't seen it. I also haven't seen Shrek. I am thinking that without my kids I will have more patience to wait in line and actually be able to see it when we go.
My family and I are going back in Sept, so I'll have to think of some good ideas then too.
Thanks alot!

You've got to see Shrek! We all loved it. We waited in line for 75 mins and we weren't disappointed. We never caught Jimmy Neutron while we were there in July. That's at the top of our list for October.