Just booked our first ever Universal stay!!!

[Mom3girls]

We have always been a WDW family and hubby has convinced me to visit Universal/IOA this trip. We have decided to add two nights onto the beginning of our Disney stay. I have been on the fence about booking club level but have decided to book gardenview at HRH on the AAA rate instead. It will save us $250 over the club level price. Gonna pack quick breakfast items and stop somewhere using tiffany town car to get some snacks and beer. Hope I made the right decision...especially since it's our first trip there I'm sure my three kids will want many souveniers!!!

 

[ElizabethB]

Careful -- you may get hooked!

We took our boys to Universal for the first time last summer. We all wanted to see WWOHP. Welll, we loved that -- and the best way to see it was using early entry.

And, we loved lots of other rides at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. Most of all, we loved the front of the line access that comes with an on-site hotel stay.

We stayed at PBH and loved it as well. Now, we can't imagine a trip to Disneyworld, without spending 4-5 days at Universal. We were totally spoiled by FOTL access and have another stay at PBH booked.

 

[ky07]

Careful -- you may get hooked!

We took our boys to Universal for the first time last summer. We all wanted to see WWOHP. Welll, we loved that -- and the best way to see it was using early entry.

And, we loved lots of other rides at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. Most of all, we loved the front of the line access that comes with an on-site hotel stay.

We stayed at PBH and loved it as well. Now, we can't imagine a trip to Disneyworld, without spending 4-5 days at Universal. We were totally spoiled by FOTL access and have another stay at PBH booked.

I totally agree that onsite at Universal will spoil you cause we have stayed at RPR for the past 3 years and has spoiled us so much that I had to beg my wife to stay offsite this year just to be able to go to Universal this year

 

[Mom3girls]

I don't mind getting hooked! It means a longer vacation for me! I will still always plan for Disney and we can add in Universal/IOA too! I'm a bit nervous at the prices of food in US/IOA. We are always booked at Disney with DDP so not usually any OOP costs. This will be three full days onsite and I know nothing about the restaurants.

I was gonna book club level to help offset the costs OOP for the quick breakfast and water/soda/beer and evening offerings but I chose the cheapest room I could get, Hope I don't change my mind!!!

 

[damo]

There are tons of great reasonable restaurants at the Universal Resort. You'll spend less than you would on the Disney Dining Plan. I suggest Sal's Deli at the Portofino for the best pizza at cheap prices. Margaritaville (in Citywalk) Volcano nachos are about $15 and you can easily feed three kids (and probably an adult as well). Mythosn(in IOA) is very reasonable and excellent. Check out the food sticky on the other board for people's favourites.

 

[MarleKing]

omg that is so exciting ur gonna have so much fun! <3

 

[notaprincess]

http://www.orlandocoupons.com/directory_cat_list.php?cat_id=1


the above link contains some coupons for some City Walk restaurants.
Last year on check in at the RPR I received a coupon booklet as well.


You'll have a fabulous time!

 

[francie57]

The price for food at Universal isn't that bad. Since you booked with a AAA discount, just make sure to carry your AAA card with you since it will save you 10% at the restaurants and stores in the parks and most of the restaurants at City Walk - just not Emerils and maybe one more. We love Tunder Falls in IOA - good selection and not expensive. We like Richter Burger for a quick meal in Universal and Finnegans for a sit down meal. Our favorite at City Walk is Margaritaville. You will definitely get spoiled with the unlimited express pass for staying on-site - makes Disney's fast pass seem like nothing.

 

[Mom3girls]

Thanks everybody for the tips! I definitely plan on bringing my AAA card...any discount is good enough for me!!! Can't wait to go after reading all of the info on these boards. Thanks again

 

[pigby]

We have always been a WDW family and hubby has convinced me to visit Universal/IOA this trip. We have decided to add two nights onto the beginning of our Disney stay. I have been on the fence about booking club level but have decided to book gardenview at HRH on the AAA rate instead. It will save us $250 over the club level price. Gonna pack quick breakfast items and stop somewhere using tiffany town car to get some snacks and beer. Hope I made the right decision...especially since it's our first trip there I'm sure my three kids will want many souveniers!!!

We too have just booked HRH (last night online) - combining with a WDW vacation also but we are going after Disney for 3 nights. Also using Tiffany. When are you going?

 

[CampbellScot]

I also just added two days at Universal before heading to Disney for a week! I am really excited!! I am a Harry Potter fanatic and my step son is obsessed with roller coasters. I think we will all have a really good time. Our family also uses Tiffany Towncar for transportation to the parks. They've never let us down!!

We just told the kids about Universal this morning. The Easter Bunny left them a special surprise. They had to find eggs with puzzle pieces and then put the message together. My step son (who is on the fence about the Easter Bunny...he's 9 and is starting to question EVERYTHING) said "Wow, the Easter bunny is LOT cooler than I thought he was."

Everybody is very excited!! I can't wait to try Butterbeer and and experience The Wizarding World of Harry Potter up close and personal!!

 

[damo]

I also just added two days at Universal before heading to Disney for a week! I am really excited!! I am a Harry Potter fanatic and my step son is obsessed with roller coasters. I think we will all have a really good time. Our family also uses Tiffany Towncar for transportation to the parks. They've never let us down!!

We just told the kids about Universal this morning. The Easter Bunny left them a special surprise. They had to find eggs with puzzle pieces and then put the message together. My step son (who is on the fence about the Easter Bunny...he's 9 and is starting to question EVERYTHING) said "Wow, the Easter bunny is LOT cooler than I thought he was."

Everybody is very excited!! I can't wait to try Butterbeer and and experience The Wizarding World of Harry Potter up close and personal!!

haha, that is a really cute story!

 

[Mom3girls]

We too have just booked HRH (last night online) - combining with a WDW vacation also but we are going after Disney for 3 nights. Also using Tiffany. When are you going?

We are going to be at HRH Aug 9-11 before heading to Beach Club Aug 11-17. Can't wait!! I was hot here yesterday and REALLY hot inside as I was cooking our Easter dinner. I was complaining the whole time and my husband kept saying it's gonna be worse in Florida in August! It's amazing how fast you forget how hot it gets down there in the summer months....I was actually considering changing my dates!!!

 

[Mom3girls]

http://www.orlandocoupons.com/directory_cat_list.php?cat_id=1


the above link contains some coupons for some City Walk restaurants.
Last year on check in at the RPR I received a coupon booklet as well.


You'll have a fabulous time!

Thanks for the link...I printed off some coupons to use while we are there. Thanks Again!!!

 

[francie57]

You will have a great time at Universal. Seeing your dates, you are a few days ahead of us. We are at HRH starting Aug. 11 and check into the BCVs on the 13 through the 18th. We love going at that time of year and we will be out before the free dining crowds arrive.

 

[Ohiodislover]

I don't mind getting hooked! It means a longer vacation for me! I will still always plan for Disney and we can add in Universal/IOA too! I'm a bit nervous at the prices of food in US/IOA. We are always booked at Disney with DDP so not usually any OOP costs. This will be three full days onsite and I know nothing about the restaurants.

I was gonna book club level to help offset the costs OOP for the quick breakfast and water/soda/beer and evening offerings but I chose the cheapest room I could get, Hope I don't change my mind!!!

Just returned and I felt that the food was really quite reasonable as amusement park food goes.

Also some really good options for a quick meal at Citywalk. My girls and I ate there for $21.00 one evening.

Have a wonderful trip!