Last minute tips

[rwatson626]

Hello,

I have been going to Disney for a long time with my family but this is our first time going to Universal. We are staying at Cabana Bay. I am so used to over planning for Disney and Universal seems to be more laid back go with the flow. We do not have any dining reservations and really going to find something when we get hungry.

Are there any tips or hidden gems for Universal I should know about?


Thanks

 

[Bethany10]

Everything I'm hearing with Covid restrictions in place is that you need dining reservations. Unlike Disney there's no penalty for canceling, we have reservations set up for various meals throughout our stay (arriving in just under 3 weeks).

We loved Vivo in Citywalk and Cowfish - which is a chain, but not one we have here. Toothsome was really neat to walk through, and the ice cream was good but a no go for us for a meal.

This time we have reservations at Mythos in park and I just watched Tim Tracker yesterday say there's some kind of food festival with trucks happening throughout the summer, so there may be some more quick service type of options available.

We love Cabana Bay. You can purchase pool floats from the shack there or bring your own. Our pool float did disappear on the last night, so I'm bringing a small cord to lock them up this time. The food in the bayliner diner was good, just repetitive by the end of our week. and of course walking path to Volcano Bay!

 

[hopemax]

I am curious too about tips in covid times. We are heading over tomorrow to check out the Velocicoaster. If the park is scheduled to open at 9, what time is the current preferred time to be at the gate? We will head to Hagrid's first, in case the coaster opens later (I saw yesterday it didn't open until 10).

 

[puffkin]

MAKE DINING RESERVATIONS!

With COVID restrictions and crowds, that is the one thing you will need or you will be waiting in long/miserable lines. City Walk restaurants will turn away anyone without a reservation. The good news is, unlike at Disney, you can still be pretty flexible. We sometimes changed our reservations or made them the day before or that morning, but you do need them. Counter service, try to eat at off times. The lines have been ridiculous the last few times we were there.

 

[mvansear]

I am going on Thursday... Made reservations for Mythos (must do!!! wonderful food) late lunch one day and Big fire another evening, Toothsome for desserts one night ( there were not any later reservations available so may cancel our 6:30 if that time doesn't end up working) We are there for 4 nights and we will eat in the club, hotel restaurants, quick service in the parks the rest of the time. I have been twice during COVID and made reservations when I got there. Even did a walk-up at Toothsome in January. Have heard so much on these boards I went ahead and made a few reservations, as pp said there is no penalty to cancel. IMO Churros are the hidden food gems. Take it all in and have a great time! Find the dark alley in Diagon Alley (Knockturn Alley)

 

[rwatson626]

Thank you EVERYONE! I didn't realize I needed to make reservations. I did know with COVID the quick service lines were insane

 

[rwatson626]

Do you know when you should cancel the reservation by, if I do plan on making one and need to cancel?

 

[puffkin]

Do you know when you should cancel the reservation by, if I do plan on making one and need to cancel?

They text you a reminder a few hours before your reservation and ask you to confirm, cancel or modify. I would just cancel it then if you are not planning on using it. Super easy and much less stressful than Disney ADRs!

 

[Grumpy92]

Reservations for full service is needed. But there are some great quick service, Leaky Cauldron, Breadbox and Bayliner Diner. I think you will really enjoy CBBR. The amenities are wonderful and we feel we get more bang for the buck, for the same price as a Disney value hotel. Bring your own inter tubes for the lazy river and the Teamembers at the pool will fill it with air for you.

 

[dawnball]

We love Cabana Bay. You can purchase pool floats from the shack there or bring your own. Our pool float did disappear on the last night, so I'm bringing a small cord to lock them up this time. The food in the bayliner diner was good, just repetitive by the end of our week. and of course walking path to Volcano Bay!

Where did your float disappear from? We usually have someone sitting with the floats when we're not using them, but not always.

 

[Bethany10]

Where did your float disappear from? We usually have someone sitting with the floats when we're not using them, but not always.

I set everything down next to one of the chairs poolside, left it alone to go get a drink at the bar and didn't even notice it was gone until my son came up looking for it. I'm sure it wasn't "stolen" in a malicious way, especially if you're unfamiliar with the setup I can see someone thinking they're part of the hotel. That said, I'm also not ok with it disappearing again, so I just bought a light cable and lock to throw in the pool bag.