Last minute trip and we've never been-help!

[Goofycampers]

Hi my DH has a business trip to Orlando week after next and they are putting him up at Pop Century. So since the room is paid for, me and our boys ages 7 and 13 are going. They have been to disney a couple of times but the youngest doesn't remember much. We plan on doing MK but looking at US and IOA online I really think these parks suit them better. The problem is I know NOTHING about a universal trip and with such a short time to plan I really need some help. It looks like they are offering really terrific ticket prices right now but with summer crowds ,what time of tour plan would you concentrate on? Also I see there some sort of meal plan. Is that a good value?I know you guys have probably answered these questions a zillion times but I don't have time to research everything! I leave it to you experts tia

 

[Hedy]

Hello, fellow Universal newbie! The meal deal appears to be a good deal if you'd eat burgers and such 3x or more at the park per day...with a 13 year old, I'd think it would be possible.

 

[macraven]

Hi my DH has a business trip to Orlando week after next and they are putting him up at Pop Century. So since the room is paid for, me and our boys ages 7 and 13 are going. They have been to disney a couple of times but the youngest doesn't remember much. We plan on doing MK but looking at US and IOA online I really think these parks suit them better. The problem is I know NOTHING about a universal trip and with such a short time to plan I really need some help. It looks like they are offering really terrific ticket prices right now but with summer crowds ,what time of tour plan would you concentrate on? Also I see there some sort of meal plan. Is that a good value?I know you guys have probably answered these questions a zillion times but I don't have time to research everything! I leave it to you experts tia

yes even though the 7 day 2 park promo tickets increased this week, it still is a great buy.

if you are staying at pop, call mears the night before and reserve a seat on the mears shuttle that goes to universal.
it will be $14 a person roundtrip. that was last years cost, hopefully it did not increase this year.
you will select times to go. take the earliest time.

that takes care of transportation.
but, if you want to go earlier and come back later, book a car service.
rt can be done for about $80 with some companies. that way you can spend time at city walk after the park closes. have a meal there, do the sports stores, etc.

if you read the stickies, it will answer questions you have not thought of yet.
they are very thorough.

i disagree with hedley.......it's hedy, hedy, hedy, not hedley.....blazing saddles, remember that one.....
there are more choices than just burgers on the meal plan.

i think the meal plan is great.
some of the places have great food and choices
the international film festival food place has the best fried chicken dinners!
the chinese plate is also a winner.

you of course have the burgers and fries, pizza at louie's is really good!

take a look at the universalorlando.com site and pull up site for the meals.
then go to debs site for the menus.

you can also do the add on of dinner at city walk for an additional charge but check the places out that are on the promo and their menu available for it.

the sippy cup is good for the days you will be there. that is an additional charge or you could get a locker and put water bottles in it.
you can get free ice water from any stand or cs.

i hope you get to go.
you know you want to. universal is calling..............

 

[Goofycampers]

Thanks for the quick replies. We will be driving down from South Carolina so transportation isn't an issue. We'll be in Orlando from Sun. (a week from tomorrow!) through Fri. My DH will be occupied 2 of those days with work and me and the boys will fend for ourselves. Thanks probably when we'll do MK and maybe a pool day. The boys have been looking at the univeral website and are really excited. I guess I really need to find menus and figure out the food/ dining plan. Even though my 13 has a pretty good appetite, I'm thinking that none of us will want very big meals in that heat. If anyone has any tips, things not to miss, etc. please let me know.

 

[kirbsam]

there are 5 or so must sees at both parks. get to them asap. much easier to tour without a plan than disney. just figure out which direction you want to go, and go hit the rides that are must sees without all the backtracking.