Make-A-Wish Trip... only have two half-days... PLEASE HELP!!

[Love_Monkey]

We only have 5 days of vacation on this trip and our Wish Child wants to go to Disney. We have a three day Disney pass and a two day Universal pass but we don't want to utterly exhaust the kids to the point of breakdowns so we need to take it a little easy somewhere.

Therefore, Universal is going to get somewhat of the shaft.

Our plan for our first Universal day (Saturday) is to arrive before lunch (we will be up LATE the night before so taking the advice of "GET THEE THERE EARLY" is just not going to happen) and we will leave by around 5. That gives us a good six hours or so.

The second day will be around the same arrival time but we can probably stay until park closing... 6 PM I believe (it will be a Monday).

Now for my questions:

My kids are young - 6 and 9 but I have read the first two Harry Potter books to them so that is the priority. Should we just plan to spend one of our days only there? Is there enough in that portion of the park to fill six hours? Keep in mind that as a Wish Family, we will have Express passes.

I think it will be best to stick to one park, be it the Universal Studios or Islands of Adventure. Given the age of our kids and the fact that have not seen any movies rated PG-13, which park would suit our family best for that second day? (My daughter ADORES SpongeBob so that's a good reason to spend our 2nd day at Universal Studios, right?)

In your opinion, what are the Top 5 MUST SEE rides for the whole family?

Is the dining plan worth it with the times we are going. The first day will just be a lunch and snack and the second day would be lunch, a snack and dinner. I'm thinking yes it's worth it the second day but not sure the first. My son would need adult meals.

We will not do character meals or any special dining events because we already have ADR at Disney and these are the days for us to go easier on our budget. I see with the dining plan there are very few options but the prices seem good. I guess I'd really just like opinions on what YOU would do if you were us. My budget for food the first day is about $40 (which the meal plan would go over) for the four of us and the second day would probably be closer to $90 (which the meal plan would be under).

Thank you so much for any input!!

Danielle

 

[Lou Holtz]

No, you will not need to dedicate one day to Harry Potter. Just do IOA one day and Universal the next. Lines are not long this time of year. Definitely do Universal on the Monday since there is no HHN that day.

Family rides at IOA:
1. Harry Potter Forbidden Journey
2. Flight of the Hippogriff
3. Jurassic Park River Adventure
4. Cat In The Hat
5. Suess Trolley
6. Spiderman
7. Popeye

There are a few other minor rides as well that you could do.

At Universal:
1. E.T
2. Simpsons
3. Men In Black
4. Woody Woodpecker Coaster
5. Jimmy Neutron
6. Disaster
7. Jaws
8. Shrek (not a ride)

No need to rank a top five (and these are in no particular order). You should have time to do all of the rides at both parks. Also, do NOT get the meal plan. It's not going to be any cheaper than buying what you want individually and your choices won't be limited.

 

[Love_Monkey]

Thank you!

Having never been there, I really just wanted someone to tell me exactly what to do!

Skipping the meal plan is the plan now too. We live a few hours south of Sea World San Antonio and they have a similar meal plan there. The food was extremely limited and somewhat gross so I wan't married to that idea at all but if someone thought it was just amazing then I'd consider it.

So.... we will have lunch at IOA and lunch and dinner at Universal. Any recommendations?

Thanks again!

 

[Lou Holtz]

Lunch at IOA should be Mythos. That's always pretty unanimous. If you want counter service, try Three Broomsticks or Thunder Falls Terrace in Jurassic Park.

At Universal, most people like Finnegans. Not sure about counter service, can't recall eating at any there. Louie's is supposed to have good pizza though. Maybe consider going out to Citywalk for a meal. Best sitdown restaurants there include Margaritaville, NBA City, and Hard Rock Cafe.

 

[Nickarooney]

I just read about Rachael's story and may God bless you all with peace and resiliency. I truly hope you have an AMAZING trip filled with wonderful family times and memory-making moments.

 

[Nickarooney]

If the kids are Harry Potter fans, then do lunch at the Three Broomsticks when you are at IOA. It doesn't hold a candle to Mythos in the food category - the decor in Mythos is pretty incredible, too - but for HP fans it is pretty awesome to say you have eaten at the 3B. The Three Broomsticks will also come closer to matching what you have budgeted for lunch that day. Most entrees are in the $9-12 range for adults. You could also grab lunch at a counter service restaurant and go and have dessert at Mythos. Their Warm Chocolate Banana Gooey Cake and a couple of spoons is so worth it!

 

[Love_Monkey]

If the kids are Harry Potter fans, then do lunch at the Three Broomsticks when you are at IOA. It doesn't hold a candle to Mythos in the food category - the decor in Mythos is pretty incredible, too - but for HP fans it is pretty awesome to say you have eaten at the 3B. The Three Broomsticks will also come closer to matching what you have budgeted for lunch that day. Most entrees are in the $9-12 range for adults. You could also grab lunch at a counter service restaurant and go and have dessert at Mythos. Their Warm Chocolate Banana Gooey Cake and a couple of spoons is so worth it!

Three Broomsticks has been added to the itinerary!

Ya'll see how I roll? You tell me what to do, I do it! LOVE IT!

Now, where should I have lunch and dinner and Universal on Monday?

 

[Nickarooney]

I don't think we have eaten at any place in US. Finnegan's is what I hear spoken about most often, but my son usually wants to eat at one of the City Walk restaurants (most often Hard Rock or Margaritaville). That's the cool thing about the Universal Orlando grounds, it's all right there and easily within walking distance. You can pop out of the park, eat, and go right back without ever missing a beat. City Walk also has a food court with Burger King (that has a Whopper toppings bar - make your own hamburger concoctions), Moe's, Panda Express, etc., if everyone is in the mood for something different.

 

[damo]

The Universal eateries aren't that exciting for kids. I would probably do Margaritaville in Citywalk because of the atmosphere, volcano, etc. Their volcano nachos are delicious and HUGE. They can easily be a meal for 3 people. Perhaps do that for lunch on the way in. For dinner, I would choose another Citywalk restaurant. There are many to choose from. You could also take a boat over to one of the resorts for a very special dinner.

 

[Love_Monkey]

Thank you thank you! Burger King and Panda Express?! Pure heaven!

 

[SarahWeasley]

Not really a suggestion for while you're there, but just a note: the WWOHP is based on the village of Hogsmeade, which doesn't appear until the third HP book. So if your kids have only heard the first two books and haven't seen the movies, you might want/need to explain that Hogsmeade is a village near Hogwarts, but only third-years and above are allowed to visit, so Harry hasn't gotten to see it yet. (But when he does get to go in the third book, you'll be able to recognize all the places he visits!)

I hope you have a wonderful time!