Meal deal ?

[bcinohio]

Never been to US or IOA and had a question about the meal deal. It says the online price for the one park meal deal is $19.99 plus tax for adults, and $9.99 plus tax for children (9 and under). A two park meal deal is $24.99 + tax for adults and $12.99 + tax for children.

Does the two park meal deal mean if you have a hopper ticket and go to both parks in 1 day or does it mean if you have a 2 day(1 park per day no hopper) ticket it is $24.99 for both days total?

Thanks for any help.

 

[Metro West]

Never been to US or IOA and had a question about the meal deal. It says the online price for the one park meal deal is $19.99 plus tax for adults, and $9.99 plus tax for children (9 and under). A two park meal deal is $24.99 + tax for adults and $12.99 + tax for children.

Does the two park meal deal mean if you have a hopper ticket and go to both parks in 1 day or does it mean if you have a 2 day(1 park per day no hopper) ticket it is $24.99 for both days total?

Thanks for any help.

It's only for one day and unless your family likes to eat a lot, I wouldn't fool with the meal deal. There are only three restaurants at each park that participate and except for Louie's at the Studios, the choices aren't that great. There are better places to try like Thunder Falls Terrace and Mythos at IOA that are not on the meal deal. Louie's is my favorite at the Studios so I can't say anything bad about it.

 

[ky07]

Usually don't knock anything about universal but the meal deal is not a good deal and metro is right there is alot better places to eat than what the meal deal offers

 

[Lou Holtz]

It doesn't really make any sense why the two park meal deal would cost any more than the one park meal deal.

 

[Sleepyhollowstudios]

I'll be the wrench in the gears and say that I really enjoy the meal deal. My girlfriend and I purchase the meal deal every time we go to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, and I think it's a very good discount. We all know how expensive theme park food can be, and on the meal deal, for $20, you can eat ALL DAY.

I will admit, though, that we are pretty utilitarian with our meals. We aren't going to Universal or Islands to "savor the flavor" of their cousine. We're going to enjoy the parks themselves, so a hot cheese pizza, warm chocolate chip cookie, and cold soda is all it takes to satisfy us between rides on Revenge of the Mummy and Jaws.

I don't usually chime in on things like this, but I've never seen any support for the meal deal, and I for one think it's quite a value. Especially if you're doing the parks on a budget, or, as I said before, you're utilitarian when it comes to your theme park food.

-Andy

 

[francie57]

Unless you want to eat fried fast food all day the meal deal at Universal is not worth it. If you are a member of AAA you can get a 10% discount at all the restaurants in both parks plus most at City Walk. There are so many great places to eat in both parks that aren't all fried foods that we never consider the meal deal. Thunder Falls Terrace in IOA is really great and at the Studios we like Richter Burger for the chicken sandwich and for a sit down meal we love Finnegans.

 

[nytimez]

It doesn't really make any sense why the two park meal deal would cost any more than the one park meal deal.

It's just a way to milk a few more bucks out of people... but honestly, I agree with the majority here. It ain't worth it in any case.

And with so many great options at the hotels and on CityWalk, I wouldn't want to confine myself to meals inside the parks anyway.

 

[Lou Holtz]

I'll be the wrench in the gears and say that I really enjoy the meal deal. My girlfriend and I purchase the meal deal every time we go to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, and I think it's a very good discount. We all know how expensive theme park food can be, and on the meal deal, for $20, you can eat ALL DAY.

I will admit, though, that we are pretty utilitarian with our meals. We aren't going to Universal or Islands to "savor the flavor" of their cousine. We're going to enjoy the parks themselves, so a hot cheese pizza, warm chocolate chip cookie, and cold soda is all it takes to satisfy us between rides on Revenge of the Mummy and Jaws.

I don't usually chime in on things like this, but I've never seen any support for the meal deal, and I for one think it's quite a value. Especially if you're doing the parks on a budget, or, as I said before, you're utilitarian when it comes to your theme park food.

-Andy

I agree with you that the meal deal would make sense if you are eating both lunch and dinner in a park AND would buy both a drink and dessert in the counter service restaurant. I usually bring water bottles with me and if I am getting dessert, I am not going for the crap choices in those places. So, just like the dining plan at Disney, it is never going to make sense for me because I am not buying drink and dessert there to begin with.

 

[YukiPhnx]

Has anyone ever considered sharing on the meal deal? As in, buying an entree for two people to share? That way, instead of each person eating 2 big meals a day, you can share 3 meals a day during the off-meal times.

I'll be going to US/IOA with my little sister and that's what I'm intending to do. It probably won't be worth it to buy one for each of us, but if we share a meal (since neither of us can finish one of those theme park meals by ourselves anyways) it seems like a really good deal.

 

[Metro West]

Has anyone ever considered sharing on the meal deal? As in, buying an entree for two people to share? That way, instead of each person eating 2 big meals a day, you can share 3 meals a day during the off-meal times.

Sharing of food is not allowed.

 

[nytimez]

Has anyone ever considered sharing on the meal deal? As in, buying an entree for two people to share? That way, instead of each person eating 2 big meals a day, you can share 3 meals a day during the off-meal times.

I'll be going to US/IOA with my little sister and that's what I'm intending to do. It probably won't be worth it to buy one for each of us, but if we share a meal (since neither of us can finish one of those theme park meals by ourselves anyways) it seems like a really good deal.

I don't think you are allowed to share "meal deal" food.

 

[frequency]

I have bought the meal deal for teenage boys before. I really think thats the only way it makes any sense. I had 3 teenage boys and on 3 days (we were there a week) had them use this. But even they got tired of it. And one of them was actually "healthy" lol and ordered the fruit plate a couple of times.

 

[MPHARJ]

The meal deal does not include a drink, only the entree and dessert, and at most places it is the same 2 dessert choices, jello and some horrible cake. Although it was nice to have it paid for last year, we got so tired of our limited options, except for Louie's pizza.

 

[Lou Holtz]

The meal deal does not include a drink, only the entree and dessert, and at most places it is the same 2 dessert choices, jello and some horrible cake. Although it was nice to have it paid for last year, we got so tired of our limited options, except for Louie's pizza.

Seriously? How can it not include a drink? That makes it an incredible ripoff to the point that only a sucker would buy it.

 

[macraven]

Seriously? How can it not include a drink? That makes it an incredible ripoff to the point that only a sucker would buy it.

the drink deal is a different package.

you would come out ahead in buying an universal mug and then pay for the refills at a discounted price.

i think last year that cost for a refill was about $.70

 

[ky07]

the drink deal is a different package.

you would come out ahead in buying an universal mug and then pay for the refills at a discounted price.

i think last year that cost for a refill was about $.70

 

[cuches]

Thank goodness for the DIS Boards and all you guys with the information to share! I am planning our first trip to US/IOA (haven't been there since 1993 and MAN have things changed! So glad this question was posted because my husband wants to do the dining plan for the days we are planning on being at the parks (funny, the person on the phone helping us with the reservations never mentioned there were 2 choices between the $19 and $25 version) Traveling with a child who has autism limits us in where and what we can eat so I think the meal plan might work for those days we are in the park (she likes the typical crappy teen foods) and like it was mentioned before we are not there for the wonderful cuisine (not a real big fan of any Florida food we have had in the past) I am curious about how much counter meals cost in general though to see if the $75 (for the three of us) a day for the plan is worth it. Anyone know of a list of prices?

Thanks everyone for the wonderful information,
Tina

 

[macraven]

if you have the AAA card or universal's AP, you will get a 10% discount off of food and merch in the parks and some of city walk.

order food in the parks and show them your AAA card before they ring it up.


i have done the meal deal only when i will be in the parks/hotel for at least 7 days/nights.
the AAA card will not give you a discount in buying the meal deal.

i do the meal deal when i plan to graze and spend the day shopping and picture taking.

i only use it at the studio side.
there are 2 places that i always eat at there that are on the plan.
IFFF and Louies.

the third counter service that is included in the meal plan is Mel's

i avoid that one. i tried it 3 x's and it wasn't up to par for the money it cost.


the meal plan begins at 11:00.
(that is when all the food places open)

the meal deal ends 30 minutes prior to park closing.

the meal deal includes dessert also.

at louie's, i would eat the pizza, then get back in line for another.
they will not give you additional slices when you go thru the line, you have to return to the line and go thru it again.

to get my money's worth, i go back to Louie's about 45 minutes before the park closes and get pizza or meatball sandwich.
i wrap it up and take it with me when i leave the park.

there is an old menu and cost site for universal.
give me a day and i'll get you the link for it.

At louie's i get the pizza and salad for $8.
many really like the pizza at Louie's.

at IFFF, counter service with american food, chinese and 2 other selections.
fried chicken with mash potatoes and gravy, w/ biscuit is less than $10.

fruit plate was $7 last october.

i'll look at my receipts and come back to list them later.

reichters burgers run about $8.29 w/fries.
they have a fixing bar to go with the burgers / chicken sandwiches.

 

[macraven]

cuches, this is an older site but it is what i refer to when a newbie asks about types of foods at universal.



http://allears.net/uni/menu/menus.htm