My 2 Weeks in Disney - Would you change anything ?

[Garyjames220]

I completely missed you had this. I've had an ok meal there but it's just ok. Epcot, especially around world showcase has tons of places themed after the countries they are with.. I would avoid china and mexico as the food isn't really great at the places in those countries or it's not much better than you can get at any low cost chinese take out. the rest I can't really say there is any avoid. they vary in quality but the price reflects that also.

Ok I'll need to have a look

Have u been or herd much on the Hollywood brown derby resturant. That looked good

I checked the menu for tusker but doesn't seem to have a price on it

 

[hiroMYhero]

Ok I'll need to have a look

Have u been or herd much on the Hollywood brown derby resturant. That looked good

I checked the menu for tusker but doesn't seem to have a price on it

It will be about $43 per person for Tusker.

Brown Derby is good; Tiffins is much better. For a fun experience in DHS, SciFi or 50's PrimeTime are fun choices.

 

[Garyjames220]

God there is to much to pick from

Why do they need to make the choices so hard lol

 

[Alice777]

If you want to check buffet prices, you can check it here
http://www.disboards.com/threads/buffet-character-shows-aycte-pricing.3108466/

For uber, you can ask more questions on the transportation thread. We did uber from Pop to Universal and it was around $17 (but I read at transportation thread, price may have gone up little). It was super easy and for your first time use, it's free.

If you want to do more research on the restaurant choices, check Restaurant thread. There's alot of info there.

 

[hiroMYhero]

@Garyjames220 ~ moving you over to the Restaurants Board as you'll get more specific Dining responses.

 

[richmo]

It looks pretty good. Considering you're flying internationally and taking a cruise, the cost isn't outrageous. I'm not at all saying its inexpensive, but I think you did pretty well.

As far as your plans, they look good. I'm not a huge fan of the Illuminations dessert party, so if you're looking to cut back a little, that's probably where I'd start. I also agree with an earlier comment that it would be nice to fit in an Epcot World Showcase restaurant. Unlike an earlier poster, I am a fan of La Hacienda de San Angel at Mexico (on the lagoon). They have a couple platters, one steak based and the other seafood, that you can split, that we find to be excellent, especially the seafood one (Del Mar). There's lots of places to choose from and I think somewhere in Epcot will be something that'll appeal to both of you. Check out the menus.

 

[Garyjames220]

Would u say chef de France is better than coral reef or what's best for epcot

 

[Garyjames220]

It looks pretty good. Considering you're flying internationally and taking a cruise, the cost isn't outrageous. I'm not at all saying its inexpensive, but I think you did pretty well.

As far as your plans, they look good. I'm not a huge fan of the Illuminations dessert party, so if you're looking to cut back a little, that's probably where I'd start. I also agree with an earlier comment that it would be nice to fit in an Epcot World Showcase restaurant. Unlike an earlier poster, I am a fan of La Hacienda de San Angel at Mexico (on the lagoon). They have a couple platters, one steak based and the other seafood, that you can split, that we find to be excellent, especially the seafood one (Del Mar). There's lots of places to choose from and I think somewhere in Epcot will be something that'll appeal to both of you. Check out the menus.

Just looked up Hacienda de San Angel Dinner that does look really nice

 

[Tigger's ally]

If it weren't for that "engaged" part, I would recommend ditching the partner and taking me! ( I am already married, thanks for asking)

Looks like a great trip, well planned too! Enjoy.

 

[Garyjames220]

If it weren't for that "engaged" part, I would recommend ditching the partner and taking me! ( I am already married, thanks for asking)

Looks like a great trip, well planned too! Enjoy.

Haha I like it

 

[Garyjames220]

Think we are going to drop coral reef Andrew go for la Hacienda de San Angel Dinner

 

[tony67]

Did you consider staying onsite for universal? Not sure about the Hilton Double Tree Universal studios - if you stay on site at Royal Pacific, Hard Rock or Portofino you would get express pass for free - greatly reducing wait time for many of the rides. Mid February can be very busy with all the school holidays going on and that could save you hours each day.

As far as transportation - you may want to check uber and also mears. I used mears to go from Disney to Universal and it was around $40 when booked on the web site - the airport was a bit more so I just took a shuttle - I would not recommend a shuttle.
Also depending on the time of day Uber may charge you a fee that makes it around the same price as mears.
Also check the transportation thread on the Universal board. There is an independent car service (Tony Hinds) a lot of folks swear by.
I think most people talk about it being around $100 round trip.
Those prices do not include the tip BTW.

Restaurants at Universal typically dont need to be booked in advance like Disney - but if there is somewhere you really want to eat you should try to book it - not sure what the process is for that - may vary by Restaurant. If your on site you will get priority for walks ups from what I recall - but again that time of year is February vacation - at least that last weekend of the 15th.

Think we are going to drop coral reef Andrew go for la Hacienda de San Angel Dinner

That is much better IMO - Coral Reef is less about the food and more about Nemo.

 

[Garyjames220]

Did you consider staying onsite for universal? Not sure about the Hilton Double Tree Universal studios - if you stay on site at Royal Pacific, Hard Rock or Portofino you would get express pass for free - greatly reducing wait time for many of the rides. Mid February can be very busy with all the school holidays going on and that could save you hours each day.

As far as transportation - you may want to check uber and also mears. I used mears to go from Disney to Universal and it was around $40 when booked on the web site - the airport was a bit more so I just took a shuttle - I would not recommend a shuttle.
Also depending on the time of day Uber may charge you a fee that makes it around the same price as mears.
Also check the transportation thread on the Universal board. There is an independent car service (Tony Hinds) a lot of folks swear by.
I think most people talk about it being around $100 round trip.
Those prices do not include the tip BTW.

Restaurants at Universal typically dont need to be booked in advance like Disney - but if there is somewhere you really want to eat you should try to book it - not sure what the process is for that - may vary by Restaurant. If your on site you will get priority for walks ups from what I recall - but again that time of year is February vacation - at least that last weekend of the 15th.


That is much better IMO - Coral Reef is less about the food and more about Nemo.

Hey thanks for all that advice

The reason am staying at Hilton is cos I have some points to get the room for free so that was good

How busy do u reckon it could be around that time. Do u think I would need express passes

 

[tony67]

Think we are going to drop coral reef Andrew go for la Hacienda de San Angel Dinner

That is much better IMO - Coral Reef is less about the food and more about Nemo.

Hey thanks for all that advice

The reason am staying at Hilton is cos I have some points to get the room for free so that was good

How busy do u reckon it could be around that time. Do u think I would need express passes

That makes sense - I tend to keep my points for the EU as it is typically better to pay OOP here

I would get express pass that time of year - looking quickly at the universal site a 4 day ticket with unlimited express is $425.
A 4 day ticket is 239 - for the $200 I think it is worth it. The thing is that's 400 for two people. (Not including all the tax BTW)
You get that for free with the RPR - and the RPR is 228 a night - and you are on site. (plus more tax)
That really saves a lot of time- it is great to just grab the boat or walk back to the hotel before dinner.
So I'd look at the math and consider the value of keeping your points for use elsewhere - you just want to make an informed decision.
you may want to ask in the Universal forum about express pass and that time of year as you tend to get mostly Disney info in this forum.

 

[Garyjames220]

That is much better IMO - Coral Reef is less about the food and more about Nemo.

That makes sense - I tend to keep my points for the EU as it is typically better to pay OOP here

I would get express pass that time of year - looking quickly at the universal site a 4 day ticket with unlimited express is $425.
A 4 day ticket is 239 - for the $200 I think it is worth it. The thing is that's 400 for two people. (Not including all the tax BTW)
You get that for free with the RPR - and the RPR is 228 a night - and you are on site. (plus more tax)
That really saves a lot of time- it is great to just grab the boat or walk back to the hotel before dinner.
So I'd look at the math and consider the value of keeping your points for use elsewhere - you just want to make an informed decision.
you may want to ask in the Universal forum about express pass and that time of year as you tend to get mostly Disney info in this forum.

Oh right. Can u walk to universal from the Hilton am in

 

[kwdw]

I think the Hilton Doubletree at Universal is fine - and I would not buy the Express Pass. I think crowds will be fine. In 2017, President's Day is February 20th - and your last day at Universal is the 16th. I don't think crowds will pick up for school breaks until Friday - when you are flying home. Given you are using points for the Doubletree - I'd stay put. It is not a short walk to Universal from there - but it's doable. I did it as a solo female for three full days - and it's safe, and not THAT far, just not close. It's not an exciting hotel - it's a lot like a Disney moderate - without the nice theming. They have a conference center, so it's a business hotel with the typical business decor theming. They do have a shuttle to Universal, too, but either I didn't like the timing or its not free, I don't remember which.

If you do decide you want the Express Pass - money wise - I'd just switch to one of the Universal hotels that include it and save your points for another trip. This would cost you more, that's for sure. Part depends on what you want to do at Universal. So - definitely post on that forum for more feedback. Mid summer - I'd tell you to get the Express Pass for sure. In early February - I wouldn't.

I think the switch to La Hacienda de San Angel for dinner is a great idea. We've had a couple of great meals there.

 

[Garyjames220]

I think the Hilton Doubletree at Universal is fine - and I would not buy the Express Pass. I think crowds will be fine. In 2017, President's Day is February 20th - and your last day at Universal is the 16th. I don't think crowds will pick up for school breaks until Friday - when you are flying home. Given you are using points for the Doubletree - I'd stay put. It is not a short walk to Universal from there - but it's doable. I did it as a solo female for three full days - and it's safe, and not THAT far, just not close. It's not an exciting hotel - it's a lot like a Disney moderate - without the nice theming. They have a conference center, so it's a business hotel with the typical business decor theming. They do have a shuttle to Universal, too, but either I didn't like the timing or its not free, I don't remember which.

If you do decide you want the Express Pass - money wise - I'd just switch to one of the Universal hotels that include it and save your points for another trip. This would cost you more, that's for sure. Part depends on what you want to do at Universal. So - definitely post on that forum for more feedback. Mid summer - I'd tell you to get the Express Pass for sure. In early February - I wouldn't.

I think the switch to La Hacienda de San Angel for dinner is a great idea. We've had a couple of great meals there.

Yeah think am going to stay put and just leave the express pass. I can't add on any extras as it's $10500 dollars as it is. That's including 1000 on board ship credit to though

I must be crazy but I think that's me at my limit now

Any other spare money I do get can go to a disney holiday the following year lol

 

[caroline1851]

As 2 adults, i'd skip Cinderella's Royal Table. Super expensive. I'd also skip the dessert party. You already are running around a lot between hotels, cruise, universal, Disney, that you don't want to have too many reservations. You need to have time to just enjoy and wing it. My son and I had a great time snacking around the world at Epcot the night we were there. It was so much fun to pick one thing from each country and share. And...it was cheap!

 

[Garyjames220]

As 2 adults, i'd skip Cinderella's Royal Table. Super expensive. I'd also skip the dessert party. You already are running around a lot between hotels, cruise, universal, Disney, that you don't want to have too many reservations. You need to have time to just enjoy and wing it. My son and I had a great time snacking around the world at Epcot the night we were there. It was so much fun to pick one thing from each country and share. And...it was cheap!

Is the desert party worth doing in any of the parks ?

 

[hiroMYhero]

Is the desert party worth doing in any of the parks ?

If you like Star Wars, the SW dessert party in DHS has been very popular. There are sweet and savory offerings and unlimited mixed drinks. You also receive a Chewbacca drink stein.

The only concern is that booking for SW dessert parties opens up not too far in advance of the party dates - maybe a month at most.