NEW! Universal Dining Plan Starting July 1!

[andyman8]

UOR has unveiled a new dining plan option for VACATION PACKAGES only for off-site and on-site guests. I believe it is available through select TAs now for packages starting July 1, 2013. It costs $45.99 +tax for adults and $17.99 +tax for children (age 3-9). Gratuities are not included. The UDP is very similar to the DDP. Here's what's included:

• ONE TABLE SERVICE MEAL CONSISTING OF ONE EACH:
Entrée, Dining Plan Dessert & Non-Alcoholic Beverage
• ONE COUNTER SERVICE MEAL CONSISTING OF ONE EACH:
Entrée & Non-Alcoholic Beverage
• ONE SNACK (such as a hot dog, ice cream, frozen beverages)
From food carts or counter service locations
• ONE BEVERAGE
From food carts or counter service locations

This will not be available for purchase in the theme parks and must be booked in advance. Once the package is booked, guests will receive email vouchers that they can trade in at the onsite hotels, theme parks, or CityWalk for dining cards. A list of participating restaurants can be found HERE.

Also, TWO days of FREE dining will be offered for OFFSITE hotels of four nights of more booked through Universal for travel 8/15 - 11/24/13 and 12/2 - 12/19/13.

Thoughts?

 

[glocon]

I'm thinking that it does not sound like it worth the money. I guess for people who like to have everything prepaid in advance it would be good.

Do you think that at the table service restaurants you can have any entrée you want or would you have to select from a particular list?

 

[Metro West]

Interesting...there is certainly more of a choice of restaurants with this plan than the meal deal. I guess they are testing it with hotel guests and if it's successful, they might roll it out to everyone eventually. I've never done the meal deal or DDP so I can't speak to the value but it doesn't seem all that bad to me.

 

[andyman8]

Interesting...there is certainly more of a choice of restaurants with this plan than the meal deal. I guess they are testing it with hotel guests and if it's successful, they might roll it out to everyone eventually. I've never done the meal deal or DDP so I can't speak to the value but it doesn't seem all that bad to me.

It's worth noting that none of the restaurants at the onsite hotels are included, nor are the Cinematic Spectacular Dining Package and the Superstar Breakfast. Another huge question is what will happen to the Meal Deal. For now, it seems like it's sticking around, but who knows it's future!

 

[Metro West]

It's worth noting that none of the restaurants at the onsite hotels are included, nor are the Cinematic Spectacular Dining Package and the Superstar Breakfast. Another huge question is what will happen to the Meal Deal. For now, it seems like it's sticking around, but who knows it's future!

I doubt the meal deal will stay around if this plan takes off and seeing as how so many Disney lovers come to Universal wanting something similar to what they're used to, it might be a big hit.

 

[macraven]

i received an email about the package that includes park tickets, room and new meal program.

not worth it for AP holders as they don't need park tickets.

didn't see any ap discount for this new package.




i believe you have to book a complete package in order to include the meal plan.
this new meal plan that you pay to add doesn't sound bad.

i'm better off with getting a room discount, use my ap for food discounts than going with a package.

i hope that those that do book with this new package will post about it.

Now when you book your Universal Orlando® Resort vacation you can purchase your meals and snacks in advance!

 

[macraven]

there is an active thread on this new package.

this is what damo posted for the non canadians booking it.

this package is listed onsite at https://www.universalorlando.com/Vacation-Packages/bf/Featured-Vacation-Packages.aspx

you can get 2 days of free dining when booking the above package.



There's also this one for non-Canadians...Enjoy 2 FREE* Days of the Universal Dining Plan** valid in both Universal Orlando® theme parks as well as select locations in Universal CityWalk® , when you and your family stay a minimum of 4-Nights at a nearby Partner Hotel with this exclusive Vacation Package!

Vacation packages with hotel accommodation, theme park admission and FREE* Dining start from $895 per family of 4, tax inclusive.

Date Range:
Purchase now August 29, 2013 with travel August 15 November 24, 2013 and December 2 19, 2013





Here's the lowdown on the free dining .. https://media.triseptsolutions.com/s...ing Plan.pdf




Free Dining is different from the meal deal. It includes many restaurants including Mythos, Confiscos, Lombards and Finnegans as well as lots of Citywalk places.

Each day of the Universal Dining Plan entitles guests to enjoy:
" ONE TABLE SERVICE MEAL CONSISTING OF ONE EACH:
Entrée, Dining Plan Dessert & Non-Alcoholic Beverage
" ONE COUNTER SERVICE MEAL CONSISTING OF ONE EACH:
Entrée & Non-Alcoholic Beverage
" ONE SNACK (such as a hot dog, ice cream, frozen beverages)
From food carts or counter service locations
" ONE BEVERAGE
From food carts or counter service locations

 

[housemouse]

I'm not sure if this will cause an impact on restaurant availability this fall when we go, but it has me wondering. Just to be safe I went on and made a reservation for Mythos because I really would like to eat there. I also went on and made another reservation for Finnegans for our 2nd HHN night. I'd just rather not take a chance on getting shut out of those.

 

[Senator Tressel]

If it gets too popular, they're gonna have to get more participation from Citywalk because there aren't enough table service restaurant choices.

 

[macraven]

remember "movie and a meal" promo?


you could choose from quite a few city walk restaurants but only selected entrees.


wonder if the new meal plan with the package will have that set up.


it states the "dining plan dessert"
i doubt that above wouldn't be on the high end of the menu.
so the dessert is already pre selected for the guest.

 

[RMulieri]

Interesting..but since we eat at mostly resort restaurants this would be pointless for us.Glad I booked my dining for Mythos and Confiscos grille though..I really hope this doesn't make Universals dining go the way of Disneys where you absolutely need to book 180 days out or get shut out.I like how realxed Universal is

 

[andyman8]

I too am concerned about the availability of a sit-down meal at UOR. Considering there's only a handful of sitdown locations at UOR (particularly in the parks), getting a reservation could become difficult. That said, I don't see this being extremely popular, as few book a vacation package through UOR and this does seem a bit limiting. Notice the language on the PDF "Guests simply check the menu boards in participating locations for items honored by the plan (indicated by the Universal Dining Plan symbol)" and "Dining Plan Dessert".

Additionally, it doesn't include the onsite hotels, but I imagine that in the future, it will. One potential workaround for that would be purchasing a Loews Bed & Breakfast Package when offered. Obviously, it would only work it only two people are traveling.

 

[CPA_ESQ.]

I agree with other posters here - I don't want Universal to go the way of WDW dining.

It is so nice to be able to wander by Lombarts or Mythos and see that it is not too busy and pop in and have a nice lunch.

I feel so structured at WDW because we "had" to be at a certain place at a certain time, and sometimes we couldn't go on a ride or stay and see a show / parade because we would miss our reservations.

 

[schumigirl]

I agree with other posters here - I don't want Universal to go the way of WDW dining.

It is so nice to be able to wander by Lombarts or Mythos and see that it is not too busy and pop in and have a nice lunch.

Totally agree.

It would be a nightmare for us as we refuse to plan anything ahead of time.

I don`t want Universal to go this route either. I like we can choose 5 minutes before we eat, where we want to eat and not having to make a reservation months ahead of time.

I just won`t do it.......is there a stomp my feet in anger smilie

 

[saskdw]

It's a step in the right direction. I think they will need to get more of the City Walk restaurants involved for it to really take off.

 

[vleeth]

I can't get the link to work on my phone. Is 3 Broomsticks on the list?

 

[macraven]

no, not on the list.

here is the listing, maybe you can get it on your phone this way:


https://media.triseptsolutions.com/sites/vaxwebunt/PublishingImages/PDFs/Universal Dining Plan.pdf

 

[Planogirl]

This won't work for us unless they include Margaritaville.

 

[glocon]

With tax that is about $50 a day for an adult. I think I could do that or better not on the meal deal.

Never did the Disney meal deal either- always went for the room only discount.

 

[damo]

With tax that is about $50 a day for an adult. I think I could do that or better not on the meal deal.

Never did the Disney meal deal either- always went for the room only discount.

There's no way I spend $50/day to eat lunch and dinner and a snack at Universal.