NEW! Universal Dining Plan Starting July 1!

[RMulieri]

I used to do the dining plan at Disney..i don't anymore..They have streamlined the menus,got rid of the more unique /expensive dishes and honestly the food quality has gone WAY down while the price has gone way up.I really hope this doesn't happen at Universal.

 

[vleeth]

Now I just need to decide if I want to extend my stay at the partner hotel to get the 2 days free dining.

 

[vleeth]

Does anyone know if we get the 2 day dining does the meal allotments all have to be used in 2 days? It would be nice to use one of the sit down meals at Citywalk on arrival day.

 

[mousefan5]

My travel agent and I called today. No they do not all have to be used in the 2 days. You have 14 days to eat. You need to present a ticket to get the card that is swiped before you can eat. I forget the places that you can do this. So you should be able to do this. I just booked a hotel today so I am excited to look at the dining option so I have an idea ahead of time.

 

[MamaJessie]

Though I was intrigued, I feel since the restaurants I want to try are not included it is no longer a draw.

 

[buckeev]

Bleh.

This doesn't begin to fit for us...especially since no "Character" offerings AT ALL!

 

[macraven]

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.

i went thru past receipts spent on food in the parks/city walk and i'm not even close to $50 a day.

with that no substition clause for table service, i would assume the desserts/snacks at boulangerie are pre selected.
but without knowing the details of food options on what is considered snacks or entrees at the TS, i could be wrong.

one day last year at the studios, my total food bill was Louie's $11 and Boulangerie $9.80, fudge at the main merch store $4.25, totaled $25.05..... and that was before the ap 10% discount i used.

$22.55 total cost for one day.
(had water at Boulangerie which cut the cost back some)

some days i had a full lunch at confisco grille ($15.) and a late dinner at city walk or at the hotel.
still, not even close to $50 for the day for food.
throw in the hotel food credit and i spent less some days.


for those who booked a UO package and staying offsite that get the 2 days of food free with this meal plan is a sweet deal. especially if it is a family of 4.
great savings!

free food is always good.
but to add on to a package would not work for me.

last year at disney, i did TS and CS, before i moved over to UO hotels.
for 7 full days and an 8th for breakfast, i spent $217.
that was for a mixture of ts and cs and very few snacks.

 

[Herbie]

Dining packages have ruined dining at Disney. I hope universal does not got that way.

 

[RMulieri]

Dining packages have ruined dining at Disney. I hope universal does not got that way.

Thats what I said a few posts ago..LOL..I remember when the menus at Disney were bigger and they had interesting/unusal dishes..Now the menus are smaller , the offerings not as unique and the food quality is mediocre..PLUS..I like not having to book dining 6 months ahead of time like you have to at Disney.Universal dining is so relaxed...I would hate to see that change

 

[Rip]

I used to do the dining plan at Disney..i don't anymore..They have streamlined the menus,got rid of the more unique /expensive dishes and honestly the food quality has gone WAY down while the price has gone way up.I really hope this doesn't happen at Universal.

I agree, but I doubt it will. Universal doesn't own most of the restaurants like Disney does. If I'm not mistaken, pretty much all of the restaurants not owned by Disney have opted out of the meal plan. The major restaurants in City Walk aren't going to change their menus for anything like this.

 

[vleeth]

Are they booking the 2 free dining days now or not until July 1st?

 

[macraven]

program begins july 1st.
you can book it prior.

 

[StarWarsJez]

Agree with the above, really quite a poor range of restaurants in Citywalk!

 

[-Hope-]

We are booked in September with free dining. I'm a bit nervous about it to be honest. We saved about $160 total for a family of four vs. other discounts/money saving tips. If we end up needing to buy much OOP because we're unhappy with what is offered as part of the plan we may not save at all.

I've been pouring over menus here and on allears and I think we'll be okay but we have some medical dietary restrictions as well as a couple of picky eaters (only 2TS choices even work for us so i guess its good its only a 2 day plan). Hopefully this turns out to be a good idea for us! I'll be sure to report back with our experience after our trip.

 

[macraven]

Hope, you could make a new thread and list the places you planned to eat at and ask for opinions.

some of us have been to most of the dining places and can tell you about our experiences in case that would help you.

 

[damo]

Hope, you could make a new thread and list the places you planned to eat at and ask for opinions.

some of us have been to most of the dining places and can tell you about our experiences in case that would help you.

Or post in the food sticky.

 

[macraven]

Or post in the food sticky.

yes, that too.

 

[Metro West]

Or post in the food sticky.

That would be preferable.

 

[-Hope-]

Hope, you could make a new thread and list the places you planned to eat at and ask for opinions.

some of us have been to most of the dining places and can tell you about our experiences in case that would help you.

Great idea, thanks! I'll hop over to the food sticky and see what people already have to say about our choices and post if I need more info.

 

[vleeth]

We are booked in September with free dining.

Did you have to buy a three day ticket?