Newbie w/Questions

[Lesley Mahler]

Hi
We want to go to Universal next June for vacation and I have a few questions, I am totally lost!!! We have been to WDW and are going again this year for Thanksgiving, but never been to Universal and we are hoping the new Harry Potter part will be open in the parks.
1..Is there a dining plan like at DW? If so, is it worth it?
2..Our plan is to stay 4 nights, 2 days in the parks, 2 days at city walk and at the resort...what do you think?
3..Where to eat on park days, where to eat on resort and citywalk days, and which restaurants need reservations and how far in advance can you make these?
4..We were thinking of staying at HRH b/c of the waterslide? But I read somewhere that it is not the largest pool, is it small? What do you think?
By the way, it will be me, hubby and 7 year old daughter!!
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!!
TIA

 

[macraven]

June this year or june one and a half years from now?

 

[Lesley Mahler]

June 2010...yes I am a bit of a planner!!! LOL

 

[Jonny_Duck]

Hi
We want to go to Universal next June for vacation and I have a few questions, I am totally lost!!! We have been to WDW and are going again this year for Thanksgiving, but never been to Universal and we are hoping the new Harry Potter part will be open in the parks.
1..Is there a dining plan like at DW? If so, is it worth it?
2..Our plan is to stay 4 nights, 2 days in the parks, 2 days at city walk and at the resort...what do you think?
3..Where to eat on park days, where to eat on resort and citywalk days, and which restaurants need reservations and how far in advance can you make these?
4..We were thinking of staying at HRH b/c of the waterslide? But I read somewhere that it is not the largest pool, is it small? What do you think?
By the way, it will be me, hubby and 7 year old daughter!!
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!!
TIA

1. Yes they have one...Its roughly $25 atm but it may go up within a year and no I don't think the dining plan through them is worth it.

2. You rly shouldnt need 2 days at city walk and its mostly alive at night when parks are closed. So I would say do 3 days at parks and nights do city walk and 1 day at the hotel.

3. Many say Mythos is a great restaurant that is in the park at IOA. I personally love Margaritaville for restaurant at City Walk. You can probably make reservations the day you plan to eat there...There is a kiosk outside at Citywalk for reservations.

4. HRH is great place. You could do RPR to save some money and just go over to the pool area at HRH. Honestly? Ppl say thats a small pool? Never heard that before but imo its pretty big. There is a play area at RPR that your 7 year old would probably like with running water. Just saves you some money from what I have seen in past RPR is $20 or so cheaper each night.

Any other questions don't be afraid to ask!

 

[macraven]

with parry hotter going in, i don't know at this point all the changes that will be made to the parks.

also, we don't know yet the restaurants, or counter service places that might be changed or added in the future.

i need to wait on some of your questions until the potter thing opens.

for your onsite hotels, HRH has the less rooms than the other 2 hotels.
if you stay at one of the hotels, you can pool hop to the others.

there are slides at HRH and PBH but none at RPH.
each hotel pool is unique in its own way and different from the others.
all have organized pool activities for children and families.

i suggest you read some of the hotel threads in the stickie to get a general idea of the theme and make up of the hotels.

you said you are planning on 2 days in the parks and 2 days at CW and the resort.

i go for 6 days and spend most of it at the parks.
city walk can be done in less than 2 days.

some shops, restaurants, outdoor entertainment, cinema, and snack shops are at city walk.
children are not allowed in the lounges after 9 pm in city walk.


no, universal does not have a disney type of meal plan.

if you check out the promos on the universal website, it explains the meal deal that is available.

 

[Lesley Mahler]

I don't think I clarified myself well with my plans...so let me try again and tell me what you think of this.

The day we arrive, I was going to check in and head over to citywalk, have lunch and hang out, then back to our hotel for an early evening.

Day 2 & 3 were going to spend in the parks.

Day 4, relaxing day at the resort before our long drive home the next day...we are driving from Louisiana!!!

Is this o-kay, our daughter is going to be 7 and people are telling me that 2 days will be fine for her b/c there are a lot of things she won't do at the parks...actually the main reason for us going is for the Harry Potter stuff!!! We are big time Harry Potter fans!!!

Can't wait to hear your thoughts, TIA

 

[Jonny_Duck]

I don't think I clarified myself well with my plans...so let me try again and tell me what you think of this.

The day we arrive, I was going to check in and head over to citywalk, have lunch and hang out, then back to our hotel for an early evening.

Day 2 & 3 were going to spend in the parks.

Day 4, relaxing day at the resort before our long drive home the next day...we are driving from Louisiana!!!

Is this o-kay, our daughter is going to be 7 and people are telling me that 2 days will be fine for her b/c there are a lot of things she won't do at the parks...actually the main reason for us going is for the Harry Potter stuff!!! We are big time Harry Potter fans!!!

Can't wait to hear your thoughts, TIA

Sounds like a good plan to me. As far as I know it isnt rly known what will be added with Harry Potter so who knows if 2 days will be enough but that plan does sound good and as long as you have FOTL time shouldnt be too big of an issue. At 7 depending on the height there pretty much is just 3 things she cant do but whether she would want to or not I guess is another story.

A lot can change in a year and with new ride going into Universal and an entire Island going into IOA I am sure things will change with crowds and how fast things can get done.

 

[Lesley Mahler]

Sounds like a good plan to me. As far as I know it isnt rly known what will be added with Harry Potter so who knows if 2 days will be enough but that plan does sound good and as long as you have FOTL time shouldnt be too big of an issue. At 7 depending on the height there pretty much is just 3 things she cant do but whether she would want to or not I guess is another story.

A lot can change in a year and with new ride going into Universal and an entire Island going into IOA I am sure things will change with crowds and how fast things can get done.

I'm sorry if this is a stupid question, but what is FOTL?
TIA

 

[macraven]

I'm sorry if this is a stupid question, but what is FOTL?
TIA

front of the line.


it is a perk for hotel guests.

you are allowed to use the express lines for all rides and attractions
valid for unlimited usage.

you show your hotel key card for proof of staying on site to use the express lines.

 

[Jonny_Duck]

I'm sorry if this is a stupid question, but what is FOTL?
TIA

Front Of The Line....The express you get through staying onsite at Universal.

 

[Jonny_Duck]

front of the line.


it is a perk for hotel guests.

you are allowed to use the express lines for all rides and attractions
valid for unlimited usage.

you show your hotel key card for proof of staying on site to use the express lines.

I don't think you can use it on Pteranodon Flyers unless they changed that. So if thats a ride you would be interested in going on or your little one is then I suggest making that first stop as I have seen that line get over an hour since I believe it only loads 2 at a time and no express.

 

[Lesley Mahler]

Thanks everyone, I really appreciate it!!

 

[Metro West]

I don't think you can use it on Pteranodon Flyers unless they changed that. So if thats a ride you would be interested in going on or your little one is then I suggest making that first stop as I have seen that line get over an hour since I believe it only loads 2 at a time and no express.

You are correct...there is no Express line for the P-Flyers.