Please help a Newbie!

[greenban]

A newbie to Universal that is!

After reading all the Universal related subs (for months and months) I finally decided to add a Friday, Saturday and Sunday stay at RPR. I debated club level or not, balancing the kids play, stay and eat free promotion.

What worked out best for my family, Me, DW, DD13, DS12 & DD5 was to get a Lowesfirst Card, and book a deluxe room at Lowe's site using the AAA discount, since DS10 is now too old for free tickets and meals.

Buying Adult tickets with free kids tickets on the Universal website (what do I do with 2 extra kids tickets?)

So, please tell me the must eat restaurants and rides/shows/attractions.

Is the US meal plan worth it?

Thanks in advance!

-Tony

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

Save the kid tickets for a return trip--I think you have until December to use them. I bought 2 adult tickets for my sister and her husband--free kid ticket. During our trip I will suggest she upgrade her tickets to AP's and return at Christmas.

We love Margaritaville. DS13 loves NBA City. I like to eat at the Kitchen at HRH. Mama Della's at PBH is nice too.

Our favorites at US are Mummy, Men in Black, Shrek, Jaws and the Horror Make Up Show.

Favs at IOA are Hulk, Bilge Rat Barges and River Adventure. DH and DS love Fire and Ice as well.

With your FOTL access you will have plenty of time to explore and experience everything for yourselves and decide on your own favorites.

If you enjoy a good drink, I recommend the Sweet Home Alabama at the Beach Club at HRH.

We have not tried the meal plan, but I will probably get it for DS next time he is there. He can eat a meal every hour!

 

[GOOFYDONALDMICKEY]

Just an idea, but what we normally do is get one Premium Annual Pass and get the AP rate. The deluxe rate @ PBH was only $199 per night which is a very good deal but we went ahead and booked Club Deluxe for $259 per night. Then everyone else in your party can get regular tickets or the ticket deal that you described earlier. And remember the lower price AP ticket is only $119.95 + tax. At that point, if you decide to come back next year (maybe a week earlier) you can use the AP and get the discount again as well as not having to purchase tickets. This usually works out very well for us. Also, as an AP holder you get 10% savings on 1-day and 15% savings on multi-day theme park tickets (up to 6 people). And, 20% savings at merchandise stores. All of this really adds up to alot of savings.

My suggestions are below:

Dining listed in order of Must-Do's first:

1) Emeril's Tchoup Tchoup (Asian/Polynesian)
2) Emeril's (Regular)
3) Mythos (Atmosphere)
4) Confisco Grille
5) Trattoria del Porto (Italian - PBH)
6) Green Eggs and Ham™ Cafe
7) Finnegan's Bar and Grill (Irish)

***With AP you will also get a 15% discount on pretty much every restaurant in USF***

Must-Ride's

1) The Mummy
2) Spiderman
3) Jurassic Park
4) Dr. Doom's Fearfall
5) MIB



Anyway, the greatest thing about staying in the on-site hotels is the FOTL access. Also, we always take a day to enjoy the Mandara Spa @ PBH. I hope this helps and have a great trip.

 

[greenban]

IMGONNABE40! & GOOFYDONALDMICKEY thanks for the tips and suggestions.

I made an error, we are staying at the RPR, not the HRH.

I am considering the 2 year AP with the bealls code, right now the AP rates did not seem superior to the AAA disocunts.

A couple more questions.

Can you make advanced reservations for restaurants (Margaritaville?)

Do you find the club level worth the $60.00 (or more) more a day for the benefits? If so, why?

TIA!

-Tony

 

[GOOFYDONALDMICKEY]

Do you find the club level worth the $60.00 (or more) more a day for the benefits? If so, why?

-Tony

My wife and I are the only ones traveling on this trip in September. I did a little research on a couple of different message boards and everyone seemed to think that $259 for club level @ PBH was a really good deal considering that same room during peak season could be high as $400 per night. For us it will probably not save money but only time and the perks are nice. I think concierge level in any hotel is only cost effective if you have a larger group like you do. Breakfast for 5 would cost probably $30-$40 in the park at a counter service restaurant. The $3 bottles of coke and water at the parks (you can stop at the club lounge and pick up before you head to the parks) 2 per person could easily add up to another $20-$30 per day. If you factor in snacks at lunch, hot food, drinks, and sweets in the evening that makes it very cost effective with 5 people. We stayed at WDWs Grand Floridian Concierge (Upgraded for free in January) and had a total of 5 people and save hundreds of dollars.

PBH Club Level Benefits:

Additional room amenities including cordless phone, evening turndown service, and cotton signature bathrobes
Welcome amenity featuring a custom CD of Italian music
Complimentary admission to health club at Mandara Spa®
Access to our 3,500 square foot lounge located off the main lobby
Personal concierge services to help with all your vacation needs
Access to game tables, billiard table, computer access, TV viewing area, a lending library for books, CDs and videos
Complimentary coffee, tea, and soft drinks throughout the day
Continental breakfast served each morning (7:00 am - 10:00 am)
Hot & cold hors d'oeuvres and complimentary beer and wine (5:00 pm - 7:00 pm)
"Something Sweet" each night (9:00 pm - 10:00 pm)
Lounge open daily 7:00am - 10:00pm

 

[greenban]

Thanks again!

My AAA rate for a standard room was $183.20 and the club room $263.20. The PAP/AP rate is still $292.38 & $392.38 respectively. I added a roll-away for $25.00 a night (I may cancel that and bring an inflatable sleeping bag instead). After reading your reply, I upgraded to the club level. (I think I'm an 'overflo' because I'm on the 6th floor, not the 7th, but I'll still get the benifits.

If you thing of anything else, please suggest away!

Thank you

-Tony