Questions about everything

[ufgator]

About FOTL... Is it like Disney's fastpass? Do you really go right to the front of the line? Is there a limit (like you can only use it so many times in an hour, etc.)? Does everyone in your party have to show their resort ID?

About tix... We would only go to the parks one day. We are FL residents. Is there a pass for one day that allows you into the parks? How much are tix for FL residents?

What are good restaurants there - in the theme parks, Citywalk and the resorts?

How far is Portofino from Citywalk and from the parks?

We're staying at Portofino Nov. 22-26. Is there a certain area we should request (we'll have dogs in our rooms)? Where do you walk your dogs? Is there anything we should see at the hotel?

Are there any websites that can help with planning?

Is there anything else I should know?

I'm clueless about Universal; we always go to WDW. Thank you for any help.

 

[metsfan11]

About FOTL... Is it like Disney's fastpass? Do you really go right to the front of the line? Is there a limit (like you can only use it so many times in an hour, etc.)? Does everyone in your party have to show their resort ID?

About tix... We would only go to the parks one day. We are FL residents. Is there a pass for one day that allows you into the parks? How much are tix for FL residents?

What are good restaurants there - in the theme parks, Citywalk and the resorts?

How far is Portofino from Citywalk and from the parks?

We're staying at Portofino Nov. 22-26. Is there a certain area we should request (we'll have dogs in our rooms)? Where do you walk your dogs? Is there anything we should see at the hotel?

Are there any websites that can help with planning?

Is there anything else I should know?

I'm clueless about Universal; we always go to WDW. Thank you for any help.

ok heres a few answers:

about fotl, since you are staying onsite, you can just show your room key and go to the front of the universal express line, the line that is similar to disneys fastpass. you will have very few crouds and not a long wait for anything.

as for restaurants, at the parks theres mythos at ioa, which is one of the best theme park restaurnats in the world, also confisco grille which is a buffet for breakfast.

at city walk, margarittaville is really good, so is nba city, emirels (fancy), and hard rock cafe (largest in the world)

ive never stayed at portofino but ive been there and its beautiful

as for websites that can help you, you've found the DIS! this website will answer any question you have about anything

pm me if you have any questions

have fun

 

[macraven]

About FOTL... Is it like Disney's fastpass? Do you really go right to the front of the line? Is there a limit (like you can only use it so many times in an hour, etc.)? Does everyone in your party have to show their resort ID?

About tix... We would only go to the parks one day. We are FL residents. Is there a pass for one day that allows you into the parks? How much are tix for FL residents?

What are good restaurants there - in the theme parks, Citywalk and the resorts?

How far is Portofino from Citywalk and from the parks?

We're staying at Portofino Nov. 22-26. Is there a certain area we should request (we'll have dogs in our rooms)? Where do you walk your dogs? Is there anything we should see at the hotel?

Are there any websites that can help with planning?

Is there anything else I should know?

I'm clueless about Universal; we always go to WDW. Thank you for any help.

using the fotl is unlimited..........if you are not staying on site , you can use the express pass program.

the front desk will let you know where you can walk your dogs.
it is nice that the three hotels will accomodate pets isn't it.

tell us what you are looking for at universal. are you into the shows/attractions?
the rides that a family can do together
or thrill rides?
if we know more, we can answer your questions in a way to help you out.

i have never had a bad meal at universal, disney yes but not at universal.
even at the sit down places, it ddoesn't take an hour and a half like at disney.
lombards and finnegans at universal studios have excellent choices and reasonable in price. mythos, enchanted oak, on the island side are great also.
refillable mugs can be done at both parks. my mug is many years old and it is still honored for the refills at the parks.

i have been to margaritaville, nba city, motown, hard rock cafe and pastamore at city walk. no problems wiht any of them.
there is a web site that will show the menus and resturants at city walk.
check it out as it wil help you decide which ones to dine at.

mythos is at ioa and just a boat ride away from portafino. it would take about 4 minutes on the boat and then a walk to the back of ioa to get there.
you can walk to the parks from your hotel, not a long one but could take 8 minutes. busses also run from the hotel to the parks. you are let out by universal on the side employee parking lot area by hard rock hotel.

i need to go back and reread your post to see if i have missed anything.

post again with more questions if we have missed the mark with yours.

 

[Mimi Q]

Here's ticket info for Florida residents from the official Universal site:

EXCLUSIVE FLORIDA RESIDENT TICKET OFFERS
For a limited time, Florida residents can save money with two exclusive online ticket specials. These specials can only be purchased online and are not available at the front gate of either theme park.

$10 off 1-Day/2-Park Ticket

Save $10 from the front gate price on a 1-Day/2-Park ticket. Experience Orlando’s most thrilling rides and attractions at both Universal Studios AND Islands of Adventure, all in the same day!


$59.95 plus tax (Ages 10 and up)

$49.95 plus tax (Ages 3-9)


10% off a 1-Day/1-Park Ticket

Florida residents can purchase a 1-Day/1-Park ticket online and save 10% from the gate price. For one day, you can enjoy either Universal Studios Florida OR Islands of Adventure.


$53.77 plus tax (Ages 10 and up)

$43.20 plus tax (Ages 3-9)


Remember, these tickets are only available online, so click here to purchase these limited time offers.

Prices above reflect special savings. The following restrictions apply -- Limit four (4) tickets per valid Florida ID. Valid Florida ID's are - Florida driver’s license, Florida state-issued ID card (must have Florida address), Florida voter’s registration card with corresponding picture ID, a college ID for a Florida college or Florida-based military ID

 

[goofy!]

.....

 

[ChrisFL]

Wow, you'll be there that long and only go to the parks for 1 day?

 

[ufgator]

Thanks for all the good info, everyone! I'm going to print everything out.

macraven, you asked about our interests. My DH and I are late 20s/early 30s and my mom (I'm not allowed to reveal her age ) will be with us. My mom would not go with us to the parks so it would just be DH and I in the parks. DH likes rollercoasters, but I'm not as interested so I can wait for him (I've riden the Hulk before though). I can do rollercoasters but I won't do anything that just drops straight down like Tower of Terror. I'm interested in rides and shows if they're good. I read about the Animal Planet show and the Shrek show, which sound interesting.

We're interested in the spa. My mom and I will go outlet shopping one day (we were thinking of doing that the day we arrive). My mom and I also like to shop in general. We would like to go to Citywalk some night.

Most of Thanksgiving day we'll go to my MIL's house, who lives in Orlando. This is the main reason we're going there.

goofy, thinking about the layout in the shape of a V helps.

Do anyone know if there is a map on the web of the layout of all of Universal, resorts and parks?

Is there a certain area of Portofino that we should request? We booked king bed rooms - does that limit our choices?

Thank you again for your help.

 

[ufgator]

Wow, you'll be there that long and only go to the parks for 1 day?

When we go to Disney, we don't usually go to the parks everyday. The main reason of the trip is to go to MIL's house for Thanksgiving. We decided to extend the trip to go shopping, maybe the spa and just relax. We could go to the parks more than once, but we'll just play it by ear. We haven't been to Universal in over 6 years.

 

[macraven]

yes, there are a few places on the net that have the park layout.
if i don't come up with it first, i am sure someone else will post it.

since you like attractions a lot i strongly suggest you do shrek and he gory,horror make up show. it is a hoot.......it is near mels.
both are at universal studios. if you like the tv show and like animals, animal planet is a fun show to watch. i think it runs about 20 minutes.

beetlejuice review might be something you would enjoy if you like music.
its a musical review of older hits. the characters dress up, of course universal style, in monster attire.........
i used to love this attraction but since they changed the songs last year, i usually skip it.
twister is good. it is an attraction and not a ride.
if you saw the movie you would get a kick out of this one.

now the spa, i can't help you with that one. it is something i have never done.

off to find the map of universal with the hotels......
i could mail you the guide books for each park if you want them.


wait........i know the website for you. i will post it in a sec

 

[macraven]

go to universal-excitement.com


you can get the maps, ride info, everything......

mike owns that site and is always so glad to help everyone have the best vacation possible at universal.

definetely go to
universal-excitement.com

 

[Donnask8pro]

Would you say it was the same walk time from The Contemporary? We did that walk all the time a year ago. RPR? Thanks

 

[phamton]

I would say it is closer than the walk from the Contemporary to MK and a much more beautiful walk.