Questions about upcoming trip

[Badge]

I have been reading this forum for awhile now but this is my first post!

We have been down to Universal a few times before normally for a day or two added in with Disney. Our last trip we came down JUST to Universal the week before Christmas for three nights a few months ago. We always stay on-site because of the express pass and the amazing rooms. Staying at the Royal Pacific in a suite! We always stay at this hotel, but never in such a nice room, so I am really looking forward to it!

We just finished booking the room for the longest trip I thought we would ever have at Universal...7 nights in June! While at first I was thinking this was going to be way to much time there, I decided this will allow us time to do some things we normally never have time to enjoy (plus drink a TON of butterbeer )

Anyways, I have a few questions that I am hoping you can help me out with.

1) Some good places to eat! Normally we eat counter service meals during the day and would always eat (every night we were there) at Jaks Bar at the Royal resort. However when we went last time, they had changed the menu and some of our favorites were gone (like the soup we loved!). Was the menu change just for the holidays or is that the new menu? Also, what about breakfast? I don't think we have ever had breakfast at Universal. At disney we normally would just eat the counter services meals at Pop for breakfast (french toast and stuff) but never looked for anything like that at Universal. The only full service place we have been to at the parks is Mythos and didn't enjoy it much, but that was about 5 years ago so we are going to try it again. So, what are your suggestions for meals while at Universal for breakfast, lunch, and dinner?

2) What are some "hidden" things that most people don't know about or get to experince while at Universal? The only thing I can think of that is somewhat "different" would be the talking fountain near Sinbad. We normally just hit the major rides and rarely do the shows.

3) Whenever we go, we never do Citywalk. Is there anything that would should check out this time?

I should mention that while we are down there, we will not have a car so we need things we can do just at Universal (the hotels, parks or citywalk). Looking forward to reading your suggestions.

 

[macraven]

I have been reading this forum for awhile now but this is my first post!

We have been down to Universal a few times before normally for a day or two added in with Disney. Our last trip we came down JUST to Universal the week before Christmas for three nights a few months ago. We always stay on-site because of the express pass and the amazing rooms. Staying at the Royal Pacific in a suite! We always stay at this hotel, but never in such a nice room, so I am really looking forward to it!

We just finished booking the room for the longest trip I thought we would ever have at Universal...7 nights in June! While at first I was thinking this was going to be way to much time there, I decided this will allow us time to do some things we normally never have time to enjoy (plus drink a TON of butterbeer )

Anyways, I have a few questions that I am hoping you can help me out with.

1) Some good places to eat! Normally we eat counter service meals during the day and would always eat (every night we were there) at Jaks Bar at the Royal resort. However when we went last time, they had changed the menu and some of our favorites were gone (like the soup we loved!). Was the menu change just for the holidays or is that the new menu? Also, what about breakfast? I don't think we have ever had breakfast at Universal. At disney we normally would just eat the counter services meals at Pop for breakfast (french toast and stuff) but never looked for anything like that at Universal. The only full service place we have been to at the parks is Mythos and didn't enjoy it much, but that was about 5 years ago so we are going to try it again. So, what are your suggestions for meals while at Universal for breakfast, lunch, and dinner?

2) What are some "hidden" things that most people don't know about or get to experince while at Universal? The only thing I can think of that is somewhat "different" would be the talking fountain near Sinbad. We normally just hit the major rides and rarely do the shows.

3) Whenever we go, we never do Citywalk. Is there anything that would should check out this time?

I should mention that while we are down there, we will not have a car so we need things we can do just at Universal (the hotels, parks or citywalk). Looking forward to reading your suggestions.

i'll be staying at rph in a king suite for 9 days in october on a solo trip and wondering if i will have enough time to do everything i want to..........

i always take time to sit on the bricks at the side of the Mystic Fountain and watch the interactions of kids and stonehenge.......

it is very intertaining.
i have wasted an hour before just watching and listening........

the show sinbad is good.
sit in the middle about 12 rows up from the front right side of the middle landing area.
you will see the best fight scenes there.

i put off going to it for years.
when i did go, i have repeated it each past visit.

i stay onsite but always go through some of the regular lines for the rides early in the morning.
you miss so much of the ambiance, story build up and background when you only do the express line.

i love Dr Doom and for 2 years did not do the regular line.......i always wondered why i avoided it...

spiderman, hulk, MIB, ET, mummy are some rides where you would want to do the regular line walk thru.
after that, use the express/single rider for the thrill of the ride....


check out with guest services the times the characters will be out for photos.
try to catch marilyn monroe, ricky and lucy at the studios.
it is such a treat!

hit the horror make up show at the studios.
a real hoot.
it changes each show based on the audience participation.

for breakfast, you can use the Orchid for a quick simple breakfast.
you pay per item.
free coffee refill if you return with your cup in the morning.

i think it was pastamore that had the breakfast side window walk up at 8 in city walk.
i need to check my notes on that.

cinnabon at city walk is a great sugar breakfast.

the Islands has a buffet but pricey but menu orders are reasonable there for breakfast.

i only have done Jakes in the afternoon and evening.
can't help you there for breakfast.


you will not find 'breakfast foods' in the parks.
city walk or the onsite hotels would be it.
with the exception of Boulangerie at the studio does have crossiasant sandwiches made to order.
do not remember their opening time though.



you could take the boat over to PBH and walk from there to the Walgreens.
it has everything you would want there.
donuts, good stuff..........


Boulangerie has a great menu.
i usually eat there at least 2 different times a trip.
Louies is great for the pizza/salad combo.
meatball sandwich is another winner there.

finnegans has a good menu.
all priced quite well.

lombards for a sit down is okay for some menu choices.

IFFF is cafeteria style of 4 different cuisines.
the best fried chicken dinner for me was there.
tv on near each table for entertainment.

fire eaters grill at ioa is my favorite for gyros and dogs.
never had a bad one there yet.

thunder something near JP is very good with a decent choice of items.

blondie's home of the dagwood is one i always hit for the freshly made to order sandwiches.

there are more in the parks that i have eaten at but the above ones, i never miss on my trips.

depending on what type of food you like could help make the decision of which city walk restaurant you would enjoy eating at.

there are a few i would not return to but many others are places i would repeat each visit.


do something different on your next trip.
pool hop.

take your room key and go to the other hotel pools.
show your key for towels.
use the water taxi to get to them.

have a light meal or snack poolside at any of them.

this alone could take up the entire afternoon.

i'm sure others will come along and add their thoughts.
i have more but i am known for rambling............



wait, i did think of something else to say.
take advantage of the torch ceremony at the rph each evening.
it is fun to watch.
my room was over that area, tower 3 last year.

in all my stays there, i have never stuck around to watch this entertainment.
try to take it in for sure.

 

[Metro West]

thunder something near JP is very good with a decent choice of items.

blondie's home of the dagwood is one i always hit for the freshly made to order sandwiches.

Now don't tell me you have forgotten Thunder Falls Terrace?

Blondie's is very good!

 

[Queen2PrincessG]

We really loved Confisco Grille. It's at the Port Of Entry In IOA

 

[Bluer101]

Now don't tell me you have forgotten Thunder Falls Terrace?

Blondie's is very good!

You keep mentioning Thunder Falls and I told my wife we are going to try it this trip. We always walk right by.

 

[macraven]

Now don't tell me you have forgotten Thunder Falls Terrace?

Blondie's is very good!

well, i did mention them in a different thread last night.
or was it earlier this morning??


i love blondie's as i can have what i want on the sandwich.
thunder falls can't be beat!

 

[Metro West]

You keep mentioning Thunder Falls and I told my wife we are going to try it this trip. We always walk right by.

Here's what you do...have lunch at TFT and then step outside near the splash zone of JPRA and relax for a while. It's a great mid-day break and funny to watch people's reactions as they come down the drop and get soaked.

 

[Bluer101]

Here's what you do...have lunch at TFT and then step outside near the splash zone of JPRA and relax for a while. It's a great mid-day break and funny to watch people's reactions as they come down the drop and get soaked.

I have to admit we stand in the splash zone. Its fun after getting off Dudley Do Right and Popeye.

Its great when someone is dry and sees us standing there, they come over like there's something to see. Then wham, over comes the huge wall of water.

 

[Tink2Day]

TFT is yummmmy!!!
It's even funnier watching people STANDING in the soak zone and getting, duh, soaked.

That is the ones who do it unintentionally. Might as well go on the rides and get soaked for a reason at that point.

 

[Tink2Day]

I have to admit we stand in the splash zone. Its fun after getting off Dudley Do Right and Popeye.

Its great when someone is dry and sees us standing there, they come over like there's something to see. Then wham, over comes the huge wall of water.

Now that's just mean

 

[Badge]

Wow, thanks for all the suggestions! I have a few more questions that I forgot to ask about in my last post.

1) Around what time does the park start getting dark mid June? I love riding the rides in the dark, but Universal always seems to close so early and you can never enjoy the darkness. IOA is closing at 9 and 10 and US is closing at 8 and 9 while we are there. About how many hours of somewhat darkness do you think we will get?

2) Does anybody know if the Blue Man Group is still doing the college tickets for $30. Does it work for out of state and community colleges? Going down with 2 other people and last I heard (from a post a year old) the limit was 2 tickets at the $30 price and you had to buy them day of. We have never seen the show before and really want to experince it. Will tickets sell out before we can buy them day of?

3) Does the King Suite room offer the club level features like the free drinks and sweets in the evening? If so, how much does it normally cost?

4) Anybody know if there will be fireworks from June 15-22?

Thanks again!

 

[tinydancer09]

Wow, thanks for all the suggestions! I have a few more questions that I forgot to ask about in my last post.

1) Around what time does the park start getting dark mid June? I love riding the rides in the dark, but Universal always seems to close so early and you can never enjoy the darkness. IOA is closing at 9 and 10 and US is closing at 8 and 9 while we are there. About how many hours of somewhat darkness do you think we will get?

2) Does anybody know if the Blue Man Group is still doing the college tickets for $30. Does it work for out of state and community colleges? Going down with 2 other people and last I heard (from a post a year old) the limit was 2 tickets at the $30 price and you had to buy them day of. We have never seen the show before and really want to experince it. Will tickets sell out before we can buy them day of?

3) Does the King Suite room offer the club level features like the free drinks and sweets in the evening? If so, how much does it normally cost?

4) Anybody know if there will be fireworks from June 15-22?

Thanks again!

Generally the sun sets around 8-8:30ish depending on what part of june you go. It will be dark at least by 9 I would say. I've always been on the western side of Florida though. Ive never been at Universal past day light but IOA is something to stick around for!

At Universal there is a nice sandwich shop back my Jaw's and DISASTER! It's called San Fransisco Cafe and Eatery or something like that. There is a nathan's near there as well. We like to grab a nice meal there because the eating area is covered and not many people choose that type of food in park.

I'll have more to say about this later. My internet is being laggy and I can't bring up the rest of your posts.

 

[macraven]

Wow, thanks for all the suggestions! I have a few more questions that I forgot to ask about in my last post.



2) Does anybody know if the Blue Man Group is still doing the college tickets for $30. Does it work for out of state and community colleges? Going down with 2 other people and last I heard (from a post a year old) the limit was 2 tickets at the $30 price and you had to buy them day of. We have never seen the show before and really want to experince it. Will tickets sell out before we can buy them day of?

3) Does the King Suite room offer the club level features like the free drinks and sweets in the evening? If so, how much does it normally cost?


Thanks again!

check their website for that $30 special.
i have seen it on there off and on over the months.
i went to it 2 years ago and enjoyed it.


the king suite is a room category.
no free club level amenities to it unless your king suite is on club level.

i have booked king suite the last 5 years.
i have either used a promo code or my ap for the discount for the room.