Questions for First Time Visit

[Liz&Griff'smom]

My family is vacationing at Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure in July. This our first time and we are very excited. I have a few questions about meals during our trip.

Is the Meal Deal plan worth purchasing? We are used to the Disney Dining Plan and do not know how this compares.

I also celebrating my 40th birthday during our vacation. Does anyone have any suggestions for a restaurant that would be a good place for my birthday dinner?

 

[Jonny_Duck]

My family is vacationing at Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure in July. This our first time and we are very excited. I have a few questions about meals during our trip.

Is the Meal Deal plan worth purchasing? We are used to the Disney Dining Plan and do not know how this compares.

I also celebrating my 40th birthday during our vacation. Does anyone have any suggestions for a restaurant that would be a good place for my birthday dinner?

I don't think its worth it. During the hours they are open you probably won't be able to get your moneys worth. However if you do eat twice and were going to eat there and get a desert then the price for the deal is worth it.

I haven't done the Disney plan so I am not sure how it compares but basically there are 3 places at each park iirc that take the meal deal. You get a bracelet and you go through to get something off the menu as well as a desert. If you want more you have to go back through the line to get more. Doesn't include a drink unless you want to get the cup that you annoyingly have to carry around all day for $8.99 ish and you get free refills on that.

If you want all your meals payed for in advance then its possible that its a good decision to buy. If you will just eat in the park once or eat twice w/o desert then financially it would be cheaper just to pay for the meal.

I enjoy Margaritaville and it has a pretty nice atmosphere....It may be a good choice for your birthday dinner.

 

[La2kw]

The dining plan can only be used at certain restaurants and very few of them are what I would call their better ones. Plus, those restaurants always seem a bit more crowded than the others. Oh, and the desserts available on that plan aren't very good. There are better desserts at other places.

For your 40th, I would try Tchoup Tchop or Margaritaville.

 

[francie57]

There is no comparison between the Disney dining plan and the Universal meal plan. The Universal meal plan is basically for fast food all day, unless you don't mind that type of food all day. For restaurants we love Margaritaville at City Walk. Another good sit down restaurant in the parks is Finnegan's Pub in Universal.

 

[Liz&Griff'smom]

Thank you so much for your suggestions. I think that we are going to skip the Meal Deal. It does not sound like it is worth the money. We may eat lunch in the parks, but we will probably eat at City Walk or the hotel for dinner.

I am leaning toward Margaritaville for my birthday. I LOVE margaritas, so that will be perfect. Do they take reservations?

 

[donaldduck352]

Here are two links to observe to decide on your dinner.There is so many places that are so great to eat at at Universal I have a hard time making up my mind!

Enjoy..

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2446764

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1031541

 

[Jonny_Duck]

Thank you so much for your suggestions. I think that we are going to skip the Meal Deal. It does not sound like it is worth the money. We may eat lunch in the parks, but we will probably eat at City Walk or the hotel for dinner.

I am leaning toward Margaritaville for my birthday. I LOVE margaritas, so that will be perfect. Do they take reservations?

I believe you can make reservation the day of at a special booth at the front of City Walk.

I rarely have to wait so I don't believe I have ever made a reservation but I am pretty sure you can. You won't need one 3 months in advance like you do at Disney so I would start by checking the booth in front of City Walk on your way into park.

 

[francie57]

If you are staying on-site there will be a number in your room to call the day you want a reservation. You can also go onto the Universal site and get a number direct for Margaritaville and call them. We made our reservations last Aug. a week before we went. Also, in the past if you stayed on site you could just show your room key Mon-Thurs and that would get you priority seating at the door.

 

[Metro West]

Another good sit down restaurant in the parks is Finnegan's Pub in Universal.

Let's not forget Mythos at IOA.