Reassurances please?

[bookbabe626]

We're US first-timers but 20+ year WDW vets, and we head to US on Thursday for our first visit. Yes, just over the Easter weekend. Staying club level at RPR, but not arriving until midnight. We've noted this on the reservation. We have 4-day 3-park tickets, and EP via the hotel. I was finally able to make one dinner reservation, at Lombards for Friday, but that's it.

It's kind of freaking me out. For our May WDW trip, on a less busy weekend, we've got FastPasses and multiple dinner, tour and dessert party reservations...for Universal, it feels like we have no plans at all. I know you're supposed to be able to do a lot less planning and still have a great US trip, but does that apply to a busy weekend like this?

Will it really be okay? How bad will the EP lines be on a very busy weekend? Are we going to have problems finding someplace to eat that doesn't have a long line? Are we going to get the worst room in the hotel because we're arriving so late? Or am I worrying for no reason?

Thoughts? Reassurances from the US experts out there? Thanks!

 

[SgtTibbs]

You're able to do a lot less planning and still have a great US trip.

First off, staying at RPR you get Express pass Unlimited. It's like having all the Fastpasses you want. So no worries there.
You also get priority seating at "select" restaurants. Walk in, say you are staying at RPR and you will get bumped to the head of the wait list.

Don't worry, you got this.

 

[georgina]

Yes, don't worry! You will have a wonderful trip! Express Pass is great. Club level is wonderful also, breakfast is provided, and RPR is so close to the parks you can head back for appetizers and beer/wine in the evening. If you are heading to Volcano Bay, I would advise going for the early entry hour, it will probably get crowded in the afternoon (your EP won't work there). Lots of restaurants at the resorts and City walk to choose from. Relax and have a great time!

 

[macraven]

Take advantage and use the early entry for the mornings

Potter section and a ride outside of that area will be open one hour early

Take advantage of that since lines will be longer than usual for spring break

Knock off a few of the most popular rides in that first hour and the rest of your day will be smoother

 

[Robo56]

Since it Spring break and Easter weekend it will be busy. So if you would like to make some ressies at some of the restaurants that take them you can do that at the Universal website. As noted above you have the option as an onsite guest to get priority seating.

Just don’t try to get in a restaurant on CityWalk after the parks close without a ressie if possible. Those restaurants can get slammed after the parks close.

Staying Club level at RPR will help with breakfast, snacks and beverages as well as light offerings in the evening and desserts.

There are some nice dining options at RPR, Orchids for sushi, Jakes and the Islands Dining Room

Voodoo donuts is now open at CityWalk so make sure to stop by there and get a donut.

Have a great time.

 

[agavegirl1]

You will be fine. As previous posters have mentioned, you will have no trouble with your dining with the priority seating. If you are concerned, try checking Open Table for options at Universal restaurants. It will be busy but you will have unlimited Express. You're golden. With Club level, you will have light meals available free. I know it is hard to get a handle on the lack of planning but that is why we end our Orlando trips at Universal.

 

[pattyw]

4 days at UO is wonderful! No worries- we are past Disney commandos and were a little worried that we didn't plan enough for Universal. This is the top reason we LOVE UO!! No planning! No worries! No stress!!!Please report back and let us know how your trip went.

 

[gotomu212]

Just wanted to add that we stayed club level over spring break a couple of years ago and the club concierage was able to make reservations for us every day for places that were not showing on open table. We just gave her a note with restaurants and times we wanted each morning and they had it taken care of before we even finished breakfast.

Since you’re club don’t worry about getting the worst room in the hotel either (I would say don’t worry regardless of your room pick since they all seem great but especially with club level).

EP lines might be a little longer but they’ll still be way better than standby and with that many days you’ll definetely do everything you want!

Come back and let us know how you think it compares to WDW!

 

[Lynne G]

And maybe see if another restaurant meets your needs for Friday dinner. Lombards gets good and bad reviews, and we ate dinner there two days after Christmas, and had also ate there solo in October last year. Will not eat there again. If you like bar kinda food, Finnegans is one of our favorite. Burgers and such very good there. Confisco Grill also has good food. Otherwise, I'd check out Islands in the hotel, or one of the restaurants in CityWalk. We like the Hard Rock Cafe too, in the Hard Rock hotel.

Damo has a stickie at the top with menus. May take a look at that to see what restaurant(s) interest you.


Have a great time. While we like Disney too, the ability to ride and enter shows without as long a wait, ride a boat to the parks, and have many places to choose to eat quick and sit down food in the parks and City Walk, as well as a great movie theater and fun mini golf (both at City Walk) is what keeps us going back to Universal.

 

[bookbabe626]

Thanks for all the feedback. I'm hoping it goes as well as everyone is suggesting. It just seems weird that it's really that easy, so I guess Disney must have well-trained me in hoop-jumping and uber-planning.

And thanks for the suggestion, Lynne, about Lombards. That was DH's pick, as he needs/wants fish and chips on Good Friday, but doesn't want to line up for quick service and wants to save Finnegans for another day since there's so much on the menu that looks terrific. At least it's just an open table reservation, and if we bail and head to Bubba Gump (his second choice) there's no cancellation fee. And we've got a Landry's membership, so getting into Bubba Gump last minute should be doable.

I'm as excited as I am nervous, but I'm sure it'll be a great trip. Thanks, everyone!

 

[macraven]

Just wanted to add that we stayed club level over spring break a couple of years ago and the club concierage was able to make reservations for us every day for places that were not showing on open table. We just gave her a note with restaurants and times we wanted each morning and they had it taken care of before we even finished breakfast.

Since you’re club don’t worry about getting the worst room in the hotel either (I would say don’t worry regardless of your room pick since they all seem great but especially with club level).

EP lines might be a little longer but they’ll still be way better than standby and with that many days you’ll definetely do everything you want!

Come back and let us know how you think it compares to WDW!

There are a few rooms on club and each floor that are not awesome...
One wing does not have the best views but that is for a few of the standard rooms.
I've only have known two peeps that mentioned they were moved from those rooms.

I don't think the highway view is all that bad

 

[mnmmoney]

Best Fish & Chips is at Jakes in the RPR! Surprisingly fantastic!

 

[GoldmanTrust]

Sounds like a wonderful vacation. Have a nice trip.

 

[MikeNamez]

Welcome to the wonderful world of Universal where you don't need to decide what you want to eat 23847238967289347 million years before your trip. Everything will be just fine, take advantage of Preferred seating at restaurants because your staying on site. EP lines will be fine, you should get through everything plus redoing a few things in 4 days.