Reservations at Margaritaville

[MDM]

We are a few weeks away from first visit to IOA and USF. Going to be so lost! Have tried to read up as much as possible. Some info says make reservations in advance others say the day of is fine!

Going to Margaritaville on a Sunday Night (Aug 24) reservations in advance?
6 people

Help!


MDM

 

[Metro West]

We are a few weeks away from first visit to IOA and USF. Going to be so lost! Have tried to read up as much as possible. Some info says make reservations in advance others say the day of is fine!

Going to Margaritaville on a Sunday Night (Aug 24) reservations in advance?
6 people

Help!


MDM

It wouldn't be a bad idea considering the size of your party. You can make reservations at the CityWalk kiosk across from the theater. Here's what to look for:

 

[MDM]

Metro West, Think I should call now?

MDM

 

[Metro West]

Metro West, Think I should call now?

MDM

You can try but normally you can make reservations that morning. If you get there at opening, you should be OK.

 

[THUNDERMOUNTAINMOMMA]

We went with a party of 7 on a Friday night. I called in an advanced reservation the week of, just so I wouldn't forget later. It was a great idea, as our wait was significantly less!

 

[Metro West]

We went with a party of 7 on a Friday night. I called in an advanced reservation the week of, just so I wouldn't forget later. It was a great idea, as our wait was significantly less!

 

[goofy!]

Just an FYI - Margaritaville does not honor FOTL for parties over 7. We often go with a party of 8 and are not able to use our hotel pass.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

Just an FYI - Margaritaville does not honor FOTL for parties over 7. We often go with a party of 8 and are not able to use our hotel pass.

I had a party of 3 on July 20 at 6:30pm and the hotel pass was useless. They told me it would still be over an hour wait. So I would recommend calling a few days in advance at the latest.

 

[goofy!]

I had a party of 3 on July 20 at 6:30pm and the hotel pass was useless. They told me it would still be over an hour wait. So I would recommend calling a few days in advance at the latest.

How long did you actually wait? They always tell us it will be an hour, yet we have never waited more than 15 minutes. In March, the regular wait was 90 minutes. They told our party of 5 it would be about an hour with FOTL. The actual wait was approximately 3 minutes. They handed us the beeper, we turned around, started heading down the steps into the store and it went off. We were promptly seated at a great table.

There really is no need to make reservations several days in advance. As MetroWest mentioned above, stopping at the dining cart in the morning should be sufficient. That is the beauty of Universal; you can be spontaneous.

 

[macraven]

of course they will say you have an hour wait even if you have the hotel key.

do you realize how many of the patrons that are waiting to get in would get riled up if they found out you could walk in before them...........

they give you a buzzer like goofy said, and yours will go off way before the others.

not many groups are going to stand around and time when others go in to the restaurant.

the hotel key will get you in sooner than the walk ups.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

How long did you actually wait? They always tell us it will be an hour, yet we have never waited more than 15 minutes. In March, the regular wait was 90 minutes. They told our party of 5 it would be about an hour with FOTL. The actual wait was approximately 3 minutes. They handed us the beeper, we turned around, started heading down the steps into the store and it went off. We were promptly seated at a great table.

There really is no need to make reservations several days in advance. As MetroWest mentioned above, stopping at the dining cart in the morning should be sufficient. That is the beauty of Universal; you can be spontaneous.

We waited 15 minutes and then gave up. I had no idea how much longer it would have been and I'm impatient. It didn't help that the other 2 in the party were my DS12 and DD8.

They were complaining about being starving and getting whiny so we went to IOA as planned and ended up eating at Capt. America Cafe. It wasn't as good as Margaritaville would have been but at least I didn't have to hear the kids complain anymore.

Next time, I'm being smart and getting a reservation.

 

[tinkerkel2u]

I say call too! You can make ressies 30 days in advance at Margaritaville. We went this summer (with ressies) and were in, in 5 minutes (and even got on Porch of Indecision, which we requested. This was at 8:00 in the evening on the day before the 4th of July! Others were being told 1-2 hour wait.

 

[vellamint]

I say call too! You can make ressies 30 days in advance at Margaritaville. We went this summer (with ressies) and were in, in 5 minutes (and even got on Porch of Indecision, which we requested. This was at 8:00 in the evening on the day before the 4th of July! Others were being told 1-2 hour wait.

Hi. What is the Porch of Indecision? Thanks

 

[tinkerkel2u]

Hi Velamint! The Porch of Indecision is the lower floor outdoor dining area. We loved it, because we could "tourist watch" while we were eating. Also, we were lucky enough to be seated during the fireworks at Universal Studios. It wasn't a "perfect view", but nice to see. There is also a 2nd floor covered balcony you can dine on. I love Margaritaville, the atmosphere is great.