Restaurant line benefits for AP/Premier?

[BostonEd]

Hi. I've seen scattered mentions of being given "preferential treatment" if you are either staying at a Premier resort or have an Annual Pass (or both?) at some restaurants. Can anyone give an overview, or a link to where this is explained in more detail? I couldn't find it on the UO site. Thanks.

 

[BostonEd]

I did find something on the UO site for Premier resort guests:
"Premier Hotel guests can take advantage of Priority Seating* at select Universal Studios Florida, Universal’s Islands of Adventure and Universal CityWalk restaurants by visiting the Concierge desk of their hotel for reservations. This benefit grants Premier Hotel guest’s priority access to select dining venues through a reservation-booking platform, subject to availability. (Valid separate theme park admission is required for park entry. Restrictions apply.)"

That's not quite what I was looking for but hey it's something.

 

[Brian Noble]

I suspect that’s just the regular reservation tool.

 

[wagman67]

I suspect that’s just the regular reservation tool.

I bet you're right. I think I will test that next visit. Check app reservation times and then ask the concierge and see if there is a difference.

 

[ClapYourHands]

I’ve been able to have the concierge take care of booking dinner when I was staying at Royal Pacific. I don’t think it was anything more than what I could have done myself, but I didn’t have to do it. And it was faster for her on a computer than my on my phone. So I was in the park with my family while she was getting us reservations.

During certain times (like passholder appreciation days) there can be special AP seating areas or “secret” menu items. It’s not all the time at all restaurants.

 

[saskdw]

I did find something on the UO site for Premier resort guests:
"Premier Hotel guests can take advantage of Priority Seating* at select Universal Studios Florida, Universal’s Islands of Adventure and Universal CityWalk restaurants by visiting the Concierge desk of their hotel for reservations. This benefit grants Premier Hotel guest’s priority access to select dining venues through a reservation-booking platform, subject to availability. (Valid separate theme park admission is required for park entry. Restrictions apply.)"

That's not quite what I was looking for but hey it's something.

Things have changed a little since the pandemic.

You used to be able to walk up to a participating restaurant and show your room key and it basically bumps you to the front of the line for the next available table that suits your party.

They now use a reservation system resort wide at all the UO restaurants and discourage walk-ups. So if all the reservation spots are full your premier resort key won't help. The only real difference in December was if I presented my room key the host would search for a reservation spot for me instead of making you do it your self.

So essentially the new Disney style reservation system has ruined this perk.

 

[AJA]

I agree with saskdw. I remember walking up to Margaritaville and being seated right away even though there was a pretty long line (just showing our deluxe room key card). But I haven’t read any trip reports that included that perk since the pandemic.

 

[Jangles]

Landry’s still offer priority seating if you have their card, if Bubba Gump is your cup of tea.

 

[BostonEd]

They now use a reservation system resort wide at all the UO restaurants and discourage walk-ups. So if all the reservation spots are full your premier resort key won't help. The only real difference in December was if I presented my room key the host would search for a reservation spot for me instead of making you do it your self.

So essentially the new Disney style reservation system has ruined this perk.

Not exactly. I checked with the concierge and here's how it works: let's say you want to go to Cowfish. As long as you contact the concierge a half hour or so before your desired seating time, they should be able to get you in. And you can just call them, you don't need to go back to the hotel to do this.

So, you do need a *little* forethought, but not Disney-level pre-planning.

Again, this is only for the Premier resorts.

 

[wagman67]

.... And you can just call them, you don't need to go back to the hotel to do this.

So, you do need a *little* forethought, but not Disney-level pre-planning.

Again, this is only for the Premier resorts.

Does texting get the job done, as well? I use HRH texting frequently, when staying there...just never used it for concierge stuff.

 

[BostonEd]

Does texting get the job done, as well? I use HRH texting frequently, when staying there...just never used it for concierge stuff.

For this, they told me yes, you can text if you want.