Slightly first time.. Looking for more info

[Jenn55]

Is isn't our first time to universal, my son, who was almost 8 at the time went back in January 2014 but we stayed onsite at disney and took a taxi over for 2 days to visit. This time around we're going either in November or December 2015 and will be staying at the lowes royal pacific resort hopefully from dec 9-13th, leaving disney on the 9th and heading over then flying home the 13th. As I said, we've been before, recently and I know what my son will and will not do.. The 2 rides at the old potter section he won't (and he didn't speak to me all day after I took him on the the first time we went and scared the crap out of him.. He's not a coaster fan!) he loves the transformers and Simpson and Spider-man type rides. I'm looking at getting a 3 day park to park pass for the 10, 11 and 12th. I'm also looking at getting the dinning pass and was wondering what everyone thought of it and if it's worth it and what it entails. I'm breaking up our time as basically 2 full days to do potter stuff, as I said basically neither of the old rides and maybe I can convince him to do the new one.. I basically had to lie to get him on the other two and tell him there was nothing to them! Terrible mother I know lol and the third day to do the rest of the rides in both parks. He's only at the moment maybe 48 inches so I highly doubt he'll be much taller in a year which rules out the big coasters and even then he won't do them.

So as I said, any help and knowledge would be appreciated!

 

[Jenn55]

Oh and I forgot to mention, last time cause we stayed in disney, I used UT for my universal/IOA tickets, is it better to book the resort and tickets as a whole through universal or to book the resort then go to UT again for tickets? I find the universal website not nearly as user friendly as the disney one.

 

[RMulieri]

Oh and I forgot to mention, last time cause we stayed in disney, I used UT for my universal/IOA tickets, is it better to book the resort and tickets as a whole through universal or to book the resort then go to UT again for tickets? I find the universal website not nearly as user friendly as the disney one.

Book separately.Packages rarely offer any real advantage and come with penalties for changes or cancellations.I book thru Loews hotels directly ( only one night deposit is due at booking) and order tickets thru UT

 

[Jenn55]

Book separately.Packages rarely offer any real advantage and come with penalties for changes or cancellations.I book thru Loews hotels directly ( only one night deposit is due at booking) and order tickets thru UT

Great thank you!

 

[macraven]

I'm looking at getting a 3 day park to park pass for the 10, 11 and 12th. I'm also looking at getting the dinning pass and was wondering what everyone thought of it and if it's worth it and what it entails.

So as I said, any help and knowledge would be appreciated!

i don't feel the dining pass is worth it.
there are a couple of sit down places in the park as well as city walk.

https://www.universalorlando.com/Restaurants/Universal-Dining-Plan.aspx

that explains the dining program and what is involved for the dinner.
for $51 + tax, you could do better opp.

the dessert is restaurant selected.
the entree you chose from a selected menu.

if you go with the quick service plan which is 1 counter service entree, beverage and 1 snack, that is about $19.99 + tax

to come out ahead with the full dining plan, you need to figure out the costs of the entree/menus.
a few of the counter service eateries can be a good deal.

i have gone with the counter service dining plan and saved about $6 using it.

it is possible that a sit down dinner/lunch could take an hour of your park time.
i prefer to go to city walk when the park closes for a lengthy dinner.

i'm sure others have an opinion and some may love the dining plan.
hopefully they will share their experiences for you in order to help you make a decision.

 

[Jenn55]

i don't feel the dining pass is worth it. there are a couple of sit down places in the park as well as city walk. https://www.universalorlando.com/Restaurants/Universal-Dining-Plan.aspx that explains the dining program and what is involved for the dinner. for $51 + tax, you could do better opp. the dessert is restaurant selected. the entree you chose from a selected menu. if you go with the quick service plan which is 1 counter service entree, beverage and 1 snack, that is about $19.99 + tax to come out ahead with the full dining plan, you need to figure out the costs of the entree/menus. a few of the counter service eateries can be a good deal. i have gone with the counter service dining plan and saved about $6 using it. it is possible that a sit down dinner/lunch could take an hour of your park time. i prefer to go to city walk when the park closes for a lengthy dinner. i'm sure others have an opinion and some may love the dining plan. hopefully they will share their experiences for you in order to help you make a decision.

Thank you! I'll take a look at that link. We only had like 1 meal the 2 days we were there back in January, we brought sandwhiches and snacks with us, cause we traveld from disney both days so I wasn't sure what to expect or if was worth it. Sons very picky, he'll be 9 and hopefully less picky at that time, but I'm not counting on it so I'll have to see what each has to offer and make sure I can find stuff he'll eat.

 

[macraven]

check out damo's thread sticky.
all about the menus and food.

you can also find the menus at www.citywalk.com and www.universalorlando


in Port of Entry/IOA, Confisco Grill has a decent variety.
prices are good.

boulangerie at the studios is a sandwich type of shop.
crossiant sandwiches made there, served with a scoop of home made potato salad, slice of cantaloup and a strawberry for under $10.

and the desserts are from cheesecake factory.
you can sit outside or inside the place.

what type of foods does your son prefer?
hamburgers, pizza, fries, etc?

NBA city in citywalk has good and resonable priced food for lunch and dinner.

 

[Jenn55]

check out damo's thread sticky. all about the menus and food. you can also find the menus at www.citywalk.com and www.universalorlando in Port of Entry/IOA, Confisco Grill has a decent variety. prices are good. boulangerie at the studios is a sandwich type of shop. crossiant sandwiches made there, served with a scoop of home made potato salad, slice of cantaloup and a strawberry for under $10. and the desserts are from cheesecake factory. you can sit outside or inside the place. what type of foods does your son prefer? hamburgers, pizza, fries, etc? NBA city in citywalk has good and resonable priced food for lunch and dinner.

I'll check those all out.. He loves pizza, fries, pasta (no sauce), white rice, garlic bread.. He doesn't eat meat at all, as much as I try to get him to, he refuses to