So many questions....

[mhgmom]

Hi. I'm planning a somewhat impromptu trip (4/7) and I've never been to Universal. I figured I'd throw my questions out in one thread.

Does Royal Pacific accept grocery deliveries?

Do I need to make dinner reservations at Margaritaville?

If we want to stop into Pat O'Brien's after dinner do I need to make a reservation?

In planning out our days, how long should I factor in for counter service lunches?

Can someone give me the scoop on the Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts? Is it like an ongoing thing beginning at 7:15? Is there a "best" viewing spot?

Thanks so much for any feedback.

 

[pattyw]

Staying at Royal Pacific, your room key will get you preferred seating at Margaritaville and other City Walk restaurants. If you eat lunch at a slower time, you can allot 45 min-1 hour. Busier times will take longer and some places it's hard to get seating. We actually like to go to City Walk for lunch (easy walk from the parks and not crowded ).

 

[mhgmom]

Staying at Royal Pacific, your room key will get you preferred seating at Margaritaville and other City Walk restaurants. If you eat lunch at a slower time, you can allot 45 min-1 hour. Busier times will take longer and some places it's hard to get seating. We actually like to go to City Walk for lunch (easy walk from the parks and not crowded ).

Thanks! Maybe that's a good idea. My husband is Gluten Free and there don't seem to be a lot of options for him in the park. How much time to you allot for eating lunch at City Walk at a non-busy time?

 

[pattyw]

I would say about a little over an hour to eat and 10 -15 minutes from the parks. The restaurants aren't crowded at all during lunch so you can eat fairly fast(and leisurely) even at a table service. There's a lot of counter service options as well. We've been at the parks at closing time, and just watch the masses leaving knowing many are headed for dinner at City Walk.

 

[gotomu212]

RPH does accept grocery deliveries.

You won’t need reservations anywhere, but if you want day of you can always make one just to speed things along (but your room key does get preferred seating).

I would differ with PP on lunch speed. For us counter service takes about 30 minutes. 5-10 minutes ordering, 20 minutes eating. We don’t really linger though. Table service I’d put more at 1 hour. It’s not counter service but Mythos is in the park and does have GF options. It’s worth a stop in my opinion.

 

[mhgmom]

Thanks!

 

[schumigirl]

As of last week the first showing of the Hogwarts light show was at 8pm when it just got dark.

We stood to the front of the castle near where the Frogs Choir stage is.......but towards the fence. There is tape lining the standing area off from the walking path for folks still moving in and out of FJ who don’t want to watch the show. We watched the Christmas light show from here too and we were happy with it.

You should check out Raeven’s trip reports. Her boyfriend is Gluten free and has always seems to have some lovely options........the menus are marked with them. We noticed more this time than before and you can ask if something can be adjusted. Chef’s are happy to come out and talk to you about any issues you may have.

 

[prairiesarah]

If you are going to Margaritaville, be sure to ask for a Gluten Free Menu (you may know this already). I found out they had one as it is a combined menu that has all the Gluten Free and Vegetarian options (two different sections). (I was wanting the vegetarian menu, so found this out on our trip a couple weeks ago). We went to Margaritaville about 7ish in the evening and with priority seating we waited about 10 minutes.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

We didn't make a reservation for Pat O'Brien's but we went during September. There is a cover charge of $7 after 10pm. I know you can make reservations but we didn't. We just walked up.

 

[mhgmom]

As of last week the first showing of the Hogwarts light show was at 8pm when it just got dark.

We stood to the front of the castle near where the Frogs Choir stage is.......but towards the fence. There is tape lining the standing area off from the walking path for folks still moving in and out of FJ who don’t want to watch the show. We watched the Christmas light show from here too and we were happy with it.

You should check out Raeven’s trip reports. Her boyfriend is Gluten free and has always seems to have some lovely options........the menus are marked with them. We noticed more this time than before and you can ask if something can be adjusted. Chef’s are happy to come out and talk to you about any issues you may have.

Thanks! Super helpful!

 

[mhgmom]

If you are going to Margaritaville, be sure to ask for a Gluten Free Menu (you may know this already). I found out they had one as it is a combined menu that has all the Gluten Free and Vegetarian options (two different sections). (I was wanting the vegetarian menu, so found this out on our trip a couple weeks ago). We went to Margaritaville about 7ish in the evening and with priority seating we waited about 10 minutes.

Good to know! Thanks!

 

[mhgmom]

We didn't make a reservation for Pat O'Brien's but we went during September. There is a cover charge of $7 after 10pm. I know you can make reservations but we didn't. We just walked up.

Thanks!

 

[nkereina]

Do I need to make dinner reservations at Margaritaville?

If we want to stop into Pat O'Brien's after dinner do I need to make a reservation?

As mentioned, no reservations required for Margaritaville. I'm not sure Pat O'Brien's takes reservations, but we've never had one and have been fine. I thought the cover charge was after 8pm, but that may be certain nights of the week. And I also heard that the cover charge is waved if you are staying at an on-site resort, but I've never tried. We did notice it was much busier on the weekends, and tended to get busier later in the night as well.

 

[macraven]

Last year the cover charge I saw posted began at 9:00

Live music at a few of the places is the reason for the cover charge

O’Brien, Marley and rising star have cover charges

I don’t have a problem paying it as the entertainment is good

City walk party pass can be purchased at guest services city walk office

Premier ap holders get the pass free or just show their ap at the above places

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Last year the cover charge I saw posted began at 9:00

We didn't pay attention to the sign as we left but they were charging cover charges at that point.

The 10pm I pulled from Universal's website for Pat O' Brien's but perhaps their website has inaccurate information:

 

[macraven]

Always go with what the website listed

What time I saw last year has probably changed

 

[bumbershoot]

M’ville has never once give us priority seating, saying that they aren’t busy enough for it. We’ve waited longer than 10 minutes.