So Used to Disney...Need some Advice

[disney's daughter]

OK...I am so used to Disney....and now I am in charge of 12 of us this coming February...to go to Universal/IOA...Sea World....So far..I have our air fare tickets going one way (Air Tran doesn't have tickets available yet for coming back)...I purchased the two park ticket special for $86.00...I'll be puchasing Sea World and Blue Man tickets later on...as well as staying at one of the "on site" Universal hotels...I was so used to making reservations for meals for our Disney trips...One sit down character or non character per day...There are lots of places to choose from in Disney World...and except for a few places...(Mythos)..I'm really not familiar with too many in Universal....When my husband and I and one grandchild went a few years back...it seemed to me..we never made any reservations...We just walked in and waited...but, now...with twelve of us....What are your suggestions.....? Except for my husband...(who insists that he will eat at the Palm at the Hard Rock Hotel at least once..even if he has to eat by himself...which that wouldn't be a problem either... ) I don't think the rest of us would mind the counter service most of the time...I really don't know...We will have four grandchildren with us...(8,10,11,& 14)...Although we really enjoyed the once a day big and somewhat expensive meals we had each day at Disney...I saw a lot of "waste" of food with the grandchildren.....and part of me thinks..."Gee...why make such a big deal as to where we are going to eat?"...but, yet...again...It's hard to be so spontaneous with 12 people!!!

I guess I really need some suggestions.... We do make a grocery stop with the limo service...so we usually have breakfast in our rooms...

PS...I'll be paying for all the food for ten out of the group of twelve.....

 

[t-and-a]

Take a look at this site:
http://www.allears.net/uni/menu/menus.htm
There are menus with prices to the restaurants in the parks, hotels, and CityWalk. There are LOTS of GREAT counter service restaurants in the parks. We like Cafe La Bamba at Universal Studios, they have something for everyone, ribs, rotiserie chicken, burgers, BBQ sandwiches, etc. There are also places in IOA with a similar menu like Enchanted Oak. You don't have to eat at table service restaurants and spend a small fortune to get a good meal.

 

[t-and-a]

Another thing you might think about is closer to your hotel reservation dates, check the rates for your dates and type in APH in the promotional code box and then try AAA in the same box. See how much you will save. It might be worth your while to upgrade one ticket per room to an annual pass (which costs $190) or to become a member of AAA if you aren't already.

 

[robvia]

The good news is that February has light crowds.

My menu page is here.
Universal Menus
There is no food court like the Disney value resorts, so when you visit the grocery store, stock up on snacks and drinks. The more the better. You can also have pizza delivered in from Flippers, scroll down this page.
Flippers

The best advice is to have lunch at 11:30am each day, that's when crowds are less and you'll be served quicker. You'll figure out places to go. Bring gallon size zip lock bags to store left overs.

 

[disney's daughter]

Thanks guys for all the advice! I will definitely look into all of your suggestions! Whew! So much to learn!

 

[Beck's mom]

My menu page is here.

Just wanted to say thanks for those menu pages! Great info!

 

[disney's daughter]

WOW! ME TOO! Your Universal Menu site is just wonderful!!!!!!

 

[goofy!]

The other nice thing about Universal is that you don't have to preplan every minute and every meal, even for a group of 12. Lately we have been visiting with a group of 8 and usually never wait for more than 15-20 minutes as just a walk-up. We did make the mistake one night of not make morning reservations for Margaritaville and tried to walk up at 8pm - their busiest time - and had to wait an hour.

The easiest way to do it is to wake up that morning, decide where you want to eat and when you get to the parks, go to the dining cart (located right inside the gates) and make your reservations for later that evening.

The only exceptions would be Emerils and Tchoup Choup. Emerills especially should be made in advance through Opentable.com. Even Mythos with your large group shouldn't be hard to get same day during your travel dates.

 

[disney's daughter]

Now THAT is what I like to hear!!!