Sticky for money saving tips at Universal.

[Ragman]

I've seen some here and there but I was wondering if anyone had any tips they could post to a thread and perhaps if it gets enough attention it could be made into a sticky?

One of the most popular I know about is to buy a refillable character cup ( I think it's usually about $8 to $10) and bring it along with you everyday you are there. I think some refills are free ( I may be wrong) but I do know you get a really good discount if you come back for refills using your character cup. If you buy 2 or more regular drinks during your stay you've already paid for one.

The entertainment book used to have one of the best discounts with the meal and movie deal (Although we rarely used the movie part) but I havent seen it in the last 2 books I've gotten.

I have read you can get discounts with AAA and with Loews card but Im not sure what that covers and how much.

I would like to know what are the cheapest resturants in the park to eat at that have the most reasonable, er cheapest prices.

If this topic has been covered already just flame me and tell me I need to read more. thanks guys and gals.

 

[ky07]

I've seen some here and there but I was wondering if anyone had any tips they could post to a thread and perhaps if it gets enough attention it could be made into a sticky?

One of the most popular I know about is to buy a refillable character cup ( I think it's usually about $8 to $10) and bring it along with you everyday you are there. I think some refills are free ( I may be wrong) but I do know you get a really good discount if you come back for refills using your character cup.

The entertainment book used to have one of the best discounts with the meal and movie deal (Although we rarely used the movie part) but I havent seen it in the last 2 books I've gotten.

I have read you can get discounts with AAA and with Loews card but Im not sure what that covers and how much.

I would like to know what are the cheapest resturants in the park to eat at that have the most reasonable, er cheapest prices.

If this topic has been covered already just flame me and tell me I need to read more. thanks guys and gals.

I don't think all of the refillable cups are characters but yes it does save alot cause when we where there last year we bought them and the refills were like 69 cents and big savings over paying $3.00 to $4.00 everytime you want to get a drink.
Using the aaa card will get you a 10% discount in resturants at citywalk and inside the park and the same for merchandise inside the stores also and the only places I know won't except the card is Emerils , Bubba Gumps and hotel resturants and to me all the places to eat in park and citywalk aren't that expensive

 

[bubba's mom]

I don't believe you get any discounts with the Loews card. That's for perks with whatever level status you are.

I'll throw a tip or two out:

If the lines to enter the Studios are long, enter thru the side...in front of BMG theater (if it's still there due to RRR)

Get a styrofoam cooler for your room. Buy water, sodas, snacks, etc for the room...can save $ on breakfast. Also, bring fave coffee/tea...Keurig's in the rooms.

Use AAA card for shopping and dining discounts.

If you don't mind repetitive CS...get the Meal Deal. It can save big eaters some bux


eta: the cheaper places to eat are usually counter service in the parks....mostly table service at City Walk.

 

[Ragman]

I don't believe you get any discounts with the Loews card. That's for perks with whatever level status you are.

I'll throw a tip or two out:

If the lines to enter the Studios are long, enter thru the side...in front of BMG theater (if it's still there due to RRR)

Get a styrofoam cooler for your room. Buy water, sodas, snacks, etc for the room...can save $ on breakfast. Also, bring fave coffee/tea...Keurig's in the rooms.

Use AAA card for shopping and dining discounts.

If you don't mind repetitive CS...get the Meal Deal. It can save big eaters some bux


eta: the cheaper places to eat are usually counter service in the parks....mostly table service at City Walk.

What is the meal deal and where can you get it?

 

[bubba's mom]

What is the meal deal and where can you get it?

Purchase in the parks:

http://www.universalorlando.com/tickets/meal-deal.html

 

[pink elephants]

If you don't mind repetitive CS...get the Meal Deal. It can save big eaters some bux

I have a question about the Meal Deal. I found some menus and ran through a sample meal for a couple of restaurants and it seems to me that unless you're ready to eat 3 meals in a day (in addition to breakfast) it's not a deal at all. Could someone explain to me how one could save money with the Meal Deal?

 

[macraven]

if you eat a lot and the park is open later, you could come out ahead.

you need to see the menus and decided if the menu suits you.



the restaurants open at 11:00 daily.

they close 30 minutes before the parks close for the meal deal promo.

 

[ky07]

I have a question about the Meal Deal. I found some menus and ran through a sample meal for a couple of restaurants and it seems to me that unless you're ready to eat 3 meals in a day (in addition to breakfast) it's not a deal at all. Could someone explain to me how one could save money with the Meal Deal?

Thats what I tell people about the meal unless you are going to eat alot its not worth it and I have found buying a meal at the park was no more than what you woud pay for the mealdeal.
Plus most of the food on it is mosty fast food burgers and such.
I found the best way to save money is having a AAA card cause you get 10% discount on food and merchandise .
Also no breakfast food on meal deal

 

[pink elephants]

I found the best way to save money is having a AAA card cause you get 10% discount on food and merchandise .

Does AAA work at all the restaurants and shops?

 

[minniejack]

Does AAA work at all the restaurants and shops?

I always ask if they give a discount.

Courtesy cups of water. We do that here at home, too. My DD15 has all of her friends doing it now, too.

 

[keishashadow]

quote=Ragman;30490192]I've seen some here and there but I was wondering if anyone had any tips they could post to a thread and perhaps if it gets enough attention it could be made into a sticky?

One of the most popular I know about is to buy a refillable character cup ( I think it's usually about $8 to $10) and bring it along with you everyday you are there i buy the generic looking ones & the park & try to remember to bring them ea ch trip...usually i forget . DH & i share one, kiddo gets his own. While i believe only certain cups were 'lifetime' i haven't seen any use by date stamped on them . I think some refills are free ( I may be wrong) but I do know you get a really good discount if you come back for refills using your character cup. If you buy 2 or more regular drinks during your stay you've already paid for one.

The entertainment book used to have one of the best discounts with the meal and movie deal (Although we rarely used the movie part) but I havent seen it in the last 2 books I've gotten.

I have read you can get discounts with AAA and with Loews card but Im not sure what that covers and how much.

I would like to know what are the cheapest resturants in the park to eat at that have the most reasonable, er cheapest prices.menus on allears (dated, yet a starting point http://allears.net/uni/menu/menus.htm)

If this topic has been covered already just flame me and tell me I need to read more. thanks guys and gals.

kelly monaghan has a great book, even the passporter & UG have sections devoted to U

 

[rpbert1]

There is a coupon on here for 20% discount on food an drinks which is better than the AP discount-at
Pastamore-Red Coconut-PatO'briens-Latin Quarter-The groove-Rising Star-Bob Marley and a Citywalk partypass
http://orlandocoupons.com/directory_cat_list.php?cat_id=1

 

[kangareaux]

Can I buy a kids meal deal without buying an adult one? While I don't think it will pay for itself for an adult, 2 meals for the kids will more than pay for the meal deal for them.

 

[kangareaux]

double post. sorry..........

 

[ky07]

Can I buy a kids meal deal without buying an adult one? While I don't think it will pay for itself for an adult, 2 meals for the kids will more than pay for the meal deal for them.

I am pretty sure you can go to Universal site and it would allow you to purchase the ones for kids

 

[kangareaux]

double post again! AGHHH!!!! SORRY!

 

[kangareaux]

I am pretty sure you can go to Universal site and it would allow you to purchase he ones for kids

Thanks! If I buy the one park deal, then it'll be a good deal. It's 10.99 for one from the website. (Most of the kids meals are $6+ right?) I have no problem touring only one park per day, so the one park deal should be fine for us. (We are going for a full week and I plan to tour every nook and cranny of each park. So I don't mind staying at one park per day.)

Thanks again guys!

 

[ky07]

Thanks! If I buy the one park deal, then it'll be a good deal. It's 10.99 for one from the website. (Most of the kids meals are $6+ right?) I have no problem touring only one park per day, so the one park deal should be fine for us. (We are going for a full week and I plan to tour every nook and cranny of each park. So I don't mind staying at one park per day.)

Thanks again guys!

Have a great time and I know you will enjoy Universal and the great themeing
We have been several times already and find something we missed every year

 

[Metro West]

double post again! AGHHH!!!! SORRY!

I know...the boards are really acting up!

 

[macraven]

Can I buy a kids meal deal without buying an adult one? While I don't think it will pay for itself for an adult, 2 meals for the kids will more than pay for the meal deal for them.

yes you can but you are limited to the kids menu.