Suggestions to make our visit successful!?

[Canadian Harmony]

Hi everyone! I'm planning our giant Florida trip for next July (dates are not moveable), and heard good things about Royal Pacific. Not gonna lie, the fact we get EP for staying there is a HUGE incentive for me. I'm getting the package deal through our employer's Tickets @ Work so we'll save a bit going through them for tickets as well.

I was considering doing the Harry Potter vacation package (we're all Potterheads) and would appreciate tweaking of our stay:

Arrive early afternoon 31 July and check-in for our room keys and EP. Head to a park - suggestions where to start?
1 August - The group VIP tour for the 1 day/2 park tour (7 hours, includes breakfast and lunch). Suggestions for a dinner sit-down meal?
2 August - Breakfast at Leaky Cauldron. Park hop to catch up with rides we missed or want to repeat.
3 August - Breakfast at 3 Broomsticks and one last trip through the park before heading back to check-out and head to AKL (hopefully, we'll see what I can book 7 months out) for our 10 days at WDW!

I would also appreciate suggestions for meals - we do love our food and we'd like at least one sit-down meal/day. We've been to USH, where I can only really remember 3 Broomsticks, and as we only had 1 day there, we missed out on a lot.

Also, what kind of character meets are there? I love doing photo ops (I scrapbook so always get photos!), but I don't know if there are photogs on staff or if they're all do-it-yourself. And can you get autographs there too?

Is there an app I download to my phone similar to the MDE app?

I'm super excited to get this going, but I need to book flights first!

 

[Kit Jackson]

It's been awhile since I visted, so I will let people who have been more recently answer some of your questions to ensure that you get the most accurate and up to date information.

There is one question I do feel confident answering. There is an app. It is called the Universal Orlando App.

This book is a fantastic resource. https://www.amazon.com/Unofficial-G...cphy=9007532&hvtargid=pla-1650827640426&psc=1

 

[namelessoracle]

My 2 cents.

* Dont assume your room will be ready early afternoon. My experience is that when they say 4, they mean 4.
* Hogwarts Express is different going from Universal to Islands vs Islands to Universal just fyi (sense you are a potter head)
* Express should make your life pretty easy, but Velicoaster and Hagrids dont take it. Hagrids is a must do. So is Velicoaster if you like roller coasters. I hate roller coasters and like Velicoaster, its a negative G coaster, which is very different feel than a normal coaster. It gives you feelings of weightlessness and like you are about to fall out of your seat instead of slamming you back into your seat. If your tour will get you on Hagrids dont get in line for it, line is almost always over an hour. Velicoaster will dip below 30 minutes pretty regularly.
* Leaky Cauldron > 3 Broomsticks. (just my opinion) And there's not a whole lot of value in doing both because the menu's are the same for the most part. Doubly so sense you said you've already been to the one in Hollywood. I would actually advise hitting up Today Cafe or getting some Who Hash if you want in park breakfast. Today cafe has some interesting and not standard theme park fair.
* Mythos, Finnegan's and Cowfish get the most buzz for restaurants at Universal from what i can tell. Mythos is legit good, and has great atmosphere for a chill end of day vibe. Cowfish is good to try, but its lost some of its appeal to me lately. Finnegan's is heavy Irish/English fair, which might be a lot after a hot park day. I didnt enjoy Bigfire, the smokiness saturates all the food items there. Toothsome was just ok, a Steampunk themed Cheescake Factory is the food quality you get there. Most of the restaurants on City Walk are pretty solid to go too.
* They have a photo pass and have photographers that will scan your pass just like Disney does.
* This far out its hard to predict character meets. Beetlejuice and Marvel Superheroes (in classic comic book outfits) always seem to be there every time I've visited at least once a day, but i dont think the app tells you about Beetlejuice. You can meet Blue the Raptor in Islands pretty much whenever sense thats a show like thing they do. Dr. Suess characters seem more of a Grinchmas thing. Check the App.

 

[Canadian Harmony]

It's been awhile since I visted, so I will let people who have been more recently answer some of your questions to ensure that you get the most accurate and up to date information.

There is one question I do feel confident answering. There is an app. It is called the Universal Orlando App.

This book is a fantastic resource. https://www.amazon.com/Unofficial-G...cphy=9007532&hvtargid=pla-1650827640426&psc=1

Thank you! I wasn't sure there was an app, but now I know there is, I'll get onto it.

My 2 cents.

* Dont assume your room will be ready early afternoon. My experience is that when they say 4, they mean 4.
* Hogwarts Express is different going from Universal to Islands vs Islands to Universal just fyi (sense you are a potter head)
* Express should make your life pretty easy, but Velicoaster and Hagrids dont take it. Hagrids is a must do. So is Velicoaster if you like roller coasters. I hate roller coasters and like Velicoaster, its a negative G coaster, which is very different feel than a normal coaster. It gives you feelings of weightlessness and like you are about to fall out of your seat instead of slamming you back into your seat. If your tour will get you on Hagrids dont get in line for it, line is almost always over an hour. Velicoaster will dip below 30 minutes pretty regularly.
* Leaky Cauldron > 3 Broomsticks. (just my opinion) And there's not a whole lot of value in doing both because the menu's are the same for the most part. Doubly so sense you said you've already been to the one in Hollywood. I would actually advise hitting up Today Cafe or getting some Who Hash if you want in park breakfast. Today cafe has some interesting and not standard theme park fair.
* Mythos, Finnegan's and Cowfish get the most buzz for restaurants at Universal from what i can tell. Mythos is legit good, and has great atmosphere for a chill end of day vibe. Cowfish is good to try, but its lost some of its appeal to me lately. Finnegan's is heavy Irish/English fair, which might be a lot after a hot park day. I didnt enjoy Bigfire, the smokiness saturates all the food items there. Toothsome was just ok, a Steampunk themed Cheescake Factory is the food quality you get there. Most of the restaurants on City Walk are pretty solid to go too.
* They have a photo pass and have photographers that will scan your pass just like Disney does.
* This far out its hard to predict character meets. Beetlejuice and Marvel Superheroes (in classic comic book outfits) always seem to be there every time I've visited at least once a day, but i dont think the app tells you about Beetlejuice. You can meet Blue the Raptor in Islands pretty much whenever sense thats a show like thing they do. Dr. Suess characters seem more of a Grinchmas thing. Check the App.

These are awesome! Exactly what I was looking for, thank you!

 

[CAPSLOCK]

Check out the restaurants & menus online to pick where is most appealing for you. Lots of good options in City Walk, or at the resorts.

For big HP fans, I would suggest mentally budgeting time exploring the stores/areas/doing spells/etc on your non-VIP day. Early in the day or later in the evening are the best times for a less crowded experience. You can generally stay in Hogsmeade after closing to continue exploring for a little while. Ice cream at Florean Fortescue's is excellent, worth the line. If you can, check the show schedule on the App and time it to bring the cones over and watch Tales of Beedle the Bard.

I also think everyone should be fully warned that Dudley Do-right flume and Popeye raft ride will get you soaked to the undergarments. They are fun, just be prepared. Jurassic Park River Adventure will get you somewhat wet but not enough to have to plan around.