uni and ioa advice needed

[stahshee]

we are staying off sight sept1-7 we have never been. we hate the heat so we will be there first thing in the morning and leave around 1pm. this way we can enjoy the parks and take our time. what are the prices to eat counter service there? what about drinks? i am not getting fotl passes do they offer any passes like disney dose ( no wait in line come back time?) where do i get the refill mugs. any other advice would be greatly neede. btw my kids are 12,8 4, 2 . has anyone ever done barney is it in the ac is there a long wait time?

 

[Foladar]

The drinks were 5.00 for the refillable mug I believe. The mugs were everywhere. Normally I just grab pretzels from the stands and usually eat beforehand at McDonalds. And after you could either eat at CityWalk or one of the restaurants outside of Citywalk/Universal. That's just my personal preference.

 

[Metro West]

I'm glad you're trying Universal during the vacation. Now to your questions:

The prices really vary on counter service food and drinks, although I think Cokes are $1.99 and $2.49..something like that.

Universal/IOA have Express Pass which works like FP so you can get one and then come back later to ride.

Refill mugs are available all over both parks and are available in many different styles/designs. It just depends upon what part of the park you buy them in.

I haven't done Barney since I don't have any kids but they will love Barney and the Curious George area..especially if it's really hot!

Hope that helped!

 

[tinaluis]

Universal offers a free express pass system which is similar to Disney's FastPass. Swipe your ticket and you get a set time to come back for a particular ride or show.
We've done the Barney show many times. The pre-show is not air conditioned but it is in a shaded area. The actual show is air-conditioned. Wait times vary, of course, and I think the first show is at 10:30 am. It's usually best to try to see the first show. There is an Express Pass machine for the Barney Show.
Counter service is about $8.75 for a double cheeseburger, fries and drink. We usually order 3 doubles and three extra buns and have 6 burgers for the 5 of us. Works out great and DH usually eats his burger and the extra one too!
Be sure to bring you kids' bathing suits (and yours too if you're so inclined)as the Curious George Play Area is a blast for kids and they WILL get wet. It's a great place to cool off on hot days. Bathing suits are not necessary but my kids prefer to change so they're not walking around all day in wet clothes.
Have a great trip. Universal and IOA are great!
Tina

 

[buzz2400]

If you have AAA, you get 10% off at the counter services. If kids like spongebob, you can buy a refillable mug over by back to the future. Remember you can bring back your refillable mugs everytime, every year to get the refills for about $2. Also you might want bathing suits for kids over at universal in the jurasic park playground. If you are going to do shrek do that as soon as park opens. the line gets very, very long and I don't think they have fast pass for that ride (at least they didn't last year).

 

[Bill Lumbergh]

Shrek 4-D now has a second theater open and has Universal Express. I heard wait times for the attraction have diminished since the second theater opened.