Universal Buffets?

[Bedknobs/Broomsticks]

I did a quick search on this topic but I didn't find much. Are there any buffet restaurants (for BR, L, or D) in the Universal area? We'll be staying at HRH 3/31-4/3/05 and, because of DD10's vegetarian/picky eating habits , we find it easiest to eat our main meal at a buffet. We'd even be willing to venture off-site if it's not too inconvenient. Thanks!

 

[robvia]

I haven't heard of any buffet style restaurants onsite, but I can show you what is offsite with the directions to Publix and the tour of I-drive.

http://www.nogodforme.com/directionstopublix.htm
http://www.nogodforme.com/touridrive.htm

It seems the Ponderosa directly across the street from the parking garage has a buffet. You could even walk to it. Their web site is here.

http://www.ponderosa-orlando.com/

 

[JessicaR]

There is a breakfast buffet at the Hard Rock Hotel at "The Kitchen". WE enjoyed it a lot but found it expensive to do daily. Great selections though.

There are buffets served at the Trattoria Del Porto located at Portofino Bay. They usually have one at breakfst, lunch and dinner. Sometimes its seasonal so you should call first. My kids enjoy this one a lot. They have a kids section with small tables and chairs with a TV and other kids stuff. If you do check this one out have a marshmallow milkshake.

In all honestly Universal/IOA/City Walk and all the hotels really cater to kids even picky ones! I know, I have one too. WE have always been very happy with selections from the kids menu's and my son can always find something he likes.

If he eats Pizza, Mac and cheese, PB&J or pasta dishes he will be fine! Fruit and salads are everywhere too. Have a great time!

 

[disneywithkids]

Hi Robvia,

Thanks for the info about Ponderosa - I think doing the breakfast buffet there will save us a ton of money. If you don't mind, I have a few questions about how to get there.

Is it easy to walk to? We are staying at RPR... is the parking garage next to RPR? Will we be able to see the Ponderosa from the highway?

We won't have a car and we don't mind the walk but with a 5 and 7 year old, I'm wondering if there is a safe place to cross the highway (like a set of lights).

Thanks for all your help with this!

 

[robvia]

Unfortunately, the RPR is far away from the parking garage and restaurants on Kirkman road. If you were two adults and wanted to go for a half hour walk, then I'd say yes, go for it. But with a 5 and 7 year old, no. The parking garage is located next to the PBH and across from the HRH, so those people can walk, it would take them about 15 minutes, and there is a stop light to stop the cars. But from the RPR, you'd have to add the 15 minutes of walking from the hotel, to city walk. The kids will be tired out walking that far.

People staying at the RPR can walk across the bridge on Universal Blvd to Wet N' Wild, and there is a restaurant across the street from it, which would take about 20 minutes. Otherwise, there is nothing near the RPR. Your view out the windows will be of the parks, or the highway.

Your best bet, is to ask the limo driver to stop at Publix grocery store before arriving to the RPR, get a styrophone cooler in the beer isle, milk, juices, doughnuts, and plenty of booze. Most limo services will stop at Publix as a perk for using them.

 

[disneywithkids]

Thanks RobVia,

We will definitely bring some food for the room, but I think we will still try out Ponderosa (were going for 5 days so we will probably get tired of the stuff in the room)

The kids will be so pumped up about being on vacation that I don't think the walk will bother them (they are almost 6 and 8). I'll have to check out the layout but maybe we could go to one of the parks for an hour while working our way over to the parking garage/Ponderosa for a late breakfast...that way it won't seem so far. I'll have to check out the location of the resorts on the map.

I'll let everyone know how that works out when I get back! (Feb.8, 2004)

 

[Bedknobs/Broomsticks]

Thanks, Disneywithkids, I'd love to hear how that strategy works out for you in February.

I wonder what it would cost to take a taxi from HRH to Ponderosa?