Universal First-Timer

[disneyfav4ever]

Any suggestions for a first timer?

I've always played around with the idea of extended my Disney vacation a couple days, and spending a few days at Universal, but I think this year I'm really going to do it, especially since the Harry Potter part of the park will be open by the time I go.

I have a trip next fall, and would add two nights on at the end on-site at Universal. I have already done some reading and research and know somewhat what I want.

I know I want to stay on-site, if for no other reason then the front-of-the-line pass. That seems to be a great perk, and from what I've read most attractions are included.

I'm looking at Royal Pacific Resort, as that's the cheapest, and I always stay at the value resorts at Disney, so it's really a step up compared to that. Though it's still more then I usually spend on a hotel room, so if anyone has any suggestions on getting a discount, I'd appreciate it. I'm looking for early October dates, so I don't know if there'd be any deals yet for that time.

I'm planning on two days and three nights, arriving very early morning on the first day, (since I'll be coming from Disney,) and late on my last day, (since I'll be going back to Disney for at least one more night.

I'm thinking day one - Islands of Adventure and Citywalk, day two - Universal Studios, and day three - Islands of Adventure.

Also, if anyone has any dining reviews, I'd like a nice dinner on my two nights there, I was looking at the menus on All Ears, and Tchoup Chop sounds nice, and would be at my resort, (assuming I do get a room at Royal Pacific,) and maybe something in Citywalk the other night?

I also like a nice table service lunch as well, I know I want to try Mythos, but any good suggestions for Universal Studios. Also I've heard there's going to be a Harry Potter restaurant, any idea if that's table service or counter service? Either way, I think I'd have to eat there.

 

[hearts8701]

great questions i too am planning a first time trip to universal i hope answers to your questions can help me plan too

 

[Metro West]

I think you are wise planning to stay onsite. I think you will really enjoy the RPR...check out the trip reports for photos and personal experiences. The unlimited Express access for onsite guests is well worth the money.

Since you are already planning on Mythos at IoA...I would suggest Finnegan's at the Studios. It's a great place and the food is excellent. I would assume the Harry Potter restaurants will be open in October of 2010 but I'm sure the lines will be long for everything in the WWoHP.

Three days should be fine for everything you want to do. You might also want to make some time for the pool and unlike Disney...you can pool hop at Universal. You might even want to add another day at Universal.

If you haven't purchased your park tickets yet I would strongly suggest you do that before any specials are pulled and I think once the WWoHP opens, the discounts will be few and far between. The seven day pass for $99.99 is an excellent deal.

If you have any specific questions, please do not hesitate to ask.

 

[Rip]

Any suggestions for a first timer?

I've always played around with the idea of extended my Disney vacation a couple days, and spending a few days at Universal, but I think this year I'm really going to do it, especially since the Harry Potter part of the park will be open by the time I go.

I have a trip next fall, and would add two nights on at the end on-site at Universal. I have already done some reading and research and know somewhat what I want.

I know I want to stay on-site, if for no other reason then the front-of-the-line pass. That seems to be a great perk, and from what I've read most attractions are included.

I'm looking at Royal Pacific Resort, as that's the cheapest, and I always stay at the value resorts at Disney, so it's really a step up compared to that. Though it's still more then I usually spend on a hotel room, so if anyone has any suggestions on getting a discount, I'd appreciate it. I'm looking for early October dates, so I don't know if there'd be any deals yet for that time.

Having stayed at several Disney "deluxe" resorts, I can assure you that the only thing even they have better than RPH is a slight advantage in room size (and I'm not sure that applies to WL and AKL), so you will be very pleased. The only time we don't stay at RPH is when it's just me and the wife for our annual HHN weekend, and we stay at the HRH only because it's slightly more convenient to US.

As far as getting a discount, you may well want to consider getting a preferred AP, at least for one adult in your party. There are usually room discounts associated with them that more than make up for the additional cost (about $140 more than the current 7-day unlimited ticket). Also, you can purchase one now on their flex-pay system that costs you nothing extra whatsoever, and it will be good for one year from the day you actually activate it at the park. I would suggest, as Metro did, that you purchase your tickets ASAP. The AP will be about $20/month on your credit card, but you'll have to pay for any others in full, unless you want to get everyone APs, which unless you plan to return within a year wouldn't be necessary. There are few guarantees in life, but you can be 1000% guaranteed that the current ticket prices will go up with the opening of WWoHP.

I'm planning on two days and three nights, arriving very early morning on the first day, (since I'll be coming from Disney,) and late on my last day, (since I'll be going back to Disney for at least one more night.

I'm thinking day one - Islands of Adventure and Citywalk, day two - Universal Studios, and day three - Islands of Adventure.

Also, if anyone has any dining reviews, I'd like a nice dinner on my two nights there, I was looking at the menus on All Ears, and Tchoup Chop sounds nice, and would be at my resort, (assuming I do get a room at Royal Pacific,) and maybe something in Citywalk the other night?

Tchoup Chop is very good and I've never had a problem making same-day reservations there, but who knows what's going to happen after WWoHP opens. I would suggest making your room ressie soon, you can always cancel later if necessary.

Most of the restaurants in CityWalk are good, it really depends on what you like. We prefer Margaritaville, the food is good and the kids love the volcano, but Latin Quarter actually has better food.

I also like a nice table service lunch as well, I know I want to try Mythos, but any good suggestions for Universal Studios. Also I've heard there's going to be a Harry Potter restaurant, any idea if that's table service or counter service? Either way, I think I'd have to eat there.

As Metro suggested, Finnegan's in US is very good. When I used to live there, an Irish friend of mine and his Scottish wife had APs strictly so that they could go to Finnegan's whenever they wanted - it's an Irish restaurant.

I would also suggest adding an additional day if possible, especially with WWoHP opening, I would not be surprised if you couldn't spend the better part of a day in that area alone.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

If you haven't purchased your park tickets yet I would strongly suggest you do that before any specials are pulled and I think once the WWoHP opens, the discounts will be few and far between. The seven day pass for $99.99 is an excellent deal.

That's the one I was looking at to buy. I noticed that and the two day ticket are the same price online right now. Who would buy the two-day.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Having stayed at several Disney "deluxe" resorts, I can assure you that the only thing even they have better than RPH is a slight advantage in room size (and I'm not sure that applies to WL and AKL), so you will be very pleased. The only time we don't stay at RPH is when it's just me and the wife for our annual HHN weekend, and we stay at the HRH only because it's slightly more convenient to US.

Most of the restaurants in CityWalk are good, it really depends on what you like. We prefer Margaritaville, the food is good and the kids love the volcano, but Latin Quarter actually has better food.

As Metro suggested, Finnegan's in US is very good. When I used to live there, an Irish friend of mine and his Scottish wife had APs strictly so that they could go to Finnegan's whenever they wanted - it's an Irish restaurant.

I would also suggest adding an additional day if possible, especially with WWoHP opening, I would not be surprised if you couldn't spend the better part of a day in that area alone.

I'll be solo, so room space really isn't an issue, and I'm sure after the value resorts at Disney, the rooms at Royal Pacific will seem hige.

I'll have to check out Finnegan's menu, Margaritaville is one of the menus I was looking at for Citywalk, the margarita menu alone makes me want to try that place.

And I could probably spend a whole day in the Harry Potter area. I'm hoping the front of the line pass is good there, as I want to try out all those rides, which I think I'm going to love.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Also, how early in advance can I make dining reservations?

 

[disneyfav4ever]

One more thing. I'll be checking out and going to the parks the whole day. Will Royal Pacific hold my bags like Disney does?

 

[Rip]

One more thing. I'll be checking out and going to the parks the whole day. Will Royal Pacific hold my bags like Disney does?

Yes.

As far as dining reservations, I have no idea. I've never had to make a res for anything other than Emeril's or Tchoup Chop.

You can do that here.

 

[rwdavis2]

Sounds good. My only suggestion would be to consider the 2 days at IOA. It's not a full day to see it all unless you're a real coaster hound. It can easily be done before US closes. On the other US can't fully be done in a day.

Have fun,
BD

 

[hearts8701]

Here are some numbers
Universal dining 407-503-3463

Bice( at the Portofino) 407-503-1415

Tchoup Tchoup ( at the Royal Pacific) 407-503-2467

Emeril's ( at Citywalk) 407-224-2424

They all have websites with menus