US/IofA/VB information

[Disneylover1970]

We’re going again in May, and including VB this year. We had the QS dining Plan last year, not getting this year. What are your favorite restaurants? We’re not big Ride people, what are some of the milder rides we should include? What are some tips for VB? We will probably only spend 1/2 day at VB or go to VB in the mornings and then head to the parks? We’re staying at Cabana Bay, which I think is a short walk to VB? We’re doing Blue Man Group for the first time. Are there any fireworks at any of the parks? We have 3 parks/4 days/Park to Park. Thank you

 

[macraven]

I like quite a few of the counter service places in the park

Louie’s I do a few times each trip
Simpson’s also as there are two items on the menu I can never decide between

I stay away from a few in both parks

 

[jaceraden]

I can happily spend several days at VB so I think you're on track for spending part of each day there if you aren't really ride people.

Yes, it's a very short walk to VB from Cabana Bay. Nice perk for sure.

I can't speak to shows/fireworks since that's not something we paid attention to really. I feel like the answer might be no to fireworks. I'll watch this thread to learn the verdict.

My family enjoyed Toothsome and Hard Rock for dining last year. We also liked the Leaky Cauldron but that was mostly for the atmosphere. I hear people talking a about the pizza oven place and Mythos. There's a sandwich place that also gets a lot of love but the name escapes me.

 

[macraven]

Bread box

They have some good sandwiches

 

[georgina]

It is so great being able to walk to VB! I get a coffee at Starbucks, walk over for early entry, spend about 4 hours there riding attractions and relaxing on the beach, throw on my coverup and walk back to CB to shower (I bring my own towels).

Since you won't have the express pass, you may want to go to US or IOA in the morning some days because the lines will be shorter. The rides in Seussland are milder, as is ET. Kong is not a rough ride. Men in Black is fun. Hogwarts Express is mild. Minions is fun but gets LONG lines.

The food at Cabana Bay is good, you may want to have some of your meals there. Confisco Grill at IOA is one of my favorites for a sit-down meal in the parks. I am often solo on my trips and eat at the bar at Finnegans. Margaritaville is fun for an evening.

 

[Disneylover1970]

It is so great being able to walk to VB! I get a coffee at Starbucks, walk over for early entry, spend about 4 hours there riding attractions and relaxing on the beach, throw on my coverup and walk back to CB to shower (I bring my own towels).

Since you won't have the express pass, you may want to go to US or IOA in the morning some days because the lines will be shorter. The rides in Seussland are milder, as is ET. Kong is not a rough ride. Men in Black is fun. Hogwarts Express is mild. Minions is fun but gets LONG lines.

The food at Cabana Bay is good, you may want to have some of your meals there. Confisco Grill at IOA is one of my favorites for a sit-down meal in the parks. I am often solo on my trips and eat at the bar at Finnegans. Margaritaville is fun for an evening.

Thank you. Never heard of Confisco Grill? Have to check out the menus at Finnegans and Margaritaville.Yes either thinking about going to the parks early, then VB in the afternoon, then back to the parks or VB in the morning and parks later.

 

[Michael Webb]

I absolutely loved Cowfish. I am a sushi lover, my daughter is not. We both had a great meal at Cowfish. unusual dishes and recipes, great atmosphere. Can't wait to go back!

 

[kim31kim]

We loved cowfish too!

 

[georgina]

Thank you. Never heard of Confisco Grill?.

It's a hidden gem!

https://www.universalorlando.com/we...-190&ef_id=WnIU4AAAA9X9J5J_:20181225210945:s#!

 

[KatieCharlotte]

We’re going again in May, and including VB this year. We had the QS dining Plan last year, not getting this year. What are your favorite restaurants? We’re not big Ride people, what are some of the milder rides we should include? What are some tips for VB? We will probably only spend 1/2 day at VB or go to VB in the mornings and then head to the parks? We’re staying at Cabana Bay, which I think is a short walk to VB? We’re doing Blue Man Group for the first time. Are there any fireworks at any of the parks? We have 3 parks/4 days/Park to Park. Thank you

I haven't looked ahead to May, but there are night shows of some type at IoA and US. At IoA, there is a Hogwarts light show that runs continuously after dark, and at US there is a show on the lagoon that includes pyrotechnics.

As for mild rides, it depends on how you define mild. The most mild are the rides in Seussland at IoA, Hogwarts Express, and ET. But there are a lot of rides that fall somewhere between that and the biggest coasters. Some would call the Bilge Rats mild because there are no big drops, but you typically get completely drenched. And some rides are more intense but worth it if you can handle motion simulators (for example, Forbidden Journey), while others are very tame but not entertaining enough to be must-dos (for example, imo, Fast and the Furious). King Kong is fun and very mild. Mummy is really a rollercoaster and more intense than you might expect. Gringotts is milder than Forbidden Journey, and Spiderman is milder than Gringotts. You could start with Spiderman on the first day, and work your way up. The one thing to watch out for with Men in Black is that it does spin, if that bothers you.

Our favorite restaurant is Three Broomsticks.