Visiting Universal in 2 weeks and I'm going crazy over not planning?!?!?!

[BillSears]

I'm taking my first non-Disney trip to Orlando in 2 weeks and other then the timshare rental and buying my Universal ticket early I've done no planning. This is such an ODD feeling for me. I'm a Disney planner, I always make my ADRs 6 months out, I plan what park to visit based on crowd predictions and nighttime shows, and I know the parks by heart.

So what am I missing here? Is this normal for a visit to Universal/SeaWorld/Kennedy Space Center? Are these places I can just wake up pick a park and go to it? Or am I really missing out on some good things because I haven't made reservations?

As an aside: I'm a paraplegic who uses a wheelchair to get around. If you have any suggestions that might make this trip easier for me please let me know.

 

[nerdboyrockstar]

Oh no.. you won't be able to eat anything. Can you pack yourself a lunch?

Worry not. Even if you were heading to Universal tomorrow, you'd still be in great shape. Reservations aren't necessary for most restaurants but you might want to make one the day of for the more popular ones, like Mythos in Islands of Adventure (which I think almost everyone here would whole-heartedly recommend.)

SeaWorld is a little different because they have more dining experiences that you can make reservations for, such as Dine With Shamu and Sharks Underwater Grill. Most can be made in advance on their website but I know Sharks Underwater Grill has to be done when you get in the park (and first thing as it fills up fast.)

Unfortunately I don't know too much about wheelchair access and the parks so I hope someone else can help with that.

But most of all, have a great time and please come back let us know about your experience.

 

[Metro West]

Here's the ADA information from the website:

http://www.universalorlando.com/pi_gs_ada.html

Hope it helps!

 

[the Dark Marauder]

I'm taking my first non-Disney trip to Orlando in 2 weeks and other then the timshare rental and buying my Universal ticket early I've done no planning. This is such an ODD feeling for me. I'm a Disney planner, I always make my ADRs 6 months out, I plan what park to visit based on crowd predictions and nighttime shows, and I know the parks by heart.

So what am I missing here? Is this normal for a visit to Universal/SeaWorld/Kennedy Space Center? Are these places I can just wake up pick a park and go to it? Or am I really missing out on some good things because I haven't made reservations?

As an aside: I'm a paraplegic who uses a wheelchair to get around. If you have any suggestions that might make this trip easier for me please let me know.

For Kennedy Space Center, you may want to get there at park opening. There is a LOT of really awesome things to see. The "2.5hr bus tour" can easily become 3-4hrs if you really like space stuff.

As for getting around, the parks are ADA compliant for all queues. You're able to stay in your wheelchair on some attractions. On others, you will have to transfer to the ride's seating. Your chair will be at the exit of the attraction when you return.

 

[Figaro]

Hi Bill!

(Waves madly from the direction of the disAbilities board).

We are going to be there in October and I have gotten great answers to my many questions from the wonderful people here. I hope you will take lots and lots of pictures of the ride vehicles and load areas so that I can see what they look like. We are staying at one of their resorts so that we have express access to the rides.

And I was brave enough to take a ride in the sort of "elevator" at Le Bistro and while I loved the food, I don't think we will be eating there again as I felt like I was in a moving, very narrow and noisy closet. Thanks for your pictures and trip report, as at least I felt like I knew what to expect.

Oh, and I bought a book on Universal by Kelly Monaghan that has been very useful and interesting.

Have a wonderful trip!

 

[PlutoLuvr]

Hi, Bill DH & I have enjoyed your dining reports on this site. We especially agree with you on Bistro & Jiko.

That being said, you will LOVE Mythos. You don't need to make a ressie days or weeks in advance, but it's a restaurant in Islands of Adventure in the "Lost Continent" area. The prices are staggeringly low and the meal is unforgettable. We go multiple times per trip because we just can't be confined to only getting one entree. The risotto of the day has always been heavenly, and the pork tenderloin encrusted with pistachios, blue cheese and blueberries seriously needs to have its own spot on the food pyramid.

There are three places to make dining ressies. One is as you're just finished with the "moving sidewalks" between the parking garage and the entrances to the parks. It will be to your left a little just past Bubba Gump's restaurant (another pretty good spot for a meal). In IOA, once you get past the port of entry, go left and there's a dining ressie kiosk just to your right before you get to the bridge the Hulk goes under. The folks who work at IOA/USO will be able to direct you.

It's not like Disney where you need to book dining so far in advance. When we walk into IOA, we'll make a ressie for 11:30 at Mythos only so we can request a window seat.

For the Universal side, our favorite is Finnegan's. Excellent beer, salads, Scotch eggs and fish & chips.

If you're interested in any "special" dining for evenings, there's Emeril's (in Citywalk), Tchoup Chop (another Emeril restaurant located in one of the hotels) and The Palm (steakhouse in HRH). I think there might be a nice place at the Portofino hotel, but I've never been and can't comment. Any of the Emeril's places and probably the Palm, you'd want to make a ressie a week or two in advance. I can't comment on Emeril's, but Tchoup Chop is very good. We did the tasting menu, and my only regret was getting some signature Mai Tai instead of the wine pairings.

A fun favorite for our group to do is get to Citywalk after a short day at the parks so we can enjoy an early dinner in the outside patio of Pat O'Bryans. All sorts of yummy foods, excellent coffee, tasty beignets, and big ole' hurricanes. There is no cover in the early evenings and it doesn't really turn into a "bar" until after nine p.m. Before then, it's a nice place to enjoy a meal, good company and atmosphere.

Please let us know how you enjoy it. I, for one, will be looking forward to your dining report

 

[PlutoLuvr]

In looking for my photos of the inside of Mythos for another poster on this thread, I've found lots of photos of food from Mythos and Finnegan's.

The first group here is all Mythos:

Here's the salmon on the wood plank with potatoes.

Here's a risotto of the day with scallops and a rich mushroom sauce.

Here's another risotto of the day with scallops, but this one had a raspberry/champagne reduction.

Here's that pork tenderloin with the pistachios, blueberries, bleu cheese and a port wine reduction. It's served with smoky mac & cheese (lots of gouda in it) and perfect sauteed spinach with garlic.

This was a wrap with, I believe, Buffalo-style chicken strips in it. If I'm not mistaken, it also had potatoes right in the wrap. My DH ordered this a year or two ago and loved it.

Here are some desserts in itty-bitty shot glasses

This is the spinach salad with blueberries, blue cheese and a warm bacon vanaigrette (sp?). DH ordered this a year or two ago as his entree, so he asked for the salmon in it. I've also ordered it just as an appetizer salad without a meat in it. The salad dishes are amazing at Mythos. Each corner of plate has a little dip, so a good bit of dressing ends up in each corner for those pieces that need just a bit more dressing.

This is the daily "pastabilities" dish. Like the risotto of the day, this changes often. This was taken years ago, but, if I recall, it was chicken over a mushroom pasta ... and I forget what the sauce was. My mom ordered this and loved it.

---------------------------

Photo of the fish & chips at Finnegan's in Universal ... as well as the nice beers behind the basket:

 

[Daysleeper40]

Well you could still plan what you are going to do each day - for example what shows are you going to see on what day at Seaworld? (assuming you're going more than once that is)

We opted for one dolphin day and one orca day - feeding the dolphins and rays, doing the Dolphin Nursery tour, and seeing Blue Horizons on dolphin day, then Believe, underwater Orca viewing and Dine wih Shamu on Orca day. We then fitted everything elee around these main "themes" for the day.

I hope you have a fantastic time at all the parks

 

[mirthmaiden]

I'm taking my first non-Disney trip to Orlando in 2 weeks and other then the timshare rental and buying my Universal ticket early I've done no planning. This is such an ODD feeling for me. I'm a Disney planner, I always make my ADRs 6 months out, I plan what park to visit based on crowd predictions and nighttime shows, and I know the parks by heart.

So what am I missing here? Is this normal for a visit to Universal/SeaWorld/Kennedy Space Center? Are these places I can just wake up pick a park and go to it? Or am I really missing out on some good things because I haven't made reservations?

As an aside: I'm a paraplegic who uses a wheelchair to get around. If you have any suggestions that might make this trip easier for me please let me know.

Hi Bill ((wave)) I know how you're feeling too. I am also a compulsive Disney planner, but this time I'm going to USF too with no plan at all (except to have FUN). Be sure to come back and tell us how it went for you!

A fun favorite for our group to do is get to Citywalk after a short day at the parks so we can enjoy an early dinner in the outside patio of Pat O'Bryans. All sorts of yummy foods, excellent coffee, tasty beignets, and big ole' hurricanes. There is no cover in the early evenings and it doesn't really turn into a "bar" until after nine p.m. Before then, it's a nice place to enjoy a meal, good company and atmosphere.

I can't WAIT to go back to Pat O's. I went to the one in New Orleans, had a couple of those hurricaines, and woooo... the sidewalk was spinning. Very realistic

 

[MassMom94]

I agree with everyone else that you don't need to worry about dining reservations in advance at Universal, but that same-day reservations are useful. Since you are not staying onsite and won't have FOTL access, I would also recommend getting to the parks 30 minutes before scheduled opening. When we've been there, they've opened the parks 10 - 15 minutes before the posted opening and unllike Disney, they don't have a second rope drop - i.e., the attractions are all up and running when they let you through the turnstiles. You can visit a lot of attractions with minimal wait times up until the crowds start arriving at 11 AM or so. I think Kelly Monaghan's book has a suggested order-of-attraction to minimize waiting; the UG might also.

Have fun!

 

[amystevekai&bump]

Oh no.. you won't be able to eat anything. Can you pack yourself a lunch?

Too funny!!!

 

[amystevekai&bump]

great photos Pluto luvr - thanks ever so much for posting!!

 

[BillSears]

Oh no.. you won't be able to eat anything. Can you pack yourself a lunch? ...I know Sharks Underwater Grill has to be done when you get in the park (and first thing as it fills up fast.)

Darn I'm going to starve!!!!! Oh well I could stand to lose a few pounds.
I'll make sure I make reservations as soon as I get to the parks. The Sharks Underwater Grill sounds great.

Here's the ADA information from the website:

http://www.universalorlando.com/pi_gs_ada.html

Hope it helps!

Thanks. I'm pretty mobile for a guy who can't move his legs and it looks like I'll be able to ride almost everything.

For Kennedy Space Center, you may want to get there at park opening. There is a LOT of really awesome things to see. The "2.5hr bus tour" can easily become 3-4hrs if you really like space stuff.

As for getting around, the parks are ADA compliant for all queues. You're able to stay in your wheelchair on some attractions. On others, you will have to transfer to the ride's seating. Your chair will be at the exit of the attraction when you return.

Another place where I have to get there when they open? I'm not a morning person but I guess I'll be dragging myself out the door at some ungodly hour. I do like space stuff and I visit the Smithsonian Air and Space museum about once a year. I suspect I'll have a great time at KSC.

...I hope you will take lots and lots of pictures of the ride vehicles and load areas so that I can see what they look like. We are staying at one of their resorts so that we have express access to the rides.
....
And I was brave enough to take a ride in the sort of "elevator" at Le Bistro and while I loved the food, I don't think we will be eating there again as I felt like I was in a moving, very narrow and noisy closet. Thanks for your pictures and trip report, as at least I felt like I knew what to expect.

I'll try to take pictures. I really should write up a nice report when I get back but I might be too lazy. That Bistro elevator is one heck of a ride but I'm glad you enjoyed the food.

Hi, Bill DH & I have enjoyed your dining reports on this site. We especially agree with you on Bistro & Jiko.

That being said, you will LOVE Mythos....For the Universal side, our favorite is Finnegan's.... A fun favorite for our group to do is get to Citywalk after a short day at the parks so we can enjoy an early dinner in the outside patio of Pat O'Bryans. All sorts of yummy foods, excellent coffee, tasty beignets, and big ole' hurricanes. There is no cover in the early evenings and it doesn't really turn into a "bar" until after nine p.m. Before then, it's a nice place to enjoy a meal, good company and atmosphere.

Please let us know how you enjoy it. I, for one, will be looking forward to your dining report

In looking for my photos of the inside of Mythos for another poster on this thread, I've found lots of photos of food from Mythos and Finnegan's....

Those phtos are fantastic!!! OK I need at least 2 days at Mythos! It sounds amazing. Finnegan's sounds great for my US day and Pat O'Bryans sounds like a nice place in CityWalk.

I'll try to write it all up.

Hi Bill ((wave)) I know how you're feeling too. I am also a compulsive Disney planner, but this time I'm going to USF too with no plan at all (except to have FUN). Be sure to come back and tell us how it went for you!

I can't WAIT to go back to Pat O's. I went to the one in New Orleans, had a couple of those hurricaines, and woooo... the sidewalk was spinning. Very realistic

Yep the non-planning is very strange. I think I have to pretend it's WDW in the 80s/early 90s when you could walk up to Cinderella Castle and get dinner reservations for that night. Maybe drinking some of those Hurricanes would help me stop worrying?

I agree with everyone else that you don't need to worry about dining reservations in advance at Universal, but that same-day reservations are useful. Since you are not staying onsite and won't have FOTL access, I would also recommend getting to the parks 30 minutes before scheduled opening. When we've been there, they've opened the parks 10 - 15 minutes before the posted opening and unllike Disney, they don't have a second rope drop - i.e., the attractions are all up and running when they let you through the turnstiles. You can visit a lot of attractions with minimal wait times up until the crowds start arriving at 11 AM or so. I think Kelly Monaghan's book has a suggested order-of-attraction to minimize waiting; the UG might also.

Have fun!

Another person saying wake up early?!?!? How can I do that and still drink the Hurricanes the night before? THanks for the advice I'll try to get up and get there early.

 

[Metro West]

Thanks. I'm pretty mobile for a guy who can't move his legs and it looks like I'll be able to ride almost everything.

Excellent! I'm sure you'll have a great time!

 

[Planogirl]

Those pictures look so good!

We like to take a break around lunchtime and eat in Citywalk. It's much quieter and there's some good places in there. Our favorite is Margaritaville but YMMV.

 

[BillSears]

Mirthmaiden, for some reason I couldn't send you a PM so I'll reply to you here.

OK just one Hurricane, and then a walk around CityWalk to walk it off since I'm driving.

I'll be staying at the Sunterra Polynesian Resort. I've never been there but it looks OK and the reviews I've seen aren't bad. Besides the Poly is one of my favorite Disney resorts.

That's a pretty old Trip Report. I originally wrote it for the Rec.Arts.Disney.Parks (RADP) newsgroup. My DD is 24 years old now so she doesn't go to WDW with Dad very often. This will be a solo trip.

Thanks for the help on my questions. I'm starting to get excited now. I was feeling pretty neutral about this trip since I don't know too much about USF, this makes me feel better.


For those of you wondering, she was just asking me a few questions about the upcoming trip. Nothing bad or anything but I couldn't send her a PM back.

 

[lisaluvsmickey2000]

I'm with you Bill! I'm a total OCD Disney planner (actually famous for it in my area As I've planned trips for 3 people that are going this summer!)

So, DH and I are going to US/IOA in 2 weeks (5/4-5/11), and I have no plans. We are staying at my timeshare and going to buy the $79 tickets. Other than that nothing...it's making me We've invited 2 couples to go with us that have both backed out, and we are waiting on the third's decision. Why don't people want to go to FL with only a few weeks notice?!?

We are thinking about spending 3-4 days at US/IOA, 1 day at Daytona Beach chillin' out, 1 day at The Disney's Wilderness Preserve and we can't completely skip Disney, so we are going to Downtown Disney for a meal at Rainforest, shop a bit, and ride the buses to visit some resorts that we haven't seen yet.

What do you think about that plan?

 

[RAPstar]

Those fish and chips look soooo good....I almost licked my screen! Looks like I'll have to eat at Finnegan's at least twice!!

 

[tlinus]

Those fish and chips look soooo good....I almost licked my screen! Looks like I'll have to eat at Finnegan's at least twice!!

DH had them last trip - they are VERY GOOD!!

ALso try the Irish Cobb Salad - there was ALOT of stuff in there.....I couldn't finish it at all!!

 

[keishashadow]

enjoy the darkside, it's highly addictive ps still say south of the border is a nice place to stay , where did you finally decide?

re dining/entertainment:

mythos is amazing

finnegans (except for the undercooked fish last trip, decent)

jurrasic terrace (good chicken & ribs), same for enchanted oak

happy hour @ NBA (thanks jodie ) is a steal

&

bob marley's has a nice vibe, all races/ages and red stripe

ps i luved KSC far more than i thought i would