What is with the lack of US/IOA resources

[MotherofLandon]

Their is a vast difference in the amount of WDW info versus the info for US/IOA. Finding updated menu info is impossible, even the stickies and resort threads on these boards are somewhat outdated. I have to admit I am 100% more comfortable going to WDW because I know what to expect, I could not go to the parks for years and still remain in the know. I really wish this were avalible for US/IOA as well. Please don't flame me for saying so, I'm not trying to be negative or rude. I haven't been able to find any forums that specifically cater to US/IOA. I just wonder how this could be improved upon.

 

[jnjusoioa]

Their is a vast difference in the amount of WDW info versus the info for US/IOA. Finding updated menu info is impossible, even the stickies and resort threads on these boards are somewhat outdated. I have to admit I am 100% more comfortable going to WDW because I know what to expect, I could not go to the parks for years and still remain in the know. I really wish this were avalible for US/IOA as well. Please don't flame me for saying so, I'm not trying to be negative or rude. I haven't been able to find any forums that specifically cater to US/IOA. I just wonder how this could be improved upon.

I have to say that I agree, trying to get photos or information on the theme parks for US/IOA is rough. The Disney ones just seem to do so much better, you can make a post and have answers and photos in a flash. Not sure, but I plan on educating myself well when I go in Dec. so that I can help others.

 

[damo]

The lack of resourses or information is due to the simple fact that many, many, many more people go to WDW than Universal. Many seem to treat it almost like a religion and thus Universal has been nicknamed "The Darkside". Because the parks are less populated, much less advanced planning is needed and so there is less info out there.

These two forums are probably your best bet for information. You might also want to check out Orlando United which dedicates a lot of its message board space to Universal.

 

[braddillman]

I agree with Damo, re: religion. WDW is nice, but my favourite is IoA and I prefer to stay off-site in a condo or house for the space, rather than in a hotel.

One problem with getting information is I think Universal's communications aren't as consistent as I'd like. So even if information goes up, it's hard to verify or know that won't change before your visit.

For myself, I've had good luck on these boards and that's why I've stuck around.

Is there something in particular I could help you find?

 

[tricky1]

www.orlandocoupons.com

They have most of all resturaunts ( citywalk) ,including the 3 onsite hotels menus(up to date) just click on the resturaunt your interested in, then click menu.

For nascar cafe the menu don't show the prices. But if you go to the web site they have the menu with prices. Plus you can score some coupons.

 

[lildamo]

Also, many of the menus for table service restaurants are right on the Universal Orlando site www.universalorlando.com then click Dining up top.

And, honestly, the counter service menus on don't change a whole ton and though the ones on AllEars may not be 100% accurate, they're fairly close.

 

[braddillman]

Theme Park Insider has reviews for most of the restaurants and rides at USF/IoA. I pretty much agree with what's posted there.

 

[MotherofLandon]

Thanks for the responses!!

Having an idea of current pricing at restaurants makes it alot easier to plan a budget! So your links should help alot.

The ride descriptions will help with touring plans.

We are going next summer(I'm on bedrest, planning keeps me busy) so I feel like we need to stay on site to take advantage of FOTL passes.

I'm still trying to figure out how much time to dedicate to each park...

 

[Metro West]

I'm still trying to figure out how much time to dedicate to each park...

You should plan on a full day for each park and then a third day to go back and do your favorites.

 

[SmallWorld71]

Their is a vast difference in the amount of WDW info versus the info for US/IOA. Finding updated menu info is impossible, even the stickies and resort threads on these boards are somewhat outdated. I have to admit I am 100% more comfortable going to WDW because I know what to expect, I could not go to the parks for years and still remain in the know. I really wish this were avalible for US/IOA as well. Please don't flame me for saying so, I'm not trying to be negative or rude. I haven't been able to find any forums that specifically cater to US/IOA. I just wonder how this could be improved upon.

I was thinking the same thing when we planned our first trip this summer. I am a bit obsessive when it comes to planning our WDW trips and I was starting to panic. As Damo said though, so many more people go to WDW each year. Over 17 million visited MK in 2008 compared to over 5 million for IOA for example. So, there is bound to be more info.

Anyway, we learned that with the exception of WWOHP (and you can find a bunch of info. on that here on the DIS) we really didn't need the same kind of information. Because, we were on sight and had FOTL, a touring plan was not necessary. We just did attractions as we came to them or when we wanted to. There aren't parades, shows etc... where you have to worry about when to arrive and where to sit. ADR's are not needed ahead of time. Because you can really walk anywhere you want once you are there, we just checked out menus when walking by and went where ever sounded good. While Disney is more my speed because I'm a bit of a ride chicken, our trip to UO was so much more relaxing and we had a blast.

 

[SmallWorld71]

You should plan on a full day for each park and then a third day to go back and do your favorites.

I agree!

 

[bubba's mom]

OP---- Buy Kelly Monaghan's "Universal Orlando" book...there's a thread about it here....New 2011 edition is just shipping.

It's all you'll need....trust me

 

[ujpest_doza]

Is there a crowd calendar out there for Universal similar to the Touring Plans one for Disney?

we've been midweek (usually tuesdays) on our past few visits and it's been quiet but would like to plan our universal days in with our Disney days to optimise the best use of least crowded days. Tuesdays have been quietish by the way.

 

[Metro West]

Is there a crowd calendar out there for Universal similar to the Touring Plans one for Disney?

we've been midweek (usually tuesdays) on our past few visits and it's been quiet but would like to plan our universal days in with our Disney days to optimise the best use of least crowded days. Tuesdays have been quietish by the way.

You can usually tell the crowd levels by the park hours and EP prices. When the Express Plus passes are at their cheapest levels, don't expect large crowds.

 

[lamb616]

I feel the same way! I was surprised at the lack of info out there. I already have the WDW portion of our trip planned to a T -- meals booked, tickets bought, touring plans planned..... I tried to book the Universal Confisco character breakfast and was told to try back in a few months.
Wanted to purchase our passes but they don't even have prices out for past December so I can't even budget for what they'll be (getting the EPP).

Very strange......

 

[Metro West]

I feel the same way! I was surprised at the lack of info out there. I already have the WDW portion of our trip planned to a T -- meals booked, tickets bought, touring plans planned..... I tried to book the Universal Confisco character breakfast and was told to try back in a few months.
Wanted to purchase our passes but they don't even have prices out for past December so I can't even budget for what they'll be (getting the EPP).

Very strange......

Not strange at all. Disney has changed the way people vacation by basically forcing them to plan everything down to an ADR 180 days out! I think that's ridiculous but that's the way Disney has changed things. And now people think it's the norm. Universal is much more relaxed than Disney ever was so it's not strange...just different. I thought relaxing and having fun was what a vacation is for? Not having to plan every detail should be part of it...but it's not...at least as far as Disney is concerned.

 

[SmallWorld71]

Not strange at all. Disney has changed the way people vacation by basically forcing them to plan everything down to an ADR 180 days out! I think that's ridiculous but that's the way Disney has changed things. And now people think it's the norm. Universal is much more relaxed than Disney ever was so it's not strange...just different. I thought relaxing and having fun was what a vacation is for? Not having to plan every detail should be part of it...but it's not...at least as far as Disney is concerned.

You are so right! But, I think Disney used to be like that once upon a time. (to a degree,anyway) I remember the days of just calling in the morning and getting an evening reservation for Chef Mickey's or Hoop De Doo Revue without any trouble. And, this was over school vacations. I love WDW, but it's gotten a little too big for its britches IMO.

 

[Metro West]

You are so right! But, I think Disney used to be like that once upon a time. (to a degree,anyway) I remember the days of just calling in the morning and getting an evening reservation for Chef Mickey's or Hoop De Doo Revue without any trouble. And, this was over school vacations. I love WDW, but it's gotten a little too big for its britches IMO.

LOL...I know what you mean. The last time my family came down for vacation was in the early 1980s (stayed at the Contemporary) and I'm quite sure my parents only made hotel reservations.

 

[Planogirl]

I remember going to Epcot and snagging reservations for the World Showcase restaurants for that day at little live kiosks. Those were the days.

I do wonder why AllEars isn't updating the Universal menus though. They used to be so good at that. It would be nice if the DIS included that info too.

 

[georgina]

I'm with bubba's mom - buy a guidebook. It really helped our first time going. This site has tips, but the book has everything.