Anyone have opinions on Universal's Meal Plan?
Universal Orlando: Need info on the meal plan Universal offers.
I have been looking into Universal's Meal Plan. Last year we did Disney and I packed lunches and we ate out somewhere nice for Dinner once we left the park. This year I contemplated buying the Meal Plans for Universal because they don't seem to be as accomodating about bringing lunches into the park, and it may be easier. As I am traveling with our 8 children, I will not be getting the Fast pass tickets as it is just too expensive. I am concerned about the lines in Late July, and don't want to buy the meal plan if it means just more waiting in long food lines. That would totally not be worth the convenience of it! Can anyone let me know how the food lines are and what the quality and selection of the meals on their plan are like? I appreciate it greatly. : )
I will be at Universal about the same time as you, and I have looked at the Meal Deal. The problem with it, is that there are many great restaurants left out of the Meal Deal!
Yes, My husband and teens would agree with you! lol But with taking so many kids and planning our week at Universal as just 1/3 of our trip....I am looking to make a logical decision on this one instead of one controlled by their culinary obsessions! lol
I am thinking that even a simple lunch there will be at least $10. If that is the case, then just lunch would be almost $100, and the plan would cost us $130. It appears to be a better idea, but not if we experience long wait times that just make us get on even fewer rides.
Yes, I have been told they have some great food at some of their restaurants. My little guys arent too brave about "new" things though. :(
My wife and I recently went to Universal Studios and purchased the meal deal and drink deal as well. My biggest problem with it was we were limited to only 3 restaurants in each park. This was a major problem because they always had the longest lines. We waited well over an hour at some places. The next day my wife and I opted not to get the meal deal and it was a much more pleasent experience and found very little wait time at other restaurants.
On a side note the drink deal was fantastic! You can fill it up at just about any restaurant and even get lemonade at some stands.
Universal is just as accommodating as Disney in terms of bringing food. I almost always bring a lunch and never get hassled. The food within Universal Studios Florida is mediocre. Mythos at Islands of Adventure is very good, but I wouldn't bother with the dining plan. I'd recommend following your original plan - pack a lunch, then eat somewhere nice for dinner (Mythos, CityWalk, or Orlando). I packed and ate a nice tuna fish sandwich with a pickle, chips, carrots, and Coke while watching Beetlejuice's Graveyard Revue. It's an outdoor venue, so they didn't mind if you ate. I then had extra cash to splurge on a beer break in the afternoon and a good dinner in downtown Orlando!
From Kristin A
Posted July 16, 2010 at 8:33 PM
We just returned from Universal and I'm glad we didn't get the meal deal. My son and I split a lot of the meals, so it wouldn't have been worth it. Also, I hate to say this, but the food was horrible. There were only a few places that we tried that we actually liked. My friend said they liked Finnegan's, and of course we skipped that place and went to Cafe 4 in IOA. Ugh. The places that we liked were not included in the plan. Also, you can only use the plan once in line. If you want more food, you have to leave the line and reenter, so that can waste your time if you're only there for one day. Of course, I saw those kiosks selling the meal deal all over the park. I wonder if you could buy just 3 deals and keep using them over and over to buy all of your 8 children their meals! It would certainly save a lot of money! :P
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