| Posted By |
Message |
Bridex100
Two Under Two Mommy
Member since 3/08 10420 total posts
Name:
Momx100
|
Could you please provide feedback for our Universal itinerary?
I could not find a touring plan for young kids for Universal like the ones they have for Disney. Our boys are 4 and 6 years old. 4yo does not like coasters at all and I'm not sure if he will enjoy the simulator rides.
Could you please let me know if our timing is off or if I'm missing anything?
Fri: Arrive in Orlando at 11:30am, head to hotel, check out the hotel and pool and go to City Walk for dinner - Emeril's® Restaurant?
Sat: Islands of Adventure at opening. Head straight to Harry Potter.
9:00 Ollivanders
9:30 HP and Forbidden Journey (kids will only tour castle. Only I will ride the actual ride)
10:30 DH takes 6yo to ride Flight of the Hipogriff while I take 4yo to Three Broomsticks to buy late breakfast/early lunch/butterbeer
11:15 If it isn't too crowded, browse shops.
12:00 Jurassic Park
2:00 Toon Lagoon
3:30 Spiderman Ride
4:00 Hotel for rest/pool
6:00 Dinner at Emeril's Tchoup Chop
Sun: Universal at 7:00am early entry
7:30 Despicable Me Minion
8:30 Transformers 3D
9:30 Diagon Alley/late breakfast at Florean Fortescue
11:00 Hogwarts Express to Islands of Adventure
12:00 Seuss Landing
3:00 Hotel/Pool
6:00 Dinner at Mama Della's Ristorante
Mon: Islands of Adventure early entry 8:00am Hogsmeade
Do anything we missed/want to do again
12:00 Hogswart Express to Universal
Do anything we missed/want to do again
3:00 Back to hotel
4:30 Airport/eat dinner
6:00 Flight home
|
Posted 10/4/15 8:36 PM  |
| |
|
Long Island Weddings
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource |
BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15660 total posts
Name:
|
Could you please provide feedback for our Universal itinerary?
Looks good!
|
| Posted 10/5/15 11:11 AM |
| |
|
MommaG
Yay Spring!
Member since 5/05 5133 total posts
Name:
Gloria
|
Could you please provide feedback for our Universal itinerary?
If you can get to the Minion ride at 7AM instead of 7:30, do it. There is always a line for that ride even at rope drop. It's the first one people run to, it's right by the entrance and you will wait 60-90 minutes even that early if you don't get there first thing. Otherwise, you should have plenty of time for your schedule. Not sure if the little ones will like Spiderman and Transformers as they're simulator rides. You could go single rider line and that usually moves really fast (5-10 minute wait).
|
| Posted 10/5/15 3:01 PM |
| |
|
Bridex100
Two Under Two Mommy
Member since 3/08 10420 total posts
Name:
Momx100
|
Re: Could you please provide feedback for our Universal itinerary?
Posted by MommaG
If you can get to the Minion ride at 7AM instead of 7:30, do it. There is always a line for that ride even at rope drop. It's the first one people run to, it's right by the entrance and you will wait 60-90 minutes even that early if you don't get there first thing. Otherwise, you should have plenty of time for your schedule. Not sure if the little ones will like Spiderman and Transformers as they're simulator rides. You could go single rider line and that usually moves really fast (5-10 minute wait).
Are the simulator rides scary?
The only simulator ride I have ever ridden is Soarin at Epcot. I rode that with my then 5yo. DH rode Test Treck with then 5yo DS and 5yo liked it.
Also, do you have recommendations on restaurants at the parks? Are they all pretty much chicken fingers, hot dogs, etc theme park food?
The only food I have on my to eat list is at HP. We don't have any restaurant reservations. I don't want to waste valuable touring time on a character breakfast so I did not plan for that. Also did not make reservations for any dinners.
Message edited 10/5/2015 3:57:54 PM.
|
| Posted 10/5/15 3:57 PM |
| |
|
pumpkinmom
LIF Adult
Member since 5/12 2912 total posts
Name:
|
Could you please provide feedback for our Universal itinerary?
I'm saving your post in case we go to universal, lol.
I usually like to grab food quickly at the parks, but last time we did go to a couple of restaurants. We went to Finnegan's Pub in between the regular hours and the halloween event at Universal studios. I liked the food. Better than usual theme park food, but it is a sit down place.
We had a terrible experience at Mythos in Islands of Adventure. The food couldn't be modified because it was pre-made but it still took a very long time for it to be heated and brought out. The food wasn't good and I felt like we wasted theme park time.
I didn't have kids at the time so we didn't look into any character meals.
|
| Posted 10/5/15 5:49 PM |
| |
|
PatsBrat
LIF Adult
Member since 10/06 2326 total posts
Name:
Ms. Brat
|
Re: Could you please provide feedback for our Universal itinerary?
I think your plans look doable, but more importantly, I wanted to say you are going to LOVE Mama Della's! My family is extremely picky about Italian food, and we loved every single thing we had. ENJOY!!!!!
|
| Posted 10/5/15 6:56 PM |
| |
|
BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15660 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Could you please provide feedback for our Universal itinerary?
Posted by Bridex100
Posted by MommaG
If you can get to the Minion ride at 7AM instead of 7:30, do it. There is always a line for that ride even at rope drop. It's the first one people run to, it's right by the entrance and you will wait 60-90 minutes even that early if you don't get there first thing. Otherwise, you should have plenty of time for your schedule. Not sure if the little ones will like Spiderman and Transformers as they're simulator rides. You could go single rider line and that usually moves really fast (5-10 minute wait).
Are the simulator rides scary?
The only simulator ride I have ever ridden is Soarin at Epcot. I rode that with my then 5yo. DH rode Test Treck with then 5yo DS and 5yo liked it.
Also, do you have recommendations on restaurants at the parks? Are they all pretty much chicken fingers, hot dogs, etc theme park food?
The only food I have on my to eat list is at HP. We don't have any restaurant reservations. I don't want to waste valuable touring time on a character breakfast so I did not plan for that. Also did not make reservations for any dinners.
I like Soarin, I do NOT like the Simulator rides at Universal. They make me nauseous. The Simpsons is the worst! Transformers was bad at parts, as was Spiderman, but I learned to close my eyes on those rides and I was okay.
I can't remember if you have ET listed, but def. do that one.
|
| Posted 10/5/15 8:34 PM |
| |
|
Bridex100
Two Under Two Mommy
Member since 3/08 10420 total posts
Name:
Momx100
|
Re: Could you please provide feedback for our Universal itinerary?
Posted by BargainMama
Posted by Bridex100
Posted by MommaG
If you can get to the Minion ride at 7AM instead of 7:30, do it. There is always a line for that ride even at rope drop. It's the first one people run to, it's right by the entrance and you will wait 60-90 minutes even that early if you don't get there first thing. Otherwise, you should have plenty of time for your schedule. Not sure if the little ones will like Spiderman and Transformers as they're simulator rides. You could go single rider line and that usually moves really fast (5-10 minute wait).
Are the simulator rides scary?
The only simulator ride I have ever ridden is Soarin at Epcot. I rode that with my then 5yo. DH rode Test Treck with then 5yo DS and 5yo liked it.
Also, do you have recommendations on restaurants at the parks? Are they all pretty much chicken fingers, hot dogs, etc theme park food?
The only food I have on my to eat list is at HP. We don't have any restaurant reservations. I don't want to waste valuable touring time on a character breakfast so I did not plan for that. Also did not make reservations for any dinners.
I like Soarin, I do NOT like the Simulator rides at Universal. They make me nauseous. The Simpsons is the worst! Transformers was bad at parts, as was Spiderman, but I learned to close my eyes on those rides and I was okay.
I can't remember if you have ET listed, but def. do that one.
Our kids have never watched ET. Would they still enjoy the ride?
Depending on how the Minions and Spiderman rides go, we may skip the other simulator rides. I think the boys would enjoy running around the Jurassic play and Tunes areas better. I know they are going to love buying treats and exchanging money at HP too.
|
| Posted 10/5/15 9:19 PM |
| |
|
Bridex100
Two Under Two Mommy
Member since 3/08 10420 total posts
Name:
Momx100
|
Re: Could you please provide feedback for our Universal itinerary?
Last question, are the interactive wands good for 4 and 6 year olds?
Cost is secondary although they are pricey at ~$50 per piece. I am afraid the kids will get frustrated if they can't get the wand movements to work, especially the 4yo. And from everything I have heard and read, the HP areas get super crowded and we are going on a holiday weekend so crowds will be high. I don't want waste time and money if it is going to be a crowded mess.
|
| Posted 10/5/15 9:22 PM |
| |
|
BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15660 total posts
Name:
|
Could you please provide feedback for our Universal itinerary?
ET you sit on a bike, and "fly" so it's pretty cool. I think they would like it! Wands I don't know...they didn't have interactive when we went, so we just bought regular useless ones lol
|
| Posted 10/5/15 9:53 PM |
| |
|
nferrandi
too excited for words
Member since 10/05 18538 total posts
Name:
Nicole
|
Re: Could you please provide feedback for our Universal itinerary?
I still haven't taken my kids to Universal so I can speak to the rides, but as for Emirils, I don't think it's very kid friendly as compared to other options at City Walk. If your kids are super well behaved at dinner, then you may be fine. But we found it was more adult oriented. It's also one of the best meals we've had in the Orlando area, but we didn't have our kids with us.
|
| Posted 10/6/15 8:22 AM |
| |
|
Bridex100
Two Under Two Mommy
Member since 3/08 10420 total posts
Name:
Momx100
|
Re: Could you please provide feedback for our Universal itinerary?
Posted by nferrandi
I still haven't taken my kids to Universal so I can speak to the rides, but as for Emirils, I don't think it's very kid friendly as compared to other options at City Walk. If your kids are super well behaved at dinner, then you may be fine. But we found it was more adult oriented. It's also one of the best meals we've had in the Orlando area, but we didn't have our kids with us.
I have never been to an Emirils and was looking forward to both the New Orleans and the Asian inspired one.
We don't normally take our kids to fine dining but we have not tried for about 2 yrs since our prior experiences were so poor. I thought Emirils was casual. They have been to places like Nobu but we took our ipads with us. We will not be taking ipads on our walks to Citywalk.
Thanks for the comment though. I will try to go to 1st seating.
|
| Posted 10/6/15 9:45 AM |
| |
|
Sixofus
LIF Adolescent
Member since 10/13 594 total posts
Name:
|
Could you please provide feedback for our Universal itinerary?
I just want to say that I am envious! We loved Universal and you are going to have a blast. We didn't eat at any sit down restaurants in the parks. At Citywalk we ate at NBA restaurant(at insistence of my 8yo) and Hard Rock, both meh but I was with my friend and we had 7 kids between us. We stayed at Hard Rock and ate there at The Kitchen twice. It was very decent, and also casual and kid friendly. There is an ice cream parlor right next door. I missed a lot of rides because I stayed back with my almost 3yo(and dh wasn't with us on the trip), but we all did ET and loved it. I think that was the only ride still there from when was last there 25 years ago!! Everyone enjoyed the Jurassic park play area and pteranodon flyers which is right there. As for the wands, I bought my little guy a non-interactive one which was a lot cheaper, and which he also ended up dropping out of the stroller and losing. Maybe you could do that, and let him borrow his brother's for the "spells"? Some of them are tricky and it can be frustrating. Either way, have fun!!!
|
| Posted 10/6/15 12:28 PM |
| |
|
MommaG
Yay Spring!
Member since 5/05 5133 total posts
Name:
Gloria
|
Could you please provide feedback for our Universal itinerary?
My DS is 10 and did Transformers - he did not like it. Not so much scary as the ride jerks you around from one area to the next - its not a smooth ride. Loved the dinosaur area since there is a large area for the them to run around and play, and you can shoot water at the flyers. We did not really care for the food - we ate at Three Broomsticks which was good because it was a little different, but it was pricey for the amount of food you get. Love the frozen butterbeer though - that was worth it. There is a quick serve near the Mythos restaurant (right outside HP) that had I think gyros and some things like that. For the most part, other than HP and that place, everything else is hot dogs, hamburgers, nuggets unless you go to citywalk.
|
| Posted 10/6/15 1:16 PM |
| |
|
Bridex100
Two Under Two Mommy
Member since 3/08 10420 total posts
Name:
Momx100
|
Re: Could you please provide feedback for our Universal itinerary?
Posted by MommaG
My DS is 10 and did Transformers - he did not like it. Not so much scary as the ride jerks you around from one area to the next - its not a smooth ride. Loved the dinosaur area since there is a large area for the them to run around and play, and you can shoot water at the flyers. We did not really care for the food - we ate at Three Broomsticks which was good because it was a little different, but it was pricey for the amount of food you get. Love the frozen butterbeer though - that was worth it. There is a quick serve near the Mythos restaurant (right outside HP) that had I think gyros and some things like that. For the most part, other than HP and that place, everything else is hot dogs, hamburgers, nuggets unless you go to citywalk.
I think I am going to axe transformers and add ET.
|
| Posted 10/6/15 3:18 PM |
| |
|
Bridex100
Two Under Two Mommy
Member since 3/08 10420 total posts
Name:
Momx100
|
Re: Could you please provide feedback for our Universal itinerary?
Posted by nferrandi
I still haven't taken my kids to Universal so I can speak to the rides, but as for Emirils, I don't think it's very kid friendly as compared to other options at City Walk. If your kids are super well behaved at dinner, then you may be fine. But we found it was more adult oriented. It's also one of the best meals we've had in the Orlando area, but we didn't have our kids with us.
Just made a reservation for 5pm for Emerils. I am really looking forward to eating at this restaurant. Hopefully we can be in and out of the restaurant within an hour.
|
| Posted 10/8/15 5:26 PM |
| |
|
