Originally Posted By Autopia Deb Normally when I go to Florida I plan my Disney days pretty far in advance, taking into account Touringplans.com's crowd calendar, EMH and ADRs. None of that applies this next trip, because if we do any Disney at all it will only be DTD and maybe some mini golf. Since I am going into unknown (to me) territory I want to ask Universal, Busch and Sea World vets a little about those parks. First, is there an online resource that displays crowd levels for the parks, or even daily averages, like "Mondays are usually heavy at the Studios, so we recommend the Isles on this day" that sort of thing. Second, outside food and water. We probably won't try to bring in picnics, but I do plan on buying a flat of water and maybe bringing light snacks in. Here in So Cal, our Six Flags is quite draconian about these things. Not only don't they allow outside food and water, they don't allow re-entry so you can't even picnic in your car. Used to be, you could have a nice picnic under the trees in the small park are they have in the parking lot. Disneyland OTOH has always been pretty good about outside food and water. They would like you to use the outside picnic are, but I have never seen them enforce it. Third, is there a good way, other than car to get from Sea World to USO and vise versa? Thanks
Originally Posted By dshyates I know there used to be a website that had USF/IOA wait times, but I don't know any that list daily crowd levels. That said Sun. during the summer are pretty slow, but in the off season weekends are pretty crowded. And Universal does have an App that I have heard is pretty helpful. Universal is very strict about coolers. But I believe that a couple of bottles of water and some light snacks in your bag would be OK. Aside from a car there is the I-Ride Trolley. The Green Line runs from URO to Sea World. But there are a lot of stops and could take a while. but it would be easy and convenient
Originally Posted By dshyates Oh, here is the I-Ride Trolley website. <a href="http://www.iridetrolley.com/map.asp" target="_blank">http://www.iridetrolley.com/map.asp</a>
Originally Posted By Autopia Deb Thought of a couple more questions. I've heard good things about Mythos. Are reservations recommended, or even possible? Sea World San Diego has a deal where you purchase your day's meals in advance. Is this available in Orlando and is it cost effective? I have a teenage bottomless pit and any way to get him fed without taking out a loan is appreciated.
Originally Posted By Autopia Deb Thank you I will check out that web site. Good to know I can bring in water at least.
Originally Posted By 999HAUNTS Ressies at Mythos can be made at opentable.com. I only know because we are waiting for our timeframe to open up. Don't know if it's good or not, but we are trying it regardless.
Originally Posted By -em Sea World does have the all day dining for 30 bucks- most places are included but not all items are included but it's clearly marked. Never had outside beverage issues at all.. as for mythos never had any issues either making a same day res or just walking in- I've had mixed results taking beverages into universal several times been told to dump my drinks other times had no issues-
Originally Posted By dshyates Universal also has a Meal Deal. I believe it is $19 for 1 park, and $23 for the 2 park Meal Deal. and $8 more for a 32oz. cup with free refills all day. There are only 3 restaurants per park, and Mythos and The Three Broomsticks aren't on it. But for you bottomless pit it may be worth even IF he is having dinner at Mythos as I am sure he can eat $20 worth of burgers, pizza, and cookies. One thing to remember is that Universal does have a TON of great table service restaurants around the resort. In USF my favorite place to dine is Fannigan's Irish Pub. And of course Mythos. Just outside the parks are 4- 4 star restaurants (Emeril's Orlando in CityWalk, Emeril's Tchop Chop at the Royal Pacific, Palm Steakhouse at The Hard Rock, and BiCE at The Portofino Bay Resort), a ton of good solid themed dining like Pat O'Brian's, Margaritaville, Hard Rock Cafe (avoid NBA and NASCAR Cafes they are not bad, but overpriced and much better dining feet away).
Originally Posted By Autopia Deb Good to know about the meal deal at Universal. It's a shame 3 Broomsticks and Mythos aren't on it, but from the good things I've heard about them, I'm not surprised. And yes, my kid can plow through $20 worth of theme park food no problem (and still be skinny as a rail). Between the 2 parks and City Walk, it looks like I can dine to my hearts content.
Originally Posted By -em If you go hungry at Uni it's your own fault most of the time and unlike WDW it's possible to find good to great deals.. -em
Originally Posted By Autopia Deb I don't see Universal on the Green Line map. Is it far from Wet and Wild or the Northern most stop?
Originally Posted By dshyates It would be stop G4. It is caddy corner across the street from Universal and is about a 10-15 min. walk to the parks.
Originally Posted By 3disneylocations One if my fav's is Bubba Gump's in Citywalk. Finnigan's @ the Studios has home made beer batter fish (big portions too). Margaritaville served me the worst sandwich I ever had and I haven't ordered food from there since (everyone I know has said the samething). Good Margarita's tho... Lot's of choices. Sea World... Not so much, standard amusement park food.
