An afternoon at Universal Orlando Resort

[Christine]

Last Sunday, John and I spent the afternoon and early evening at Universal. We bought the
eat all day meal plan...was it worth the money? Yes, especially if you get there early and stay all day. But we did agree the limitations on WHERE you can eat and the kind of burgers and fries/ pizza/ chicken nuggets are not particularly our favorite. Glad we tried it once though!

Here are some photos around Islands of Adventure and a few in Univeral Studios. We spend 3/4 of our time in Wizarding World of Harry Potter every time. Unintentional, just happens It is truly exceptional.

Enjoy!

[Christine]

And more...

[Christine]

more of HP

[Christine]

more...

[Christine]

I will say that Universal cast members (or whatever they call them there) are absolutely wonderful. EVERY person we met was lovely...smiling or if not, because they were in character. We had a wonderful afternoon strolling around. Didn't get back to ride Spiderman or stay for the nighttime show which is extraordinary because we are truly captivated with Wizarding Worlds! The promise of more to come is very exciting. I for one, cannot wait! John got a wand (Snape's!), I got my DD some Griffendor pj pants, and I got a magic coffee cup (when you add hot liquids "wizarding world of harry potter" appears on the back, picture of Hogwarts on the front). And of course, these beauties!

[DizneyFreak2002]

Thanks for the pictures Christine... Every time I see WWoHP pictures, I get the desire to return NOW... Yes, I really do love that mini-land...

And knowing Diagon Alley will be better than Hogsmeade/Hogwarts only pumps me up more...

[Christine]

Thanks for the pictures Christine... Every time I see WWoHP pictures, I get the desire to return NOW... Yes, I really do love that mini-land...

And knowing Diagon Alley will be better than Hogsmeade/Hogwarts only pumps me up more...

I feel the same way!

[DizneyFreak2002]

I forgot to ask, did you happen to attend Grinchmas? If so, how is it? I have honestly never been...

[Christine]

I forgot to ask, did you happen to attend Grinchmas? If so, how is it? I have honestly never been...

It did not start til after Thanksgiving (I went last week).
We did go last year and WOW! Great show! The narrator blew my mind at how much he sounded like the cartoon! And the costumes and make up are really eerily done...it's like they put the extreme effort into them that they would in a movie production! GREAT!

[DizneyFreak2002]

It did not start til after Thanksgiving (I went last week).
We did go last year and WOW! Great show! The narrator blew my mind at how much he sounded like the cartoon! And the costumes and make up are really eerily done...it's like they put the extreme effort into them that they would in a movie production! GREAT!

After Thanksgiving? So Universal is unlike everyone else who starts after the 4th of July? LOL....

Glad to hear the show is good... I need to make it down one of these years for the Christmas season...

[Dsnygirl]

Christine, love seeing the pics... makes the idea of going there all the more exciting! Are the Fizzing Whizzbees (sp?) chocolate? They and the butterbeer have my mouth watering....

For a family who has never been there before, and won't be again for awhile, would you say the meal deal is worth it, with it's limitations? I know we'd like to try certain places, and if they're not allowed, it'd probably make it not as worth it to us...

[Christine]

Blythe it is worth it $$ definitely. Is it worth it with limitations? Maybe not just because you may have your heart set on 3 Briomsticks etc.
But value-wise, absolutely.

[Christine]

Oh and btw- fizzing whiz bees are chocolate covered strawberry POPROCKS! YUMM and fun!!!

[bruin1344]

Great photos. IOA almost looks like a Disney park with their attention to detail in Harry Potter and Dr. Seuss lands.

[Christine]

Great photos. IOA almost looks like a Disney park with their attention to detail in Harry Potter and Dr. Seuss lands.

IMHO, it's better than WDW in those two areas !

[Dsnygirl]

Blythe it is worth it $$ definitely. Is it worth it with limitations? Maybe not just because you may have your heart set on 3 Briomsticks etc.
But value-wise, absolutely.

So.... guessing that means no 3 Broomsticks allowed? I thought that was the only restaurant in the HP area... so the deal is only for outside HP? Or more for the "counter service" type spots? You're right, we definitely want to try 3 Broomsticks....

Oh and btw- fizzing whiz bees are chocolate covered strawberry POPROCKS! YUMM and fun!!!

[DizneyFreak2002]

I don't think you'll be disappointed in 3 Broomsticks... I rather enjoyed it myself...

[Christine]

No 3 Broomsticks on dining plan.
But there IS availibility in Islands of Adventure. Think of it like this- IofA is like MK with "lands" (HP, comic strip, Jurassic park, Seuss...)
The dining is available in Jurassic park and comic strip area & Seussland, but not HP.

Its a really good value. You can go through the line as often as you want.you could Pay the extra $40 for the 3 Broomsticks feast!! Chicken, veggies, corn, rolls, salad--- it's awesome!

[N2DisneyWorld]

We did tried out the meal deal for the first two days of our trip. We didn't care for it. The cost was great but we did not care for the food. The only place we liked was Louie's at the Studios. I was glad we were on our own for our last day because the Three Broomsticks was so good! It was nice to sit inside & enjoy the little effects in the restaurant too. I couldn't get enough of the Butterbeer. We would go sit inside and enjoy a cup to take a break.

I hope you enjoy your trip.