Haven't been to Universal in 8 years, need help planning!

[Tinkerbell 8]

I haven't been to Universal in 8 years, we usually just go to Disney for 1-2 weeks a year. I love WDW, but lately I have just been feeling let down with the direction the parks are taking (lack of maintenance, no new rides lately, etc). I am planning a trip to WDW in December and decided to take a few days to head over to Universal since my boyfriend has never been there and I'd like to see the WWOHP. So here's my questions. I'm looking at staying at WDW from Dec 7th-13th, then heading over to Universal from the 13th-15th. I stayed at the HRH last time, but I was looking at the Royal Pacific. Are the 2 days enough to do the headliners at both IOA and US? I can't ride simulators because I get extremely sick, and lately some coasters have been making me sick but I can tolerate them a little better. Also, what are the crowds like in December? I checked the crowd calender for WDW and it should be okay, I didn't know if Universal has a predictor like that as well. How are the food options in Uni, we are big foodies and enjoy good food and good drinks. Thanks for the help! I'm sure I'll have a ton more questions in the planning process!

 

[Disneyhead'71]

The crowds should be low-medium.

Foodie ALERT! There are 4 Signature restaurants at Universal Orlando Resort. All of them are very good.

Emeril's Orlando in CityWalk- http://www.emerilsrestaurants.com/sites/default/files/EODinner11.19.12.pdf
Emeril's Tchoup Chop in The Royal Pacific Resort- http://www.emerilsrestaurants.com/sites/default/files/Dinner11.28.12.pdf
The Palm at Hard Rock Hotel- http://www.thepalm.com/files/filesPalm/Dinner-Jan13-MTN.pdf
BiCE at Portofino Bay Resort- http://orlando.bicegroup.com/menus/dinner.pdf

There are 4 table service restaurants inside the parks. (I recommend Mythos and Fennigan's):

Confisco's Grill in the Port of Entry at IOA. https://www.universalorlando.com/Images/confiscos_menu_tcm13-28314.pdf
Mythos in the Lost Continent at IOA. https://www.universalorlando.com/Images/mythos_menu_tcm13-28313.pdf
Fennigan's Bar and Grill in the NYC section of USF. https://www.universalorlando.com/Images/Finnegans menu_tcm13-32524.pdf
Lombard's in the San Francisco section of USF. https://www.universalorlando.com/Images/lombards_menu_tcm13-28312.pdf

 

[danpam1024]

2 days really depends on how you "do" the parks- with your hair on fire or more of a relaxing pace, and if you plan on going to City Walk for the evening or not (I love the new putt putt there). December must see: Ginchmas (of course) and the Macy's Parade. It's also nice to enjoy a frosty Butterbeer at Three Broomsticks out on the deck when it's not blazing hot. Attendance is moderate, but since you are on property you will have express pass anyway. WWoHP is ALWAYS busy so take advantage of the extra hour for UOR hotel guests FJ is worth the wait even if you sleep in. Transformers will probably be the same. As well as Springfield.

 

[Tinkerbell 8]

As far as how we "do" the parks, we are the people that are up at the crack of dawn and in the parks till close, we spent 16 hours in MK in October so we don't do "relaxing" on these types of vacations. Question about the restaurants, do you have to make ADR's like you do for disney at 180 days out or is it different?

 

[Alexis]

Hello! Well I love staying at the HRH, that's where I usually stayed. The Royal Pacific is nice too, but it is a longer walk to the parks than HRH, since it's on the other side. Universal Orlando has had updates in the past 8 years, so there are new things! You said you'd be going in December, I think the crowd levels will be medium, speaking that there is Grinchmas in Islands of Adventure and a parade at Universal Studios! I think you'll be just fine with two days at both Islands and Universal, you'll also be getting Fastpass, since you're staying at one of the three hotels. Like you, I do not ride rollercoasters. Since you haven't been in 8 years, there have been some changes to both theme parks. Islands of Adventure updated Spiderman, created The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and I'm sure other stuff that I cannot remember this moment. Islands is such a cool park, they have a sit down restaurant called Mythos which has good food (normally park food is pretty gross). There are also other places to eat and drink as well! Universal Studios added Despicable Me (stimulator), Hollywood Rip Ride Rocket (roller coaster), a Spongebob Store and now they're creating a Transformers Ride opening this Summer. I prefer Islands, I feel there's more to do there than Universal Studios in my opinion. Also, Blue Man Group (a show) they added in between both parks. I really liked the show when I went, you should check it out if you have spare time at night. You mentioned you wanted restaurants and places to drink. Across from the parks there is Citywalk, which has shops and restaurants and now a mini golf area. I think you'd like Margaritaville, so you should check that out! I hope you have a great time. I definitely think you should check out the UniversalOrlando website to see rides and other things you might be interested in! But I think I summed it all up for ya!

 

[danpam1024]

As far as how we "do" the parks, we are the people that are up at the crack of dawn and in the parks till close, we spent 16 hours in MK in October so we don't do "relaxing" on these types of vacations. Question about the restaurants, do you have to make ADR's like you do for disney at 180 days out or is it different?

Holy cow! That's pretty hardcore- 2 days will be more than enough! IDK how far out you can book reservations, but you definitely need one for Mythos- easy to do online.