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Old 02-15-2010, 04:02 PM   #1
MustBGoofy
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Universal Studios Questions

This will be mine and DH's first trip to Universal Studios Orlando. We are spending 5 days at Disney and have 1 day set aside for Universal. Should we do Island of Adventure or just Universal Studios. Can anyone recommend a place to eat and do you have to make dining reservations for sit down restaurants? We were looking into Mel's Diner. Thanks for any help and advice!!


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Old 02-16-2010, 07:43 AM   #2
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You really don't have to make ADR's at Universal, we just walk in and get seated
but there is a place when walking in that you can make a ressie for that day.
Mythos and Confisco grill at IOA is good, Finnegans at UO is really good too.
those are our faves.
City Walk has a lot of choices.
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Old 02-16-2010, 08:21 AM   #3
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No ADRs but there is a place right past the entrance to US where you can make a doy of reservation. I'd vote for Finnegan's. IOA has more thrill rides. If Harry Potter is open, then definitely IOA
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Old 02-16-2010, 08:29 AM   #4
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The only reservations I've ever made for restaurants there has been for Mythos (great food, kind of pricey), and I do it while I am in the park that day. There was a booth inside the park that had menus from all the restaurants and you could make a reservation there, or you could make a reservation at the desk at the front of the restaurant. I highly recommend Finnigans as well. I haven't eaten at Mel's (yet ) so can't tell you anything about it.

As for which park, that's pretty hard for us to say without knowing you better. Do you like thrill rides? Marvel Comics? I'd recommend IoA. Universal Studios has more show attractions based on familiar movies. It's all in what you are more interested in. If you can afford an extra $60 for the 2 of you, you could get a 1-day 2-park ticket for $109 pp and hit the highlights of both parks.
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Old 02-16-2010, 12:48 PM   #5
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We always set aside two days for IOA and US, we know we could do both in one of we were on our own, but with the kids we'll need two. The parks really differ based on your tastes. IOA had more thrill and get you wet rides, and Harry Potter (if open). Universal has rides as well but a lot of shows too.
We find with either park we usually get done early and enjoy the City Walk (lots of shopping and dining) before heading back to the resort a little early.
I can't be of much help with dining, we've only eaten CS.
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Old 02-16-2010, 01:36 PM   #6
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As others have stated, it all depends on what entertains you.
If you like thrill rides - IoA is the place to go.
If you like shows and milder rides, US is your spot.
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