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Old 07-29-2010, 11:59 AM   #1
srouse
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Question planning our 1st trip - lots of questions...

My husband, son (8yrs), and I will be going to Universal Studios for our very first visit this fall (last week of Sept or first week of Oct). I have just started planning and have several questions...

First - my son is a huge Harry Potter fan and is dying to know... can he order a butter beer? does it have alcohol or is it more like root beer?

Has anyone used the dining plan? It seems to be a good value, $51 for adults for 2 days - but, I understand you can only eat certain places and off a limitted menue. Good deal or no.....?

We are thinking of getting a kid suite at Royal Pacific.... it is pricey - but my husband and I really like some privacy on vacacation. Has anyone stayed in the kid suite? Are there any less expensive options to solve the privacy issue and still be on grounds?

We are considering the Harry Potter package deal - 4 nights at the resort, 3 day (park hopper type) tickets. Is 3 days a good amount of time to cover the 2 parks?

I have read that the park tickets vary in price, and there are so many variables....
I was quoted a rate of $2208.02 for the 4 nights in the kid suite, 3 day park hopper type tickets for 2 adults & 1 child, 3 day dining plan (lunch and dinner) for all, breakfast one morning at the 3 Broomsticks. Is this a good rate or should I keep shopping?

Thanks in advance!
Suzan
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Old 07-29-2010, 12:02 PM   #2
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Have never been to universal--but I read that the butter beer is a but like a butterscotch cream soda--no alcohol.
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Old 07-29-2010, 01:07 PM   #3
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I think the only way to know if the package is a good deal is to price out everything separately. Check the room rates on Universal's website, compare the cost of the tickets there too. I guess you can estimate the breakfast costs because I don't know if the menus are available online.

I haven't stayed in a Kid Suite, but we stayed at Royal Pacific the month it opened. I thought it was a gorgeous resort! I liked the rooms and the overall decor was very pretty. The pool has no slide, but it's a great pool for kids. Lots of interactive water play areas. They also did fun activities at the pool for the kiddos. The beach area is pretty too.

I think 3 days is a good amount of time to visit both parks.
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Old 07-29-2010, 07:50 PM   #4
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Like Shell said, you really need to price it out but it seems to me like a decent price with a suite. I had looked at some suites at both RPR and PFB and if I remember correctly, they were in the $400./night range.

I live the RPR. It is a gorgeous hotel and we had wonderful customer service both times we stayed. ON one stay we had a standard view room, but it overlooked IOA and had a great time sitting on a chair by the window, watching the Hulk.
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Old 08-01-2010, 07:31 PM   #5
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Thanks for the replies... DS is so excited about the butterbeer!
I think I have decided not to use the meal plan - I know we will want to try Mythos - and I we will not want to be that limitted in our meal choices.
Having a blast anticipating!
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Old 08-02-2010, 04:52 PM   #6
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To answer some of your questions.....

1) Butterbeer is cream soda with a foam -like shot of butterscotch.......very yummy and perfect for kids!

2) Our family just went to US/IOA July 22nd and 23rd and we purchased the Meal Deal......We thought it was a great value. Plenty to choose from! Pizza, Pasta, Burgers, Chicken Sandwiches, Salads, Stir Fry, Fish and Chips.......Plus Dessert! I wouldn't call it a limited menu. Very good value.

3) The passes you are thinking of getting is going to be more than enough time to see everything in both parks. Remember though that the last weekend of September through the start of November is Halloween Horror Nights. Universal Studios will be closing early on those nights to set up for the event. I don't think Halloween Horror Nights will be appropriate for your son..........I've been every year and there is NO WAY I would bring my daughter! LOL

Sorry I can't answer your other questions. We live in Florida and have annual passes, and we live close enough that it's very rare that we stay at a resort.....sorry But I hope the other info helped.
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