Dining - Independent Guide to Universal Orlando 2015 - page 103

The Universal Dining Plan can be redeemed at most food locations owned and operated
by Universal Orlando in Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure, and at select
CityWalk locations including Antojitos, Margaritaville and Red Oven Pizza Bakery. No on-
site hotel restaurants are part of this dining plan.
Guests who purchase the Dining Plan must pick up their dining plan card with their credits
to use the scheme. You will receive a voucher when you have booked your vacation to be
exchanged in the theme parks or CityWalk . The voucher can be exchanged for a card at
the Ticket Centre Desk at either theme park, Guest Services at either theme park or Dining
Reservation Carts at either theme park or CityWalk. It can also be picked up at on-site ho-
tels.
For an upcharge of $20 per adult or $7 per child you can use one of your credits for the
Cinematic Spectacular Dining Experience at Lombard's Seafood Grille. You can also use
one full service credit without an upcharge for the Superstar Character Breakfast at Cafe
La Bamba.
Our opinion : The Dining Plan is still relatively new having only been unveiled in July
2013 and as such when compared with Disney's system the dining plan still has a few
niggles to work out. Firstly, exchanging a voucher given at booking for a card is annoying
and potentially time consuming. Secondly, eating locations in CityWalk are still limited on
the plan - all the other restaurants are inside the theme parks, so you will need admission
for the days you plan to eat with the plan. Annoyingly, no on-site hotel restaurants are in-
cluded either.
Thirdly, each card is assigned its own credits and operates independently. As such a parent
wanting to get four ice creams needs to have all cards with them and each ice cream would
be processed separately. The credits are not grouped between cards like the Disney Dining
Plan. As such it can potentially be a time consuming affair.
If, however, you like having all your meals pre-paid and have one less expense to worry
about and like eating table service meals then this is the perfect plan for you. In addition,
this plan does generally offer better value than the Quick Service dining plan, especially if
you eat the most expensive items on the menus, meaning that you can end up saving money
here.
Note : Gratuities are not included in the price of the Dining Plan.
List of all Universal Dining Plan locations: