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Hi, is there a Magic Band equivalent for Universal? Also, if I buy a lanyard before arrival, what size would I need?

48 min ago by grannymac

Planning a trip with a 20 and 15 year old. Better to start with early entry or tour later and stay til parks close? They've been to WDW a lot but this is our second trip to UOR for four touring days.

9:37pm on 4/14/26 by whenuwish

My preference is to rope drop and do as much as u can in the morning. Then go back to hotel for rest or swim midday when it's hot and crowded and return in evening. Keeps us from burning out and maximizes cooler temps and shorter lines.

10:26pm on 4/14/26 by Buckeye86

Agree w @buckeye. Our last visit was w ds18 & 15 so similar. They def thought it was worth getting up early to RD. We had 4 days then too & did do one day with a lazy bfast at hotel, pooltime then went in later

2:24am on 4/15/26 by HOtD0G

I like @buckeye's suggestion too. Especially if you're staying onsite as the UO pools are GREAT!

8:52am on 4/15/26 by browndalmatian

Thanks for the advice. This trip we are staying at a VRBO. Not as great as a UOR hotel but we need a lot of space

3:23pm by whenuwish

Are there any reservations I need to to get like at Disney world? Also first time universal visitor I am going to epic universe. Any suggestions??

10:47am on 4/15/26 by jcosby

Are you going to just EU, or other parks as well?

12:06pm on 4/15/26 by TenMileMom

Just epic universe

4:37pm on 4/15/26 by jcosby

Are you looking for dining? Or "extras" in the park ( like Disney's lightsaber) or resorts like the luau at Royal Pacific? In nepotism c there is this: https://www.universalorlando.com/web/en/us/things-to-do/shopping/darkmoor-monster-makeup-experience

5:44pm on 4/15/26 by PrincipalTinker

Wow, just saw that typo everyone let slide- the word was Epic

12:00pm by PrincipalTinker

So excited!! Made our reservations and bought ap's and epic tickets yesterday for our November 13-22 trip. Staying at sapphire falls in either a sapphire suite or a hospitality suite. Booked both. There was only a $5 difference per night. Any experiences?

1:10pm on 4/15/26 by twinmom2002

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We have only stayed in the sapphire suite which overlooked the water taxi but DH would stay there every time if they had a better deal on express included. It's a fantastic hotel!

11:07pm on 4/15/26 by sneezy93

We had to extend a stay at PBH a few years back due to an ice storm at home for one night and had to move so we moved to the Sapphire suite but it was amazing!

11:10pm on 4/15/26 by sneezy93

We will probably go with the sapphire suite. We definitely want a water view. Love the sapphire suite. We also really wish they had express pass but we got ap's with the after 4 ep.

11:54am by twinmom2002

First time Universal trip! Haven't booked just yet. Looking at first part of Nov. If you have Express pass do you miss a lot of the queues?

11:25am by winnie79

Yesterday we met friends at "Arcade Time" on I-Drive. I'm not a big gamer but it was a neat place. $10 for 24-hours of unlimited play (excludes bowling, darts, and you don't get tickets for prizes with that deal). They do not advertise the $10 deal...

9:08am on 4/15/26 by browndalmatian

...anywhere EXCEPT on their IG, so if you go you have to mention "I saw the $10 thing on your IG." I think that deal also expires soon. Anyway, it was a HUGE place (formally Sports Dominator for old folks like me lol). And the entire upstairs was mostly..

9:09am on 4/15/26 by browndalmatian

...pinball and old, classic games from the 80s/90s. Also, the food was decent and it wasn't too expensive (not cheap but not too bad). The wings were good! :)

9:10am on 4/15/26 by browndalmatian

Thanks for the report! I did not know about Arcade Time!

5:46pm on 4/15/26 by PrincipalTinker

We have been to one of these Pay One Price arcades and absolutely loved it. Thanks for the tip! I hope they keep it POP.

5:36am by TenMileMom

Hoping great movie parade comes back soon. Last year I think it was mid April. Any insight?

10:23pm on 4/15/26 by SusannaBee

Long shot question- has anyone stayed club level at Portofino in 2025? I saw one random FB report that for a 1 night stay you could not go to the club. They said 1 breakfast for the stay. I just extended my April trip by 1 night. Thanks!

8:26am on 1/2/26 by PrincipalTinker

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Surely that wouldn't be right. You do lose access by around 11am- presume by check out time.

8:42am on 1/2/26 by HOtD0G

What I read said that it was a 2025 change that you can only get 1 breakfast, one snack time, one dinner/desert. I know you only have access to breakfast on check in day, but the day 1 breakfast would be a change.

9:06am on 1/2/26 by PrincipalTinker

They also said this was only for 1 night stays.

9:06am on 1/2/26 by PrincipalTinker

Wonder if you'd get an answer if you called the hotel. Surely you're allowed bfast the morning after your night stay. Could see they might stop you going in on check in morning but seems a bit penny pinching.

10:09am on 1/2/26 by HOtD0G

Yes, I am wondering if it will be worth it to get DS and DIL moving early from Stella Nova that morning. Thanks!

10:12am on 1/2/26 by PrincipalTinker

We did PBH Club back earlier this year, but it was more than 1 night. I cannot imagine that this is true, and if so it would be really penny pinching and, well just plain weird. I hope it's not true! I would call and ask! :)

12:55am on 1/3/26 by browndalmatian

Normally u get access to any club at noon on checkin and lose it at 11 am on checkout no matter length of stay. Not sure if a 1 day there is different.

2:01pm on 1/3/26 by Buckeye86

You should get breakfast on checkout day and snack and dinner on check in

5:22pm on 1/4/26 by clyde4242

Tough to get breakfast or snack on check in day as check in isn't suppose to be until 4pm

5:24pm on 1/4/26 by clyde4242

But you can get there at 6am to get express pass for the day. It has always been allowed for breakfast in the past. Last time we stayed there we arrived at noon and they encouraged us to go to the lounge for snacks.

6:06pm on 1/4/26 by PrincipalTinker

I will report back in April.

6:07pm on 1/4/26 by PrincipalTinker

Well nice to know, I was told different from PBR front desk on my 1 night stay. Guess it depends who you talk to

2:21pm on 1/5/26 by clyde4242

But ultimately it depends whether your room key lets you into the club lounge.

2:25pm on 1/5/26 by HOtD0G

@clyde, when was your stay? In your one night stay scenarioyou never get to go to the lounge during snack time? I know you can only have access to the lounge at breakfast on check out day. The post I read said 1 breakfast, 1 snack, 1 dinner/dessert

5:12pm on 1/5/26 by PrincipalTinker

Just at HR club which is also a Lowe's hotel. For last few trips, u can checkin at 6 am and leave bags but room ready about 4 pm. Not allowed in lounge til noon on checkin and you must leave by 11 am on checkout. Can access lounge at noon even if room not

8:56am on 1/6/26 by Buckeye86

yet ready. Card for elevator works for that floor at noon. They have never let us up before noon on checkin.

8:56am on 1/6/26 by Buckeye86

I understand PF may be different as I heard not all club rooms are on same floor like HR. Just call the front desk and ask.

8:59am on 1/6/26 by Buckeye86

Thanks @Buckeye! It is great to know we won't be able to get coffee until later! Appreciate the info!

8:59am on 1/6/26 by PrincipalTinker

I find it disappointing bc after getting up so early to fly down early, it would be nice to have the ease of just grabbing something quick there before going to park. Wish it were different.

9:17am on 1/6/26 by Buckeye86

That is disappointing @Buckeye. I will be at Stella Nova that morning so I will get coffee there. My family does not eat breakfast but we love that Portofino coffee maker! We will just go later. Thanks!

12:19pm on 1/6/26 by PrincipalTinker

We tried to add club to our last night of our already existing reservation. They allowed us to pay the $100ish for just the one night. But explained that we couldn't get breakfast the day of check in and check out, we couldn't only get it the morning of

5:13pm on 1/6/26 by clyde4242

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Checkout. Makes sense, I never questioned or tried the day of check in. TBH, we didn't do either day as we are rope droppers and it wasn't gonna fit into our schedule.

5:15pm on 1/6/26 by clyde4242

Oh, our stay was a little over 2 years ago

5:16pm on 1/6/26 by clyde4242

I am bumping this thread since I received my "welcome letter" today. I have switched to HRH (it has been the cheapest rate for the last few months). Club lounge is available at noon on check in day until 11am on check out day.

5:57pm on 4/15/26 by PrincipalTinker

Does anyone know when the Christmas parade starts? We are looking at the first or second week in November and want to make sure the Christmas stuff is going on.

3:10pm on 4/13/26 by twinmom2002

This states it starts on 11/14 https://www.universalorlando.com/web/en/us/things-to-do/events/universals-holiday-parade

8:42pm on 4/13/26 by PrincipalTinker

You are going to have so much fun! What a great time to be at UO!

9:02am on 4/15/26 by browndalmatian

We loved doing everything Grinch during the Christmas season!

4:33pm on 4/15/26 by ladyortramp

Hi! We're staying on property at Universal and want to get a steak one night for dinner. Which place has the best steak?

7:43am on 4/3/26 by ahlott86

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BigFire always smells good but have never had a steak there. If you go make sure to get the table side s'mores

9:48am on 4/3/26 by clyde4242

I have had the steak at Big Fire. I am trying to think of someplace else to recommend.

11:58am on 4/3/26 by PrincipalTinker

How about The Kitchen at Hard Rock?

12:01pm on 4/3/26 by PrincipalTinker

I really want to give BF another shot but after the third trip it was a vastly different than the first visit. When it opened (2019?) it was one of the best values on property if not both WDW and UOR. Still smells good though!

3:13pm on 4/3/26 by brerbeer

We finally tried the Palm our last visit and found it to be one of our all time favorite meals. It's at the Hard Rock hotel.

6:10pm on 4/3/26 by Buckeye86

Thank you for the suggestions !

8:03pm on 4/3/26 by ahlott86

The steak at Bice was excellent -according to my DSs- but be prepared for very high prices (DH & me picked cheaper options)

1:58am on 4/4/26 by HOtD0G

@PT: "I have had the steak at Big Fire. Trying to think of someplace else to recommend." LOL! SAME. We are a big steak-eating family and Big Fire was not worth the money. :( (tableside s'mores ARE fun though!)

7:53am on 4/5/26 by browndalmatian

Also as PT mentioned, The Kitchen has a decent steak, that would probably be my suggestion. You could go get a Tomahawk at The Palm too. :) I have not been there though, so not sure how good it is.

7:54am on 4/5/26 by browndalmatian

I had the Ribeye at Hard Rock Cafe once and it was good. It's kind of hit or miss though. Great atmosphere and fun place though imo.

7:55am on 4/5/26 by browndalmatian

We had the steak at Mythos and it was pretty impressive.

12:59pm on 4/7/26 by AANGE2

Hi @aange2 I don't think I've tried their steak. I LOVE Mythos but the last 2 times we went it left a lot to be desired. :( So, you've given me a good reason to try them again! (Been wanting to!) Thanks!

10:44am on 4/8/26 by browndalmatian

@Brown, if you go, can you post back here and tell us how it was. Mythos used to be a family favorite but that was back in 2022. We haven't been back since we're going this summer.

11:49am on 4/8/26 by mmmartin

Agreed, Mythos has been going the wrong direction for several years now

12:27pm on 4/8/26 by clyde4242

@mmmartin sure. When is your trip? I'll try to go before then! I'll get the steak but any other requests or suggestions?

7:03pm on 4/8/26 by browndalmatian

Mythos was always our favorite and we made a point to eat their every trip but the food was not good at all the last time we went. Such a disappointment.

6:00am on 4/9/26 by Buckeye86

@brown, we don't go until July. I was just wondering if mythos had gone downhill. It's our absolute favorite.

3:43pm on 4/9/26 by mmmartin

@mmmartin well it was 100% not as good for us the last 2 times we went, which were over the last year I suppose. The vibe, ambiance, etc. were all still amazing but the food was meh. Again, I will try to give it another try soon and let you know!

9:08am on 4/10/26 by browndalmatian

DH and I had a great meal the first time we ate at mythos but the last couple times have not been great and I'm not sure if we will try again or not :( now they do make a great margarita lol

11:23am on 4/10/26 by sneezy93

The last few times we have gone to Mythos we have ordered apps, drinks, and desserts. That combo has been amazing. We stopped ordering entrees a few years ago.

12:40pm on 4/10/26 by PrincipalTinker

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@PT, good suggestion!! I will mention to my crew!

8:05am on 4/11/26 by mmmartin

PT that's a great idea. I still liked the meatballs last time we went and my wife liked the drinks I think. An apps/drinks/dessert stop there, taking in the great ambiance, would be a nice time.

9:05am on 4/15/26 by browndalmatian

They also have great air conditioning!

10:09am on 4/15/26 by PrincipalTinker

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