It pays to keep checking rates

[3happydancers]

We have our refillable red drink cup and a few popcorn buckets. Drink is 99 cents and popcorn is $1.29 now for refills. We also use the red cup to have it filled free with ice water anywhere they serve drinks. Plus I found out that you can use the freestyle machines to get your own water and ice only. It's free to anyone.

Ah, I was under the impression that if you purchased the refillable mug, you did not have to pay for additional drinks while in the parks. (Like Disney's resort refillables). I'm taking it that the refills are no longer free with the mug; that we have to pay $1.29 for all refills? If so, I might just stick to our water bottles and refill with ice/water where ever possible.

 

[Bluer101]

Ah, I was under the impression that if you purchased the refillable mug, you did not have to pay for additional drinks while in the parks. (Like Disney's resort refillables). I'm taking it that the refills are no longer free with the mug; that we have to pay $1.29 for all refills? If so, I might just stick to our water bottles and refill with ice/water where ever possible.

Refill for soda is $.99 plus tax. Popcorn is $1.29 plus tax. They also have the coke free style that are I believe $10.99-$11.99. These are only good in the day you buy them.

For us the red cup lets is use it forever. We only have one red cup and share for the 3 of us. This way it's cheaper, don't drink too much soda, and does not get watered down as much (3 drink it faster).

 

[tarheel618]

I think it depends on how much everybody eats. With the price of drinks, to sit down at lunch and spend close to $50 for pizza and drinks is absurd.

. We had 2 refill cups and two of us drink water. With the annual pass discount we ended up paying right around 33 for food for the 4 of us. So about 8.50 per person. I agree it is expensive but if we did a sit down we would also had to include a tip. Overall I think all theme park food is expensive. The refills on drinks and popcorn are the only bargains I see

 

[sonofanarchy]

. We had 2 refill cups and two of us drink water. With the annual pass discount we ended up paying right around 33 for food for the 4 of us. So about 8.50 per person. I agree it is expensive but if we did a sit down we would also had to include a tip. Overall I think all theme park food is expensive. The refills on drinks and popcorn are the only bargains I see

I always forget to buy those refillable popcorn and drinks things. Given we're there for 6 days next month, I think it would make sense.

Is the AP discount on food good everywhere like AAA, and is it more?

 

[tarheel618]

I always forget to buy those refillable popcorn and drinks things. Given we're there for 6 days next month, I think it would make sense.

Is the AP discount on food good everywhere like AAA, and is it more?

The AP discount is good at the restrauants sit down and counter service but not at the food carts (or this has been my experience). Usually the discount covers our drink refills.

I think the popcorn is a good deal too. It is a cheap snack to carry our group over until meal time or on the car ride home.

 

[damo]

Ah, I was under the impression that if you purchased the refillable mug, you did not have to pay for additional drinks while in the parks. (Like Disney's resort refillables). I'm taking it that the refills are no longer free with the mug; that we have to pay $1.29 for all refills? If so, I might just stick to our water bottles and refill with ice/water where ever possible.

You can buy that type of refillable mug. It is for use at the Freestyle Coke machines.

There are two types. One that you get a discount on the refills and you can use that at all counter service places. The other is for free refills and that is at the Freestyle Coke machines.

 

[3happydancers]

Refill for soda is $.99 plus tax. Popcorn is $1.29 plus tax. They also have the coke free style that are I believe $10.99-$11.99. These are only good in the day you buy them.

For us the red cup lets is use it forever. We only have one red cup and share for the 3 of us. This way it's cheaper, don't drink too much soda, and does not get watered down as much (3 drink it faster).

. We had 2 refill cups and two of us drink water. With the annual pass discount we ended up paying right around 33 for food for the 4 of us. So about 8.50 per person. I agree it is expensive but if we did a sit down we would also had to include a tip. Overall I think all theme park food is expensive. The refills on drinks and popcorn are the only bargains I see

The AP discount is good at the restrauants sit down and counter service but not at the food carts (or this has been my experience). Usually the discount covers our drink refills.

I think the popcorn is a good deal too. It is a cheap snack to carry our group over until meal time or on the car ride home.

Thanks everyone. I think I got it. We drink lots of water but the teens might like soda too. Sounds like the red refill cup and popcorn is a decent purchase. We all like popcorn and that would be a good in between snack. It also sounds like the counter service (with an AP/AAA discount) is doable too.

If we wanted to do a sit down meal, is it like Disney where you have to make reservations far in advance, or can we be spontaneous with that?

 

[3happydancers]

You can buy that type of refillable mug. It is for use at the Freestyle Coke machines.

There are two types. One that you get a discount on the refills and you can use that at all counter service places. The other is for free refills and that is at the Freestyle Coke machines.

Oops, did not see your response. Thanks. It seems that the Freestyle coke is only good for that day? If so, we'd be better off with the red cup and popcorn!

 

[Bluer101]

Thanks everyone. I think I got it. We drink lots of water but the teens might like soda too. Sounds like the red refill cup and popcorn is a decent purchase. We all like popcorn and that would be a good in between snack. It also sounds like the counter service (with an AP/AAA discount) is doable too. If we wanted to do a sit down meal, is it like Disney where you have to make reservations far in advance, or can we be spontaneous with that?

You really don't need to make reservations. We have never done that. We will eat just off peak times. If it's busy staying onsite show your room key for priority seating at most places.

 

[macraven]

Ah, I was under the impression that if you purchased the refillable mug, you did not have to pay for additional drinks while in the parks. (Like Disney's resort refillables). I'm taking it that the refills are no longer free with the mug; that we have to pay $1.29 for all refills? If so, I might just stick to our water bottles and refill with ice/water where ever possible.

when dueling dragons was built, i bought the "ice"/blue dd mug.
it is valid forever with the discounted price of soda refills.
that is one of the great things about the darkside parks.
buy a souvenir mug and bring it back on every future trip for cheap refills.

I always forget to buy those refillable popcorn and drinks things. Given we're there for 6 days next month, I think it would make sense.

Is the AP discount on food good everywhere like AAA, and is it more?

the preferred ap and AAA allow 10% for discounts on food and merch.
premeir ap has a higher discount.

 

[3happydancers]

You really don't need to make reservations. We have never done that. We will eat just off peak times. If it's busy staying onsite show your room key for priority seating at most places.

This is great!

 

[3happydancers]

when dueling dragons was built, i bought the "ice"/blue dd mug.
it is valid forever with the discounted price of soda refills.
that is one of the great things about the darkside parks.
buy a souvenir mug and bring it back on every future trip for cheap refills.

I love the idea that you can use it year after year! The more I learn about the darkside, the more I'm loving it!

the preferred ap and AAA allow 10% for discounts on food and merch.
premeir ap has a higher discount.

I had been thinking about getting the preferred ap but it really does not pay but since I have AAA and it is pretty recognized, I'm ok with the 10%. Now I have to learn the some tips about getting the most out of our time. I read where a post said the wear the bathing suits under their shorts, do early entry, then off to some rides and then hit the water rides right before lunch. Do people normally wear their bathing suits on water rides? For example, when we do Disney and ride Splash we are in our shorts (no suits allowed), and the same with Kali River Rapids in AK. Are these rides the same where we can just get wet in our cloths and then head back to the resort to change and do lunch?

 

[macraven]

i have seen guys wear longer length swim trunks for shorts, in doing the water rides.
they also have a tee on.

for women, you can't just wear a swim suit for the ride.
i have worn kwi dry shorts or running shorts and a swim top under a quick dry tee for wet rides.

 

[Bluer101]

I had been thinking about getting the preferred ap but it really does not pay but since I have AAA and it is pretty recognized, I'm ok with the 10%. Now I have to learn the some tips about getting the most out of our time. I read where a post said the wear the bathing suits under their shorts, do early entry, then off to some rides and then hit the water rides right before lunch. Do people normally wear their bathing suits on water rides? For example, when we do Disney and ride Splash we are in our shorts (no suits allowed), and the same with Kali River Rapids in AK. Are these rides the same where we can just get wet in our cloths and then head back to the resort to change and do lunch?

That was me. My son and I wear our swim trunks and a t shirt. My wife will wear her one piece with a board short bottom. She will also wear a t shirt too. Then we all wear sandals.

We do this as it's great to get wet and not worry about clothes being all wet. Then pool hopping after to HRH to enjoy lunch poolside.

See at Universal and staying onsite is way better than at Disney. The hotels are so close that it makes it easy. This past weekend my son and I right after checkin got on our wet clothes and headed to IOA. We did the water rides for a few while DW watched and took pictures. Then we all walked back to the hotel, RPR. We got some chairs under the umbrellas and ordered lunch. DW went up to the room to change and put on her suit. It ended up thundering once so we could not use the pool. It was raining a little but we still enjoyed our lunch poolside.

 

[Jakejosh4]

hi can someone please tell me what AAA means please

 

[macraven]

American Automotive Association


AAA

there is a yearly fee for membership.
i pay $40 a year for mine.
it allows me free towing, a locksmith if i lock myself out of my car, and many more things come with it by being a member.

you can google AAA and get an idea of the program, or go to their website for more details that are included in the membership and a list of discounts they offer to members.


it also gives discounts in shopping, entertainment, restaurants, theme parks, hotels, etc.

there is a version of AAA in Canada.
if there are other versions for other countries, i don't know anything about that.

 

[3happydancers]

i have seen guys wear longer length swim trunks for shorts, in doing the water rides.
they also have a tee on.

for women, you can't just wear a swim suit for the ride.
i have worn kwi dry shorts or running shorts and a swim top under a quick dry tee for wet rides.

This works! Pretty much what we do for Disney water rides.

 

[3happydancers]

That was me. My son and I wear our swim trunks and a t shirt. My wife will wear her one piece with a board short bottom. She will also wear a t shirt too. Then we all wear sandals.

We do this as it's great to get wet and not worry about clothes being all wet. Then pool hopping after to HRH to enjoy lunch poolside.

See at Universal and staying onsite is way better than at Disney. The hotels are so close that it makes it easy. This past weekend my son and I right after checkin got on our wet clothes and headed to IOA. We did the water rides for a few while DW watched and took pictures. Then we all walked back to the hotel, RPR. We got some chairs under the umbrellas and ordered lunch. DW went up to the room to change and put on her suit. It ended up thundering once so we could not use the pool. It was raining a little but we still enjoyed our lunch poolside.

Bluer, loved your touring style. I guess that's why it stuck in my mind! Sounds easy and very effective.

I see you talk about ordering lunch by the pool side at RPR. Do they offer this at the HRH? I like the idea of playing in the morning, relaxing by the pool for however long and then back to the park later in the day.

 

[3happydancers]

By the way, I am getting conflicting information and was hoping someone could help. I keep reading that the Deluxe resorts don't have refrigerators. However, when I booked my room at the HRH I asked the rep on the phone if the rooms were equipped, and I was told that they very recently put small fridges in all the rooms.

Can anyone confirm this? And what kind of coffee pots do they supply and do I have to bring my own coffee?

 

[damo]

By the way, I am getting conflicting information and was hoping someone could help. I keep reading that the Deluxe resorts don't have refrigerators. However, when I booked my room at the HRH I asked the rep on the phone if the rooms were equipped, and I was told that they very recently put small fridges in all the rooms.

Can anyone confirm this? And what kind of coffee pots do they supply and do I have to bring my own coffee?

Only the HRH has the fridges. The other two deluxe hotels don't.

They have Keurig coffee makers in each room and will supply you with morning coffee. If you want more, you should bring your own.

All of the hotels have poolside food service.