Thanksgiving and other help About This Page:

[Geri Alexander]

I go to Disney every year, but I have only made it over to US and IOA one time, and that was for Halloween Horror Nights (which is one of the best events I've ever been to). This year, my fiance and I are going to Florida for his very first time, and we are spending two days at US/IOA. The two days we are spending will be the Saturday and Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend. Will it be as crowded as WDW during this time?

Also, what are your thoughts on the Express Pass? How does it work, and are they worth it? (I remember reading you actually pay for them at US/IOA, which is just ridiculous to me!)

And finally, I noticed most of the restaurants are counter service. Any ones you'd recommend or any treats (like my beloved Dole Whip) that you would say I can't miss out on?

THANK YOU!

[Shell_of_the_South]

I've never been during Thanksgiving, but we were there the week before Christmas (we visited Disney parks as well), and the crowds were lighter at Universal, particularly Universal Studios. I imagine it might be pretty crowded that weekend.

The Express pass is confusing to me as there are several price levels you can purchase. Hopefully somebody will come along and offer more info for you.

Most restaurants in the parks are counter service. You will find a variety of table service restaurants in CityWalk, which is a dining/shopping area situated between the 2 theme parks. IOA has Mythos, which has been voted the best theme park restaurant for years. In US, we've only had counter service. Our favorite is the Midway Grill which is Coney Island hot dogs. We had good burgers at Richter's. We walked inside Bennigan's Bar & Grill and it looked like a nice place to sit down and eat. In IOA, we like to eat counter service at the Enchanted Oak. It has a good variety on the menu and I love the atmosphere!

[tazgirl1981]

My family and myself go to Universal studios and Islands of Adventures every year during thanksgiving and Christmas. While it can get pretty crowded, we never find it as bad as Disney on crowd level. I mean you can still ride the rides pretty well. My father in Law HATES waiting in lines and basically would rather skip a ride then wait in a long line, yet he loves to go to Universal during those times so that goes to show that it isn't that bad. Of course if you stay on property, then you get a front of the line pass anyways that is a WONDERFUL Deal!

[tazgirl1981]

oops I forgot to mention that if you like Ice Cream or Chocolate Shakes then you have to head to the pharmacy place (sorry I forgot the name) across from the Terminator at Universal Studios...they have the BEST milkshakes!! Its a MUST GO for us everytime! actually we get one everyday that we are in the park also if you like hot chocolate...Then Universal studios and Islands of adventure have yummy hot chocolate

They used to have a yummy food place in Islands of adventure right by the Jurassic park ride but last time we were there it was closed down, not sure if it was permanent or not but they had the best soup (hubby likes soup) and pretty good food as well.

Since father in law likes NASCAR, the citywalk right between the parks has a few nice eating places The Nascar grill (used to be called Nascar cafe) is pretty good as well as the Hard Rock Cafe but those are not inside the parks but on the way too and from them. HTH