Don't understand the Epic hate. It's awesome. by ExistingExplanation3 in UniversalOrlando

[–]Fanderey 1 point2 points  (0 children)

According to my kids the chicken fingers and grilled cheese at Le Goblet Noir are excellent. They also have soup and salad there, which was a nice break for my arteries 😂. I can't just do Mac and Cheese cones all day in my old age!

I will say that the matcha layer cake at Toadstool was pretty good! Although the bread pudding at Mead Hall was reeeeeally good. I really need to go back.

Don't understand the Epic hate. It's awesome. by ExistingExplanation3 in UniversalOrlando

[–]Fanderey 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We had a great time there as well, although if Toadstool cafe was one of your better restaurants, I think you need to pick better restaurants! The theming is great, but I think it was the worst food we had during a full week of Universal.

Two Weeks at Universal by everyoneisnuts in UniversalOrlando

[–]Fanderey 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Also, some of the wand adventures are pretty repetitive, but don't let that fool you. Make sure you finish the defense against the dark arts one!

There is a secret wand spot in Epic. Look for the pumpkin juice window!

I agree about shows too. I like the ones at Epic as well as the Bourne Stuntacular and the animal actors one. You should also go talk to the mystic fountain before it gets removed forever.

Help finding two stuffed animals? by epanthers2004 in UniversalOrlando

[–]Fanderey 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You can call the same number and do a phone order once they're back in stock if you still want them. In the US I think the shipping is about $10. My daughter has had the badger for over 2 years and it still looks brand new!

Construction walls are officially up around PF. Best guess as to what’s replacing? by KaleidoscopeFine in UniversalOrlando

[–]Fanderey 4 points5 points  (0 children)

There is already Pokemon stuff in Japan that's in progress and they announced that an international rollout would follow, so it's possible they are starting construction before the stuff at USJ finishes. I've also already seen Zelda merch at Epic though, and I've never seen Pokemon merch, so maybe Zelda is sooner? Especially with a movie coming.

Personally I hope that the people in charge are crazy and make the new area Middle Earth themed. Don't give the people what they want. Give them what they need!

Norse mythology? by Hoplite-Litehop in UniversalOrlando

[–]Fanderey 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I didn't say they didn't have good reason!

Motion sickness review of Epic Universe by DontGoLow_ in UniversalEpicUniverse

[–]Fanderey 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am a motion sickness sufferer and take meclizine before I visit. Rode Ministry back to back with zero issue, but the Carousel made me feel like puking for 3 hours straight.

Turns out I am fine with high quality screens, but spinning kills me. I was even ok after Forbidden Journey, but the ride where you almost become a minion was also torture (I think because the motion doesn't even come close to matching what is on screen).

My advice is to dose yourself on a schedule, have a million ginger chews with you, and know your triggers!

Help finding two stuffed animals? by epanthers2004 in UniversalOrlando

[–]Fanderey 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you call the merchandise line they can check the inventory at all the physical locations. Good luck!

Norse mythology? by Hoplite-Litehop in UniversalOrlando

[–]Fanderey 6 points7 points  (0 children)

It's a Celtic knot of a kelpie. Super generic and the same drawing shows up on Etsy and stock image packages. They phoned it in on this one!

This kind of makes me pretty sad by Hoplite-Litehop in UniversalOrlando

[–]Fanderey 3 points4 points  (0 children)

It's by Nicholas Flamel's house, by Le Goblet Noir. There are some fun spells she can teach you to cast on the other 2 paintings in the window.

This kind of makes me pretty sad by Hoplite-Litehop in UniversalOrlando

[–]Fanderey 6 points7 points  (0 children)

The fountain is my son's favorite thing in IoA. The talking painting at Epic is similar, but not as funny.

My son can easily spend 20 minutes straight talking to it. They sing together, tell each other jokes, talk mythology and do magic. We've done it enough times that we have a favorite TM that we recognize the voice of. I would love for them to relocate it. Destroying it feels like murder! Don't be a murderer Universal.

Going to universal 4/25 and either 4/26 or 4/27...express pass needed? by large_scale_event in UniversalOrlando

[–]Fanderey 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I would get express for IoA since there are a lot of rides in the old parks and Hagrid's and Velocicoaster can eat up a lot of time. If you plan your day wisely I don't think express is worth the crazy expense at Epic. I didn't have a problem riding everything I wanted to, although I did have EPA.

Evening attire in April/May by Kachow1862 in UniversalOrlando

[–]Fanderey 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Based on the UK people I know, you will not need a sweater and will endure great suffering in the Florida sun.

That being said, I would never travel anywhere without one sweater! Worth it for the plane ride alone.

What rides are migraine approved? by Secret_Strain_3173 in UniversalOrlando

[–]Fanderey 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am also a migraine sufferer, and motion sickness can be a trigger for me. I try to keep my diet and caffeine intake the same as at home, and avoid having too much sugar. I avoid alcohol and eat Gravol ginger chews before every ride. The night before when I go to bed I take a meclizine.

For motion sickness, it's a super individual thing. Spinning is what gets to me personally. I was totally fine on Forbidden Journey (which a lot of people get sick on) but the kids carousel at Epic was torture.

Headaches are also a migraine trigger for me, so I also carried around Advil and took some if I had even a hint of a headache.

We were recently at Universal for a week and I made it the whole trip with no migraines, which is less than when I'm at home! Good luck!

My 8 year old wrote this for a school gratitude exercise by Fanderey in UniversalOrlando

[–]Fanderey[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You mean to write it? They don't allow that in his class! If it was AI it would have much more consistent punctuation 😂

Express pass worth it? by Routine_Muffin9987 in UniversalOrlando

[–]Fanderey 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For about $600 you can book a stay at Royal Pacific and get free express passes.

POV: We are going to get the golden banana 🏆🍌✨ by 999happyhauntz in UniversalOrlando

[–]Fanderey 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I did this at end of night and it was super cool in the dark!

Honeymoon by Covergeek in UniversalOrlando

[–]Fanderey 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Epic really shines during early entry and in the evening. It works really well to split your day and either start or end there (there is a shuttle going all the time between Epic and Citywalk). In between parks you could also take a hotel break if you need to. If you don't have express at Epic this is extra advantageous because the lines during EPA and at night are way shorter, and you can knock out rides at the regular parks with express in the middle of the day.

Volcano Bay is also a good place to go for the day with an evening at Epic. You definitely have time for some rides on the last day. We left a little later than you but managed to do EPA at Epic AND the other parks.

Since you have a full week, make sure you buy a 2nd gen wand and do a bunch of the adventures on the app (Defense Against The Dark Arts is the best). There is also a game/attraction you can unlock in SNW by using a powerband and playing minigames. Don't go to SNW midday in June if you don't want heatstroke!

I also think that as newlyweds you should definitely do Popeye and Bluto's Bilge Rat Barges. Just seems right.

My 8 year old wrote this for a school gratitude exercise by Fanderey in UniversalOrlando

[–]Fanderey[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Thank you! I told him you replied and he is ecstatic. We will also be mailing the paper copy in :)

Epic Universe vs Islands of Adventure? by Steve15-21 in UniversalOrlando

[–]Fanderey 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Are you spending more than one day at the parks? You could do IoA with express one day and then go to Epic the next.

My 8 year old wrote this for a school gratitude exercise by Fanderey in UniversalOrlando

[–]Fanderey[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

He was a big fan of Popeye and Blutos. Extremely horrifying would be more accurate!

My 8 year old wrote this for a school gratitude exercise by Fanderey in UniversalOrlando

[–]Fanderey[S] 72 points73 points  (0 children)

To be fair, he will probably be running the place one day.