Restaurants

Islands offers some of the best theme-park dining in town, with a number of stands where you can get a quick bite to eat, plus a handful of full-service restaurants. The park's creators have taken some extra care to tie in restaurant offerings with the theme. In the Wizarding World, dining options include the Three Broomsticks and the Hog's Head, where traditional British fare is offered alongside pumpkin juice, butterbeer (a delightfully creamy concoction that comes either frozen or chilled and is nonalcoholic, of course -- think cream soda mixed with root beer and a touch of whipped cream), and Hog's Head Brew (available only at the Hog's Head Pub). A wood-beamed vaulted ceiling, wooden benches, and wrought-iron accents create a rustic feel at the Three Broomsticks, while next door at the smaller Hog's Head, the atmosphere is more intimate thanks to lower ceilings and dim lighting.

Elsewhere in the park, the Green Eggs and Ham Cafe may be one of the few places on earth where you'd be willing to eat tinted huevos. (They sell as an egg-and-ham sandwich for about $8.) No matter which Island you're on, each offers a selection of sit-down restaurants, eateries, and snack carts. To save money, look for the kiddie menus, offering a children's meal and a small beverage for $7 to $9. Also consider combo meals (good for sharing), which usually offer a slight price break. Thunder Falls Terrace in Jurassic Park, for instance, offers a rib-and-chicken combo as well as other options in the $11-to-$16 range.

There are also several restaurants and clubs that are just a short walk from the park in Universal's entertainment complex, CityWalk.