Most parents know that, whether they’re toddlers or teenagers, keeping kids well-fed while visiting a theme park is crucial for everyone to have an enjoyable experience. Though when they’re teenagers, you can’t strap them into a stroller and hope they fall asleep. If you have teens with humongous appetites (like they all seem to) and plan to spend time at Universal Studios Hollywood, you’ll want to make a game plan ahead of your visit.
I have four kids between 12 and 17, and each can put away a brunch buffet without blinking. So, when we visit Universal Studios Hollywood, we look for every way to keep them well-satiated. With so much food everywhere in the theme park and Universal CityWalk Hollywood, it seems like it should be an easy task to feed four kids. However, every parent knows that it is standard for siblings to like different things at different times and that agreement — especially regarding food — is strictly forbidden. Here are the top things to know, real quick:
- Universal Studios Hollywood has lots of great options for dining with teenagers, including themed dishes and hearty snacks.
- The Universal Studios Hollywood app is a useful tool for planning where and what to eat, and for ordering ahead with Mobile Food and Drink Ordering.
- To keep your energy up, don’t forget to plan times to relax and refuel throughout the Upper and Lower Lots of the theme park.
So how exactly do you keep your teens full and happy during a day at the theme park? Here are some practical, tried-and-true tips for feeding hungry teens at Universal Studios Hollywood.
Plan Ahead with the Universal Studios Hollywood App
If you’ve visited Universal Studios Hollywood, you have probably had that moment when you get off a ride, adrenaline surging, and suddenly you are ravenous. Where can you go? What can you eat? Don’t wait until you are in that situation to find out. Use the Universal Studios Hollywood app to make a plan! If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. This truism from my high school basketball coach also applies when planning family vacations. And when you are traveling with teens, make sure that obtaining copious amounts of food is on your itinerary.
Download the Universal Studios Hollywood app beforehand and let your kids peruse the menus for all the restaurants in the theme park and on CityWalk. Then, make a game plan. This is especially helpful if anyone in your crew has dietary restrictions or is looking for vegetarian or vegan options. I love that Universal notes those items on every menu.
My crew and I have our go-to favorites we know we love and can get to quickly, such as Three Broomsticks in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. This rustic tavern is perfect for a hearty sit-down meal (the chicken legs are so tender and flavorful!). The Great Feast, a massive platter that includes fresh garden salad, rotisserie smoked chicken, spare ribs, corn on the cob, and potatoes, is great for a group. It typically feeds four, but you can add additional servings if you have more people. And if there’s still room, don’t miss out on the Butterbeer!
Get the Refills
To get more bang for your buck, take advantage of the free extra helpings available throughout the theme park. Universal Studios Hollywood sells refillable popcorn buckets, like the above picture Mario Kart Popcorn Bucket available at the SUPER NINTENDO WORLD Popcorn and Drink Cart. This delicious snack is a quick pick-me-up and is a good option to walk-and-eat so you can keep momentum in your day!
And hungry teens are usually thirsty teens. Yes, you can always get free ice and water from beverage stations, and there are water bottle refill stations outside most restroom areas. However, most teens want some carbonated action, too. Opt for a Coca-Cola Freestyle Refillable Mug at Universal Studios Hollywood and see how often each child can refill it with hydrating beverages throughout the day.
The Freestyle machines are located at restaurants throughout the theme park and give users 100 drink choices and unlimited refills (every 10 minutes) on the day of purchase. With the California sun shining most days, I like to encourage my kids to opt for drinks with electrolytes every other refill to ensure they stay hydrated. If you are coming back for another day, you can buy an extra day of refills for $12.
Jurassic Cafe is one of my favorite spots for refilling our Coca-Cola Freestyle Refillable mugs. Plus, they have incredible food, too. If you are a rope-drop type of family, check out this cafe for a filling, delicious breakfast. Choose the berries & cream waffles for a sweet start or go for the protein-packed Breakfast Platter with Sausage.
Snack Throughout the Day
Planning three large sit-down meals might not work for your teens. If they’re anything like mine, they won’t want to waste precious ride time eating a good meal. However, they still get hungry and look for filling and portable snacks and appetizers to keep their motors running.
There are snack shops throughout the Upper and Lower lots but I love Studio Cafe, Palace Deli & Market, and Universal Tower Snack Shop: All these locations have great grab-and-go options for snacks and meals. However, the giant turkey leg has to be a favorite for any carnivores. It’s protein-packed and portable, too!
Plan Time to Relax and Recharge
Though kids may want to be on the go the entire day, planning at least one sit-down meal with the whole family is extremely helpful. It is handy if you have teenagers who are going to go off on their own for part of the day. Having a designated and reserved time to eat a meal together can be a great time to catch up.
If you can only visit one restaurant at Universal Studios Hollywood, it must be Toadstool Cafe. Head to SUPER NINTENDO WORLD as soon as you get into the park to scan the QR code and get on the waitlist. You will be thrilled you did! Not only will you be enamored by the theme-tastic decor, the substantial portions will keep everyone happy. Choose entrées such as the Bowser’s Fireball Challenge, the Mario Burger (topped with bacon, mushroom and cheese), or my personal favorite, the Luigi Burger (which is actually a grilled chicken sandwich with bell peppers and basil pesto).
We always go to Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen on CityWalkfor at least one of our family meals.It has a whimsical vibe, and the food is always excellent. I had the best mushroom risotto of my life there! Not all the savory portions at this delightfully whimsical restaurant are giant, but every milkshake is absolutely bonkers. If you want an exceptionally substantial meal, go for steak and potatoes, stuffed sandwiches, or gnocchi entrees.
Take Advantage of Mobile Food and Drink Ordering
Sometimes, it’s not how much food your teen gets, but how quickly you can get it to your teen! Consider using the Universal Studios Hollywood Mobile Food and Drink Ordering service. Ordering ahead of time means you spend less time waiting in line and more time exploring the theme park.
Check out which locations use mobile ordering right here, or on the Universal Studios Hollywood app. If you’re using the app, make sure you create a Universal guest account and update your payment information so you can use the Mobile Food and Drink Ordering service.
If you are hanging out near Springfield, U.S.A., order ahead from Cletus’ Chicken Shack. Guests who eat here are amazed at the size and amount of chicken “thumbs” (not fingers) and fries that come with their meal. If your teen could live on fried chicken alone, like my 16-year-old, this is the place to be. Luigi’s Pizza is also nearby and serves slices and whole pizzas. Each one can feed 4-5 people, making it an easy, cost-effective, and delicious meal for everyone. Ordering ahead means the pizza is ready when you are!
Power Up Cafe is another fantastic option for ordering ahead. You can get grab-and-go fare here, including the cutest and most delicious 1-Up Mushroom Calzone (a yummy vegetarian option filled with spinach, green pepper, mushroom, mozzarella cheese and basil pesto).
Eat in the Lands the Kids Love
Sometimes, it is not about what kids eat that makes them happy, but where they eat it. Consider spending meal times in the areas your teens want to be in anyway. For my family of “Simpsons” fans, that would be Springfield, USA. The entertaining games, thrilling rides, and pitch-perfect theming make this area engaging for everyone. And we find the food in this area to be diverse, flavorful, and tasty.
Stop by Bumblebee Man’s Taco Truck in Springfield, U.S.A for some hearty Mexican street food. They serve three types of tacos: chicken, carnitas, or carne asada. Plus, every order comes with a side of fresh tortilla chips and salsa. And since everyone in my family has an unmistakable sweet tooth, Lard Lad Donuts is a required visit. The dinner-plate-sized cake shaped like a donut is a fantastic treat. It’s a great way to avoid buying several individual servings for dessert. Consider popping in here at the end of the day to buy the Big Pink Donut to serve as a breakfast treat the next day.
Bring your whole crew to Universal Studios Hollywood, including all your hungry teens. There are plenty of places to keep them happy, fed, and thrilled to be enjoying time together.
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