Flora Frog's Note: Today's post comes from UCT customer and lifestyle blogger Leah with Five for the Road. She and her family hopped to Walt Disney World and the Universal Orlando Resort on their recent vacation.
Banana! Ever dreamed of dining with the Minions? You're in luck. On my most recent visit to the Universal Orlando Resort, I booked Universal's Superstar Character Breakfast at Universal Studios Florida. It's a must-do for any family looking for quality time with Universal pals and a fun way to start your day.
Universal's Superstar Character Breakfast Overview and Location
Universal's Superstar Character Breakfast is an all-you-can-eat buffet. You'll dine at Café La Bamba, a restaurant that resembles the legendary Hollywood Hotel in Los Angeles. It's easy to find. Make a right after entering Universal Studios Florida. Make your way through the Beverly Hills section. You'll find Café La Bamba on the right. Seating is a breeze too. During our visit, we were seated almost quickly after checking in.
As of this writing, prices are $34.99 for adults and $20.99 for children ages 3 to 9. Children 2 and under are free. Prices do not include tax or gratuity. Make reservations here.
Tips for Dining at Universal's Superstar Character Breakfast
Make a Reservation and Plan Your Park Days
As with any character meal, it's important to make a reservation. Making a Universal Orlando dining reservation was different than what I'm used to doing. I booked online, then I had to call to reserve my time. When talking to team members, they suggested booking Universal's Superstar Character Breakfast 45 to 30 days in advance. I'm used to booking character breakfasts at Disney World 180 days in advance.
Another thing to consider is the day you're visiting the Universal. Since the restaurant is inside Universal Studios Florida, I needed to choose what days we would be in the park. If you plan on dining at Universal's Superstar Character Breakfast, you will have to have tickets. Don't worry, we've got you covered with discounts on Universal Orlando tickets. With a park-to-park ticket, you'll have even more flexibility, since you can hop into Universal Studios Florida from Universal's Islands of Adventure.
Enjoy the One-on-One Time with the Characters
The key to Universal's Superstar Character Breakfast is spending time with the characters. I was impressed with how much time they spent with us at our table. The parade of friends never stopped. A new character seemed to appear at our table every few minutes. A unique part of the breakfast is that a host announces each character as it arrives. Stay seated if your favorite friend is called. You don't want to miss it!
While the characters may change, you're sure to meet familiar favorites. On our day, we met Gru and a Minion, SpongeBob and Squidward, the bunnies from "Hop," and Dora and Diego. My kids loved meeting the "Despicable Me" characters! Since my kids are in elementary school, they weren't interested in Dora and Diego. If your kids are into them, then this is your can't-miss chance.
Grumpy guy Squidward from "SpongeBob Squarepants" was so funny because he refused to smile. Gru was dancing, and we had a brief dance party at our table. Great photos all around.
It's possible that your kids aren't familiar with the characters at Universal's Superstar Character Breakfast. Knowing who they are will help your interaction. It's time to do some homework! Let your kids watch the movies and TV shows before your trip. Have them read the books they appear in during your flight. Knowing who these characters are makes meeting them genuine and memorable.
My kids had not seen "Hop" and didn't know the characters. Despite that, we still had fun playing with E.B and The Pink Beret. The highlight of the meal was when E.B let my son take a turn on his drums.
Enjoy the Star-Studded Buffet
The buffet at Universal's Superstar Character Breakfast has plenty of choices. We enjoyed eggs, bacon, sausage, potatoes and fresh fruit. My kids like to eat different things. I was thrilled there was something each of them liked. The apple muffins were family favorites.
I can't say enough nice things about the staff at Universal's Superstar Character Breakfast. Our waitress was incredibly helpful and took care of everything we needed.
Fuel Your Day with a Big Brunch
We like to maximize our time at theme parks. One strategy we use is to have a big brunch, rather than a separate breakfast and lunch. We get to the park early and ride some attractions. Arriving early = shorter wait times! After some fun, it was time to eat! Brunch times end between 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Universal's Superstar Character Breakfast typically runs from 9 a.m to 11 a.m. Perfect for us! Brunch allowed us time to sit and enjoy our meal without rushing. Always check restaurant hours when making your reservations to see what works with your schedule.
We had a blast at Universal's Superstar Character Breakfast. With yummy food and lively characters, this was a fun meal to enjoy with your family. Dining with those creative and silly characters is a great way to start your day at Universal Studios.
Related: 5 Best Universal Studios Counter Service Restaurants
Leah writes the family lifestyle blog Five for the Road. She shares her family travel adventures, planning tips and everyday family fun to inspire families to get out there and enjoy the moments. You can find her spending time with her family or planning their next adventure. Follow along at Five for the Road, Instagram and Facebook.
Speaking of breakfast, did you know guests staying in a Universal hotel receive early entry to the theme parks? Book your discount Universal Orlando hotel with us. Then check out our planning resources, including our downloadable Quick-Start Guide!
