Tag: Travelers Checks

Guest Services at Universal Studios Tours

There are many services that will help you enjoy your day at Universal Studios, and you should definitely take advantage of the ones that apply to your situation. The folks at Universal want you to have a positive experience, and these services are meant to help you do just that.

There is a Will Call service located right outside the gates. Here, you can have tickets that were purchased online reprinted if necessary, get ticket reservations, or put your pet in a kennel. Also located outside the gate is the Group Sales Window. Here, you can renew your annual passes, or replace lost annual passes. The Annual Pass Center is also located here.

The Guest Relations booth is where you will find visitor information concerning hotels, campsites, and other interesting things to do in the area. You can also get assistance and guides for guests with disabilities and audio assist units. Travel assistance, lost and found, and the lost childrens center are also located in and near the Guest Relations booth.

Strollers and Wheelchairs are available for rent in the upper lot. Lockers, where you can store your items for the day, are also available. ATM Machines are located at the main entrance and in the lower lot by the Jurassic Cove Caf. You may use travelers checks and credit cards at the ticket booth and in the gift shops. Checks are not accepted at Universal Studios, and proper identification is required for the use of credit cards and travelers checks.

First Aid is located in the upper lot near Animal Planet Live. There is another first aid station inside the Jurassic Park Visitors Center, which is situated in the lower lot. There are eight designated smoking areas, which are indicated on the park map. Smoking will not be permitted in any other areas of the park.

You should also take advantage of the Package Deliver Service at Universal Studios Tours. This service will allow you to buy merchandise, and then pick it up near the exit before you leave. The package pickup is located near Universal Film Company.

Again, all of these services are designed to make your visit to Universal Studios Tours more enjoyable. If you have any problems at the park, including problems are situations that are not discussed here you should find a staff member and request assistance. They will do everything within their power to help you rectify your problem, and continue with your Universal Studios Tour.

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What To Take On Your Vacation To Mexico

When considering taking a vacation to Mexico, you should contemplate first on what necessary items you should take with you. There are some things that you just cannot travel without such as legal documents, necessary medications, and of course, currency. As well as items that will make life away from home much more pleasant, such as skin protection and proper attire.

First of all, the items you will have to take would be a United States passport. As of January 23, 2007, passports are required for all United States citizens who are traveling outside of the country by air regardless of their destination. And after January 1, 2008 that requirement will be extended to both land and sea travel. If you don’t have a passport then you will have to apply in person to one of 9,000 passport acceptance facilities located throughout the U.S. It is required to bring two photographs of yourself, proof of United State’s citizenship, and a valid photo ID.

It is also advisable for you to take your driver’s license with you into Mexico, especially if you plan on driving or renting a car. Many times a driver’s license is required when chartering a boat or renting water sports equipment. A copy of your birth certificate should also be one of the important documents that travel with you. If any unfortunate circumstance comes up, these documents will be essential.

It is prudent to take mostly travelers checks and some cash on vacation. Cash is much easier to exchange and to use on a daily basis and in the event that both are stolen, the travelers’ checks can be replaced. Bringing your ATM card can be another good way to access your funds while in Mexico. Another handy item to bring in case of an emergency is a pre-paid phone card or a pay-as-you-go cell phone.

Don’t forget to take any medications that you may need while you are on vacation and if you have a prescribed medication, be sure that the prescription medication labels are legible and that they have your name on them. Sunscreen is also an essential item to pack because the sunshine down south in Mexico is more intense than in most places in the United States and you may sunburn easier than you think.

Other helpful items that you can take on your vacation to Mexico would be a small first aid kit, a pocket sized Spanish-English dictionary, (they even have small electronic dictionaries available) and a good pair of walking shoes. Mostly comfortable and casual attire should be packed although there usually is an occasion for dressing up for a posh dinner or a night on the town. Lastly, sunglasses and a hat will be indispensable for any prolonged exposure out of doors.

As you plan and make lists on what to pack for your trip, remember that it pays to be prepared. This way, when you begin to pack for your vacation to Mexico you will remember to pack the essentials first and then you can include your assortment of cabana wear, your rhinestone flip flops and those loud Hawaiian shirts.

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What Currency To Use When Vacationing In Mexico

While it may seem a simple question to some, what currency you should use while vacationing in Mexico is often asked and more often gotten wrong. Most people know that the national currency of Mexico is the Peso, but most assume that the American dollar works just as well, if not better. It is a common misconception that Mexican merchants and vendors see the dollar as more desirable and revered, but that is not necessarily true.

Most retailers and merchants in Mexico will politely accept American dollars, but they prefer Pesos. The exception would be in Northern Mexico and Baja where merchants happily accept dollars and there isn’t much chance to offend. You just need to make sure in these cases that you get a fair exchange rate. It is also a better deal for the tourist to use Pesos because prices are almost always less expensive when using Pesos.

You can plan ahead and use a currency exchange service before you travel, although you may find that a currency exchange at the airport might give you the best exchange rate. A good bill amount to obtain might be 500 Pesos, which would come in handy for tipping the bellman or a waiter. You can use your debit or credit card for all your other transactions and you can take along traveler’s checks for any emergency that comes along. All of your cards and travelers checks can be replaced if stolen so don’t take an inordinate amount of cash with you.

If you run low on cash you can always replenish your pocketbook at the many ATM bank machines that are prevalent in resort areas. You can cash your traveler’s checks at an exchange house or a bank, which will result in the face value of the check multiplied by that day’s rate of exchange. If the place you go tries to charge a fee for doing this, go somewhere else, as it is not common practice to levy fees or commissions for cashing traveler’s checks.

And don’t forget that friends and family will appreciate and enjoy seeing coins and currency from distant lands when you get home. Be sure to keep some Pesos to give a show and tell when you return. If you have children you will especially appreciate how much they will enjoy showing off your “booty” to their friends. And putting some of the Pesos you get while on vacation into your scrapbook or photo album will be a great reminder of all the fun you had in Mexico.

Using the currency of Mexico will not only make your cash go farther, but it will also stimulate your mind as you take in all the colorful images printed on the Pesos and immerse yourself into the culture of Mexico. Go to a currency exchange service and get a lot of different small denominations. Learning what certain everyday items cost and how little you have to spend to have a good time will only serve to better your vacation experience. Have fun!

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