Spring Break On Your Mind?
Written: Jan 27 '05 (Updated Jan 10 '06)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Some new rides like the Mummy, Shrek 4-D, and Jimmy Neutron
Cons: Outdoor park with long lines and some outdated themes
The Bottom Line: You're going to have a great time, I just know you are!
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| xyzwyatt's Full Review: Universal Studios Florida |
Universal Studios originally opened in 1990 and some of their original items are still in place like Jaws and E.T. but Universal is not behind the times. Two new rides, Jimmy Neutron and Shrek opened in 2003; Revenge of the Mummy in 2004.
I will go into detail about the park below but for now let's just cut the fat and talk about the rides. Before you decide if this is the place for you or just another chunk of money to waste you'll need to know what it's all about. It's not coasters like Kings Island, it's not animated moving characters like Disney, it's not a water park like Wet and Wild but it is very similar to MGM Studio. This is a Studio theme park. The rides are based off of popular movies and the special effects are what you are there to see.
Like a movie, telling you too much about the rides will spoil the fun. All of the rides are fun and offer something different. Like Terminator 2 is sitting in a seat watching, E.T. is riding, and Twister is standing and watching. I think what I like best about Universal is you spend a few minutes at the exhibit and you get to experience and process the experience unlike a roller coaster ride where its happening so quickly and all over in a minute.
The best rides are truly all based on your own personal opinion. Some rides may appeal to you more than others. If you set out to enjoy the day I'm sure you will. A lot of reviews mentioned to avoid this ride or that. I have been on them all, they are all good. The only question though, is it worth the wait?
Revenge of the Mummy is certainly a must-see if for no other reason than for the new technology. Universal has claimed this to be the world's first psychological thrill ride. It took 10 years to develop this from idea to ride. The entire ride lasts for three minutes with the coaster portion only a minute. The real reason why this ride is so scary is that you don not know what is going to happen! Since it is an indoor ride you can not study the turns and rationalize it. You know who you are, I see the people standing at roller coasters with their mouth hanging open watching the carts go by and after it has gone around enough you ration that no one is falling out and they seem to be having a good time so you will go on it too. This roller coaster is inside so you do not know what to expect. The ride is very dark with high dollar special effects which make it feel believable. I do not want to go into details and spoil the fun because if you go in unprepared it will scare the shorts off of you! You are launched into the mouth of the mummy with speeds up to 45 miles an hour, you may get turned around and forced into a direction you do not want to be going.
The line moves pretty fast considering it is a brand new. There are many thing in this ride to be afraid of such as the dark, falling, going where you can not see, bugs, fire, and generally afraid to die. It felt like I might die, kept telling my self it was just a ride. Really, if I had heart problems I would not have set foot on the ride.
This is certainly not a ride for impressionable young children in fact most will not be able to ride due to height restrictions. My 11-year-old who thinks he is bigger than his britches went on it and was too scared to go a second time.
When standing in line for the Mummy you will notice that there are brand new lockers next to the line to put your items. You can not take anything on this ride; purses must be put in a locker which can only be unlocked by your thumb print. Modern technology I guess.
Shrek 4-D opened in 2003 and is our personal favorite for the park. The wait time is usually 45 to 90 minutes so if you get an opportunity to express it in the morning as soon as you get there it may save you some time even if that means standing in line for the express pass.
Once you make it through the line you enter into a very crowded waiting room where a story is told on the big screen. Many of their jokes are cute puns that even the younger children get. The auditorium doors will open and you sill find yourself a seat in a room arranged just like a movie theater. The movie requires special plastic glasses for the 4-D effect. The screen is not the only place that you will notice the effects either!
This 20 minute show is great for all ages, even papa enjoyed it. The acting and wisecracking is similar to what you may have seen in Shrek the movie. The main characters are Shrek, Fiona, Donkey, and the ghost of Farquaad and the setting picks up after the Shrek movie left off. The movie is pretty long which is likely while the wait is so long. This is pretty much stationary seating; babies are allowed to lap sit. Wheelchairs have a special section in the front.
Jimmy Neutron is another ride that just opened in 2003 and is located right across from Shrek. There is a height requirement for this one so children who are unable to ride this can watch the show from the front stationary benches. This is no fun at all on the benches; all the enjoyment comes from the moving seats. My husband and I did not get much out of the show, we do not even know who Jimmy Neutron is, but the kids enjoyed it. 30 minutes is the most that we would be willing to wait for this ride, sometimes the ride time is over an hour.
You must be 42 inches tall to ride the Men in Black Alien Attack. This is another must-see ride for us; we really think it is neat. I have seen many children too afraid to go on this ride because they think it is going to be scary but it is not. The monsters are silly, not scary. If you have vertigo stay away from this ride or go on it last! Wait time can be cut down a lot by using the single rider line.
You must be 40 inches tall to ride Back to the Future. This is a simulated ride that follows the plot of the movie. I personally think this technology is really outdated now. If you are seriously closterphobic you might want to skip this one. You are put in a little elevator and you also sit in a closed time capsule which is where the simulation occurs.
Earthquake the big one is a pretty good ride. Once you go through all of the demonstrations inside the building you will be put on a subway and experience an earthquake for yourself. This is a bench seating and it moves, lap sitting is not allowed.
I found Jaws to be the lamest ride in the park. It is simply a boat ride and a couple plastic pieces popping out of the water. The kids liked the boat ride.
Terminator 2 is a presentation which is rated PG-13 for theme. The seats do not move but there are things to experience. 3-D glasses are also used for this presentation. This is a popular show for the adults. Children tend to get scared because the room is dark, the 3-d is scary to children, and there is loud gunfire. The show only runs a few times a day and a show I would not want to miss.
Do you remember Beetlejuice? There is a hilarious comedy show that called Beetlejuice's Graveyard Revue if you want to take the time to see it. It has a lot of crude humor so may not be suitable for all ages. Actors dance, sing, and carry out a skit. This is something entertaining that we do while your food is digesting after a big meal.
The Blues Brothers are still at hit at Universal. You can check the map to see what time they will be performing. You will hear a saxophone player, the Blue’s Brother’s car will pull up and the guys will come out to sing a few songs. My kids have never heard of the Blues Brothers but they enjoyed it just the same.
Twister Ride it Out This is a PG-13 presentation because it could be frightening for little kids. This is usually about a 15-30 minute wait which is usually the shortest in the park. The scene is taken from the Twister movie. You will come into close contact with a tornado in this demonstration. Children are able to be held during this presentation and you will not be moving so digression is for theme only.
E.T. Adventure is a dated ride in my opinion, my children do not know who E.T. is. I think the ride is really neat. A child must be able to sit unassisted really well to ride this ride. The passenger sits on a bicycle seat and rides in the air and sees the same thing that E.T. saw in the movie.
Animal Planet Live is a seated presentation. The announcer will introduce you to some of their pets that can do crazy tricks and some of the audience will become helpers for the skits. I think both adults and kids would find this entertaining.
The Woody Woodpecker's Nuthouse Coaster is a roller coaster for younger children. Since I have a bunch of kids I get to go on this ride too. It is a blast, you do not know what you are missing! It is usually a short line so sometimes the kids can go a few times without waiting.
Nickelodeon Studio is tucked away in the back so may not be noticed but is sure worth scouting out for the kids if they are Nickelodeon fans. Sometimes the shows are really on TV. The kids sit in bleachers and adults sit on bleachers on the other side of the room so you will be separated from your kids for this. (Yay!!!) Many of the kids get to be participants in the game show.
The Barney Show is a hit amongst toddlers. Barney, Baby Bop, and BJ perform some of children's favorite Barney songs. This is a very nice presentation and Barney looks just like he does on TV. After the show Barney greets all the children and a picture can be taken. There is a small souvenir shop attached that has a nice selection of Barney items. The show only runs a few times and fills up quickly so will be something that needs to be planned in advance.
Check out Curious George on a hot summer day! It is a wet area to play in. Many of the kids wear their swimsuit under their clothes, they will get wet!
If you are going to be at the park all day then you are bound to eat. People are always complaining about the price of their food but I don't think their food is "expensive" in perspective to typical dining out which if you were on vacation you'd be doing anyway.
There are many eating areas all around the park and are labeled on the map with what types of food they serve. They have all the greasy selections like hamburgers, hot dogs, pizza, spaghetti, funnel cakes, ice cream, and sodas. They also have stands for quick eats and nice restaurants for relaxed dining. I recommend Richter’s Burger Co. for great big tasty hamburgers, Louie’s Italian restaurant which is average for food but good for the park. They serve pizza and pasta. Finnegan’s is our favorite restaurant in the park. It is an Irish grill and has a large selection of Irish food and quite tasty. The service has always been quick and friendly and a great Irish selection.
If you would like a more rounded lunch or dinner I would recommend making reservations at any of the restaurants at CityWalk (the area before the gates). They are all top quality restaurants such as Hard Rock Cafe, Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville, NBA cafe, NASCAR, and much more.
Water of course is a necessity and costs $2 each for bottled water. You could refill it all day for free at the water fountains if needed or bringing your own water bottle is also an option. There is plastic souvenir cups at most stands. The current offer is once you pay $5-$10 (depending on the cup) you can get refills all day for $1.25.
There are several candy shops that I stop in for a treat. You can get suckers for the kids for $1, a huge chunk of fudge for $3 definitely big enough to split. Fill your own containers with the candy you choose for a couple dollars. They also have Starbucks, Cinnabons, and other breakfast items in case you get the morning munchies.
Tickets can be purchased at a discounted price all over town which would eliminate a very long line in the morning. I actually ordered my tickets on-line and picked them up at an automated teller at Universal which meant no waiting at all. Prices are $59.75+tax for adults, $48+tax or ages 3-9 years, and free for children under 3. A two-park pass is more expensive. I notice that most people do elect that. If you're not sure you want to make a 2-day commitment you can upgrade your tickets without before you leave the park.
In addition to the regular price of entry you can upgrade for $25 a person a pass to cut in front of everyone at the rides. They only sell a limited amount so they stop selling by 11AM or until the tickets run out. You can only go on the ride one time with this pass; 13 rides are included. Personally I do not see a need for Universal pass for this particular park especially if it is not overly crowded since you can express individual rides with your regular ticket.
If you are arriving to the park by car you will be parking in a 3-story parking garage and then you will take a long walk to the front gates. There is a kennel located in parking garage that you can leave your dog for $10/day and they remain open until late in the evening. Many of the hotels offer a shuttle to the theme parks so that could save you some time and frustration if your hotel offers that.
Like most Florida parks, opening and closing times vary depending on the day of the week and the time of the year. The park opens between 8-10AM and they close at dusk. The connecting park, Islands of Adventure, does not run on the same schedule; usually one park is open an hour longer than the other. Their calendar is listed here:
http://themeparks.universalstudios.com/orlando/website/calender.html?calendar=uo_park_hours&template=uo_park_hours.html#uocal
Be sure to get an idea of what the weather will be like before buying tickets because this is a mostly outdoor park and refunds are not given. A forecast can be found at www.weatherchannel.com zip 32819. I usually take a jacket or change of clothes and leave it in the car just in case because there's not a lot of places to buy a shirt or jacket if you get wet or chilly. It is also not unusual for the rain to downpour without notice.
A wheelchair can be rented in the circular area where all parking garages meet. They are first come first serve so may be beneficial to call ahead of time to reserve one. Wheelchairs are $10.00 for the rental and $50.00 deposit with a signed rental contract. Electronic Convenience Vehicles are $40.00 per day plus a $50.00 deposit & signed rental contract.
If you are flying in to Orlando for vacation and can't bring your stroller, I would suggest going a mile down Kirkman to Wal-Mart and getting a $10 umbrella stroller to use at all of the parks. First of all, it's a very long walk carrying a heavy child and diaper bag from the car to gate. Stroller are around $10 for a single or $16 for a double. These are very large hard plastic all-weather strollers designed with toddlers in mind, not infants. If you have a small child that doesn't sit up well bring a blanket to pad the seat. Strollers are not permitted in any of the shows or ride lines so be sure you don't take more baggage than you can carry.
They take most of your money at the gate but they'll still ask for some more throughout the day. You can use your credit cards at most restaurants and souvenir shops. They accept MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Diners Club, and Discover. The only thing that you need "cash" for would be the carnival games and tokens for the video games. There is Automated Teller Machines (ATM) on site and there is an actual Wachovia Bank on site to exchange currency, cash traveler’s checks, and so forth.
There are little novelty souvenir shops around the park which I find to be reasonably priced on most things. They really stick to things like T-shirts, hats, bags, glasses, things that can actually be used. There are of course exceptions like a $15 squirt bottle with a foam fan.
What about the kids!?!
If you have to bring them you'll still have fun. My husband and I got season tickets just for ourselves based on previous reviews that said it was not a place for children. The very next day we bought them passes as well (both parks). Our children at the time were 11 months to 9 years old. They have been to every theme park in Florida and this 2-park duo is hands down their favorite choosing it even over Disney.
If you know your children can't go to one of the restricted rides and you're dying to go you can still go! The major attractions have a baby swap where the whole family waits in line. When you are ready to get on the ride, one parent can wait in the waiting area while the other rides. When the first rider gets off they watch the baby. The second rider retains their place in line and immediately goes on the ride without waiting. In general, if you are going on a ride all by yourself you can move ahead in the line to fill an empty seat and greatly reduce the wait time.
If you have older kids that are old enough to split up that's going to be a blast because the teens can go to the roller coaster rides in Islands of Adventure and the older folks can enjoy walking around and watching the Blues Brothers.
October Halloween Horror Nights / Mardi Gras / Macy's Parade
If you will be visiting in October you may want to consider the Halloween Horror nights which takes place after the park closes. You have to buy special tickets for the event or upgrade your day tickets.
The whole park is transformed. They make haunted houses out of the rides and the employees are all dresses up in very real-looking scary costumes. The streets are filled with spooky things. Lots of alcohol is served for this event. This is not for children.
Mardi gras is in February and is also a blast suitable for both adults and children. The employees are in costumes and they throw candy and bead necklaces from floats. There's loud music and drums.
In the fall they have a Macy's parade which is really exciting too. All of the personnel get in a line with huge balloons, marching bands, and floats and make their way through the park throwing candy at the bystanders.
Other
A cool site that I like to look at is called Theme Park Insider. Visitors have rated each of the rides and food sites. It also gives height restrictions for each ride and any accidents that happened in the past.
http://www.themeparkinsider.com/parks/park.cfm?Resort=Universal%20Orlando&Park=Universal%20Studios%20Florida
Overall
Overall this can be a nice vacation spot for both children and adults. Some of the park is becoming dated because it is based off of movies that we have either forgotten or not old enough to have seen. Universal is eventually changing this into a whole new theme park by phasing in new ones and redesigning old ones. If you have not been to Universal in awhile I am sure you will find it a pleasant new experience.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
xyzwyatt
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Location: Nashville, TN
Reviews written: 542
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Be a coffee-drinking individual - espresso yourself!
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