Well I did it. First time to Universal since '99. It was fun!
Took a cab from Yacht Club, 40 bucks. Got there later because I had the 5K and Marathon Expo that morning. Got into Universal Studios at 11:15, paid 127 bucks--WOW. Literally no lines, only Rip Ride Rockit had lines. So I am sure I enjoyed rides/attractions even more because of the no lines.
Rode Mummy 3 times in a row, loved it very much. Very, very good ride.
Then did Simpsons--very lame, and pretty nonsesensical and all over the place. Back to the Future was a better ride for me.
Men in Black was a solid ride.
Then did Mummy again, and then again.
Then Twister and Shrek and ET. Twister pleasantly surprised me--I liked it. Shrek was okay, and ET was pretty neat (not how I remembered it when I was 12 years old). It was much better than I remembered.
Waited 30 minutes for Rip Ride Rockit--really really liked it. Very fun, and pretty long. Wanted to do it again but was worrried I wouldn't have enough time at Islands.
Then Mummy again, then I Love Lucy and walked over to Islands. It was 2:30. I did everything that I wanted to do--and sometimes more than once--in only about 3 hours.
Islands was more crowded but we used Single Rider Lines. Hulk was great, Spiderman was great, rode each 1 more time. Late lunch at Cafe 4--spaghetti and meatballs. Slice of pizza was decent. Better than at Disney.
Then was annoyed Dudley's was closed. But went on Jurassic Park 2 times--always loved that one, but so much was broken, lol. Ate some more at the JP Welcome Center and explored some trails. JP is a top 3 movie for me.
Then did Harry Potter!! Single line was 35 mins. WOW what a ride. I initially was bummed that it was a ride based on screens, but that quickly changed as the movement really picked up and the ride felt bonkers!! Things popping out at me in my face, incredible movements of the vehicle, just really, really well done. And I've never read the books or seen a HP movie. The ride was one of THE BEST I have ever been on. Ever. It was so good.
Then to the Dragons. Blue first, then Red. Lost my cellphone on Blue--whoops. It was a basic flipphone that whipped out of my pocket. The front desk was very helpful with courtesy calls, and filing a missing phone report. Well done.
It was now 6:30, I was bummed I lost my cell, so I left. I didn't do anything in Suess Landing. But I wanted to but was bummed I lost the phone. Planned to do Potter again, but just left the park.
40 bucks back to Yacht Club.
Was on my feet all day, first the 5K, then all day at Universal/Islands, but should have been resting for my half the next morning. No worry, still ran my best time sub 1:44.
So all in all, I had a great time at Universal/Islands. The initial price was a WOW (in a bad way), but I went on a lot of stuff many times. The parks looked great, food was good, and workers were friendly. I would not have gone back the next day thought--I felt I was "done," and was looking forward to getting back to Disney for Illuminations and a full day at the parks.
I had a good time, would do it again, but only if I went during a slow period. Crowds would make the day not as successful, and therefore I'd feel I didn't get my monies worth.
Took a cab from Yacht Club, 40 bucks. Got there later because I had the 5K and Marathon Expo that morning. Got into Universal Studios at 11:15, paid 127 bucks--WOW. Literally no lines, only Rip Ride Rockit had lines. So I am sure I enjoyed rides/attractions even more because of the no lines.
Rode Mummy 3 times in a row, loved it very much. Very, very good ride.
Then did Simpsons--very lame, and pretty nonsesensical and all over the place. Back to the Future was a better ride for me.
Men in Black was a solid ride.
Then did Mummy again, and then again.
Then Twister and Shrek and ET. Twister pleasantly surprised me--I liked it. Shrek was okay, and ET was pretty neat (not how I remembered it when I was 12 years old). It was much better than I remembered.
Waited 30 minutes for Rip Ride Rockit--really really liked it. Very fun, and pretty long. Wanted to do it again but was worrried I wouldn't have enough time at Islands.
Then Mummy again, then I Love Lucy and walked over to Islands. It was 2:30. I did everything that I wanted to do--and sometimes more than once--in only about 3 hours.
Islands was more crowded but we used Single Rider Lines. Hulk was great, Spiderman was great, rode each 1 more time. Late lunch at Cafe 4--spaghetti and meatballs. Slice of pizza was decent. Better than at Disney.
Then was annoyed Dudley's was closed. But went on Jurassic Park 2 times--always loved that one, but so much was broken, lol. Ate some more at the JP Welcome Center and explored some trails. JP is a top 3 movie for me.
Then did Harry Potter!! Single line was 35 mins. WOW what a ride. I initially was bummed that it was a ride based on screens, but that quickly changed as the movement really picked up and the ride felt bonkers!! Things popping out at me in my face, incredible movements of the vehicle, just really, really well done. And I've never read the books or seen a HP movie. The ride was one of THE BEST I have ever been on. Ever. It was so good.
Then to the Dragons. Blue first, then Red. Lost my cellphone on Blue--whoops. It was a basic flipphone that whipped out of my pocket. The front desk was very helpful with courtesy calls, and filing a missing phone report. Well done.
It was now 6:30, I was bummed I lost my cell, so I left. I didn't do anything in Suess Landing. But I wanted to but was bummed I lost the phone. Planned to do Potter again, but just left the park.
40 bucks back to Yacht Club.
Was on my feet all day, first the 5K, then all day at Universal/Islands, but should have been resting for my half the next morning. No worry, still ran my best time sub 1:44.
So all in all, I had a great time at Universal/Islands. The initial price was a WOW (in a bad way), but I went on a lot of stuff many times. The parks looked great, food was good, and workers were friendly. I would not have gone back the next day thought--I felt I was "done," and was looking forward to getting back to Disney for Illuminations and a full day at the parks.
I had a good time, would do it again, but only if I went during a slow period. Crowds would make the day not as successful, and therefore I'd feel I didn't get my monies worth.
