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- Thread starter dandaman
- Start date
nibblesandbits
Well-Known Member
Danny...waiting for more...(patiently, of course...:lookaroun )
Day 3: A Starring Role
As promised (and now delivered), today I got to experience what I’ve wanted to do for a really long time. Don’t get me wrong; I LOVE Disney, and nothing would ever change that. Call it a longing for a change of pace. :lol: Combine that with my love for thrills, and you get one happy kid wanting to visit.
(I’ll warn you now… I jumped around a lot taking the photos, so you might see some weird night-day transitions in them.)
Without further ado, ladies and gents, I present to you: Universal Orlando Resort!
…OK, with a BIT of further ado…
I guess fatigue clouds judgement, because even in broad daylight the day before, I failed to notice this!
Just because I always have to have that obligatory palm shot:
As promised (and now delivered), today I got to experience what I’ve wanted to do for a really long time. Don’t get me wrong; I LOVE Disney, and nothing would ever change that. Call it a longing for a change of pace. :lol: Combine that with my love for thrills, and you get one happy kid wanting to visit.
(I’ll warn you now… I jumped around a lot taking the photos, so you might see some weird night-day transitions in them.)
Without further ado, ladies and gents, I present to you: Universal Orlando Resort!
…OK, with a BIT of further ado…
I guess fatigue clouds judgement, because even in broad daylight the day before, I failed to notice this!
Just because I always have to have that obligatory palm shot:
Is it…?
OMG! It is! (Albeit a little distant…)
More on the mysterious towers later…
Here’s the ultra-deluxe version of the Polynesian that we stayed at. Seriously, the detailing was INSANE.
Bridge over tranquil waters…
We were in one of those rooms up there, facing out to the newer theme park.
Have I told you how impressed I was?
For all those Dory-lovers or imitators… I’m still here.
I think a better pool shot comes later, but they had this fake front half of a ship with all these water cannons ‘n stuff!
Random planes are nice, too…
OMG! It is! (Albeit a little distant…)
More on the mysterious towers later…
Here’s the ultra-deluxe version of the Polynesian that we stayed at. Seriously, the detailing was INSANE.
Bridge over tranquil waters…
We were in one of those rooms up there, facing out to the newer theme park.
Have I told you how impressed I was?
For all those Dory-lovers or imitators… I’m still here.
I think a better pool shot comes later, but they had this fake front half of a ship with all these water cannons ‘n stuff!
Random planes are nice, too…
Yeah, yeah… tomorrow.
It was about an 8-minute walk to the parks, but there was a more convenient shuttle boat.
But dangit, I had to get to my rides first so I walked anyways!
A crappy shot of “Downtown Universal” (which was the exact opposite of crappy, though I don’t know what that would exactly be).
World’s largest Hard Rock Café.
…And now, a SHINY picture of the world’s largest Hard Rock Café.
I’ve wanted to see these guys on stage for a good chunk o’ time. (Sadly, not open yet.)
It was about an 8-minute walk to the parks, but there was a more convenient shuttle boat.
But dangit, I had to get to my rides first so I walked anyways!
A crappy shot of “Downtown Universal” (which was the exact opposite of crappy, though I don’t know what that would exactly be).
World’s largest Hard Rock Café.
…And now, a SHINY picture of the world’s largest Hard Rock Café.
I’ve wanted to see these guys on stage for a good chunk o’ time. (Sadly, not open yet.)
Aah, here we go…
Today’s park of choice would be the one that started it all in 1989.
See the difference? THIS Main Street doesn’t have a world-renowned icon (or hat) at the end!
Shout-out time: A certain someone (Law-and-Order-The-Ride-guy somewhere up this page) was probably the biggest help for my touring plans/deals. Thanks, Barry!
That having been said, all of his foolproof suggestions were thrown out the door in the first ten minutes, because we rode Jimmy Neutron first. Sorry. =)
I figured it would make me a little nauseous (as most simulators do), but it was surprisingly fun. Probably the best part was when Spongebob said, “Hello, secondary characters!”
Next up for pictures (and after the ride I believe), I just decided to test my camera colours.
Seriously, that Mardi Gras guy was EVERYWHERE around the parks.
One of few NBC shows that I thoroughly enjoy
All right: I swear, they must have built this next ride just for me!
Explanation: I’m really interested in weather, and with a little luck, plan to have a career in meteorology. I got Twister as a 7th birthday present (yeah, I know) and it’s been in my Top 10 list ever since. I’d seen footage of the ride only years before, on a (I think) Canadian kids’ TV show.
Anyway… welcome!
I was completely stoked when they had all this stuff from the movie.
It’s the Phillip-Seymour-Hoffman-mobile!
Anyone who knows this one gets a check from me. (Bouncy, bouncy.)
No amount of television footage can compare to this experience, especially in the front row. This ranks as the most surprising part of the vacation. It can’t be described… and I’m hard-pressed for time, so I won’t. =)
Today’s park of choice would be the one that started it all in 1989.
See the difference? THIS Main Street doesn’t have a world-renowned icon (or hat) at the end!
Shout-out time: A certain someone (Law-and-Order-The-Ride-guy somewhere up this page) was probably the biggest help for my touring plans/deals. Thanks, Barry!
That having been said, all of his foolproof suggestions were thrown out the door in the first ten minutes, because we rode Jimmy Neutron first. Sorry. =)
I figured it would make me a little nauseous (as most simulators do), but it was surprisingly fun. Probably the best part was when Spongebob said, “Hello, secondary characters!”
Next up for pictures (and after the ride I believe), I just decided to test my camera colours.
Seriously, that Mardi Gras guy was EVERYWHERE around the parks.
One of few NBC shows that I thoroughly enjoy
All right: I swear, they must have built this next ride just for me!
Explanation: I’m really interested in weather, and with a little luck, plan to have a career in meteorology. I got Twister as a 7th birthday present (yeah, I know) and it’s been in my Top 10 list ever since. I’d seen footage of the ride only years before, on a (I think) Canadian kids’ TV show.
Anyway… welcome!
I was completely stoked when they had all this stuff from the movie.
It’s the Phillip-Seymour-Hoffman-mobile!
Anyone who knows this one gets a check from me. (Bouncy, bouncy.)
No amount of television footage can compare to this experience, especially in the front row. This ranks as the most surprising part of the vacation. It can’t be described… and I’m hard-pressed for time, so I won’t. =)
Next on my “ultimate” list:
Obviously the roller coaster wins “best park ride” for me every time. Revenge of the Mummy is an indoor dark ride on steroids. By this point I think Universal’s calling card of sorts is super-awesome, super-hot pyrotechnics. Anytime you’re almost launched at 45 mph through a wall of flames is a time to remember.
Next rant: Anyone who says Universal’s themeing isn’t anywhere CLOSE to Disney clearly has a one-track mind and has never truly visited. I’m so sick and tired of people viewing Universal as “the enemy”.
Here’s likely the lowest example of themeing at this particular park: the brilliant New York sets.
I ate here for lunch… darn good spaghetti and meatballs. (Heh… Corleone.)
Wait…
See? Disney and Universal are more alike than you thought. =)
The next ride was a little odd…
Flashback: I visited Universal Studios in 1996, therefore I remembered maybe two things from here. One was Fievel’s Playland, which is cool that they still have, and the second being Earthquake. Now, as with most rides, it seemed a lot better when you were little, Earthquake being no exception. Still love the derailing train effect though.
*dun-dun*
…What’s next?
*dun-dun*
I could have sworn it was here somewhere…
*dun-dun-dun-dun-dun-dun*
…AAAAAAH!
So, because I was on the left side of the boat, Jaws basically scalded me (a fuel depot “explosion”, not the shark). Then I sat on the right, and got a steam bath! Guess you just can’t win.
Amity’s cool though.
Obviously the roller coaster wins “best park ride” for me every time. Revenge of the Mummy is an indoor dark ride on steroids. By this point I think Universal’s calling card of sorts is super-awesome, super-hot pyrotechnics. Anytime you’re almost launched at 45 mph through a wall of flames is a time to remember.
Next rant: Anyone who says Universal’s themeing isn’t anywhere CLOSE to Disney clearly has a one-track mind and has never truly visited. I’m so sick and tired of people viewing Universal as “the enemy”.
Here’s likely the lowest example of themeing at this particular park: the brilliant New York sets.
I ate here for lunch… darn good spaghetti and meatballs. (Heh… Corleone.)
Wait…
See? Disney and Universal are more alike than you thought. =)
The next ride was a little odd…
Flashback: I visited Universal Studios in 1996, therefore I remembered maybe two things from here. One was Fievel’s Playland, which is cool that they still have, and the second being Earthquake. Now, as with most rides, it seemed a lot better when you were little, Earthquake being no exception. Still love the derailing train effect though.
*dun-dun*
…What’s next?
*dun-dun*
I could have sworn it was here somewhere…
*dun-dun-dun-dun-dun-dun*
…AAAAAAH!
So, because I was on the left side of the boat, Jaws basically scalded me (a fuel depot “explosion”, not the shark). Then I sat on the right, and got a steam bath! Guess you just can’t win.
Amity’s cool though.
And now, the way-cooler-than-Buzz-Lightyear ride!
Men in Black: Alien Attack should be the standard by which all “target” rides are measured. First try I got 456,000. What can I say? I’ve got good aim.
This funky train should tell you where I am now.
But just in case.
Hooray for flux-capacitor-fitted DeLoreans!
Back to the Future, oddly enough, is officially closing at the end of the month. It was fun knowing I’d be among the last to ride, especially since it kicked the crap outta me. Hasta la bye-bye!
Good milkshakes
Aww… I wanna stay here.
Here’s where I draw the line for roller-coaster riding.
…OK, OK! So I more or less erased that line and rode anyway. Shhhh.
Hey, ladies! It may look tired and ugly, but it only costs $14.08! :lookaroun
Men in Black: Alien Attack should be the standard by which all “target” rides are measured. First try I got 456,000. What can I say? I’ve got good aim.
This funky train should tell you where I am now.
But just in case.
Hooray for flux-capacitor-fitted DeLoreans!
Back to the Future, oddly enough, is officially closing at the end of the month. It was fun knowing I’d be among the last to ride, especially since it kicked the crap outta me. Hasta la bye-bye!
Good milkshakes
Aww… I wanna stay here.
Here’s where I draw the line for roller-coaster riding.
…OK, OK! So I more or less erased that line and rode anyway. Shhhh.
Hey, ladies! It may look tired and ugly, but it only costs $14.08! :lookaroun
I didn’t stick around for the show, but Universal 360 has been called the poor man’s Illuminations. From what I hear, it’s just a procession of Universal movies with a few pyrotechnics. Meh.
You can’t get enough.
Though I walked back to the Royal Pacific at this point, here’s a sunset shot of across the lake.
Now there’s a great big beautiful tomorrow.
“I’m a creepy frog silhouette… now GIMME SOME FLIES!”
Hey, I did have that shot after all!
Well, folks, if you’ve ever wanted Typhoon Lagoon at your hotel pool…
Found this waiting for us back in our room!
Emeril really gets around…
You can’t get enough.
Though I walked back to the Royal Pacific at this point, here’s a sunset shot of across the lake.
Now there’s a great big beautiful tomorrow.
“I’m a creepy frog silhouette… now GIMME SOME FLIES!”
Hey, I did have that shot after all!
Well, folks, if you’ve ever wanted Typhoon Lagoon at your hotel pool…
Found this waiting for us back in our room!
Emeril really gets around…
Shopping time!
CityWalk is pretty much like Downtown Disney West Side… only with better shops!
This, of course, being my sister’s shopping mecca…
Heck, this was probably my favourite shop too! All the elaborate woodcarvings and sculptures really left an impression… not that I’d ever BUY anything…
Hey Connor
I actually saw Forrest Gump for the first time a few days before. GREAT movie.
This blinking thing was visible for miles around.
How original.
Help me identify these next two cars (outside of the NASCAR restaurant). I think The first is Kurt Busch and the second’s Dale Earnhardt Jr.
CityWalk is pretty much like Downtown Disney West Side… only with better shops!
This, of course, being my sister’s shopping mecca…
Heck, this was probably my favourite shop too! All the elaborate woodcarvings and sculptures really left an impression… not that I’d ever BUY anything…
Hey Connor
I actually saw Forrest Gump for the first time a few days before. GREAT movie.
This blinking thing was visible for miles around.
How original.
Help me identify these next two cars (outside of the NASCAR restaurant). I think The first is Kurt Busch and the second’s Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Unremarkable and blurry, as are most of my dark shots. Just keep that lone illuminated “V” in mind.
Photobucket’s deciding to cut off my limit, so deleting I will go. Good thing I just ran out of today’s pictures! :lol:
Tomorrow… the adventure begins. :wave:
Photobucket’s deciding to cut off my limit, so deleting I will go. Good thing I just ran out of today’s pictures! :lol:
Tomorrow… the adventure begins. :wave:
nibblesandbits
Well-Known Member
Danny said:
The second is Dale Earnhardt Jr's. But I don't know racing enough to get the first one.
CaptainMichael
Well-Known Member
Very nice, keep up the good work.
sillyspook13
Well-Known Member
I was just at The Pier too! Funny, I spent a lot of time at St. Pete Beach as a child, yet I never made it to the pier until 2 weeks ago.:shrug:
Pongo
New Member
Aw man. Those shots of the west coast make me jealous. I don't go there enough.
I love Tampa (have a good friend that lives there), but I must have been in the dirty part of St. Pete because your pictures look a LOT nicer than I remember it being. And I was just there like... 9 months ago :lol:
EDIT: And the west coast beaches are a million times better than the ones on my side. I don't understand it.
I love Tampa (have a good friend that lives there), but I must have been in the dirty part of St. Pete because your pictures look a LOT nicer than I remember it being. And I was just there like... 9 months ago :lol:
EDIT: And the west coast beaches are a million times better than the ones on my side. I don't understand it.
Day 4: The Call to Adventure
If you’ve made it this far and wish it would stop, you will now be subjected to even more photos. (I like reverse psychology.)
This second (and newest) park opened in May of 1999, and really proved to the world that Universal could compete among the best theme parks in the business. Now, hoist the sails and cast off to…
Islands of Adventure is said to directly compete with the Magic Kingdom, though the only similarities I can find are they both have distinctive “lands”. All other comparisons seem to be thrown in the air and blasted like a skeet shooting plate. This park is AMAZING.
Here’s the lighthouse (which I guess is the park’s distinctive icon) from our hotel room… told you it had a decent view!
The Port of Entry is this park’s Main Street, funnelling everyone to the main lagoon or hub (Great Inland Sea). Universal Creative went all out on this part of the park, I would’ve thought they ran out the park budget with just this area!
I wanted to get to one ride first in particular, so I’ll write things in order of visitation. I had to pass through Seuss Landing first.
There’ll be a bit more tomorrow, but yes, they do actually serve this.
If you’ve made it this far and wish it would stop, you will now be subjected to even more photos. (I like reverse psychology.)
This second (and newest) park opened in May of 1999, and really proved to the world that Universal could compete among the best theme parks in the business. Now, hoist the sails and cast off to…
Islands of Adventure is said to directly compete with the Magic Kingdom, though the only similarities I can find are they both have distinctive “lands”. All other comparisons seem to be thrown in the air and blasted like a skeet shooting plate. This park is AMAZING.
Here’s the lighthouse (which I guess is the park’s distinctive icon) from our hotel room… told you it had a decent view!
The Port of Entry is this park’s Main Street, funnelling everyone to the main lagoon or hub (Great Inland Sea). Universal Creative went all out on this part of the park, I would’ve thought they ran out the park budget with just this area!
I wanted to get to one ride first in particular, so I’ll write things in order of visitation. I had to pass through Seuss Landing first.
There’ll be a bit more tomorrow, but yes, they do actually serve this.
Next up is by far my favourite land, and certainly the most elaborate:
The Lost Continent is truly the best single land in a theme park I’ve ever had the privilege of experiencing. I can’t stress it enough… so I’ll move on.
The Lost Continent is home to (voted) the world’s best theme park restaurant four years running. Yeah… this is the OUTSIDE.
Mythos apparently used to have really good balsamic chicken… but doesn’t anymore. =(
Most people veer off to the left in the first 15 minutes of park opening, where a certain roller coaster is the main draw (a lot more on that later). By most people, I mean all but 5 people don’t!
Here, Dot…
(Advance pic) I ended up eating here for lunch. Really good bacon cheeseburger (do we see a trend?), and their corn-on-the-cob was good enough to eat without butter or salt!
The Lost Continent is truly the best single land in a theme park I’ve ever had the privilege of experiencing. I can’t stress it enough… so I’ll move on.
The Lost Continent is home to (voted) the world’s best theme park restaurant four years running. Yeah… this is the OUTSIDE.
Mythos apparently used to have really good balsamic chicken… but doesn’t anymore. =(
Most people veer off to the left in the first 15 minutes of park opening, where a certain roller coaster is the main draw (a lot more on that later). By most people, I mean all but 5 people don’t!
Here, Dot…
(Advance pic) I ended up eating here for lunch. Really good bacon cheeseburger (do we see a trend?), and their corn-on-the-cob was good enough to eat without butter or salt!
Ah-ha! Here’s my favourite IOA attraction. The best part of the day was Barry’s suggestion (yet again) to head here first. Front row, outer left, FIRST rider of the entire day! Lads and lasses, grab your shields and do battle with Dueling Dragons!
Cool dude vs. hot stuff. Who wins? Ultimately, you do.
“I’m mad Ice Dragon… now GIMME SOME SNOWBALLS!”
“I’m mad Dragon… now GIMME SOME CHAR-BROILED STEAK WITH MAPLE-GLAZED BARBECUE SAUCE!”
…Fire Dragon knows what he likes, and he likes steaks.
Likely one of the best-themed queuing lines ever. I didn’t say roller coaster because, while the two intertwined tracks do kick some serious butt, they’re still outdoors and can’t give some thrills like the indoor ones can. That being said… here’s an awesome castle.
“Ye may have courage, but skills ye lack… if I were you, I would turn back!”
Ice Dragon’s food is flash-frozen for his convenience, to preserve freshness.
Cool dude vs. hot stuff. Who wins? Ultimately, you do.
“I’m mad Ice Dragon… now GIMME SOME SNOWBALLS!”
“I’m mad Dragon… now GIMME SOME CHAR-BROILED STEAK WITH MAPLE-GLAZED BARBECUE SAUCE!”
…Fire Dragon knows what he likes, and he likes steaks.
Likely one of the best-themed queuing lines ever. I didn’t say roller coaster because, while the two intertwined tracks do kick some serious butt, they’re still outdoors and can’t give some thrills like the indoor ones can. That being said… here’s an awesome castle.
“Ye may have courage, but skills ye lack… if I were you, I would turn back!”
Ice Dragon’s food is flash-frozen for his convenience, to preserve freshness.