Please help a first time visitor that has never been to Universal

[DreamFlight911]

I have never been to Universal

has a pair of yearlong passes for the parks

What is the best things to do in each park?

 

[NemoRocks78]

IOA
Spidey
Hulk
JPRA
Dragons
Cat in the Hat

USF
Mummy
Disaster
MIB
Simpsons
E.T.
Terminator

 

[Tinkie]

Spiderman in IOA is the best theme park attraction I have ever been on! The new Simpson ride at Universal is AWESOME! Although it did make me a little woozy. You will LOVE the theming throughout both parks. My family loves Pluto's Barge in IOA but you must be ok with getting drenched. We also like the tornando attraction over in Universal. Otherwise the previous poster pretty much hit the nail on the head! Oh and I really like ET in Universal and my husband really likes the posidean attraction at IOA. I guess you will just have to hit them all and judge for yourself! Good thing you have that annual!

 

[WDWKat26]

IOA
Spidey
Hulk
JPRA
Dragons
Cat in the Hat

USF
Mummy
Disaster
MIB
Simpsons
E.T.
Terminator

As for shows:
IOA - Sinbad
USF - Blues Brothers, Beetlejuice and Horror Makeup!

 

[WDWKat26]

I honestly don't think Cat in the Hat is that good of a ride. If you've read the book, that's all you need to know. I just found it cheesy and a waste of my time.

 

[khelinski]

On top of what is listed above, I suggest eating at Monster Cafe (love the pizza), and also take a nice little tour of their hotels. They are beautiful (while Disney may be better in theming with their parks, they hold no candle to Universal's three grand hotels).

 

[Tinkie]

I have thought of touring the hotels as well. Can you walk to them? Is there easy access via boat from citywalk or where? We always rent a car from the car care center for a day or two during our disney trips to visit both Universal and IOA. My husband has no desire to visit the hotels like I do. So could I get to say Portofino and back in an hour or two if I decide to break off from the family? Do they let you just drive your car in for a visit or do you need reservations?

 

[coasterphil]

I have thought of touring the hotels as well. Can you walk to them? Is there easy access via boat from citywalk or where? We always rent a car from the car care center for a day or two during our disney trips to visit both Universal and IOA. My husband has no desire to visit the hotels like I do. So could I get to say Portofino and back in an hour or two if I decide to break off from the family? Do they let you just drive your car in for a visit or do you need reservations?

You can walk (I think) or take a boat (positive about this) to any of their properties. So you could definitely make a quick trip to one of their resorts to look around.

 

[khelinski]

I have thought of touring the hotels as well. Can you walk to them? Is there easy access via boat from citywalk or where? We always rent a car from the car care center for a day or two during our disney trips to visit both Universal and IOA. My husband has no desire to visit the hotels like I do. So could I get to say Portofino and back in an hour or two if I decide to break off from the family? Do they let you just drive your car in for a visit or do you need reservations?

Everything is walking distance from everything. Royal Pacific has a walk way right next to Margaritaville toward Islands. Portofino Bay and Hard Rock has walk ways that's next to the main park.

The walkways have great scenery (nice place for a date), and you can roam the hotels freely (just not into the rooms).

I walked to Royal Pacific twice, didn’t see too much besides the lobby. But I walked to the other two several times. Make sure to check every floor in Hard Rock, as well as the pool. And make sure to check just about anywhere you can venture to in Portofino. That hotel itself is worth spending half the day exploring – it’s so BIG, and there is a lot to see.

 

[sawyerfan87]

I've been there at least 15 times, here's my must list

Universal Studios Orlando-
Shrek 4D,Terminator 2 3d, Horror Make Show, Simpsons ride,Men in Black, Jaws,Beetlejuice Rock N Roll Show,Mummy Ride,Blues Brothers and Twister. They also have Earthquake, but I am not really a fan of it
and if you are a i love lucy fan go in lucy store,which has merchandise,props from the show,and her personal items

Food they have pizza,turkey legs, ice cream,Starbucks and basically what disney world would have in theme parks

If you have little kids then go to E.T,Curious George/Barney,and Jimmy Neutron

Places to Eat we usually go to CityWalk and eat at Hard Rock Cafe and Jimmy Buffet Margaritaville but there are so much more

Islands of Adventure-(Where to Begin)
Incredible Hulk Coaster,Spiderman,Doom's Dropfall(like Tower of Terror,but feet hanging out), Dudley Do Right Waterfalls(like Splash Mountain, but you will get soak) Popeye water ride, Jurassic Park River Adventure(water ride), Dueling Dragons, Sinbad show

Little kids Cat in the Hat area

If stay at a hotel here are 2 favs
1 Hard Rock Hotel
2 Royal Pacific

What ever you do you will have so much fun

HERES A BIG TIP TO MAKE THIS TRIP AWESOME, if you stay at any three of the universal orlando hotels.... you will get hotel pass which you can cut in each attraction. Instead of waiting for 30,60,90,100,120 minutes in stand by you will only have to 5 to 20 minutes aprox.(depending on crowds) in hotel guests line

Have Fun

 

[Skip]

I honestly don't think Cat in the Hat is that good of a ride. If you've read the book, that's all you need to know. I just found it cheesy and a waste of my time.

Well, using that logic, there's no real reason to ride Peter Pan's Flight, Snow White, or Winnie the Pooh... if you've heard the stories or seen the movies, that's all you need to know... they're all a waste of time, too, I guess? :shrug: Cat in the Hat is an expertly done dark ride, and while it does have its flaws, it's great fun and kids love it.

I have thought of touring the hotels as well. Can you walk to them? Is there easy access via boat from citywalk or where? We always rent a car from the car care center for a day or two during our disney trips to visit both Universal and IOA. My husband has no desire to visit the hotels like I do. So could I get to say Portofino and back in an hour or two if I decide to break off from the family? Do they let you just drive your car in for a visit or do you need reservations?

As previous posters have stated, everything is within a 15 minute walk from each other. To get to the Royal Pacific, follow the pathway next to Margaritaville and you'll eventually reach Tchoup Chop (spelling?), Emeril's luxury restaurant at the hotel, and its pool area. To get to Hard Rock and Portofino Bay, take to the path immediately to your right after crossing the bridge to the Studios. Make a left after the bridge to get to Hard Rock or keep walking to get to Portofino. All three resorts have some great restaurants and entertainment so they're well worth a visit.

As for attractions, here are the rides/shows that are worth your attention:

Universal Studios
Revenge of the Mummy
Disaster
Men in Black: Alien Attack
The Simpsons Ride
E.T. Adventure
The Universal Horror Make Up Show
Terminator 2:3D

Twister, Jimmy Neutron, Beatlejuice, and Animal Actors are also fun if you have extra time.

Islands of Adventure
The Amazing Adventures of Spiderman
Incredible Hulk Coaster
Dudley Do Right's Ripsaw Falls
Popeye & Bluto's Bilge Rat Barges
Jurassic Park River Adventure
Dueling Dragons
Poseidon's Fury
The Cat in the Hat

Doctor Doom's Fearfall, JP Discovery Center, Sinbad, and the Seuss Sky Trolley are also fun if you have extra time.

I hope you have a great trip: have fun! :wave:

-Skip

 

[krankenstein]

Everything at both IOA and USF are good, quality attractions that are worth a look at least once. The resort gets dissed by a bunch of Disney folks, but the facility is exceptionally well done. With an AP you will have enough time to give everything a look so be sure to. Go and enjoy!

 

[DreamFlight911]

thanks for the info. i got another question.

i met a person on a website that i go to daily. she is a regular visitor, and so am i. need to know where are the caracture stations in both parks. so i can track her down. could be easy since she is the only female in cast.

here's a lil sampling of her work
http://www.neopets.com/~Betanko

 

[SpongeScott]

Here's one person's opinion: Sell your passes and find something else to do. I didn't get to do IOA, but the rides that are being listed at USF are about the only things to do and are mediocre, at best. I went to USF last night and was extremely disappointed in the park rides. The park itself is nice, theming and queueing is nice, but the rides don't even come close to the standard set by Disney.

 

[krankenstein]

Here's one person's opinion: Sell your passes and find something else to do. I didn't get to do IOA, but the rides that are being listed at USF are about the only things to do and are mediocre, at best. I went to USF last night and was extremely disappointed in the park rides. The park itself is nice, theming and queueing is nice, but the rides don't even come close to the standard set by Disney.

I totally disagree. I'm a Disney nut, for sure! However, Universal is a excellent resort, with great rides and attractions. Some of Universal's attractions are better then their counterparts at Disney. Both are great resorts worth a look.

 

[khelinski]

Here's one person's opinion: Sell your passes and find something else to do. I didn't get to do IOA, but the rides that are being listed at USF are about the only things to do and are mediocre, at best. I went to USF last night and was extremely disappointed in the park rides. The park itself is nice, theming and queueing is nice, but the rides don't even come close to the standard set by Disney.

I know people that got bored at the main park, however, LOVES Islands. And I agree to a certain degree, the quaility of stuff in Universal is a notch down to Disney (for instance, Universal does have ty audio-animatronics).

But if I had to choose, I prefer going to Universal. I love the history of the park, and the history of the company.

Also like to point out that you missed out on Islands completely. There's PLENTY to do there...

Nothing at Disney holds a candle to the Spiderman ride. That ride itself is worth the ticket.

 

[SpongeScott]

I totally disagree. I'm a Disney nut, for sure! However, Universal is a excellent resort, with great rides and attractions. Some of Universal's attractions are better then their counterparts at Disney. Both are great resorts worth a look.

I'd love to know what you think is better. Seriously.

I know people that got bored at the main park, however, LOVES Islands. And I agree to a certain degree, the quaility of stuff in Universal is a notch down to Disney (for instance, Universal does have ty audio-animatronics).

But if I had to choose, I prefer going to Universal. I love the history of the park, and the history of the company.

Also like to point out that you missed out on Islands completely. There's PLENTY to do there...

Nothing at Disney holds a candle to the Spiderman ride. That ride itself is worth the ticket.

No, I didn't get to do IOA, but I don't think anything at Studios surpasses Disney.

 

[khelinski]

I'd love to know what you think is better. Seriously.

No, I didn't get to do IOA, but I don't think anything at Studios surpasses Disney.

Back to the Future Ride (RIP), Simpsons ride, Spiderman, Jurassic Park (the dinos before the big drop are lame, but the actual T-Rex right before the drop, as well as the drop - makes up for it), JAWS...

 

[SpongeScott]

Back to the Future Ride (RIP), Simpsons ride, Spiderman, Jurassic Park (the dinos before the big drop are lame, but the actual T-Rex right before the drop, as well as the drop - makes up for it), JAWS...

:ROFLOL:Too funny! You listed everything I couldn't do (IOA) or didn't do because of line length/group preference/time.

 

[krankenstein]

I'd love to know what you think is better. Seriously.

Men in Black > Buzz
Revenge of the Mummy > EE (plus they can keep the main AA operating)
Earthquake > Catastrophe Canyon (I know it is called Disaster now, I am only comparing the Earthquake portion of the ride though)
Back to the Future > Star Tours (I haven't been since The Simpsons took over)
Terminator > all of Disney's 4-D movies.

Once again that is just my opinion. Like I said I love Disney more than Universal, but Universal has some great rides.