I booked Uni restaurant reservations using Opentable.com.
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Universal for the first time in 10 years!!
- Thread starter col
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BryceM
Well-Known Member
In IOA, I would also suggest exploring Camp Jurassic and the Jurassic Park Discovery Center. These are very neat places to explore, and really transport you into JP. Popeye & Bluto's Bilge Rat Barges in Toon Lagoon is one of the best and most fun rapid rides ever created. If you don't want to get wet, skip it. However, you can easily be entertained by exploring the Sweet Haven area which lies around the ride, as it is very pretty and gives great views of the ride itself and the rest of IOA.
Poseidon's Fury is also one I would really try to hit up. It may be cheesy at some points, but it is a really unique attraction and oh, my, god... THAT FACADE...
The Cat in the Hat is a very cute little dark ride, and offers some great little spins and twists. It is pretty decent in length as well. I always make sure to ride CitH when I'm in IOA. Seuss Trolley offers some amazing views of the park.
Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls in Toon Lagoon is fun, but has some janky theming when it comes to the interior show scenes. The facade and the surrounding area are superbly done, but the ride experience is pretty poor, except for the opening scene and the drops.
Flight of the Hippogriff is a very fun family coaster with some great theming. You'll pass by Hagrid's Hut and an amazing Buckbeak animatronic. The coaster is also mildly thrilling and offers some GREAT views of Hogsmeade and Hogwarts.
Dragon Challenge is shell of it's former self (Dueling Dragons) and always depresses me when I ride it because I think how great it used to be. The coasters are fun individually and intense, but it's just sad how they no longer duel and how the experience of the ride has been changed.
Poseidon's Fury is also one I would really try to hit up. It may be cheesy at some points, but it is a really unique attraction and oh, my, god... THAT FACADE...
The Cat in the Hat is a very cute little dark ride, and offers some great little spins and twists. It is pretty decent in length as well. I always make sure to ride CitH when I'm in IOA. Seuss Trolley offers some amazing views of the park.
Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls in Toon Lagoon is fun, but has some janky theming when it comes to the interior show scenes. The facade and the surrounding area are superbly done, but the ride experience is pretty poor, except for the opening scene and the drops.
Flight of the Hippogriff is a very fun family coaster with some great theming. You'll pass by Hagrid's Hut and an amazing Buckbeak animatronic. The coaster is also mildly thrilling and offers some GREAT views of Hogsmeade and Hogwarts.
Dragon Challenge is shell of it's former self (Dueling Dragons) and always depresses me when I ride it because I think how great it used to be. The coasters are fun individually and intense, but it's just sad how they no longer duel and how the experience of the ride has been changed.
BryceM
Well-Known Member
I personally find Seuss Landing to be an example of near perfect theming and attention to detail, however it would be pointless to argue this... merely just stating what I think
TalkingHead
Well-Known Member
Everyone has different experiences, but for quality of food and value, I've really liked Mythos. Three Broomsticks is the best counter service at IOA. Everything I've had there has been good. And it's the only place to get the pumpkin fizz beverage, so that automatically gets it some points!
I love it for that, and for the fact that all of the safety announcements are done in Suess-like rhymes. The attractions themselves are...fine. Cat in the Hat is nice dark ride with nothing too special. The train is pleasant, but not worth a wait, and the carousel is what it is.
BryceM
Well-Known Member
One Fish, Two Fish is actually really fun, due to it's interactivity.
TalkingHead
Well-Known Member
I really like the elevated train -- it's like the Peoplemover without safety railings. Great views, too. Just wouldn't want to wait 30 minutes for it.
scoobygirl39541
Well-Known Member
My do not miss list: Horror makeup Show, Revenge of the Mummy, Men in Black
RTeker
Active Member
10 years.. i got that beat by an additional few years. First time I was there was just after IOA opened and they had Island Skipper Tours sometime in 2000. Then went there last year and all the new stuff for me was the HP island, Rip Rocket, The Mummy, Shrek 4-D, and The Simpsons. so yea one of the things i did was the meal deal since i was by myself was worth some of it like the Richter's Burger Company while other spots sucked liked the Suess Circus tent
(yea I still refer to the various parts in IOA as islands, old habit)
(yea I still refer to the various parts in IOA as islands, old habit)
HTF
Well-Known Member
Very curious to hear all about your trip! Love Mythos and given recent crowds reservations would be ideal.
Lauratron
Member
Is it okay to hijack again??
Wellllllll, I was kinda 50/50 on my experience at Universal. I think I was going into it with some big expectations though. After going to Disney in November and again being frustrated with the usual complaints around here (maintenance, FF+, lack of concern to compete with the local competition, etc.) I was planning on sending Disney a "I'm breaking up with you; it's not me, it's you" letter. I wanted to hold off writing/sending the letter until after I went to Universal because I thought it would further inspire/substantiate my complaints. Unfortunately, going to Universal did not have that affect on me. That sounds more negative than it should. I think what I realized while there is that both parks [Disney/Universal] have some definite positives, and some glaring negatives and I don't really feel like one can replace the other. Universal's positives for me:
- Wizarding World of Harry Potter; more specifically Forbidden Journey (I'm sure that's an obvious). I don't think Disney has anything that even comes close to touching this ride/area. This is the one stand out attraction/area that made me actually mad at Disney...that their sad answer to it was New Fantasyland. Then to think about the other two rides Universal is adding on top of it, just makes me even angrier at Disney. Return of the Mummy and Spiderman/Transformers also make me feel that way too--very unique ride systems that feel like Universal is making more of an attempt to step outside the box.
-Food, in particular Mythos. It was nice not to have my wallet cleaned out for a nice sit down meal that I didn't have to book 60 days in advance. We stopped by at 11am and made 1pm reservations just to be safe. It was not busy either time we were there. Food/selection was nice, especially for the price and the atmosphere was great too. Also ate at Finnegan's; didn't think the food was all that special, but again, glad it was decently priced so no loss there. Chicken Waffle and Sour Cream Donut from the Simpsons area were quite tasty and two of my favorite things I ate while there.
-MIB is by far the most successfully executed shooter rider when comparing to Buzz and TSMM. It's no contest at all...it's fun, immersive, and there's so much to look at that I found myself more preoccupied with that the first time through, than shooting.
-Having some actual coasters in the mix is very nice and really rounds out the experience.
Universal's negatives for me:
-It felt very very screen/3D/4D dominated. That got old really fast. After a while, all those types of rides just become the same experience so that was really disappointing.
-I absolutely HATED having to use lockers for bags. On coasters, yeah, that makes sense, but MIB? Mummy? Give me a break. This was by far my biggest pet peeve. Is it THAT big of a deal? No, but it definitely affected my overall opinion.
-Rides shutting down. In 1 day, 4 rides closed/shut down while we were in line or riding at Universal. That was highly annoying. I don't feel there's THAT much to do there in the first place so it left us feeling like there was nothing else to do. And I guess that's a big point too--it really does feel like there's not much to do there. Very much a DHS feel, where I can get everything done in half a day and move on.
-My last point is more an observation and less a negative. People on here have made comparisons that the staff at Universal are more friendly and professional, etc. than at Disney. I tried to be overly observant of that when we went to Disney in November and then while we were at Universal. I actually did not find there to be any difference. Employees at both parks seem neutral, enjoy conversing with each other rather than focusing on guests, but then you get your occasional stand out employees. I did feel a lack of assistance with lines at Universal...often times we found switchbacks messed up or not clearly defined and didn't know if we we supposed to go one way or another, stop, go, or what. There was never anyone around to clarify for us. We did hear someone mention that they were having staffing issues the two days though because it was 41 degrees and raining.
All in all, I'd like to go back. It made me both appreciate Disney in some ways, but also made me mad at Disney as well. I feel they're two different creatures and I don't necessarily want to put them in the same boat together. I AM really excited to see all the new things Universal adds the next 6 years...if recent rides are any indication, it's going to really amp up their parks for sure! If anything, I'm glad I have a new short vacation option if I'm not in the mood to go drop $3k at Disney.
willtravel
Well-Known Member
I will be going to UNI May 22 thru May 24. Memorial day weekend. Will 3 days be enough? I am concerned about crowds. I will be staying off property. And for HP it is best to wait till later in day to see?
Thanks for help
Thanks for help
englanddg
One Little Spark...
3 days will be barely enough...I went in 2011 WITH on site stay and the associated express passes, and wish I'd had 4 days.
That being said, HP at IoA, hit the ride just at closing or hit it early. Avoid it through the day.
The rest of the venue is pretty normal.
What else do you want to know?
That being said, HP at IoA, hit the ride just at closing or hit it early. Avoid it through the day.
The rest of the venue is pretty normal.
What else do you want to know?
willtravel
Well-Known Member
Rut Row... I haven't been there since 1998 when they started to build IOA. I was reading a post by @Lauratron and got a little concerned with the3 D movies and the amount there. I get motion sickness. So I guess either suck it up or don't go on. A parade during day? And some type of show at night is that correct?
englanddg
One Little Spark...
We had a great time at Uni.
They do have a nighttime show, though we missed it up close on our trips.
Do you have specific concerns about rides? I had a great time with the kid...
First half of that was Uni...
willtravel
Well-Known Member
Do they have any entertainment throughout the day like WDW?
englanddg
One Little Spark...
Yep. Great parade in Uni. At IoA I didn't see much, but the park alone kept me distracted.